HISTOEY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE 
 
 INCLUDING THE COOPERATIVE OPERATIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 GEN. WILSON S CAVALRY IN ALABAMA. 
 
 BY 
 
 BREVET MAJOR-GEN EKAL C. C, ANDREWS, 
 
 LATE COMMANDING THE SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, U. S. VOLS. 
 
 WITH MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY. 
 LONDON: TKftBNER & CO. 
 
 1889. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, 
 BY D. VAN NOSTRAND, 
 
 In the Clerk s office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of 
 
 New York. 
 
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 ON the occasion of issuing the second edition of this history 
 it may be of interest to state that I commenced collecting 
 materials for the work at Washington City in the beginning 
 of the year 1866, and remained there nearly all of that year, 
 exclusively engaged in preparing it for the press. I sent out, at 
 the start, specific requests for information, not only to com 
 manders of divisions, brigades, regiments, and batteries which 
 took part in the campaign, but to a number of others who were 
 found to possess interesting facts. The responses to these re 
 quests were generally prompt and full, and so intelligent and 
 circumstantial as to inspire confidence. Occasionally the first 
 reply would lead to more searching inquiries. The result was 
 that, from the best Union and Confederate sources, and while 
 the facts were fresh in the minds of the writers, I received a 
 large number of communications making in the aggregate sev 
 eral hundred pages. These original papers are still in my pos 
 session, and I hope some time to deposit them in a public library 
 that is fire-proof. 
 
 That no pains should be spared on my part to make the work 
 as accurate and complete as possible, I, in the month of May, 
 1866, accompanied by a conscientious and competent artist (Mr. 
 Dielman), went from Washington and revisited the battle-fields 
 of Spanish Fort and Blakely. We remained about ten days at 
 
 250853 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 the little village of Blakely, busily occupied, the artist making 
 sketches with pencil some of which are reproduced in the 
 work and I in verifying the field fortifications and obtaining 
 data for an accurate topographical map of the battle-field. Only 
 one day was spent at Spanish Fort, the U. S. Engineers map of 
 the works there being satisfactory. We were favored the whole 
 time with clear summer weather. The native foliage at Blakely 
 was magnificent, and such wild fruit as the running blackberry 
 was ripe and abundant. As only about a year had passed since 
 the assault, the whole place had for me a deep and peculiar 
 interest. On this trip I had pleasant interviews with several 
 ex-Confederate officers at Montgomery, Mobile, and New Or 
 leans, arid received from them interesting and valuable informa 
 tion in regard to the campaign. At New Orleans I also met 
 Gen. Canby, then commanding the Department of Louisiana, 
 Shortly afterwards he was called to Washington and entered 
 upon duty in the War Department, and while thus engaged he 
 gave me free access to the letter and dispatch record-books used 
 by the Confederate commanders at Blakely and Spanish Fort, 
 which, of course, proved uncommonly valuable sources of 
 information. Numerous extracts from those records are 
 printed as foot-notes. 
 
 The military maps used in this work were engraved on cop 
 per-plate by a very skilful engraver accustomed to doing nice 
 work for the U. S. Coast Survey Office. 
 
 While the literary quality of the work is not all that I could 
 wish, I would state that among the very few books I had with 
 me and habitually read during the last two years of the war was 
 
PR EF A C E. V 
 
 %< Napier s History of the War in the Peninsula," and that 
 I tried to model the present volume on his style. I was not 
 then aware, however, that he had rewritten his first volume as 
 many as six times, nor that competent judges regarded his work 
 as the best military history in the English language. 
 
 On my asking Gen. Canby to tell me of any mistake I had 
 made, the only criticism I remember of his making was that I 
 had attached too much importance to Mobile as the objective 
 point, the purpose of his campaign being to occupy central as 
 well as southern Alabama. 
 
 A letter from Gen. Geo. II. Thomas to the publisher in re 
 gard to the work, dated Louisville, February 15, 1867, states 
 that after his army was assembled on the Tennessee River after 
 the Nashville campaign, it was his intention, if authorized, to 
 move on Selma, and with that view he gave full instructions to 
 Gen. "Wilson as to the movement of his cavalry in support. 
 The subsequent movement by Wilson in support of Canby was 
 executed, Gen. Thomas states, pursuant to those instructions. 
 
 Shortly after the work was issued I received a letter from 
 Gen. R. L. Gibson, dated New Orleans, January 19, 1867, and 
 which is now before me, pointing out a few inaccuracies, but 
 more particularlv assuring me that I had over-estimated the nu 
 merical strength of the Spanish Fort garrison. He states that 
 up to the arrival of the two brigades of Holtzclaw and Ector 
 (the latter commanded by Col. Andrews) he only had Thomas s 
 brigade of Alabama Eeserves and Gibson s brigade (the latter 
 commanded by Col. Francis Lee Campbell), which together did 
 not comprise fifteen hundred muskets. Thomas s brigade, 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 which was as large as any two others, was withdrawn to Blakely 
 after the arrival of the brigades of Holtzclaw and Ector; and at 
 no time, even during the exchange of troops, and including 
 working parties and servants and all others, did he have as many 
 as three thousand five hundred. Col. Campbell commanded the 
 right wing and Gen. Holtzclaw the left wing. The lack of 
 force rendered it impossible to complete the defensive works on 
 the left. Gen. Gibson, immediately 011 taking command of the 
 garrison, thoroughly explored the marshes and settled on the 
 mode of retreat whenever it should become necessary. The in 
 structions under which he acted were not to hold on a moment 
 beyond his ability to save the troops. He entrusted to Col. 
 Campbell, who had seen more service than any other of the com 
 manders, the final dispositions to secure the retreat ; and the 
 rear-guard acted under Gen. Gibson s personal orders. Not a 
 thousand, but only about two hundred men, his letter states, 
 went up the marsh to Blakely, and. they were under the com 
 mand of Col. Bush Jones. Gen. Gibson states that "had the two 
 first regiments ordered to the extreme left not been delayed for 
 a few moments by one of those accidents that nothing can pro 
 vide against a report that the enemy was driven back and was 
 attacking in force on the right they would have checked your 
 progress earlier ; but even had you not penetrated my line at all 
 on the left, under my orders and the aspect of things, I should 
 have withdrawn that night under the belief that Gen. Canby 
 was close enough to assault with but trifling loss, and that a con 
 centration of forces was necessary for the further defence of Mo 
 bile." 
 
PREFACE. Vli 
 
 Gen. Gibson also pointed out one or two errors in my ac 
 count, on page 45, of the detachments that watched the moderate 
 but sure advance of Gen. Canby s army towards Spanish Fort. 
 Gen. Gibson moved a column of infantry and artillery, com 
 manded by Col. F. L. Campbell, to Deer Park, to watch the 
 road there, but only a cavalry forc,e to the " village." Gen. Gib 
 son himself made a reconnoissance of the Union force with cav 
 alry alone, and was on its flank and rear the day it advanced. 
 Finding the Union columns were coming in force, both on the 
 Hollywood road, where Col. Bush Jones with infantry was 
 posted, and on the Deer Park road, where Col. Campbell was 
 posted, he concentrated his force at D Olive Creek. The day 
 light attack, March 27, was not to develop the Union force, for 
 that had been done the day previously, when Gen. Gibson 
 estimated it at 16,000; but to inspire the new troops of 
 Thomas s brigade with confidence and deter the Union com 
 mander from assaulting. 
 
 In course of the twenty-one years that have passed since 
 this history was published, four of the Union generals who were 
 engaged in the operations at Blakely have departed this life. 
 Gen. Canby was treacherously killed by the Modoc Indians 
 on the northern border of California, April 11, 1873, being at 
 the time fifty-four years of age. He was then in command 
 of the Department of the Columbia, headquarters at Port 
 land, and came to the vicinity of the insubordinate band of two 
 hundred Modocs (some three hundred miles distant), evidently at 
 the particular desire of the Government, to advise the Com 
 missioners to the Modoc Indians in their negotiations with 
 
Ylll PREFACE. 
 
 them for their removal to the Klamath or some other suitable 
 reservation. Gen. Canby had as many as forty commissioned 
 officers serving under him, almost any one of whom ought to 
 have been competent for the duty he himself undertook. He 
 acted conscientiously and in obedience to orders ; but I have 
 always felt that he was too valuable a man to be assigned to 
 such duty, and that our Government was responsible for his 
 sacrifice. Take him all in all, our country scarcely pos 
 sessed a more valuable citizen and officer. 
 
 Ma j. -Gen. Frederick Steele died in San Mateo, Califor 
 nia, January 12, 1868, while on leave of absence from his com 
 mand of the Department of the Columbia, at the age of 
 forty-nine years. Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger died at Santa 
 Fe, New Mexico, January 10, 1876, aged fifty-five years, being 
 at the time in command of the District of New Mexico. 
 Brevet Maj.-Gen. Kenner Garrard died in civil life at Cin 
 cinnati, May 15, 1879, at the age of forty-nine years. 
 
 C. C. ANDREWS. 
 ST. PAUL, MINN., November, 1888. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 (For more particular reference to Contents, see Index.) 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MOBILE. P 
 
 Military Importance of Mobile Its Fortifications By whom Constructed Gen. Johnston s Opin 
 ion of the Fortifications Harbor Defences Forts Gaines and Morgan Confederate Navy. . . . 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 EARLIER OPERATIONS AGAINST MOBILE. 
 
 Bombardment, Siege, and Capture of Forts Morgan and Gaines Land Forces engaged Heroic 
 Conduct of Farragut Brilliant Achievements of the Navy Fall of Fort Powell Limited Gar- 
 -isonof Mobile 18 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 CONCENTRATION, ORGANIZATION, AND EQUIPMENT OF THE ARMY. 
 
 Canby s Movable Forces Brigade of Reserve Corps sent to Barrancas Camp at Barrancas 
 Organization of Thirteenth Corps Sixteenth Corps moves down the Mississippi Canby s 
 Orders to perfect Organization Forces collected at Fort Gaines 21 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 
 Mobile to ba flanked by Movement from Eastern Shore Railroad Communications with Mont 
 
 gomery to be destroyed Column to move out fromPensacola. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THIRTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CORPS MOVE TO DANLEY S ON FISH RTTER. 
 Difficult March of the Thirteenth Corps Demonstration on Western Shore of Mobile Bay Attack 
 on the Wagon Train Movement of the Sixteenth Corps on Transports 
 
2 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THREE DAYS AT FISH KIVER. 
 
 PA<it 
 
 Drill Skirmish Scenes in Camp Forward Movement Plans and Activity of the Confederates 
 Experience of their Troops Order of Battle Confederates Retire into their Works Thirteenth 
 Corps on D OHeve s Creek Sixteenth Corps at C. Sibley s Skirmish 3 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 SPANISH FORT ITS INVESTMENT. 
 
 Description of the Ground Attack on Federal Picket Sixteenth Corps turns Back on Spanish 
 /Fort Skirmish at Minette Bridge Thirteenth and Sixteenth Corps in Line of Battle Spirited 
 Action Confederates driven Behind their Works Canby s Headquarters at Wilson s 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT SECOND DAY. 
 
 Garrison of Spanish Fort " Shooting to Kill" Operations in the Sixteenth Corps Front In 
 Thirteenth Corps Front Attack on Capt. Noble s Working Party Operations of the Navy- 
 Sinking of the Milwaukee Spirited Conduct of her Crew 60 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT THIRD DAY. 
 
 Operations of Navy Sinking of the Osage Position of the Confederate Artillery Batteries Huger 
 md Tracy their Armament Operations along the Line Capt. Myers Adventure on Skirmish- 
 Line Progress of the Trenches Casualties light 6S 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT FOURTH DAY. 
 
 .Progress of the Siege Withdrawal of Veatch s Division Change of Garrison Troops Their Casu 
 alties 78 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT FIFTH DAY. 
 
 Sunken Battery constructed by Besiegers on Shore of Bay Minette Thirty-Pounders of First 
 Indiana Heavy Artillery in Position The New York Light Batteries Gallant Exploit of Some 
 of the Ninety-Fourth Illinois Men Sortie and Capture of Detachment of the Seventh Vermont 
 What the Prisoners saw in Spanish Fort Supper with the Commander of the Garrison 81 
 
CONTENTS. ,3 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SIEGE OP SPANISH FORT SIXTH DAY. 
 
 PACK. 
 
 Feeling in Mobile The Garrison s Economy of Ammunition Holtzclaw s Brigade It relieves 
 the Alabama Reserves Operation of the Besiegers Expert Practice of Grayson s Battery 
 Brilliant Shots by Seventh Massachusetts Light Guns Sinking of the Rodolph 88 
 
 * 
 
 CHAPTER XIIL 
 
 OPERATIONS OP STEELE S COLUMN FROM PENSACOLA BAY. 
 
 Composition of his Forces Second Division marches to Pensacola Condition of Pensacola Con 
 federate Scouts around Repairing Wharves Difficult March of Steele s Column Exaggerated 
 Idea of his Forces Arrival at Pine Barren Construction of Bridge Crossing of the Pine 
 Barren... . 96 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 CONTINUATION OP STEELE S MARCH. 
 
 Expectations of a Fight Combat of Pr ingle s Creek Gen. Clanton severely wounded Victory of 
 Lucas Cavalry Pursuit to the Escambia Entry of Pollard Spurling s Cavalry Operations 
 Spurling a Live Yankee" His Capture of a Staff Officer Steele turns toward Blakely Bad 
 Koads Corduroying Scarcity of Rations Capture of an Outpost Veatch s Movement with 
 Supplies 107 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF BLAKELY. 
 
 Description of Blakely Its Garrison Investment of Blakely Bivouac of the Colored Division Its 
 Engagement Good Behavior of Casualties in The Second Division moves early from Hall s 
 Takes Position before Blakely Engagement of Skirmishers Rifle -Pits commenced . . . . 121 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT SEVENTH AND EIGHTH DAYS. 
 
 Engagement of Artillery Sweeping for Torpedoes by the Squadron Incident showing the Soldiers 
 Magnanimity Toil of the Besiegers Their Bomb-Proofs 180 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 SIEGE OP SPANISH FORTNINTH DAY. 
 
 Progress of the Trenches Notice of the Batteries General Bombardment Enthusiasm among 
 Bes iegers 136 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT TENTH, ELEVENTH, AND TWELFTH DATS. 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Firing at Night Footway to Conway s Bayou News of Fall of Sclma Enterprise of a Lieu 
 tenant Engagement of the Octorara Strength of the Garrison The Hospital 141 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FOKT THIRTEENTH AND LAST PAY. 
 
 Consultation about Evacuation State of the Siege Grand Bombardment Assault in Carr s 
 Front Gallant Conduct of the Eighth Iowa Lodgment effected Secret Withdrawal of the 
 Garrison The Retreat Occupation of Spanish Fort by Besiegers 148 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT. 
 
 Beauregard s Opinion Object of Spanish Fort Importance of its Reduction Propriety of Assault 
 The Garrison Commander Instance of Neglect by Garrison Their Activity Importance of 
 Enfilading Fire and Secure Approaches 163 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 SIEGE OF BLAKELY CONTINUED SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH DAYS. 
 
 Nature of the Ground between CombatantsOperations in Hawkins Front In Second Division- 
 Position of Veatch s and Garrard s Divisions First Gun of Besiegers in Position Observa 
 tions by Lieut. -Col. Whittlesey Two more of Second Connecticut Ten -Pounders open Change 
 of Position by Rinaker s Brigade Condition of the Garrison 168 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 SIEGE OF BLAKELY FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH DAYS. 
 
 Sortie Advance of Line on the Left Conduct of Maj. Hutchinson Action before Day Engage 
 ment of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Battery Operations of the Cavalry Operations of the 
 Garrison Communications between the Skirmishers Second Division ordered in Readiness 
 to March Engagement of First Indiana Thirty -Pounders with Gunboats 178 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 SIEGE OF BLAKELY EIGHTH AND LAST DAY. 
 
 Reinforcement of Besiegers Artillery Stage of the Works Suspicion that the Garrison was 
 evacuating Feelings of the Garrison Preliminary Advance by Colored Troops The Assault 
 Description of the Assault in Each Division The Works of Blakely triumphantly carried 
 Capture of Three Thousand Prisoners, 189 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEGE AND ASSAULT OF BLAKELY. 
 
 FAQB. 
 
 Immediate Effect of the Fall of Blakely Conduct of the Garrison Marshes Favorable Tiite 
 for Assault Work Done by Besiegers 222 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 REDUCTION OF FORTS HUGER AND TRACY. 
 
 Splendid Firing of the Octorara Engagement of Foust s Light Battery, and Sixth Michigan Heavy 
 Artillery with the FortsThe Forts hastily evacuated Gen. A. J. Smith s Preparations for 
 Assault. , 227 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 ADVENTURES AND INCIDENTS. 
 
 Gen. Bailey s Trip to Spanish Fort Incidents of the Siege Humor of Confederate Solders 438 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 FURTHER OPERATIONS OF LUCAS CAVALRY. 
 March to Claiborne Combat of Mount Pleasant 4 ,, 239 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIIL 
 OPERATIONS OF WILSON S CAVALRY IN ALABAMA. 
 
 Condition of Confederates in Central Alabama Organization of Wilson s Cavalry at Gravelly 
 Springs Preparations for a Movement Routes of the Three Division* Croxton s Brigade 
 Detached at Elyton Skirmish near Montevallo Capture of Despatches at Randolph Battle 
 of Ebenezer Church .-.242 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 CAVALRY OPERATIONS CONTINUED BATTLE OF SELMA 
 
 Description of the Defences of Selma Battle of Selma Victorious Assault by Dismounted Cavalry 
 Plans of the Confederates Destruction of Property Gen. Wilson moves to Montgomery. . . Ii62 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 OPERATIONS OF CROXTON S BRIGADE. 
 
 Skirmish at Trion Capture of Tuscaloosa Combat at Pleasant Ridge Gallant Conduct of Second 
 Michigan Cavalry Hard Marching Swimming Rivers Skirmish near Jacksonville White 
 Flag on the Bank of the Chattahoochec Observations , 280 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 [The drawings of the battle-fields were made a little upward of a year after the battles took place.] 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 1. GENERAL MAP OP THE CAMPAIGN 9 
 
 2. MAP OF THE SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT 48 
 
 3. BOMB-PROOFS INSIDE BESIEGERS FIRST PARALLEL (SIXTEENTH CORPS 
 
 FRONT 135 
 
 4. SPANISH FORT VIEW FROM WORKS OF THIRTEENTH CORPS SHOWING 
 
 " MCDERMETT ? 148 
 
 5. SKETCH SHOWING THE WORKS OF GEN. E. A. CARR S DIVISION 151 
 
 6. BLAKELY VIEW FROM CENTRE OF SECOND DIVISION SHOWING CONFED 
 
 ERATE REDOUBT No. 4 173 
 
 7. MAP OF THE SIEGE OF BLAKELY 190 
 
 8. BLAKELY VIEW IN FRONT OF HAWKINS DIVISION 193 
 
 9. BLAKELY VIEW FROM THE RIGHT OF GAKRARD S DIVISION 213 
 
 10. MAP OF SELMA.. . 252 
 
General Map of the Campaign 
 
 of 
 
 MOBILE 
 
HISTOBY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MOBILE ITS FORTIFICATIONS. 
 
 MOBILE, at the commencement of the war, contained a 
 population, of thirty thousand. It is situated on low ground, 
 at the mouth of Mobile river formed by the Alabama and 
 Tombigbee and at the head and western shore of the bay 
 bearing the same name. 
 
 Having communication the year round, by rivers as well as 
 by railroads, into the heart of Alabama and Mississippi, it was 
 regarded as one of the keys of the Confederacy. 
 
 Socially, politically, and commercially, except that its com 
 merce was smaller, it resembled New Orleans ; and between 
 the cities there was considerable cordiality. The liberalizing 
 influence of commerce had tended to foster a fraternal and 
 national spirit, and it was among the last Southern cities to 
 renounce the Union. Douglas had been welcomed there with 
 enthusiasm in 1860, and received a large vote in the presi 
 dential election. 
 
 After the passage of the ordinance of secession, it was 
 desmed essential that the orator Yancey should visit Mobile 
 
10 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 to reconcile tlie people to the new government. He urged, 
 among other things, that, under the Confederacy, their com 
 merce would take more ample wings ; and that the only dan 
 ger to be dreaded would be the excess of wealth and luxury 
 which would follow. 
 
 But once committed to the confederate cause, the people 
 were active and zealous in contributing to its success. They 
 cheerfully rendered military service, and gave the labor of th en 
 slaves in constructing defensive works. These being carried 
 on with skill and industry, grew more formidable every yean 
 They tended to avert attack, and gave the city the distinction 
 of being the last important place in the Confederacy which was 
 captured. 
 
 Once, only, did the people murmur. West of the city, on 
 rising ground, was a fine forest of oak and evergreen. Drives 
 through it afforded pleasant refuge from the tropic heat of the 
 town ; and thither excursions were made in the long summer 
 for relaxation. The engineer decided that this forest must be 
 cut down, and it was done. But the citizens made indignant 
 complaints on account of it. 
 
 Fortifications of Mobile. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston pronounced 
 Mobile to be the best-fortified place in the Confederacy. The 
 first continuous line of earthworks around the city was made 
 in 1862, under Capt. Lieurner, about three miles out from the 
 business streets, and comprised fifteen redoubts. This line was, 
 for the most part, upon ground about one hundred feet higher 
 than the city. 
 
 After the fall of Yicksburgh, the apprehension of an attack 
 stimulated the defensive operations, and the year 1863 wit 
 nessed the completion, by Gen. Leadbetter, of a second line of 
 works, built nearer the city, and in fact passing through the 
 suburbs. It included sixteen enclosed and strong forts. This 
 rendered the defences so formidable that it was estimated a 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 11 
 
 garrison of ten thousand effective troops could hold the city 
 ninety days against a besieging army of forty thousand. 
 
 Another anl still stronger line of works was constructed in 
 1864, about halfway between the other two. This line, built by 
 Lieut.-Col. Y. Sheliha, included nineteen heavy bastioned forts 
 and eight redoubts. The parapets of these forts were from 
 twenty to thirty feet thick, the ditches about twenty feet deep, 
 and thirty feet or thereabouts in width. 
 
 Harbor Fortifications. Nor were the works ordinary which 
 had been prepared to resist an attack by water. Just below the 
 city were ten batteries to sweep the channel. Two of these were 
 floating. Long rows of piles had been driven to obstruct the 
 channel ; and though an opening was here and there left 
 through which vessels might cautiously pass, yet they would 
 almost have to hug the muzzles of heavy guns which at every 
 such outlet threatened destruction. Such were the obstacles on 
 the Spanish river channel, the usual route. 
 
 On the eastern shore of the bay vessels could pass up the 
 Appalachee river and come round through the Tensas, arriving 
 in front of Mobile, clear of the obstructions before mentioned. 
 But to close this route Batteries Huger and Tracy had been 
 built on low ground close to the river, and piles had also been 
 driven across the channel ; and in different parts of the bay 
 many torpedoes had been planted. 
 
 But the principal barrier against attack by water, up to the 
 summer of 1864, had been Forts Morgan and Gaines. These 
 imposing walled forts stood at the entrance of the bay, four 
 miles apart, and afforded protection to blockade-runners. They 
 had been built by the United States, but were seized and taken 
 possession of by the confederates as early as January, 1861-. 
 
 Fort Gaines was built in star-fashion, mounting thirty guns, 
 and garrisoned by nine hundred men. Fort Morgan was built 
 on a grander scale, armed with sixty powerful guns, and had a 
 
12 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 water battery in its front. Besides these was Fort Powell, near 
 Cedar point, built to command Grant s pass an inconsiderable 
 and incomplete work, and mounting only eight guns. In the 
 channel in front of Fort Morgan, and not more than a mile dis 
 tant from it, four hundred torpedoes had been planted. But the 
 current there is strong, and only one of them was ever known to 
 cause any damage. 
 
 Thus was Mobile hemmed about with grim preparations 
 against an adversary. And besides these fortifications, there 
 was no inconsiderable confederate navy lurking in the harbor. 
 The ram Tennessee, that afterward made a frightful dash at the 
 Hartford, and the gunboats Gaines, Morgan, Selma, and other 
 vessels, had by their, menacing attitude created some apprehen 
 sion of an attempt to raise the blockade ; and the federal gov 
 ernment felt the necessity of Farragut s presence there. He was 
 therefore ordered to resume command of the western gulf squad 
 ron, which he did ; and arrived off Mobile on the 18th of Jan 
 uary, 1864 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 EARLIER OPERATIONS AGAINST MOBILE. 
 
 ASSUMING that the Ked river expedition would be successful, 
 Grant, on the 31st of March, 1864, in a despatch to Banks, 
 expressed the opinion that after reserving a force sufficient to 
 guard the Mississippi river he (Banks) would have left, accord 
 ing to the last returns, a force of over thirty thousand effective 
 men with which to move against Mobile ; to which he expected 
 to add five thousand men from Missouri. "If, however," he 
 continued, "you think the force here stated too small to hold 
 the territory regarded as necessary to hold possession of, I 
 would say concentrate at least twenty-five thousand men of your 
 present command for operations against Mobile, with these and 
 such other additions as I can give you from elsewhere lose no 
 time in making a demonstration, to be followed by an attack on 
 Mobile." 
 
 The reverses along the Eed river prevented these instructions 
 from being carried into effect. Gen. Canby assumed command 
 of the military division of West Mississippi on the llth of May. 
 He brought with him instructions to carry out, if possible, the 
 contemplated movement against Mobile. But the recent suc 
 cess of the confederates west of the Mississippi increased their 
 spirit so much that they at once assumed the aggressive. Kirby 
 Smith s combined forces did not fall much short of sixty thou 
 sand men. He threatened several points on the Mississippi and 
 the whole line of the Arkansas. It was necessary, therefore, to 
 postpone the contemplated operations against Mobile, all the 
 
11 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 movable forces being required to guard the Mississippi. It had 
 baen contemplated also to renew operations on Red river, but 
 Canby became satisfied that the troops could be used to better 
 advantage east of the Mississippi. He was also called on to 
 send six thousand men of the Nineteenth corps by sea from New 
 Orleans to "Washington when the latter place was threatened, 
 and the movement being executed with promptitude and secresy 
 they reaajied there at a most opportune moment. 
 
 But although the federal army was yet unable to assail 
 Mobile, that place was destined to receive a tremendous blow 
 from the navy, in the reduction of those frowning citadels that 
 guarded the bay and harbor. Farragut s heroic and magnifi 
 cent naval engagement with Forts Morgan and Gaines and the 
 confederate monitors, on the 5th of August, 1864, is a familiar 
 and memorable event, and some mention of it should here be 
 made including the operations of the land forces. On that day, 
 Fort Powell was blown up and evacuated ; on the 8th, Fort 
 Gaines surrendered with its garrison, a,nd on the 23d, the federal 
 ensign was once more hoisted over Fort Morgan. 
 
 Bombardment and Siege of Forts Morgan and Gaines. At 
 eleven o clock of the night of August 2, Gen. Gordon Granger 
 arrived off Santa Eosa Island, with fifteen hundred effective 
 men, consisting of the Seventy-seventh Illinois, Thirty-fourth 
 Iowa, Ninety-sixth Ohio, Third Maryland dismounted cavalry, 
 and Cobb s colored regiment of engineers, the whole under 
 the immediate command of Brig.-Gen. McGinnis. After Granger 
 had consulted with Admiral Farragut, the troops, on the 3d, 
 moved up to Dauphine island, and effected a landing before 
 dark. Thoy immsdiately moved forward toward a clearing in 
 the woods, ten miles distant. By dark a heavy rain set in. 
 The gunboats shelled the woods, and, amidst the thick dark 
 ness and thunder-storm, the march was slow. Three times 
 the skirmish line got in rear of the main column. Finally, at 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 15 
 
 midnight, weary and drenched to the skin, the column halted 
 and sank down on the sand to await morning. Then myriads 
 of mosquitoes commenced their attack ; but the men, being 
 literally exhausted by such a march, fell asleep. In the morn 
 ing the march was resumed ; the confederate skirmishers were 
 soon met, but made little resistance, and at ten, A. if., the 
 column came in sight, and within two miles of Fort Gaines, 
 At the edge of the woods a line was formed, and reserve breast- 
 works constructed of fallen trees. On the 4th, the skirmishers 
 were within half a mile of the fort, and intrenchments were 
 commenced. The guns from Fort Gaines did some shelling, 
 and the skirmish fire on both sides was lively, but the casual 
 ties were light. 
 
 The morning of the 5th was clear and cloudless. The con 
 federate guns opened briskly at sunrise. It was the morning 
 Farragut had promised his gallant seamen and marines, "they 
 should breakfast in Mobile bay." 
 
 At six o clock, the fleet of some fourteen splendid vessels, 
 with slow and stately pace, steamed toward Fort Morgan. 
 Farragut, as is well known, had taken post in the main rigging 
 of the flagship, Hartford. The Tecumseh, being in the lead, 
 fired the first shot. Ten minutes afterward, both forts opened 
 on the fleet. About the same time the Tecumseh struck a tor 
 pedo, and the gallant Craven and his devoted crew about one 
 hundred and twenty souls found a watery grave. A moment 
 ary shudder pierced the breast of every beholder. Ten were 
 rescued by the bravery of Acting Ensign H. C. Nields and 
 boat s crew from the Metacomet, within six hundred yards of 
 the fort, under a galling fire. Every gun that could be brought 
 to bear from the ships was constantly served. In the begin 
 ning, Fort Morgan itself seemed a wall of fire, but in a few 
 moments was obscured by smoke. As the Tecumseh sank, the 
 flagship rushed forward and took the lead. The shock, the 
 
16 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE 
 
 dread clamor, of that cannonading its sharp concussion and 
 loudly reverberating roar, defy description. Amid the tempest 
 of battle, Farragut, from his elevated position, calmly surveyed 
 the whole scene. One hour of intense excitement one hour of 
 straining toil at the guns and the fleet passed the fort and 
 entered the bay. Then the confederate navy the ram Ten 
 nessee, the Morgan, Gaines, and Selma opened fire. The 
 Metacornet gave chase to the Selma, and in an hour captured 
 her and her crew of ninety officers and men. The Morgan 
 escaped up the bay ; the Gaines, disabled, sought shelter under 
 the guns of Fort Morgan. The iron rani Tennessee, like a 
 monstrous thing of life, stood up with threatening aspect for 
 the Hartford. Seeing this, Farragut signalled the monitors, 
 and wooden vessels best adapted, to attack her, not only with 
 their guns, but bows on at full speed. For two hours the strug 
 gle was desperate and fearful. The ironclads grappled fiercely 
 with their huge antagonist, and the wooden vessels, with ro 
 mantic valor, bore down on her invulnerable sides. Finally, 
 the Manhattan, with a XV-inch shot, penetrated her armor, 
 and a shot from a monitor in her steering apparatus rendered 
 her helpless. The white flag appeared, and twenty officers and 
 one hundred and seventy men were surrendered. Her loss 
 was eight or ten killed and wounded, her admiral, Buchanan, 
 being seriously wounded. The loss in the federal navy that 
 morning was fifty-two killed and one hundred and seventy 
 wounded. 
 
 The fleet now washed up their bloody decks and rested. 
 Meantime the siege of Fort Gaines continued. On the 6th, 
 the land forces mounted two thirty-pounder Parrotts and four 
 twelve-pounder rifles, and prepared works for more guns. 
 About five, P. M., one of the monitors steamed up and dropped 
 several shells into the fort. Apprehending what might follow, 
 the commander of the garrison, Col. Anderson, inquired of Ad- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 17 
 
 miral Farragut on what terms lie would receive the surrender 
 of the fort. 
 
 The 7th was occupied in arranging terms and making out 
 rolls of men to be surrendered. 
 
 At nine, A. M., of the 8th, Fort Gaines was unconditionally 
 surrendered, and large quantities of ammunition and supplies 
 were turned over in good condition. The confederate loss in 
 killed and wounded had not exceeded ten, and the federal land 
 forces lost only two killed. Among the latter was Corporal 
 Grey, of the Thirty-fourth Iowa. 
 
 The prisoners nine hundred were immediately embarked 
 for New Orleans, and the besiegers regaled themselves with 
 the best meal they had had since arriving on Dauphine island 
 corn-dodders, fried bacon, and coffee. 
 
 /Siege of Fort Morgan. On the 9th, at daylight, Granger s 
 command, now reinforced by the Twentieth Wisconsin, Thirty- 
 eighth Iowa, and Ninety-fourth Illinois, embarked for Navy 
 cove, four miles down the peninsula from Fort Morgan, on the 
 bay side, with a view to besiege that fort. The commander of 
 Fort Morgan then caused the gunboat Gaines to be burned, 
 and also the hospital and other buildings outside of the fort. 
 After landing, the troops moved forward, and that night lay 
 on their arms two miles from the fort. 
 
 On the 10th, they advanced, anr 1 the Thirty-fourth Iowa, 
 being on the skirmish line, got within six hundred yards of 
 the fort without drawing fire, the garrison keeping quiet and 
 expecting an assault. Slight advances were made each night, 
 and intrenchments dug in the sand, till the skirmishers were 
 within two hundred yards of the fort. Occasionally a monitor 
 would steam up, and throw one-hundred and two-hundred- 
 pound shells into the fort, but the replies from the latter 
 seemed ineffective against their iron sides ; though, in the arma- 
 
 2 
 
18 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 ment of the fort, were several Armstrong and Whitney guns, 
 and one*Whitworth. 
 
 A siege-train having previously arrived, under Gen. Richard 
 Arnold, by the 21st, the land forces had twenty-live cannon 
 and sixteen mortars in position. The mortars were behind a 
 heavy parapet four hundred yards from the fort, and manned 
 by men of the Thirty-eighth Jowa. The guns were in redoubts, 
 and manned by companies of the First Indiana heavy artillery 
 and a detachment of sailors from the fleet, the naval battery 
 being commanded by Lieut. Tyson, of the Hartford. The troops 
 were subjected to severe toil in constructing works in the sand ; 
 and were day and night exposed to a searching fire from the 
 fort, s 
 
 jfhz Bombardment. At daylight on the 22d, a gun from a 
 monitor gave the signal for a general bombardment. At nine, 
 A.. M., the whole fleet was in line of battle and the firing con 
 tinued with unabated fury. From seven to nine, p. M., it was 
 slow and irregular; but at half past nine, p. M., a fire was dis 
 covered breaking^ out in the fort, and the firing was then in 
 tensely renewed to prevent extinguishment. Six or eight mortar 
 shells could be counted in the air at once ; and every shot ap 
 peared to take effect. Nor in the midst of this destructive 
 shower was the garrison moved by any weak fears. When the 
 fire broke out they exposed themselves to extinguish it, and 
 threw ninety thousand pounds of powder into the cisterns. 
 Between forty and fifty had been killed or wounded. One 
 man had been blown eighty feet into the air by the explosion 
 of a shell. The interior of the fort had become a mass of 
 smouldering ruins ; there was not a space five feet square 
 which had not been dafacsd by shell. Many of the guns had 
 been shattered into pieces by solid shot and shells. 
 
 The garrison did not reply to the fleet during the bombard 
 ment. They attempted, however, to use some of their guns on 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 19 
 
 the land batteries but were prevented by sharpshooters. Their 
 own sharpshooters were somewhat troublesome to the besiegers; 
 but the latter during the operations had only five men wounded. 
 
 The firing continued at intervals all night, and at six, A. M., on 
 the 23d, a white flag appeared on the parapet of the fort, and 
 the garrison was formally surrendered at half past two, p. M. 
 
 The Twentieth Wisconsin and Thirty-fourth Iowa were desig 
 nated on the part of the land forces to receive the surrender. 
 When the prisoners had been marched out and the confederate 
 flag was taken down, the confederate general, Page, was affected 
 to tears. But good humor and mirth prevailed among the men. 
 The besiegers had used mules in hauling up their guns. The 
 confederate pickets, seeing this and giving the animals credit for 
 longer ears than they really had, had been free in expressions of 
 derision at such a battery. And now the besiegers were return 
 ing the raillery. 
 
 Such is an epitome of the operations which contributed un 
 common renown to the naval history of the republic. The land 
 forces engaged were proud and joyous in having a small share 
 in so much glory. 
 
 The federal fleet now having control of Mobile bay put a stop 
 to blockade-running. It was given out and generally believed 
 that Mobile could be taken at pleasure. But it was hardly so, 
 nor was any further movement made. The confederates hasten 
 ed to strengthen their defences nearer the city, and built the 
 works known as Spanish fort on the eastern shore. 
 
 The bay having been strewn with torpedoes Farragut com 
 menced the process of removing them, and on the 13th of Sep 
 tember reported that twenty-one had been taken up. 
 
 A demonstration was made against Mobile the following 
 December by a small column of infantry under Gen. Granger, 
 moving from Pascagoula. It reached Grand bay twenty-two 
 miles from the city, and then returned. At the same time a 
 
20 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 column of cavalry under Gen. Davidson, from Baton Kouge ; 
 struck, but did not cross, the Pascagoula river ; and another 
 column of cavalry under Gen. Grierson was moving southeaster 
 ly from Memphis. 
 
 If the condition of affairs in Mobile had been known to the 
 federal commander at the time Fort Powell was evacuated, 
 August 5th, he could then have cheaply captured the place. 
 There were then no troops in nor immediately about the city 
 the artillery even having been called away to oppose Gen. A. J. 
 Smith s column then advancing from Memphis. And after the 
 fight with him at Harrisburgh the same troops were ordered to 
 West Point, Georgia, to support Gen. Hood, so that the federal 
 forces, if moved through Grant s pass in light-draught steamers, 
 thence up Dog river to Dog river factory, and there disem 
 barked, couild have marched into the city with scarcely any 
 resistance demonstrations being made at the same time by the 
 fleet upon the batteries in front of the city. 1 But it would, of 
 course, have been necessary to reinforce Gen. Granger s small 
 command to at least eight thousand men to enable him to hold 
 the city successfully for a great length of time. In twenty days 
 Goii. Maury had collected such a garrison of confederate troops 
 as would have required the federals to resort to the slow process 
 of a siege. 
 
 i Gen. D. H. Maury s Report, Mobile Times, Mar. 11, 1866. 
 
.CHAPTER III. 
 
 CONCENTRATION, ORGANIZATION, AND EQUIPMENT OF THE ARMY. 
 
 A CAMPAIGN and its plan being determined on, there needs to 
 be on the part of the leader a foresight which includes every 
 thing, and a care that never sleeps, to secure for the army the 
 proper supply of material, the bast equipment, the utmost effi 
 ciency ; so that it can at any moment take advantage of its suc 
 cess, or if it meet with reverses that it shall not be overcome. 
 
 That operations should be undertaken against Mobile was 
 decided early in January, 1865 ; but the plan was not arranged 
 till some time afterward. 
 
 The troops designated for the campaign had to be moved by 
 water from posts above New Orleans to the vicinity of Mobile 
 bay some point on which would be the base ; and as the trans 
 portation required sea and gulf vessels, whose number and capa 
 city were less than river transports, this preliminary movement 
 required considerable time. 
 
 Canby s movable forces had lately been organized into bri 
 gades of the " Reserve Corps of the Military Division of the West 
 Mississippi," comprising about ten thousand effectives. They 
 had formed a part of the Thirteenth corps at Yicksburgh, and 
 more recently had belonged to the Nineteenth corps. One 
 brigade was at Devall s Bluff, Arkansas, and the remainder 
 were stationed along the Mississippi from Memphis down. 
 Early in January they were concentrated at Kenner, ten miles 
 above New Orleans, and Major-Gen. F. Steele was assigned to 
 their command, with instructions to have them fitted for a cam- 
 
22 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 paigii. They were troops which had been well tried on many 
 occasions, and were in all respects such as any commander 
 would be proud of. Here they remained about three weeks. 
 Their camp lay outside of the levee, stretched along for four 
 miles, and the ground was actually lower than the surface of the 
 river. The weather was like September along the St. Lawrence, 
 but there was considerable rain, and the ground being much of 
 the time wet and muddy the men could hardly be comfortable. 
 Nevertheless, in pursuance of Gen. Steele s orders, some time 
 was spent each day, when the weather admitted, in drill prin 
 cipally in the manual of arms. 
 
 What the campaign was to be, whether against Mobile or into 
 Texas, was not yet known even by Gen. Steele. But a portion 
 of the troops being ordered to Barrancas, Florida, it appeared 
 the former must be the objective point. 
 
 About the 23d of January, Gen. Canby received information 
 leading to a suspicion that an attempt would be made by the, 
 confederates to regain possession of Barrancas or some other 
 point thereabouts on the gulf. 
 
 On the afternoon of that day a despatch was received at Ken- 
 ner for the commander of the Third brigade of the reserve to 
 report immediately in person at the headquarters of the military 
 division, New Orleans ; and complying therewith before dark, he 
 received written instructions to proceed with the detachment of 
 his brigade then at Kenner to East Pascagoula, and was enjoined 
 fco use despatch. Transportation was not then entirely ready. 
 Yet the next day the regiments had all embarked with their 
 equipage. The Twenty-fourth Indiana proceeded on the Corin 
 thian round through the mouth of the river and the gulf. 
 
 By dusk the Thirty-fourth Iowa, and One Hundred and Four 
 teenth Ohio, had landed at New Orleans ; whence they pro 
 ceeded by rail to Lake Pontchartrain in detachments the cars 
 being insufficient to take an entire regiment. Arriving there in 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 23 
 
 the middle of a dark and windy night, they rapidly moved their 
 stores and teams over the long wharf which in many places 
 was so rotten that some of the animals broke through took their 
 wagons to pieces and loaded them and the equipage on steam 
 ers, making the fourth time their luggage had been handled in 
 twenty-four hours. At daylight, the 26th, they reported to Gen. 
 Granger, at East Pascagoula, and were by him ordered to Bar 
 rancas, in accordance with previous instructions from Gen. Canby. 
 They arrived at Barrancas at daylight, the 27th, and debarked 
 and went into camp. The remainder of the brigade arrived on 
 the 1st of February ; and it was there in camp six weeks. 
 
 It may interest the reader to know how troops spend such a 
 period of time immediately preceding a campaign. But first let 
 us take a view of their surroundings ; likewise of their camp. 
 
 The natural appearance of that part of the country is unat 
 tractive. Barrancas is a narrow and sandy peninsula, a third 
 part covered with pine openings, with here and there clusters of 
 live oaks. Along the shore the sand is white, and on a raw day 
 creates the illusion of snow. 
 
 The fort which gives the place its name was originally built by 
 the Spaniards, about two centuries ago, and with Fort Pickens, 
 which is opposite, helps to guard the entrance into the splendid 
 harbor of Peusacola. On the southeastern side of the peninsula 
 are the ruins of the Pensacola navy-yard ; and surrounding -that 
 are the villages of Woolsey and Warrington. From the land 
 ing at Barrancas the ground rises slightly for a mile, and then 
 declines to a bayou on the north side. On the higher ground 
 was located the camp of the brigade. Its front was along the 
 edge of the pine wood, and near was a small clear stream. 
 
 The Camp at Barrancas. The brigade was camped in the 
 following order from right to left, the regiments having taken 
 position as they happened to arrive, rather than according to 
 rank : The Twenty-fourth Indiana (veteran), consolidated with 
 
24: CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 the Sixty-seventh, Col. W. T. Spicely ; the Thirty-fourth Iowa 5 
 consolidated with the Thirty-eighth, Col. G. W. Clark; the 
 One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio, consolidated with the One 
 Hundred and Twentieth, Col. J. H. Kelly; the Eighty-third 
 Ohio, consolidated with the Forty-eighth (veteran), Col. F. W. 
 Moore ; the Sixty-ninth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. O. Perry ; and the 
 Ninety-seventh Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Y. Vifquain. Some time 
 afterward, the Seventy-sixth Illinois, Col. S. F. Busey, arrived, 
 and, being attached to the brigade, took position on the left. 
 
 It is a saying among the volunteers, that the more pleasant 
 their camp is made, the sooner will they be called upon to 
 leave it. However much or little this thought influenced these 
 regiments, they certainly, in a very few days, made a beautiful 
 and attractive camp. It was laid out with five streets to a regi 
 ment, with tents for two companies on a street, the companies 
 facing. Small evergreen trees were cut and hauled to the 
 camp, and set in rows on each side of every street, and in front 
 of every tant. Handsome arbors were made, and artificial 
 groves before the officers tents ; and especially around the hos 
 pital tents, which, however, were but few in number and had 
 but few inmates. Walks were neatly arranged, having their 
 margins adorned with shrubbery, handsome shells, and devices 
 moulded from the white sand. Guns, mortars, shields, cannon- 
 balls, and other warlike implements were ingeniously carved in 
 this sand, with, here and there, a felicitous motto or inscription. 
 Its cleanliness corresponded with the taste and industry dis 
 played in ornamenting it. 
 
 These soldiers were some of the best young men of the West, 
 and had the characteristics of proud and gallant men, as one 
 could plainly see who noticed them off duty in their familiar and 
 joyous groups around the camp. The plates on their accoutre 
 ments were kept brightly polished, and their muskets and 
 accoutrements always neat. Two hours in the forenoon they 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 25 
 
 spent in company drill, devoting considerable attention to the 
 manual of arms and to target practice ; and two hours of the 
 afternoon were devoted to brigade drill. The ground on which 
 these drills took place was a mile north of Fort Barrancas. The 
 field officers met evenings in the school of the brigade ; and the 
 exercises of the brigade in the field were eminently successful. 
 As these battalions moved with so much precision and beauty, 
 closed in mass, or rapidly deployed, or advanced in line of battle 
 in double-quick on the charge, their bayonets glittering and 
 their alignment grandly preserved, no observer could doubt 
 remembering they had been through many battles that these 
 were rehersals for no common event. 
 
 As transportation could be furnished, the greater portion of 
 the other brigades of the Reserve corps moved from Kenner 
 to Fort Gaines. On the 18th of February, the Reserve corps,, 
 with the addition of seven regiments, namely, the Twenty-ninth 
 and Thirty-third Iowa, Fiftieth Indiana, Twenty-seventh, Twen 
 ty-eighth, and Thirty-fifth "Wisconsin, and Seventy-serenth Ohio, 
 which had been sent down from the department of Arkansas ; 
 and several light batteries, were organized as the Thirteenth 
 corps, comprising three divisions, and Major-Gen. Gordon 
 Granger assigned to its command. 
 
 The Sixteenth army corps, commanded by Major-Gen. A. J. 
 Smith, having taken a prominent part in the two days battle 
 of Nashville, and in the pursuit of Hood s army, was, early in 
 February, at Eastport, Mississippi. The roads rendering it 
 impracticable for a further movement south with heavy trains, 
 orders were sent by Grant to have this corps move round and 
 report to Canby. Accordingly, on the 5th and 6th of February, 
 a fleet of forty-three river steamboats and seven tow-boats with 
 barges, appeared at Eastport, and taking aboard the Sixteenth 
 corps and five thousand of Wilson s cavalry, with horses, on 
 the 7th, moved down the Tennessee to the Ohio, thence into 
 
26 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 the Mississippi. In eight days it arrived at Yicksburgh, where, 
 in pursuance of orders, the cavalry disembarked. But an un 
 fortunate blunder in transmitting a telegraphic despatch, caused 
 the Sixteenth corps also to land and go into camp. But Gen. 
 Smith, having orders in his pocket for his corps to move to 
 New Orleans, hastened down the river to the nearest telegraphic 
 station, and, communicating with Gen. Canby, had the matter 
 corrected, and returned to Yicksburgh for his corps. Four 
 days were thus lost. Re-embarking, the Sixteenth corps 
 reached the suburbs of New Orleans on the 21st, having 
 moved thirteen hundred and thirty-five miles in eleven days 
 of actual travel. It then remained some days on the low, 
 wet ground, a few of the regiments occupying Jackson s 
 battle-field. By the 7th of March it had arrived at Fort 
 Gaines. 
 
 About the same time, Hawkins colored division, five thou 
 sand five hundred strong, arrived at Barrancas. Ten days 
 later, Lucas brigade of cavalry arrived at the same place, and 
 the column forming there had been placed under the command 
 of Gen. Steele. 
 
 The siege-train was being organized at Fort Gaines, and 
 consisted of the seven batteries of the First Indiana, and "A" 
 and "K" of the Sixth Michigan (heavy) artillery, and Mack s 
 Eighteenth New York. 
 
 The main army was now encamped on Dauphine island, in 
 the vicinity of Fort Gaines, under shelter-tents. 
 
 Inspections were frequent, to the end that deficiencies in 
 -clothing and equipments might be supplied and all surplus 
 articles be dispensed with. The troops received new cloth 
 ing, to make their supply complete. 
 
 Canby s orders to perfect the organization, equipment, and 
 mobility of the army, were most thorough, and may be studied 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 27 
 
 with profit by those who shall hereafter undertake campaigns ; 
 by all, indeed, who follow the profession of arms. 1 
 
 i HEADQUARTERS, 
 GENERAL ORDERS, j MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, 
 
 >^ 0> i5. f NEW ORLEANS, LA., February 5tk, 1865. 
 
 1. The following extracts from General Orders, No. 4, series of 1864, from 
 these headquarters, relating to troops in the field, aud to reserve forces held 
 in readiness for field service, are hereby republished for careful consideration 
 and for strict observance in spirit and in letter : 
 
 " All details from these troops, for extra or special service at posts, depots, 
 or hospitals, will at once be relieved, and the men sent to their regiments and 
 companies, their places being supplied, as far as practicable, by hired men or 
 non-effectives. The number of clerks, orderlies, &c., will be reduced whenever 
 it is practicable 
 
 " Recruits and convalescents for organizations that are in the field, or desig 
 nated for field service, will be forwarded as rapidly as possible. Efficiency 
 and mobility will be secured by rejecting everything not essential to these 
 conditions. The clothing issued will be limited to the suit the soldier wears, a 
 change of underclothing, and an extra pair of shoes. Coats will not be issued 
 when blouses can be supplied, and the articles to be carried in the trains will 
 be limited to such quantities as may be necessary to meet probable accidental 
 losses. Camp equipage will, in like manner, be reduced to the lowest possible 
 limit. Shelter-tents, only, will be issued to the troops of this command. All 
 cumbrous articles of mess equipage, regimental and company desks, will be left 
 behind ; and the records, papers. &c., absolutely necessary in the field, will be 
 packed in the -lightest and most compact form. The equipment of officers will 
 correspond to that of the men, and everything in excess of the established 
 allowance will be rejected by the inspectors. 
 
 " No person, not in the military service of the United States, will be allowed 
 to accompany any force operating in the field. 
 
 " Subsistence for troops in campaign will be limited to the essential articles 
 of bread and meat, and a reduced allowance of the small rations. When they 
 can be provided, bacon and hard bread* will be taken in preference to their 
 equivalents, and the resources of the country, in which the troops are to ope 
 rate, must be considered in determining the quantity of supplies to be taken. 
 The number of rations to be carried in the haversacks will be determined by 
 circumstances, but the troops will habitually have on hand three days cooked 
 rations, so as to be in readiness to move at any moment. 
 
 " The land transportation in every command will be put in perfect order, 
 and commanders will make their preparations in accordance with the condition 
 above stated." 
 
 2. The detail of orderlies for the headquarters of the several commands in 
 
28 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Transportation. The allowance of transportation on the cam 
 paign was : For the general headquarters, and for the head 
 quarters of each army coips, three wagons ; lor the headquarters 
 of each division, two wagons ; for the headquarters of each bri 
 gade, one wagon ; for each regiment of two hundred and fifty 
 men, or less, one wagon ; for each additional two hundred and 
 fifty men or fraction of that number (not bss than fifty), one 
 wagon ; for each battery, one wagon ; for each company of 
 pioneers, for its tools, one wagon. 1 
 
 Quarters. Officers as well as men were restricted to shelter 
 tents ; but for office purposes three wall tents were allowed 
 to the headquarters of the army; two to army corps, and 
 one to division or brigade headquarters, and one common 
 (wedge) tent to each regiment or battery. 
 
 Hospital. Hospital tents were aUowed at the rate of one 
 tent for each six hundred men, to be used only in division 
 hospital organizations. 
 
 Ambulances were allowed at the rate of one to each four hun 
 dred men, one to each battery, two to the headquarters of 
 
 this division, will be limited to the absolute necessities, and will not, except 
 under extraordinary circumstances, exceed : 
 For an infantry brigade, three mounted and four foot orderlies. 
 For an infantry division, four mounted and five foot orderlies. 
 For a cavalry brigade, five mounted orderlies. 
 For a cavalry division, seven mounted orderlies. 
 
 The efficiency of companies will not be impaired by the detail of non-com 
 missioned officers as clerks, orderlies, 6r on other special service, nor will they 
 be detached from their companies unless the strength of the detachment, with 
 which they are to serve, is such as to warrant it. 
 By order of Maj.-Gen. E. E. S. CANBY. 
 
 C. T. CHRISTENSEN, 
 OFFICIAL. Lieut.-CoL, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 1 " All officers are enjoined to bear in mind, that every man, or animal, 
 or pound of baggage, beyond what is essential for efficiency, that has to 
 be fed, transported, or guarded, is an embarrassment that must be avoid 
 ed." General Order No. 22, Feb. 22, 1865. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 29 
 
 the army and of army corps ; and to each division train of 
 ambulances, three army wagons were allowed for transporta 
 tion of hospital tents and mess-chests. 
 
 Clothing was limited to the suit the soldier wore, a change 
 of underclothing, and an extra pair of shoes. But each man 
 had a blanket, and some also, perhaps most, took along their 
 overcoats. The extra articles of clothing were carried by the 
 soldier in his knapsack. 
 
 Rations were limited to the essential articles of meat (three 
 quarters of a pound of salt meat to a man per day), bread, 
 coffee, sugar, and salt, and one fourth rations of soap. 
 
 Ammunition was required to be kept on hand in each bat 
 talion using small arms, in the proportion of one hundred 
 rounds per man ; each man to carry forty rounds in his 
 cartridge-box ; and each company commander always to hold 
 in his possession, and transport in the company wagon the 
 remaining sixty rounds per man ; but in case it could not 
 be so transported the men carried twenty rounds of it in 
 their knapsacks. An additional one hundred rounds per man 
 was carried in each division ammunition supply train, under 
 charge of the acting ordance officer. Each battery carried 
 as near two hundred complete rounds of assorted ammunition 
 per gun as the capacity of the caissons would admit. And 
 another one hundred rounds per gun was carried in the 
 division train. 
 
 Equipment. Each infantry soldier was armed with the rifled 
 musket and common bayonet ; one pick, spade, and axe, were 
 also carried to each twelve men. 
 
 Pioneers. In each division a pioneer company was organized, 
 by the selection of officers and men having aptitude for the duty, 
 and who were well supplied with spades, shovels-, axes, picks, 
 saws, and carpenters tools. 
 
30 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 General orders No. 20, from headquarters of the commanding 
 general, provided for division and brigade staff as follows : 
 
 " II. The chief quartermaster, commissary, engineer, ord 
 nance, and medical- officers at these headquarters, will assign an 
 officer of their departments to each of the infantry divisions and 
 cavalry brigades that are not already provided. Division com 
 manders will appoint the inspectors and provost-marshals, sub 
 ject to the approval of the corps commanders, and will nominate, 
 for approval, the mustering officers for their divisions. The 
 same rule, except in the case of mustering officers, will apply to 
 infantry brigades when detached from their divisions 
 
 " IV. The staff of division and brigade commanders will be 
 limited to the officers indicated in paragraph II., and to their 
 assistant adjutant-general and personal aids ; and no other staff 
 or acting staff officers will be allowed, except upon the special 
 recommendation of the corps commanders." 
 
 Orders were issued carefully denning the duties of the pro 
 vost-marshal, and also prescribing a system of foraging. So it 
 was prescribed as a rule, that everj^ regiment, on reaching its 
 position, should at once; without waiting for orders, cover its 
 front by such temporary works as might be necessary. Nor was 
 the duty to be intermitted on account of the supposed distance 
 of the enemy ; and superior commanders were to be responsible 
 that their flanks, and the intervals between adjacent commands, 
 were in like manner covered. 1 Officers were reminded that tlie 
 spade and the pick are useful adjuncts to the musket and the 
 rifle. 
 
 1 General Field Order No. 1, March 7, 1865. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS 
 
 THE fortifications around Mobile were so strong that a direct 
 movement on the place, from the western shore, would have 
 encountered unequal resistance, and involved a protracted siege. 
 It was therefore determined to flank them. The base would be 
 fixed on the eastern shore ; and the main army moving up on 
 that shore, with the aid of the navy, would carry the forts on 
 the islands and main land, and then approach Mobile by the 
 Tensas river or one of the channels coming in above. 
 
 On this plan a large portion of the troops and the supplies 
 could be moved by water into Fish river, affording a secure 
 base within twenty miles of Spanish fort. 
 
 In the meantime, to destroy communication by railroad 
 between Mobile and Montgomery, and to prevent reinforce 
 ments coming from the latter point to Mobile, or the garrison 
 from escaping, a column of twelve thousand was to move out 
 from Pensacola north. By moving as far as Pollard it would 
 also create the belief that it was aiming at Montgomery, and 
 tend to distract and deceive the confederates. 
 
 In case the main army should reduce the eastern shore 
 defences sooner than was expected, then the column from 
 Pensacola could be ordered on to Montgomery though this 
 was not contemplated ; but if the operations were protracted, 
 it would move round and form a junction with the main army. 
 
 So, if the reduction of those works demanded a very long 
 time, then the forces would pass them, move on to Mont- 
 
32 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 gomery which was really the objective point leaving Mobile 
 to fall in due time by these indirect operations. 
 
 It is to be borne in mind that the difficulty in bringing up 
 supplies by land, tended to retard a column moving far into 
 the interior more than any armed resistance that could be 
 expected. 
 
 While these operations should be progressing a large column 
 of cavalry was to move down from North Alabama to divert 
 the attention of Forrest and the bulk of the confederate cavalry, 
 then hovering about Central Alabama and Mississippi. 
 
 Some smaller cavalry expeditions were projected, the achieve 
 ments of which will be noticed. 
 
CHAPTER Y. 
 
 THIRTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CORPS MOVE TO DANLEY S, ON 
 
 FISH RIVER. 
 
 THE movement was commenced by the Thirteenth corps, 
 March 17th. Benton s division, numbering six thousand, pre 
 ceded by Bertram s brigade of the Second division which 
 during the campaign continued detached from its division 
 marched at half-past five from Fort Morgan, along the peiiin. 
 sula nine miles, and went into camp in an open pine forest. 
 On the 18th, they marched thirteen miles on a good road over 
 a natural shell bank, and camped at three, P. M., on Bayou 
 portage. On the 19th, the unreliable and swampy character 
 of the ground disclosed itself, the firm appearing surface prov 
 ing, when wet, to be a mere crust, under which was a bottom 
 less quicksand. Through this crust the wagons sank to the 
 hubs. The head of the column passing round Bon Secour s 
 bay, moved only a few miles, and the rear-guard got only a 
 inile and a half. Large details were set at work corduroying 
 the worst places. On the 29th, starting at nine, A. M., they 
 moved slowly, the rain falling in torrents, and the corduroy 
 afloat, and made four miles by night. Yeatch s division hav 
 ing crossed from Fort Graines to Navy cove, the 17th, had now 
 closed up on the Third division, and halted two days to let 
 the lattor division get in advance, but was obliged, meantime, 
 to keep heavy details at work on the roads. 
 
 At six, the morning of the 21st, the rain still pouring, Ben- 
 ton s division moved 011 ; but the train could not even get out 
 
 3 
 
34: CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 of park. Every team seeking an untried path soon got naired, 
 and wagons were seen in all directions sunk down to the hubs. 
 The poor animals, in their struggles to haul the teams, half 
 buried themselves. In this dilemma, long ropes were made fast 
 to the teams, and the soldiers, with cheerfulness and alacrity, 
 hauled both animals and wagons out of the mire with a rush ; 
 and it was only their speed that saved each team from again 
 sinking at every rod. The same laborious efforts were applied 
 to the field artillery. The corps and division commanders were 
 present, wading about in the mud to their knees, and the latter 
 himself lending a hand at the ropes. In hauling the Twenty- 
 sixth New York battery through a bad place, where the newly- 
 made corduroy had been washed away, the men moved some 
 distance in mud and water waist deep. These labors were 
 being watched by confederate scouts. Only about two miles 
 were made that day. The division went into camp at three, P. M., 
 and made some fortifications on their right. The bay was only 
 three miles distant on the left. Yet only two miles off in that 
 direction two hundred and fifty confederate cavalry camped the 
 same night ; and before dark, hoping to capture a few foragers 
 or stragglers, had driven up some cattle in sight of the camp 
 of the Thirteenth corps ; yet without avail, as the orders about 
 foraging were well enforced. 
 
 Bertram s brigade having pushed on with great energy, and 
 done its share of bridge-building and corduroying, yet enjoying 
 the privilege of the advance all the wary, reached Fish river the 
 same afternoon (21st) with Foust s battery and the wagons. 
 The scouts attached to the brigade thirty men of the Fourth 
 Wisconsin cavalry, under Lieut. Knowles, had a small skirmish 
 during the day. The same afternoon, Capt. J. J. Smith s com 
 pany of pontoniers had, in three hours, taken the boats from 
 raft and laid a bridge, three hundred and twenty feet in length, 
 over Fish river. Bertram s brigade crossed over on this the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 35 
 
 next morning, and went into camp near the Sixteenth corps, and 
 intrenched and felled trees in their front, 
 
 The 22d opened fair. Late in the day this part of the column 
 marched on through a pine forest, and in the evening, having 
 gone five miles, went into camp on high ground ; the rear of the 
 division came up by the light of the burning pitch trees. 
 
 The 23d, Benton moved on over a fair road, though hilly, six 
 miles, to the north fork of Fish river, crossed it on a pontoon, 
 and went into camp on the right of the Sixteenth corps, the 
 bands playing, Oh, ain t you glad you re out of the wilderness." 
 So wretched had been the road the train was not all up for three 
 or four days ; but Col. Mackay, of the Thirty-third Iowa, suc 
 ceeded in getting a section of twenty wagons in that night. 
 
 Yeatch s division, having resumed the march on the 22d, en 
 countered similar difficulties and performed similar toils to those 
 that retarded the advance. 
 
 The afternoon of the 24th, when within a few miles of Dan- 
 ley s, the column, not being well closed up, was boldly attacked 
 by a small party of confederate scouts, and some men and ani 
 mals captured, in the following manner : 
 
 Attack on the Train. On the morning of the 24th, Lieut. Sib- 
 ley, of the Fifteenth confederate cavalry, acting as scout for 
 Gen. Lidell, left Greenwood with eight men, and passing round 
 Polecat creek, came in sight of the First division, two miles 
 above Magnolia, by the middle of the afternoon. The small 
 party halted and watched for stragglers. Soon they saw five 
 men by themselves, who appeared to be resting ; and cautiously 
 moving toward them till within a few yards, then spurring their 
 horses into a keen gallop, and raising a yell, they charged and 
 captured them. The men were surprised and made no resistance. 
 They belonged to the First brigade, the commander of which 
 was sitting not far off. Two of the men were from the Twenty- 
 ninth Wisconsin, one being a drummer. Disarming the prison- 
 
36 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 ers, and leaving three men only to guard them, Lieut. Sibley, 
 with the balance of his men, in half an hour charged on the 
 train, a few hundred yards below, and captured a few w r agoners 
 and ten mules, and was prevented from further mischief by the 
 Ninety-ninth Illinois coming up. He then returned with all his 
 prisoners to Greenwood, and from there despatched to Gen. 
 Lidell, at Blakely/that he learned from the prisoners that Gen. 
 A. J. Smith had a command on the Western shore to operate 
 against Mobile an error which, whether fabricated or not by 
 the prisoners, helped to compensate for their capture. 
 
 This gallant feat of Lieut. Sibley created some excitement in 
 the column. Men were hurried up from the rear, and some 
 came back from the front to the scene of the affair. 
 
 The division crossed Fish river the same evening, and went 
 into canip with the rest of the corps. 
 
 Demonstration on the Western Shore. While the main army 
 was moving up the east shore, a demonstration was also made 
 on the west shore, to create the impression that the principal 
 movement was there to be made. At noon, on the 18th, Col. 
 J. B. Moore, with his brigade First of Third division, Six 
 teenth corps consisting of the Thirty-third Wisconsin, Ninety- 
 fifth and Seventy-second Illinois, and Forty-fourth Missouri 
 seventeen hundred effective and two Koclman guns of the 
 First Indiana light battery, embarked for Cedar point. Arriv 
 ing there, the pier was found nearly destroyed, and the men 
 landed by passing in single file over a slight trestle-work. The 
 confederates occupied the point in small force, which was driven 
 back two miles, without any trouble, by the Seventy-second 
 Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Stockton commanding. The artillery was 
 landed by means of a temporary raft made with boats ; and 
 commencing repairs on the pier at daylight the next morning, 
 the horses were got on shore by tei_, and at two, P. M., Moore 
 moved forward, and at Alabama point, two miles up the bay, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 37 
 
 met the confederate outposts, consisting of two mounted com 
 panies, which fell back with slight resistance, the Ninety-fifth 
 Illinois, Col. Blanding, being in the advance and pursuing them. 
 At five, P. M,, Moore went into camp, and that night and the 
 next morning had the calls repeated three or four times, to 
 impress the enemy with the magnitude of his forces. At eight 
 o clock the next morning (20th), he advanced to Fowle river, 
 where he met some resistance, the confederates having set the 
 bridge on fire and taken position on the opposite side ; but he 
 brought up his two guns and threw over some skirmishers 
 without difficulty. Here he halted, not having orders to go 
 further, and was gratified to learn that his force had been re 
 ported in Mobile, at from four thousand to six thousand. In 
 this vicinity, and at different points on the road, some torpedoes 
 were found, which were narrowly escaped ; and what was more 
 singular, respectable American inhabitants were found who had 
 never seen the United States flag, and desired Colonel Moore 
 to show it to them, which he did. On the 22d, he received 
 orders to embark for Fish river, and on the 23d, rejoined his 
 division. 
 
 Movement of the Sixteenth Corps. The Sixteenth corps moved 
 on transports from Fort Gaines to Danley s ferry landing, on 
 north bank of Fish river ; and the boats having to make two 
 trips, the movement occupied the 20th, 21st, and 22d. Carr was 
 ordered, with the boats carrying his division, to stand boldly up 
 the bay, as if intending to land on the main shore, and then fall 
 back and enter Fish river, which was done. 
 
 Fish river is a dark, narrow, and crooked stream, and such 
 boats as the Tarrascon and Starlight seemed to fill it to its 
 banks. The latter, some distance from its mouth, swell into 
 moderate bluffs, which were covered with a generous growth of 
 cypress, magnolia, and pine, and fringed with a variety of 
 flowers and shrubs. Occasionally a house was passed, the poor 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 inmates of which, haying but a feeble conception of the troops, 
 habitually hung out a white flag. A bald eagle, from the crest 
 of a lofty pine, screamed out a welcome to the youthful vete 
 rans who thickly covered the decks ; and they, remembering 
 from their school-books how the ancient heroes received such 
 an omen, accepted this as a favorable augury, and shouted out 
 their usual cheers. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THREE DAYS AT FISH RIVER. 
 
 THE Sixteenth corps remained in camp at Fish river for the 
 Thirteenth corps to come up by land, and for supplies, trans 
 portation, and some of the heavy guns, to come up by water. 
 
 Fish river, at Danley s ferry, is eighty yards wide and the cur 
 rent sluggish. The north .bank is moderately high, the soil 
 sandy, and covered with an open pine forest. Near by were the 
 ruins of a mill, and four or five humble dwellings. 
 
 Gen. Carr continued the brigade drills in his division which he 
 had commenced at Fort Gaines, soon after assuming its com 
 mand, and constantly improved its discipline and efficiency. 
 And, in subsequent marches, no division of the corps was so 
 poorly supplied as that with chickens and pigs ; nor did any 
 division have higher reputation for gallantry. 
 
 All this while the confederate Gen. Lidell, commanding the 
 eastern division district of the gulf, had his scouts actively 
 employed, endeavoring to learn Canby s strength and move 
 ments. 1 
 
 1 The following despatches, as to movements before Spanish fort, are copied 
 from Gen. Lidell s Letter and Despatch Book : 
 
 Capt. Lewis (A. A. A. Gr.), to Capt. Morgan, commanding cavalry at Monlrose: 
 " Hd. Qrs. East. Div. Dist. Gulf, Blakely, March 20, 1865, 2:15 p. M. Don t let 
 the enemy come up the eastern shore, or from Fish river, without timely notify 
 ing these headquarters. Watch closely, and don t allow yourself to be surprised. 
 Give timely notice to Maj. Kimball, comd g the infantry near Hollywood." 
 
 Same to Lieut.-Col Brown, commanding at Spanish Fort : " March 20, 5 p. M. 
 Scrutinize most closely all persons to whom you give passes, and pass no 
 
40 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The 23d, the confederate cavalry came up at daylight and felt 
 the pickets on Me Arthur s front. Two hours afterward they ad 
 vanced a line of skirmishers afoot, in which skirmish a man of 
 the Eighth Wisconsin was seriously wounded, and two others 
 slightly wounded. The confederates lost one killed and two 
 wounded. But the firing was more general and protracted 
 along the line than the event justified. 
 
 The navy having kept pace with the army, on the 24th, 
 some of its guns shelled the woods from the bay. 
 
 woman without you know well who they are. There is a Mrs. , who, it 
 
 is said, is a spy for the enemy, and whom it is said has recently obtained 
 passes from Spanish fort." 
 
 Gen. Lidell to Col. Garner, Chief of Staff, Mobile : " BlaMy, Mar. 20. ... At 
 last accounts, since dark. Col. Spence was at Whitby s bridge, on Fish river, 
 trying to make discoveries through his scouts in various directions, as to the 
 locality of the enemy." 
 
 " This afternoon, from two o clock to dark, fifteen gunboats have been shell 
 ing the eastern shore, from Rock creek to the village, about six miles. No 
 damage done except to houses Spanish fort is in a less state of prepara 
 tion now than this place, and I desire to put all the work on it I can." .... 
 
 Gen. Lidell to Col. Spence, commanding cavalry, Montrose: "Mar. 21, 8:45 
 p. M. Can you not possibly capture some of the enemy s pickets, to find out the 
 force they have ? . If you cannot, make your preparations to drive them in to 
 morrow at daylight, to see what they have." 
 
 Gen. Lidell to Col. Garner: "March 22, Iiy 2 A.M. Col. Spence reports 
 (8, A. M.) that he failed to capture the enemy s pickets at Danley s mill last 
 night, as chain pickets were too close to the main body. Discovered only 
 infantry as yet. No force has landed on bay shore." .... 
 
 Same to Same: " March 22. Despatch just received from Lieut. Sibley, that 
 a prisoner, captured on East Prong of Fish river, states he belongs to Ninety- 
 tirst Illinois regiment, Thirteenth army corps, Gen. Granger commanding, com 
 prising 9,000 (nine thousand) men. Three regiments were in the advance at 
 Danley s mill three regiments near Magnolia, as yet but fifteen pieces of ar 
 tillery with them balance coming. Assisted in loading the wagons, and heard 
 Commissary say that he had issued rations for nine thousand men." 
 
 Lidell to Maury : " March 23, 8 : 45 A. M. Every man sent to the enemy s 
 lines has either been unable to get admission, or, if admitted, has not returned 
 to report." 
 
 Capt. Lewis to Capt. Bush Jones, commanding infantry, near Hollywood: 
 " March 23, 4 : 50 P. M. Col. Spence reports, that the men you sent him re 
 fused to advance upon the enemy, and the general directs that you furnish him 
 better men." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 41 
 
 At this time some disappointment was being felt in the 
 camp for the lack of mails. 
 
 Such of the soldiers as were disposed assembled in religious 
 meetings when circumstances permitted. One pleasant even- 
 ning, in Gilbert s brigade (Garrard s division, Sixteenth corps), 
 a thousand men were assembled, and the woods being lit up 
 by fires of pine-knots, the soldiers poured forth their fervent 
 prayers and joined their voices in sacred hymns. Nor will 
 those who remember such heroes as Havelock deny that 
 piety is a help to valor. 
 
 On the 25th, Canby moved forward with both corps and 1 
 some of the heavy artillery; the men carrying four days 
 rations in haversacks. The Thirtieth Missouri was left to 
 guard the pontoon bridge. The Sixteenth corps marched at 
 eight, A. M. Hubbard s brigade of Me Arthur s division being 
 in the advance. The Thirteenth corps was under way by 
 one, P. M. 
 
 McArthur s division had got but a short distance when 
 a small force of the confederates was met, which was 
 steadily pressed back by four companies of the Ninth Min 
 nesota deployed as skirmishers. There was more or less 
 skirmishing during the day, but the column was not retarded. 
 Col. Marshall, commanding Third brigade, First division, Six 
 teenth corps, was wounded in the back of his neck by the 
 ball of a sharpshooter, but stopped only long enough to have 
 the wound dressed. The Sixteenth corps camped at Deer 
 Park, having marched twelve miles. The Thirteenth corps 
 encamped in the same neighborhood. And the troops in 
 trenched in compliance with the general order. 
 
 Bertram s brigade of Second division, Thirteenth corps, had 
 had moved on the left road to Montrose. At this place, which 
 is a pleasant summer resort, the inhabitants were all con 
 federates, and some of their cavalry had been there during 
 
42 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 the day. One of the ladies in a defiant manner told a regi 
 mental commander he would find his match on the morrow 
 that Sherman had lately been defeated with great loss, and 
 that victory had now turned in their favor ; a fair specimen 
 of stories which were ever being reported and did much to 
 keep up the spirits of the confederates. 
 
 The next day, 26th, Bertram s brigade moved to D Olieve s 
 creek over a hilly road, the confederate cavalry hanging along 
 their front all the way. The bridge over the creek had been 
 destroyed, and both banks at the ford were thickly planted 
 with torpedoes, and in attempting to cross, the explosions 
 fatally wounded three men and killed four horses ; fifty torpe 
 does were there taken up the next day. Being now in the 
 vicinity of Spanish fort, the brigade camped on the creek ; 
 Benton s division of the Thirteenth corps being in sight on 
 the right. There were indications of the presence of confed 
 erate infantry, a few of whom were captured by Bertram s 
 brigade. During the day its scouts had captured a confed 
 erate telegraph station with the latest despatches. 
 
 Granger, with Yeatch s and Benton s divisions the former 
 in the advance after getting two miles from Deer Park, 
 turned to the left on a road running northwesterly, and struck 
 D Olieve s creek about noon a mile to the right of Bertram. 
 The banks were here high and somewhat steep, but the stream 
 was not wide, and a bridge was soon made, over which the 
 column passed. Ascending the hill on the north bank, the 
 column soon moved down its opposite side, where was another 
 stream, which was bridged and crossed ; and after rising the 
 high ground beyond, both divisions went into camp, Veatch s 
 in front and in line of battle. The train and rear-guard were 
 not all in till nine in the evening. 
 
 The Twenty-first Iowa, Lieut. -Col. Van Anda commanding, 
 had been in the advance all day; and the skirmishers from 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 43 
 
 that regiment, under Maj. Boardman, with those from the 
 Ninety-ninth Illinois, Col. A. C. Matthews, had been warmly 
 engaged at different times. Granger rode along the line at 
 dusk, and thinking the pickets not far enough out, ordered an 
 advance. The skirmishers with their reserves then moved for 
 ward half a mile up a gradual rise in the pine timber ; and 
 the leaves and underbrush having been fired by the confed 
 erates, the light gave the latter a full view of what was com 
 ing ; whereupon they rose up, gave a heavy volley of musketry, 
 but soon fell back. The fire was promptly returned, and Gran 
 ger, being in the advance, narrowly escaped ; for it was dark, 
 and he was a few moments between the fire of his own 
 reserves and that of the confederates. In the Twenty-first 
 Iowa, Private Allen was killed, and three men were wounded. 
 In the Ninety-ninth Illinois, Private Robinson was killed. At 
 midnight both regiments were relieved by the Forty-seventh 
 Indiana, and One Hundred and Sixty-first New York. 
 
 Leaving Spanish fort three miles on its left, the Sixteenth 
 corps marched on a direct route to C. Sibley s mill. Garrard s 
 division had the advance, and at the head of the column, the 
 Tenth Kansas, Lieut.-Col. Hills, and four companies of the 
 Sixth Minnesota, under Major H. S. Bailey, were deployed as 
 skirmishers. Sharp firing commenced as soon as the head ot 
 the column had moved a mile, and continued all the way. 
 there being a detention of two hours. But no serious resistance 
 was met till the bridge at Sibley s mill was reached, which was 
 finally crossed, and the corps went into camp on high ground. 
 a mile north of Bayou Minette, on which Sibley s mill is 
 situated, the distance marched being ten miles. Of the con 
 federates who were killed, three were buried near the bridge, 
 and there were some wounded. The Sixth Minnesota lost twc 
 men captured, and the Tenth Kansas two wounded. The sec 
 ond Tennessee (federal) cavalry had two men wounded. 
 
44 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Plans and Position of the Confederates. At this time the 
 confederate department commander was Lieut.-Gen. Richard 
 Taylor, headquarters at Meredian, Mississippi ; Maj.-Gen. D. 
 H. Maury was in command of the district of the gulf, with 
 headquarters at Mobile. 
 
 The garrison of Mobile, including troops on eastern shore, 
 numbered about nine thousand. 1 There were, on the 27th of 
 March, also upward of a thousand blacks subject to the orders 
 of the engineer. Lieut.-Gen. Taylor telegraphed Lee that he 
 was ready to receive any attack that might be made there." 
 Maury s command also embraced the garrisons on the eastern 
 shore, where the senior officer was Brig.-Gen. Lidell. The 
 latter s headquarters had been at a cottage on the Blakely road, 
 about a mile outside of the fortifications at Blakely, his troops 
 being camped on the high ground in an open pine forest a little 
 further to the front. These forces comprised French s division, 
 then commanded by Brig.-Gen. Cockrell, including the brigades 
 of Col. Gates and Col. Barry ; the brigades of Brig.-Gens. J. T. 
 Holtzclaw and R. L. Gibson ; Ector s Texas brigade, then com 
 manded by Col. Andrews, and Gen. Thomas Alabama re 
 serves the whole effective infantry numbering about six thou 
 sand. There were also three hundred cavalry, and inside the 
 works several batteries. All of these troops, except the reserves, 
 and perhaps the cavalry, were veterans from Hood s army. 
 
 1 Lieut.-Gen. Taylor to Maury : " March 24, 1865. Should the enemy give 
 Mobile the go by, and march on Selma or Montgomery, it may become 
 necessary suddenly to throw six or seven thousand infantry up the river from 
 Mobile, to assist the cavalry." 
 
 3 Taylor to Lee: " March 27. Enemy has thrown his large force to eastern 
 side of Mobile bay, leaving nothing on west side. I am ready to receive any 
 attack he may make at Mobile." 
 
 Taylor to Maury : " March 25. If Steele is marching to Montgomery, you 
 ought, by concentrating, be able to whip the force approaching the Spanish 
 tort." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 45 
 
 Holtzclaw s brigade was still farther to the front, on outpost 
 duty at O. Sibley s mill (four miles north of C. Sibley s), where 
 were some breastworks and a few light guns. In the road were 
 a number of torpedoes. 
 
 On the 23d, while Col. Spence with cavalry was scouting 
 toward Fish river, an infantry support under Col. Bush Jones 
 of Alabama, was at Hollywood. On the 24th, Gen. Gibson with 
 a column of infantry and artillery ha 3. moved down to the 
 "village," eight miles below Spanish fort, and there halted. 
 The same evening, Bertram s brigade having pushed forward 
 resolutely to Montrose, three miles from the village, and 
 Canby s other columns being on the move, Gibson faced 
 about and took position on the hill north of D Olieve s creek, 
 and there remained on the 25th. Gen. Cockrell with his 
 division was now (the 25th) posted four miles northeast of 
 Gibson at Alexis spring, being three miles, south of C. Sib 
 ley s mill. Capt. Tutt was ordered to withdraw from Green 
 wood to Sibley s mill and scout on the road to Durant s. Col. 
 Spence was skirmishing in front of Bertram s brigade which 
 he took for a division, 1 and was instructed by Lidell, if pressed 
 across D Olieve s creek ; to return by Alexis spring and the 
 Sibley road. That forenoon Lidell was at Spanish fort; and 
 thinking that Granger s corps only was approaching, and 
 judging from the bad roads that the divisions would be sepa 
 rated, had concluded to offer battle the next morning on the 
 north bank of D Olieve s creek, where the ground is high and 
 hilly; and this was approved by the generals under him. 
 Gibson with two brigades was to form on the right, Cock 
 rell with three brigades on the left, and Holtzclaw being 
 
 1 Gen. Lidell to Col. Spente," commanding near village:" " Blakely, March 
 25. I will be fit D Olieve s ford early to-morrow, say by seven o clock. Can 
 you ascertain how far this division is in advance of the main body of the army ? 
 Can we attack it before support can come to it?" 
 
46 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 held in the rear would, as soon as the engagement com 
 menced, move round and strike the federals on their right 
 flank. And they estimated that their effective force of in 
 fantry would be about six thousand. 
 
 Gibson already occupied the proposed line, having, the after 
 noon of the 25th, three thousand in line of battle. That 
 evening, Lidell learned that the Sixteenth corps was also 
 advancing with the Thirteenth, and so fast that he feared he 
 would not be able to get the rest of his forces concentrated 
 in season. He appeared to have been active day and night 
 eliciting information and making the best possible use of his 
 troops. 1 The next morning, finding his position was being- 
 flanked by the Sixteenth corps, the proposed offer of battle 
 
 1 Capl. Lewis to Gen. Holtzdaw : " Blakely, March 26. The Brig.-Gen. com 
 manding directs that you push forward your work as much as possible in cut 
 ting down the timber in front of your position The enemy are in force 
 
 on the D Olieve and Blakely road, in front of Spanish fort, and their fleet mass 
 ing off Hollywood and Montrose. Please send at once what information you 
 get from your scouts." 
 
 Lidell to Gibson : " March 26. Some of our cavalry are cut off between 
 Spanish fort and Bay Minette. The enemy are advancing by Sibley s mills ; if 
 they come by you keep them at Spanish fort." 
 
 Lidell to Maury : " Blakely, March 25, 9:20 P. M. Our views fully coincide ; 
 unless able to concentrate, shall not risk engagement in detail. Will return to 
 front by seven A. M. to-morrow, and soon afterwards hope to meet you at Span 
 ish fort ; please not to fail to come. Enemy s advance division, five to six 
 thousand, headed by five hundred cavalry no ordnance or ambulance wagons. 
 Gen. Gibson s scouts saw enemy s column, and captured the prisoner (drafts 
 man) sent over. A map in his possession embraced the eastern shore only to 
 Blakely showing the design of enemy to get possession of this side." 
 
 Lidell to Maury: " Hd. Qrs., near (0.) Sibleys, March 26, 12:30 p. M. Your 
 despatch received while engaged placing troops in position at this place. The 
 eneni} 7 is at Cyrus Sibley s mill, and halted just now. He made too wide a cir. 
 cnit for me to concentrate the command on him. Gen. Gibson was at D Olieve 
 creek, and another column was reported moving in that direction. I have not 
 heard from Gen. Gibson since reaching this point. C. Sibley s mill is four miles 
 distant." 
 
 Same to Gibson : " March 26 (Sibley s). Enemy stopped four miles from this 
 point. " What is in your front?" 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 47 
 
 oatside of the works was abandoned. The troops that be 
 longed at Blakely were ordered to retire in that direction. 
 Cockrell withdrew over the Bay Minette bridge, burned it, 
 and passing round near Blakely, moved out on the Sibley 
 road to watch the Sixteenth corps. Gibson was ordered to 
 fall back into Spanish fort ; but to develop the attacking 
 army before doing so ; which we shall see was in a gallant 
 manner done. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 SPANISH FORT ITS INVESTMENT. 
 
 THE line of field fortifications known as Spanish fort is on the 
 bay shore, seven miles due east of Mobile. The traveller leav 
 ing the Montgomery railroad, and proceeding by steamer from 
 Tensas to Mobile, in a few minutes comes in sight of Blakely. 
 Passing on, he will, in half an hour, discern off to his left, and 
 beyond some low, marshy islands, a clearing, on the wooded 
 shore, and a high, red bluff. This latter is the site of Spanish 
 fort. 
 
 Old Spanish fort is a bastioned work, nearly enclosed, and 
 built on a bluff whose shape projects abruptly to the water. Its 
 parapet, on the bay side, was partly natural, being made by 
 excavating the earth from the side of the bluff, and was thirty 
 feet in thickness. The fort was armed with Vll-inch colum- 
 biads and thirty-pounder Parrotts the latter made at Selma 
 and was designated as No. 1. Extending around that, in 
 a semicircle, was a continuous line of breastworks and re 
 doubts. The right of this line commenced four hundred yards 
 down the shore, on the highest and most prominent bluff, up 
 ward of one hundred feet above the water, with a strong, 
 enclosed fort, called McDermett (No. 2), and armed with ten 
 heavy guns. The slope of the bluff, toward the bay, is precipi 
 tous, and from its base to the water is a marsh two hundred 
 yards wide, on which the timber had been felled. To the north 
 and left the descent was gradual, along which extended a line of 
 rifle-pits, crossing a ravine and stream of water, and then up the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 49 
 
 slope of another bluff, on which was a strong battery, designated 
 as No. 3. From there the line of works continued six hundred 
 yards in a northerly direction, and then turned toward the bay, 
 striking the marsh on Bay Minette at a point about a mile 
 above old Spanish fort. This outer line of works was upward of 
 two miles in length, and the batteries were all on high and com 
 manding ground. The surface was covered with open pine 
 timber, but in front of the outer line of works the trees were 
 felled for a few hundred yards. Every ravine had borne a 
 heavy growth of hard wood, which, having been slashed, made, 
 with the underbrush and vines, an almost impassable obstruc 
 tion. The ditch in front of the breastworks was five feet deep 
 and eight feet wide, but in front of Fort McDermett it was 
 deeper and wider. In front of the batteries were, also, detached 
 rifle-pits, for sharpshooters; and along the entire front was a 
 line of abatis fifteen feet wide. On the extreme left the works 
 w r ere unfinished. 
 
 Toward the interior the surface continued undulating and 
 wooded-; but no spot was so commanding as the bare crest of 
 McDermett. 
 
 The reader will bear in mind that these fortifications were 
 made to cover and protect the island batteries Huger and Tracy, 
 which were three thousand yards distant. 
 
 Attack on the Federal Pickets. At daylight, on the morning 
 of the 27th, a detachment of four hundred confederate infantry, 
 under command of Col. Richard Lindsay, carefully moved down 
 within musket-range of Veatch s picket, fired a volley, and, 
 with a yell, charged between the flanks of the Forty-seventh 
 Indiana and One Hundred and Sixty-first New York. Tho 
 right of the latter regiment was driven back in some confu 
 sion towards the main line, but shortly regained its position. 
 The confederates got near enough to see the strong front of 
 Veatch s division, which was quickly in line behind their newly- 
 
 4 
 
50 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 made breastworks, but were soon compelled to retire. The 
 tiring was brisk for a few minutes, and the confederates lost 
 one officer and several men wounded. 1 The loss of the Forty- 
 seventh Indiana was three men wounded. 
 
 Investment of Spanish Fort. Gen. Carr learned, late on the 
 evening of the 26th, that the Sixteenth corps would turn back 
 in the morning against Spanish fort ; and knowing it would 
 be his turn in the advance, he gave the requisite instructions 
 to his brigade commanders. The morning of the 27th came 
 with a prospect of heavy rain, which to veteran soldiers was 
 some sign of a battle. The men had taken their accustomed 
 breakfast, of hard-bread, coffee, and a slice of bacon, toasted 
 on a stick as Achilles cooked the fat chine at the feast for 
 the heroes. The usual hum of talk and speculation was heard 
 around the expiring tires of their bivouac. By the men in 
 the ranks all plans of strategy are freely canvassed ; and up 
 to this morning they had expected to move on to the Alabama 
 river. Soon was heard the spirited roll on the drum to " fall 
 in," greeted by that habitual and never-to-be-forgotten shout 
 or cheer of the men. Then the cartridge-box, with its " forty 
 rounds" is buckled on ; the blanket is twisted up and thrown 
 around the shoulders ; the intrenching tools are picked up ; 
 the muskets taken ; each company is formed, the roll called, 
 and at the time fixed, whether in ten or fifteen minutes, the 
 regiments are in line. 
 
 Leaving Garrard s division at Sibley s mill, Smith put the 
 First and Third divisions of his corps in motion. Carr s (Third) 
 division had the advance, with Geddes (Third) brigade in ad- 
 
 1 Gibson to Lidell: "Spanish Fort, March 27, 7:35 A. M. Drove in the 
 enemy s skirmishers at daylight, capturing guns, knapsacks, and blankets. 
 They ran back to their log works, and appeared in a strong and extended line 
 of battle. We had several men wounded. Several launches discovered sound 
 ing in the cove below\ The guns will drive them away." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 51 
 
 vance of the division ; and at the head of the column was the 
 Eighty-first Illinois, numbering three hundred, five companies 
 of which, under Col. A. W. Bogers, were deployed as skir 
 mishers, with the other five companies, under Capt. S. L. Camp 
 bell, in reserve. In these woods were numerous trails which 
 had been made in hauling lumber to the neighboring mills, 
 and the guns being silent at Spanish fort, the column had to 
 find its way as best it could. 
 
 Skirmish at Minute Bridge. Carr had gone four miles, and 
 his advance, the Eighty-first Illinois, had just passed the brow 
 of the hill overlooking Minette bayou, where the day before the 
 bridge had been burned, when suddenly a volley came from a 
 confederate regiment, concealed in the bushes, four hundred 
 yards distant, on the opposite side. This was the Twenty-first 
 Alabama, Lieut.-Col. James M. Williams, having two hundred 
 and twenty-five men. Gen. Smith narrowly escaped, and some 
 shots took effect in the Eighty-first. Col. Rogers returned the 
 fire smartly, and was ordered by General Smith to remain 
 there with his regiment and hold that position. 
 
 The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois, Col. John H. 
 Howe commanding, then took the advance, with five of his 
 companies deployed as skirmishers. 
 
 When within about a mile of Spanish fort, Gen. Smith 
 caused both divisions to deploy in line of battle, and it was his 
 purpose, of course, to have his movements concealed from the 
 enemy. 
 
 Carr s division, on the right, had formed in two lines ; the 
 first consisting of the Third (Geddes ) brigade, the One Hun 
 dred and Eighth Illinois on the right, the Eighth Iowa on the 
 left, the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois deployed as 
 skirmishers in front. The second line, consisting of the First 
 (Moore s) and the Second (Ward s) brigades ; Moore s having 
 the Thirty -third Wisconsin on the right, the Seventy-second 
 
52 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Illinois in the centre, the Ninety-fifth Illinois on the left, and 
 the Forty-fourth Missouri in reserve; and Ward s, haying the 
 Fourteenth Wisconsin on the right, the Forty-ninth Missouri 
 in the centre, the Fortieth Missouri on the left. The latter 
 brigade had wheeled into line on the double-quick, and had 
 been a few minutes in position, when the corps commander 
 rode along with a stern countenance. At sight of their "chief," 
 the men of the Forty-ninth Missouri gave a cheer which could 
 be heard in the confederate lines. Thus foiled in his efforts to 
 conceal the position, he rebuked the men in a few hasty words. 
 In half a minute a shell from the confederate works came 
 screeching through the trees, and dropped close to the men 
 who had cheered. It did not burst as it fell, and the men gave 
 back a little. Seeing this, Smith cried out to them : " Stand up 
 to it ! You had no business cheering." 
 
 Carr s centre and the light batteries approached by the 
 Blakely road. Sharp skirmishing commenced about ten, A. M., 
 when within a mile of Spanish fort. The confederate sharp 
 shooters were in advance of their rifle-pits, using the hills and 
 trees for cover. 
 
 At this hour, McArthur s division was in line on the left of 
 Carr ; and connecting with the left of the Sixteenth corps, 
 Granger had come up with the Thirteenth corps ; so that the 
 investment was nearly complete. The troops advanced with 
 alacrity, their banners all unfurled. Their line was three miles 
 in length, and presented a splendid appearance moving through 
 the open woods. Sharp skirmishing was constant along the 
 whole front. The confederates, apprehending an assault, also 
 kept up a vehement shelling with their heavy and light guns. 
 And there was all the clamor and stir of battle. 
 
 The confederates had the advantage of being on the defensive, 
 and being concealed, while the federals had the disadvantage of 
 exposure, in pressing forward against the fire of sharpshooters, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 53 
 
 and over the obstacles on the ground ; but, at the same time, 
 they had the moral advantage there is in the prestige and mo 
 mentum of constantly gaining ground. 
 
 Up to noon no federal artillery had opened, but the light bat 
 teries of each division were near by in the hollows. A little 
 after noon, Carr caused the Fourteenth Indiana light battery, 
 Capt. F. W. Morse, to open from a ridge about eight hundred 
 yards from Bed fort, and near the position afterward occu 
 pied by the naval battery. Capt. Morse s fire was replied to 
 with spirit during the afternoon, and many shots fell close, but 
 no injury was sustained. Soon afterward, the First Indiana 
 light battery, Capt. L. Jacoby, opened from a prominent posi 
 tion, a little to the left and front of the Fourteenth. Both bat 
 teries were supported by Moore s brigade. 
 
 It was now toward the middle of the afternoon. The rain 
 was coming down in a steady pour, and the fierceness of the 
 artillery fire had abated. 
 
 Carr, expecting to be ordered to assault, and feeling confident 
 the works could be carried in his front, exerted himself to keep 
 his lines compact. 
 
 The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois had pressed on 
 fearlessly, gaining distance of half a mile in advance of its bri 
 gade, when the confederate skirmishers were met and, after a 
 warm contest, driven precipitously into their works. Five of 
 that regiment fell, including its adjutant, Lieut. "W. E. Smith, 
 and the color-sergeant. On the extreme right was the One 
 Hundred and Eighth Illinois, Col. Charles Turner, which sus 
 tained a loss of six. Its skirmishers were commanded by Capt. 
 W. M. Bullock, a daring and efficient officer, who fell, with his 
 thigh badly shattered by a musket-ball ; but he refused to allow 
 any of the men to expose themselves in helping him away, and 
 dragged himself to the rear. The Eighth Iowa, distinguished 
 for discipline and gallantry, Lieut.-Col. Bell commanding, wr.s 
 
54 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 next on the left, and had thirteen men wounded by musketry, 
 and of this number six were non-commissioned officers. 
 
 Next on the left, in Moore s brigade, was the Thirty-third 
 Wisconsin, which sustained a loss of six wounded, including 
 Maj. George R. Frank. The loss in the Seventy-second Illi 
 nois was two, and in the Ninety-fifth Illinois four. In Ward s 
 brigade there was a loss of one man in each regiment. So that 
 the whole casualties in Carr s division were thirty-nine. The 
 confederates in his front had been driven into their main works, 
 and his line was established six hundred yards on an average 
 therefrom. The ensuing night the division busily intrenched. 
 
 The advance along the left had conformed to the right and 
 with nearly similar results. 
 
 Me Arthur* s Division, Sixteenth Corps. Me Arthur s division 
 came squarely up opposite the Red fort, and began to encounter 
 a stubborn resistance from the confederates at ten in the morn 
 ing, nearly a mile from that work. The ground was well con 
 tested ; but before noon the confederates had been pressed back 
 behind their main works ; the main line of the division had got 
 within about twelve hundred yards of those works ; a halt was 
 ordered and the men made to lie down. Meantime, the skirmish 
 ers of the division had pushed their way some hundreds of yards 
 farther. In the First (McMillen s) brigade on the right the casu 
 alties were one in the Thirty-third Illinois, three in the Tenth 
 Minnesota, two in the Twenty-sixth Indiana, and one in the Sev 
 enty-second Ohio. The Second (Hubbard s) brigade was in the 
 centre, and suffered the most. The Eighth Wisconsin (Lieut.- 
 Col. W. B. Britton), on the right had three killed and twenty- 
 seven wounded. In the Eleventh Missouri (Col. E. Bowyer), the 
 casualties were twelve ; Ninth Minnesota (Col. J. H. Marsh), 
 two; Fifth Minnesota (Lieut. -Col. W. B. Gere), six; Forty- 
 seventh Illinois (Lieut.-Col. Bonham). two, including Capt. 
 Ryan. The Third (Marshall s) brigade was on the left, the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 55 
 
 Thirty-third Missouri (Col. W. H. Heath) being on the right. 
 Next was the Thirty-fifth Iowa (Lieut.-Col. W. B. Keeler), which 
 lost two ; then the Twelfth Iowa (Maj. Samuel G. Knee), which 
 lost five wounded, and on the extreme left was the Seventh Min 
 nesota (Lieut.-Col. Geo. Bradley). In this regiment Lieut. Fol- 
 som was slightly wounded by a piece of shell from one of the 
 guns of the division, and Private McFadden was killed while 
 lying on the ground skirmishing. The right of the Thirteenth 
 corps over-lapped three regiments of Marshall s brigade, and at 
 dusk they were ployed in column of regiments in the rear, leav 
 ing him only the front of one regiment. His skirmishers had 
 eagerly pushed their way into the fallen trees and brush in the 
 advance, and Corporal Fry of the Twelfth Iowa had got so far 
 that he was taken for a confederate and received a severe wound 
 in the foot, from some one in the rear. 
 
 The Second Iowa battery (Capt. J. K. Reed), with four twelve- 
 pounder Napoleons opened fire on Red fort, one thousand yards 
 distant ; and the Third Indiana battery of Rodman guns (Capt. 
 T. J. Ginn), from a prominent point on the left. 
 
 In the Thirteenth corps, Yeatch s division having bivouacked 
 in the front, had been working most of the night intrench 
 ing, had been in line of battle at three in the morning, and 
 the men were not feeling very fresh when they moved out 
 at seven. But they were ready for a fight, and the belief 
 prevailed that they were going to take Spanish fort by assault. 
 Veatch deployed when he had proceeded a mile with Slack s 
 brigade on the right, the Third brigade, Lieut. -Col. Kinsey 
 commanding, on the left, and Dennis in reserve. 
 
 Benton s division, moving at nine, came up on the right 
 in three columns of regiments deployed, connecting with the 
 Sixteenth corps. 
 
 Bertram s brigade of Second division was sent round to 
 the right of the Thirteenth corps, but was soon afterward 
 
56 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 ordered back, and taking the road round by Wadsworth s 
 returned to its former position, and then closed up on the 
 left. 
 
 In the Third brigade (Benton s division), commanded by Col. 
 Conrad Krez of the Twenty-seventh "Wisconsin, the Seventy- 
 seventh Ohio had been detailed to guard the train and had 
 moved to the rear, so that the brigade front consisted of the 
 Twenty-seventh Wisconsin and the Thirty-third Iowa, with 
 the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin in reserve. These regiments 
 were at first employed to support the Twenty-sixth New York 
 battery, and afterward formed on the right of the corps ; but 
 met with no loss during the day. 
 
 Day s brigade of Benton s division, being in the centre, 
 came up opposite old Spanish fort, the guns cf which had 
 good range through a large ravine. The Ninety-first Illinois 
 was in the advance of that brigade with skirmishers deployed, 
 and subjected the confederates to some loss in forcing them 
 back over the fallen trees to their breastworks. Wlien the 
 line halted, about nine hundred yards from those works, a 
 portion of the skirmish line was relieved by Capt. Button s 
 company of the Seventh Yermont who had four men slightly 
 wounded ; and there was one other wounded in the same 
 regiment. During the afternoon, Grier s brigade furnished a 
 detail to construct temporary works for the Twenty-first New 
 York battery, which had taken position on a prominent spur 
 near the right of that brigade. At dark, the Ninety-first Illinois 
 and Twenty-ninth Iowa began intrenching, a little in advance 
 of the line occupied during the day, and the Fiftieth Indiana 
 and Seventh Vermont took position two hundred yards in 
 the rear. 
 
 Col. D. P. Grier s brigade of the same division, after deploy 
 ing, threw out the Ninety-sixth Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Brown, as 
 skirmishers, and moving on, opposite Fort McDermett, passed 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. til 
 
 through the right of Veatch s division where the men were 
 intrenching and soon saw the confederate skirmishers approach 
 ing over the brow of a hill in advance ; but meeting a well- 
 directed fire from the Ninety-sixth Ohio they hastily retreated 
 to their works responding with only a few shots. The Ninety- 
 sixth then pushed forward about a hundred yards farther. This 
 opened the way for the Seventh Massachusetts light battery, 
 Capt. Storer, to come up on a rise of ground seven hundred 
 and fifty yards from McDermett, and in rear of which Grier s 
 brigade constructed a cover. The Seventh Massachusetts bat 
 tery was engaged for three hours. 
 
 All along the line the regimental colors were planted in the 
 ground, and afforded a mark for the confederate guns. 
 
 In the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, Slack s brigade of Yeatch s 
 division, the private Joel Norton, acting as color bearer, was 
 killed by a piece of shell, and a skirmisher of that regiment 
 was wounded. Yeatch s whole loss during the day was two 
 killed and sixteen wounded. 
 
 On the extreme left, and next to the bay, was Bertram s 
 brigade, squarely in front of Fort McDermett, and the approach 
 was difficult, on account of the obstructions of slashings. The 
 Nineteenth Iowa, Lieut.-Col. John Bruce commanding, was in 
 the advance. With skirmishers deployed, that regiment crossed 
 an open field and coming into clear range of the guns of Mc 
 Dermett, pushed forward still farther into the fallen trees, but 
 was greeted with a severe fire of artillery. The Nineteenth 
 Iowa then hastily threw up some logs and earth for protection. 
 Foust s battery (F, First Missouri) of steel guns, came up 
 meantime, and soon, with its skilful fire, silenced the guns in 
 McDermett. Several of the Nineteenth had been severely 
 wounded and there was now some pause in firing on this 
 part of the line. Meantime, the other regiments of the brigade, 
 Twentieth Wisconsin, Twenty-third Iowa, and Ninety-fourth Uli- 
 
58 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 nois, came up, and Granger also came on tlie ground. Another 
 advance was soon ordered. Tin Twentieth Wisconsin, Lieut. - 
 Col. Starr, had formed 011 the right of the Nineteenth Iowa, 
 and both regiments pushed forward over the slashed trees, but 
 could not move fast. The confederates from the fort, and their 
 advanced rifle-pits, were on the watch, and when they had gained 
 about two hundred yards opened fiercely on them with mus 
 ketry and artillery. To this fire they replied with spirit, and 
 Foust s unerring guns in the rear were doing execution at every 
 shot. In close musketry range of McDermett, both regiments 
 began to construct rifle-pits, and pickets were posted on the 
 farther side of a ravine which extended on the right nearly up 
 to the road ; their post being close to rifle-pits from which the 
 confederates had been driven. In the Nineteenth Iowa, Cor 
 porals Geo. Major and Win. Holliday, and Private Montgomery, 
 were killed, and Corporal Fish of the color guard, and Corporals 
 Loyle and Smith, and ten privates, were wounded. Capt. Stone 
 of the Twentieth Wisconsin, a gallant officer and gentleman, was 
 mortally wounded. 
 
 By dusk, the general line of the Thirteenth corps was estab- 
 
 
 
 lished from eight hundred to one thousand yards from the 
 main works of the confederates, and after dark large details 
 were set at work intrenching ; and along the whole line the 
 spade, the pick, and the axe, were busily employed. 
 
 During the day, Granger with a staff-officer rode along the 
 line of skirmishers, attracting a fire which struck down the 
 orderly bearing the corps colors. 
 
 The number of killed and wounded in the Sixteenth corps 
 were ninety-one ; in the Thirteenth something less. According 
 to the report telegraphed to Mobile, the confederates sustained 
 a loss of only nine killed and thirty wounded. The garrison 
 had been expecting an assault, and were saving the most of 
 their fire for such an emergency. At four in the afternoon, Gen. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 59 
 
 Gibson reported : " Enemy seem to be attacking here in earnest, 
 and has opened on every part of the line, with musketry and 
 light artillery." 1 Canby, however, did not intend to assault 
 blindly ; nor would there have been much gained in point of 
 time, for the army would have had to wait a few days for sup 
 plies before moving farther. He accompanied the troops in 
 the movement and established his headquarters on the main 
 road, near Wilson s, two miles from Spanish fort. 
 
 1 Gibson to Lidell : " March 27, 5:30 P. M. We require more tools. Will send 
 off horses and mules by first boat to-night Enemy has established himself in 
 heavy force from the extreme left to the right, has heavy batteries along his 
 whole line. The works are not complete on the left" 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT SECOND DAY. 
 
 March 28. The garrison of Spanish fort comprised about 
 four thousand. Col. Patton had command of the artillery which 
 was also armed with rifle muskets, and did duty in the pits ; 
 Gibson s brigade was in the centre; and the Alabama reserves 
 principally youths, under General Thomas, were on the left. 
 And there were batteries under skilful artillerists distributed 
 ;at the forts on the entire line. 
 
 The garrison now saw they were to be regularly besieged by 
 a large force, but were determined to hold out as long as they 
 could without unreasonable sacrifice, and were inspired with 
 the pride and satisfaction of holding at bay a powerful and 
 finely-equipped army. 
 
 In the morning the public animals were shipped off, and 
 renewed efforts made for additional tools. On the extreme 
 left the defences w r ere not finished, and these had been 
 worked upon through the night, and were being continued. 
 On that part of the line, on the preceding day, a party 
 of blacks had been at work behind the skirmishers felling 
 trees for an abatis in front of the main works ; but ran 
 in before the skirmishers, and having got too " demoralized" 
 to be useful in the garrison, were sent to Fort Huger. 
 
 The work went on actively in completing platforms for the 
 guns, making revetments for the breastworks and embrasures, 
 .and bomb-proof quarters for officers and men. These latter 
 were along close to the main works. But more of this neces- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 61 
 
 sary work could have been done if there had been a larger 
 supply of tools. 1 
 
 The besiegers, as well as the garrison, were experienced in 
 such operations, and their practice on the late march had 
 given them fresh facility in constructing earthworks. The red 
 lines of earth which will there remain for years to come 
 began to appear astonishingly quick ; and .they were, indeed, 
 needed as a barrier against the subtle Minie-balls of the 
 garrison sharpshooters, who, to use a phrase that was soon 
 current along the line, " shot to kill." 
 
 In the rear, the pioneer companies of each division, with 
 details, were making gabions and fascines, levying heavily on 
 the forest for its withes and poles. The abundance of pine-trees, 
 many of which had been felled to impede them, largely assisted 
 the men in making their bomb-proof quarters, and the revet 
 ments for batteries. 
 
 There had been occasional shots during the night ; but when 
 day broke, the crack of the musket grew vehement, and the ar 
 tillery opened with spirit on both sides. The garrison, the day 
 
 1 Gibson to Lidell: " March 28. The enemy attempted to advance his lines 
 at sunset, but was wholly unsuccessful. He is persistent in his attempt to gain 
 all the ground he can, and fails at every point. I am compelled to extend my 
 Unes on the left. I lost five (5) men killed and thirty-four (34) wounded to-day. 
 I attril? Jte the loss to the want of tools to throw up skirmish-pits and traverses. 
 I hav; an immense deal of digging to do, as the enemy are erecting heavy 
 batteries on the right and left, which enfilade the lines. Three (3) of his gun 
 boats ran on the bar, fired at the fort about sunset ; all but one retired after a 
 few rounds. We all think that the one that remained was sunk. I cannot say 
 certainly, but I think so." 
 
 Lidell to Col Garner (Chief of Staff] : " Blakely, March 28 Gen. 
 
 Gibson telegraphs that his force cannot be reduced, and should only be relieved. 
 Enemy pressing him in heavy force at all points. His casualties are less than 
 yesterday. I despatched him, boat would be sent for reserves to-night. He 
 reports present strength at three thousand four hundred. I send two Yankee 
 prisoners, who belong to Gilbert s division, at Sibley s mill. There are not 
 enough boats here for the work they have to do, and they never have enough 
 wood. Please send me more at once." 
 
62 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 and night preceding, had made an opening in the timber to the 
 shore of Minette bay, to afford an enfilading range on the right 
 flank of the Sixteenth corps, from the heavy guns of Fort Huger, 
 situated on the marsh twenty-five hundred yards distant on the 
 left and rear of the garrison. The fire from these guns ap 
 peared effective at first, but one of the shot having struck 
 inside the garrison, it was ordered to cease. 
 
 Sixteenth Corps. The Fourteenth Indiana (Morse s) light bat 
 tery Carr s division had, on the evening of the 27th, advanced 
 to a prominent and exposed position, where a mortar battery of 
 the First Indiana heavy artillery afterward came in, five hun 
 dred and fifty yards from Ked fort. The Fourteenth, aided by 
 details of infantry, had worked all night throwing up works ; but 
 the earth on that ridge was very hard, and by morning only a 
 few logs were rolled together with scarcely enough earth to 
 cover them. In pursuance of orders, however, Capt. Morse 
 opened fire at daylight, and was speedily answered by Phillips 
 Tennessee and Lumsden s Alabama light batteries, in his front, 
 which concentrated their fire on him. Morse continued firing 
 till ten o clock, when he ceased, so as to give the pioneers oppor 
 tunity to strengthen the work, and while this was in progress 
 the work was penetrated by a shell, which exploded, killing one 
 man and fatally wounding another. The other light guns on 
 the left, in the front of both corps, were also engaged, but much 
 exposed ; yet batteries for them were in progress. 
 
 In the morning, an examination of the ground off from Carr s 
 right, and along the eastern shore of Minette bay, showed that 
 a battery could be placed on the bluff that would have a plung 
 ing fire on Huger. A Whit worth and a steel rifle were put in 
 position there, which drew the fire that had been renewed of 
 Huger from the right flank of the Sixteenth corps, and also 
 moved farther up the river a confederate gunboat, which had 
 also been hurling at A. J. Smith s command large and demoral 
 izing projectiles. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 63 
 
 The nature of the ground was such that on the extreme right 
 of Smith s corps the One Hundred and Eighth Illinois Geddes 
 brigade of Carr s division was able to commence a parallel on 
 a ridge two hundred yards distant from the confederate works ; 
 and which, when finished, bent round to within one hundred and 
 twenty yards of the confederate works. Toward the left the 
 distance widened, the parallel commenced by the Eighth Iowa 
 and One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois being a little over- 
 three hundred yards distant. Next in Moore s brigade the first 
 line was three hundred and fifty yards distant, and in Ward s 
 brigade five hundred. By daylight Moore s brigade had its first 
 parallel opened, and some cover thrown up lor the skirmish line 
 one hundred and fifty yards in advance. The loss during the 
 day in Geddes brigade was two wounded in the One Hundred 
 and Eighth Illinois ; two one dangerously in the One Hundred 
 and Twenty-fourth Illinois ; in the Eighth Iowa, David Sterrett, 
 Company K, was killed, and Mandres, Company I, and Herz- 
 berger, Company G, wounded. In Moore s brigade, four were 
 wounded in the Thirty -third Wisconsin, one in the Seventy-sec 
 ond Illinois, and four one dangerously in the Ninety-fifth 
 Illinois. In Ward s brigade, four one dangerously were 
 wounded in the Fourteenth Wisconsin, five two dangerously 
 in the Fortieth Missouri. Also, among the wounded was Lieut. 
 Joseph H. Mitchell, Company A, Forty-ninth Missouri. 
 
 The preceding night, in the front of the Fortieth Missouri two 
 colored men deserted from the garrison, and coming toward the 
 picket of the Fortieth, were ordered to halt. One got frightened 
 and ran, but the sentinel quickly fired, and he fell. The other 
 came safely in, and the wounded one was sent to the hospital. 
 
 In McArthur s division the casualties were : in McMillen s bri 
 gade, two wounded in the Thirty-third Illinois ; in Hubbard s 
 brigade, one wounded in the Ninth Minnesota ; in Marshall s 
 brigade, two wounded in the Thirty-third Missouri, one in the 
 
64 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Twelfth Iowa, and Corporal Dreauler of the Seventh Minnesota. 
 Company D, Capt. Norman Buck, of the latter regiment was on 
 the skirmish line, and occupied ground three hundred and fifty 
 yards from the confederate works. 
 
 The Thirteenth Corps. In Krez s brigade, Benton s division, 
 four companies from different regiments, under Captain James 
 Gunn, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin, were sent out in daylight to 
 relieve skirmishers of the Second (Day s) brigade who were in 
 Krez s front. These companies had to cross a ravine containing 
 a labyrinth of slashings, and which was commanded by the guns 
 of McDermett and the sharpshooters posted in its front. But 
 heedless of danger they made their way to the front as fast as 
 possible, which could not be rapid even for sure-footed and 
 athletic men ; drove some of the confederate skirmishers out of 
 their pits, and pushed on to within two hundred yards or 
 thereabouts, of the confederate battery No. 3 ; but losing 
 heavily. The detail from the Thirty-third Iowa had eight 
 wounded, one mortally, and four dangerously; and among the 
 wounded from that regiment were Capts. William S. Parmlee 
 and George E. Ledyard. The Twenty-eighth Wisconsin lost 
 one killed, Private Samuel D. Hogg, Company B, and six 
 wounded, and the Twenty-seven tli Wisconsin four wounded. 
 So dangerous was it to retire or advance there in the daytime 
 that some who were to be relieved preferred to remain in their 
 pits iii the front. 
 
 In Day s (Second) brigade, Company D, Capt. Geo. E. Croft, 
 Seventh Vermont, had been on the skirmish line during the 
 night and having pushed forward pretty close to the confederate 
 works, was able to bring back valuable information concerning 
 them. The skirmish line in front of Day s brigade was on the 
 rise of ground before Battery No. 3, before mentioned, and so 
 exposed to a raking fire of light guns that the men were in 
 constant peril ; for they were not yet well covered by works, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 65 
 
 and had to seek shelter behind logs to some extent, rendering 
 their line irregular. 
 
 At three in the morning, the Twenty-ninth Iowa a regiment 
 of splendid material and discipline to match was relieved in 
 the front, where it had been digging all night, by the Fiftieth 
 Indiana a regiment of the same distinguished merit, withdrew 
 a few hundred yards to the rear, but not out of range, " and 
 got something to eat, the first for nearly thirty-six hours," and 
 then soon returned and resumed the labors of the trenches. 
 
 Grier s (First) brigade was at work in the position taken the 
 preceding evening. 
 
 In Yeatch s division next on the left, Dennis (Second) brigade 
 was in the front, the skirmishers being engaged with but little 
 intermission, and the fatigue parties exposed to considerable 
 shelling. 
 
 Attack on Captain Noble s Working Party. At dusk, Capt. 
 J. L. Noble, of the Twenty-first Iowa, Slack s brigade, with one 
 hundred men of the Twenty-first armed, and a detail of three 
 hundred men from other regiments without arms, a strange 
 oversight, went to the front to work on a battery. The detail 
 crawled along cautiously to the place designated, and com 
 menced work. Capt. Noble put out pickets in his front with 
 instructions to report to him every five minutes. Soon the 
 garrison sharpshooters heard the noise of the tools and com 
 menced an unpleasant fire. The party kept at their work, and 
 it seems that some of the detail had stuck their guns with 
 the bayonets on into the ground. About midnight, in the 
 midst of a heavy rainstorm, they were surprised and attacked, 
 the confederates having approached slyly to within a very few 
 yards of the work before being discovered. It was even doubt 
 ful for a few moments which side would get possession of the 
 guns that were stuck in the ground. For a few minutes the 
 combat was hand to hand. Capt. Noble called upon his men 
 
 5 
 
66 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 to stand by him, which they did, with spirit, and kept their 
 assailants out of the work. Many of the unarmed men ran 
 back to camp, and some reported that Capt. Noble and his little 
 band were captured. But Capt. Noble said they were mistaken, 
 though he admitted that " at different times the rebs. were 
 apparently standing guard over him." In about an hour Gen. 
 Slack came out with his brigade to his relief, and the tide of 
 the combat speedily turned. Capt. Noble had one man killed 
 and five wounded, and a ball came so near himself as to burn 
 his hair. He afterward learned from a confederate sergeant 
 that the regiment that made the attack lost seven killed and 
 fourteen wounded. 
 
 The attack was general on the skirmishers of Granger s left 
 at the same time, but no ground was anywhere lost. 
 
 In Bertram s brigade, the Nineteenth Iowa was relieved in 
 the morning by the Ninety-fourth Illinois, Col. John McNulta, 
 which continued the work in the rifle-pits, and also sent three 
 companies, under Capt. McFarland, to the front to support the 
 Twenty-third Iowa. 
 
 Operations of the Navy. The fleet, under Acting Bear-Ad 
 miral H. K. Thatcher, having several of the vessels that had 
 gained renown under Earragut at Fort Morgan, had kept pace 
 with the army up to the 26th. But Canby was disappointed 
 in the expectation, that it might move up close to Spanish fort 
 and complete the investment on the water side. Could this 
 have been done the hours of Spanish fort would have been 
 brief. But the shallow water on Blakely bar, the elaborate 
 obstructions, and the torpedoes, prevented. 
 
 The confederates first caught sight of a portion of the fleet 
 about five o clock on the afternoon of the 26th, when it was 
 off the mouth of D Olieve s creek 
 
 On the 28th, the fleet was lying off Howard s wharf. The 
 pendant of the senior officer was flying from the Stockdale. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 67 
 
 At midday the Octorara, Lieut.-Com. "VY. "W. Low, and the 
 river ironclad monit rs, Milwaukie, Lieut.-Com. J. H. Gillis, 
 the Kickapoo, Lieut.-Com. Jones, the Winnebago, Lieut.-Com. 
 Kirkland, and the Chickasaw, got under weigh from the anchor 
 age of the squadron and steamed for the bar of Blakely river. 
 The ironclads passed successfully over the bar. But the Oc 
 torara took the ground on the ridge of the bar in eight feet of 
 water. The tide had commenced falling ; and at three o clock, 
 a tube having burst in her starboard boiler, further efforts to 
 force her over ceased for the day. And, though she ulti 
 mately gained distinction, it seemed necessary that she should 
 yield to that fate which rules in war, and often interposes a 
 trivial accident to prevent unmixed success. The Winnebago 
 and Milwaukie had Ead s turrets, admitting of an elevation 
 to the guns of twenty degrees, and were permitted to advance. 
 A trial shell was fired from the Winnebago when she was at 
 the first rest, which showed she was much beyond the range 
 of her guns from Spanish fort. 
 
 Sinking of the MHwaulde. Both steamers continued up the 
 Blakely river, to within about a mile and a half of Fort McDer- 
 mett, and, with their Xl-inch guns, threw some shells at a 
 transport, supposed to be carrying supplies to the garrison, and 
 compelled her to move up the river. Some shots were directed 
 at Spanish fort, which were thought by the besiegers to have 
 done good execution ; and when the first shell came screeching 
 up the bay, there was immense cheering all along their line. 
 They then returned to anchor. The Milwaukie, dropping with 
 the current, her bow headed up stream, had got within two 
 hundred yards of the Kickapoo, then at anchor, and was where 
 boats had previously swept for torpedoes, and where it was sup 
 posed there could be no danger from them. Just then a shock 
 was felt on board, and it was known at^once that a torpedo had 
 exploded on her port side, abaft the after turret, and about forty 
 
68 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 feet from the stern. The first object of the commander, after 
 realizing the impossibility of saving the vessel, was to save the 
 crew, which was happily clone. There was some confusion at 
 first, for the hatches were closed, and but three were provided 
 with levers to open them from below ; but a single command re 
 stored order, and all came on deck in a quiet, orderly manner. 
 The stern sank in about three minutes, but the forward com 
 partments did not fill for nearly an hour afterward, giving the 
 crew an opportunity of saving most of their effects. Lieut. - 
 Com. Gillis saw every man off the vessel, and sent them to the 
 Kickapoo. He then reported to the flagship, and obtained per 
 mission to proceed to Pensacola, to get divers and a steam - 
 pump to aid in fetching up his guns. 1 Col. McNulta s men, of 
 the Ninety-fourth Illinois, up in front of McDermett, looked on 
 the Milwaukie from the rifle-pits, after the accident, and said 
 that her flag was still waving, and that her men, standing in 
 water, were firing effective shots from her turret guns. And the 
 officers of the garrison strained their eyes to see whether she 
 had sunk or not. 2 
 
 1 Lieut. Gillis Report, March 30, 1865. 
 
 2 " Skirmishing and artillery fire open lively on both sides as soon as light 
 enough for good practice. Battery Huger opens on the enemy s right with 
 good effect, but is stopped on account of an accidental shot having fallen in 
 our lines. 
 
 " Fire on both sides abates toward midday. Opens again, very lively, about 
 three, P. M. The enemy s line is well established along our entire front, and, 
 as usual, the work seems to progress very rapidly at all points ; ours, but 
 moderately. Two monitors open fire on Spanish fort about five, P. M., but their 
 shots fall a little short. They are answered by Spanish fort, and one suddenly 
 ceases. Heavy fighting on our left toward dark. The enemy attempted to ad 
 vance his pickets without success. Large fleet lying off Blakely bar." Diary 
 of a Confederate Officer. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT THIRD DAY. 
 
 March 29 Operations of the Navy. Those who merely con 
 sider the brilliant results of military or naval operations know 
 little of the tugging toil which generally attends their achieve 
 ment. An example of this toil was seen in the experience of 
 the fleet. 
 
 The Octorara (as also the Metaoomet) was a side-wheel 
 steam-gunboat of the style familiarly called " double-ender," 
 having bow and stern constructed alike, of draught of from 
 eight to ten feet of water, and fore-and-aft schooner-rigged. 
 She carried two IX-inch guns, two thirty -two-pounders, and 
 four twenty-four-pounder howitzers, as broadside, and one one- 
 hundred-pounder Parrott rifle, and one IX-inch smooth-bore as 
 pivots ; with gun crews for the larger guns of seventeen men 
 each. Her disabled boiler had been repaired, and she had 
 been considerably lightened by shifting sand-bags, shot, and 
 shell, and four heavy guns weighing each nine thousand six 
 hundred pounds on board tugs the gaff of a tug being used 
 as a derrick. And at noon, the 29th, with the assistance of two 
 tugs, she passed over the Blakely bar, and anchored inside. 
 The same evening the hundred-pounder Parrott was taken on 
 board and mounted, and some shot and shell received from the 
 tugs. But she did not open fire till the next day. 
 
 Heavy details from the squadron in boats had been industri 
 ously sweeping the channel with chains for torpedoos, and 
 many had been brought up. 
 
70 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Sinking of the Osage. At two, P. M., of the 9th, the ironclad 
 Osage, Lieut.-Com. Wm. M. Gamble, was lying at anchor inside 
 of Blakely bar in company with four other vessels. A strong 
 breeze was blowing from the eastward, and the Winnebago had 
 dragged close alongside. To avoid collision the Osage weighed 
 anchor, moved off to a safe distance on her starboard bow, was 
 stopped by her commander in two fathoms water, and hands 
 ordered ready to let go the anchor. Almost immediately a 
 torpedo exploded under the bow, and the Osage commenced 
 filling and sinking rapidly. But search below for the killed and 
 wounded was speedily made by executive officer Garrison with 
 some men, and two killed and five wounded were passed up. 
 Five were killed and twelve wounded. The Osage almost imme 
 diately filled. Her position had been thoroughly dragged by 
 boats ; and it was supposed the torpedo which struck her was 
 drifting. 
 
 Position of the Confederate Artillery. Twenty-one batteries 
 had been sent down from Hood s (or Johnston s) army to help 
 defend Mobile. Some of these had lost, and some had worn 
 out their guns and material in resisting Sherman. Many of the 
 companies had served from the commencement of the war, and 
 had left dead comrades on more than a dozen great battle-fields, 
 and now they were in conflict again with men, whom, in more 
 hopeful days, they had met at Shiloh and Yicksburgh. 
 
 Of these organizations the principal one was the Twenty- 
 second regiment Louisiana artillery, commanded by Col. Isaac 
 Patton, a native of Virginia, and a graduate of West Point. He 
 had command of the artillery at Spanish fort and Forts Huger 
 and Tracy, and the latter forts were garrisoned mainly by com 
 panies from his regiment. 
 
 Forts Huger and Tracy were a thousand yards apart, built on 
 the marsh, with piles driven for foundation ; were from one to two 
 miles above Spanish fort, and about the same distance from the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 71 
 
 main shore. As has been before remarked, they were designed 
 to command Blakely river ; and it was an opinion expressed by 
 Beauregard that they should be made self-sustaining, and that 
 no garrisons should be maintained on the main shore. Fort 
 Huger was a work with four bastions, but open at the north end, 
 was garrisoned by companies B and K of the Twenty-second 
 Louisiana and Company C, First Mississippi light artillery, 
 Capt. Collins total, two hundred effective, and commanded by 
 Maj. Washington Marks, of the Twenty-second Louisiana. It 
 was armed with eleven guns ; namely, one YHI-inch double- 
 banded gun in the northeast bastion, one VI T Vinch Brooks 
 rifle, and one X-inch mortar on east face ; one Yll-inch rifle at 
 southeast bastion ; one X-inch double-banded smooth-bore on 
 south face ; one Vll-inch rifle on southwest bastion ; one 
 VI t Vinch Brooks rifle on west face ; two twelve-pounder howit 
 zers. In the centre was a bomb-proof, twenty-five feet high, on 
 which were mounted on pintels two splendid X-inch colum- 
 biads, smooth-bore, having, of course, a wide range. 
 
 Fort Tracy was an enclosed bastioned work, garrisoned by 
 Companies I, H, and G, of the Twenty-second Louisiana, one 
 hundred and twenty men, under the immediate command of 
 Capt. A. A. Patsmier, Company I of that regiment, and armed 
 with five Yll-inch rifle guns. 
 
 It was supposed these forts would be assaulted by men landed 
 from boats and launches, and the garrisons were exercising much 
 vigilance to be ready to repulse them. 
 
 Old Spanish fort, sometimes denominated the Water-battery, 
 was garrisoned by Companies A, D, and F, of the Twenty- 
 second Louisiana, and well armed with Yll-inch columbiads 
 and thirty-pounder Parrotts five in all. 
 
 Fort McDermett was under the immediate command of Capt. 
 Samuel Barnes, Company C, Twenty-second Louisiana, and the 
 artillery was manned by his own and Owen s Arkansas battery 
 
72 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 effective of both companies, ninety-one ; but it -WT.S reinforced 
 on the following day by Massenbery s Georgia light artillery, 
 one hundred and ten effective. It had, at first, fifteen guns ; six 
 six-pounder smooth-bore ; two twenty -four-pounder howitzers ; 
 six cohorn mortars ; and one Vl^g-iiich Brooks rifle, mounted 
 on centre-pintel, and having a range of three quarters of the cir 
 cle of the besiegers works. 
 
 Its south bastion was a lunette of strong profile, a command 
 of twenty-five degrees over ridge and road approaching it, a 
 regular covered way with four embrasures, a carefully-con 
 structed abatis and chevaux-de-frise, and many torpedoes made 
 with twelve-pounder shell. With the exception of old Spanish 
 fort, which, from its position, was unassailable, this south bas 
 tion was decidedly the strongest and most carefully fortified 
 fort of the garrison works. 
 
 Captain C. H. Slocum had command of the other batteries 
 on the left. His quarters were at the redoubt No. 3, where was 
 also his company the fifth of the Washington artillery ninety 
 effective, composed of the best class of young men of New Or 
 leans. During the war Slocum s battery had marched six 
 thousand miles. This redoubt (No. 3) was armed with eight 
 pieces : one Ylll-inch columbiad, two Napoleons, one Ill-inch 
 rifle, and four cohorn mortars. 
 
 At Redoubt No. 4 was Phillips Tennessee battery, sixty effec 
 tive, with two Napoleons, one twelve-pounder howitzer, and two 
 cohorn mortars. Next, on the left of Redoubt No. 5, was Lums- 
 den s Tuscaloosa (Alabama) battery, with four six-pounders, 
 and three cohorn mortars. 
 
 The whole number of guns, including mortars, in all the 
 works, the first days of the siege, was fifty-seven. 
 
 Operations along the Lines. The firing on both sides this day 
 seems to have increased in severity. It made Gen. A. J. Smith 
 move his headquarters a little to the rear. The garrison ex- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 73 
 
 fended not less than thirty-six thousand rounds of musket am 
 munition, and its own loss was reported to be thirty killed, and 
 one hundred and nineteen wounded*. l It now commenced the 
 use of steel screens in the embrasures. 
 
 On the left of the besiegers Bertram s brigade had advanced 
 some distance farther than the division on the right, leaving its 
 right flank exposed. At seven in the afternoon, seven companies 
 of the Twenty-ninth Illinois (third brigade of Veatch s divis 
 ion), under Maj. E. P. Curtis, went out to the front to open a 
 line of works connecting with Bertram s right. They had but 
 fairly begun digging when a superior number of the garrison 
 made a sally on them, under cover of the darkness, rushing 
 boldly and impetuously up to the trenches as if sure of success. 
 A similar attack was made at the same time in Bertram s ad 
 vance, but the working parties repulsed the attack, and resumed 
 their work. About the same time the Eighth Illinois, Dennis 
 brigade, had one man killed and three wounded while working 
 on a battery. 
 
 Adventure on the Skirmish Line. In Day s brigade, Ben ton s 
 division, Capt. L. K. Myers, Twenty-ninth Iowa, had the pre 
 ceding evening been detailed as brigade officer of the day in 
 the trenches. He had four companies, and was required to ad 
 vance and dig rifle-pits within one hundred yards of the con 
 federate works then occupied by Gibson s Louisiana brigade, 
 Col. Campbell commanding; the men having one day s rations 
 and one hundred rounds of ammunition each. Soon after 
 nightfall, with Lieut. Stocker and six or seven men, he went 
 
 1 Capt. Lewis to Col Garner : " Blakely, Mar. 29. Gen. Gibson reports the 
 following casualties : thirty killed, one hundred and nineteen wounded." 
 
 A soldier of the Sixty-second Alabama (Col. Huger s regiment), writing from 
 Spanish fort, March 29, to the Mobile Register, says : " Fortunately we are so 
 situated our casualties are but few." He states that in his regiment up to 
 date one commissioned officer and four men had been killed, and twenty-four 
 wounded. 
 
74 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 forward to ascertain how close lie was to the confederate works, 
 and was fired on by one of their sentinels when within five or 
 six steps from him. Capt. Myers and party dropped clown, and 
 quite a number of shots were fired over them. He whispered 
 orders for each man to crawl back singly, and then crawled back 
 himself. Each one was heard and fired at while thus retreating, 
 but none hit. 
 
 Capt. Myers detail was at work through the night digging 
 their line of rifle-pits, only fifty yards distant from the advance 
 rifle-pits of the confederates and were being fired on by the 
 latter, continually. The captain had repeatedly passed along 
 the line of his four companies during the night, and toward 
 morning, thinking they were safely intrenched, had started back 
 to the main line of the brigade to report his situation, when he 
 met a lieutenant of his own regiment with seven men bringing 
 out ammunition for a company (C), that had come with less than 
 the required supply. The men bringing it had carelessly been 
 sent without arms. He turned back to conduct them to the line 
 and came to a pit for the pits were detached next to the one 
 where the ammunition was to go, and a " sentinel" pointed him 
 the way. In passing along the line at night he had been guided 
 by a lone tree standing where Company C was stationed ; but 
 approaching from the front it was hid, being between him and 
 the high ground in front, and there being another tree more to 
 the right, he followed that and came out unexpectedly on the 
 confederate lines. His adventure was told as follows : 
 
 "I had ordered the lieutenant and seven men to keep in 
 single file, behind me, and make but little noise in passing 
 through the brush and fallen timber. As I approached I said : 
 * Boys, I am coming back again. A voice answered, c Come 
 on. A few steps more brought me face to face with a reb. in 
 gray, with sword at his side, and at his left about twelve men 
 (butternut clothing) with arms at a ready. As I halted, my men 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 75 
 
 closed up to my right, placing us all within three or four steps 
 of the rebs. We all saw at once where we were. I was wearing 
 a red sash, belt, and revolver ; and my men all unarmed. The 
 rebel officer looked me close in the face, and said : Do you 
 know where you are do you belong to us ? I answered Of 
 course we belong to you, ain t you confederate soldiers ? He 
 answered Yes. 
 
 " I asked, What regiment ? 
 
 "He answered, l Forty-second. 
 
 "I said, We are bringing out ammunition, and wish to pass 
 down the line with it, if you will direct us the way to the next 
 post. 
 
 "He asked, What regiment? but I began to ask several 
 other questions and each time set in before he finished, by 
 making remarks such as, c We heard so much firing during the 
 night, thought you might be scarce of ammunition were sent 
 out with a supply, wish to pass down the line if you will direct 
 us to the next post. He said, We will show you the way, it is 
 not far ; and turning to his men, said, Boys, ah* of you, come 
 along. I said, Very well, and turning to my men said, Come 
 on, boys. 
 
 " I had feared that some of my boys would run and the 
 rest of us be fired on, but they all stood quiet, trusting me 
 to manage affairs. I knew the reb. knew what we were, and 
 was afraid to order us to surrender ; perhaps wanted to first 
 double his force at the next post. I wanted to get on the 
 move, and give the word to my men to run. We had only 
 gone a few steps when one of the rebs. next the officer said, 
 1 Hold on, these are not our men ! I said, You are certainly 
 mistaken ; and while trying to satisfy him, the officer became 
 too much alarmed to stand it any longer. He sang out, Re 
 treat, turned and ran, and his men broke and ran ; most of 
 them discharging their guns at me before running. The balls 
 
76 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 passed close on both sides of me. I called out, * Fire on them, 
 boys, fire on them ! Did this to hurry them in their retreat. 
 I also drew my revolver and fired four shots. By this time 
 my men had got started back. I turned to follow them, and 
 was about to run on to their (confederate) advance sentinel, 
 who was squatting down in the brush, and raised and fired, 
 when I was within two or three feet of the muzzle of his gun, 
 hit me in the right hip, the ball hitting the bone, glancing 
 round, and coming out about five inches from where it went 
 in. I fell beside him, and as he turned to run, I gave him the 
 iwo remaining shots from my revolver ; he fell within a few 
 steps of me and lay quiet. I lay there a few minutes, and 
 the rebs., from their breastworks some fifty yards distant, poured 
 a heavy fire into the brush. I could see day breaking fast, and 
 knew they could soon see me. So I began to crawl off. Could 
 not stand on my wounded leg. .Soon came to one of my boys, 
 who had been with me and was lost in the brush. While he 
 and I were cautiously making ourselves known to each other, 
 two of our Company C boys, in their rifle-pits, raised their 
 guns to fire at me, but their lieutenant (Stocker, one of my 
 messmates) knew my voice, and told them not to fire. They 
 then called me by name, Capt. Myers, and the rebs., following 
 up behind me, called, Come this way. Capt. Myers, come right 
 this way. Lieut. Stocker ordered a few shots fired at them, 
 which stopped their hallooing, and I came into the rifle-pits 
 with Lieut. Stocker, related my adventure, examined my wound, 
 and was assisted back to my regiment. 
 
 " The man of my squad who carried the box of one thousand 
 cartridges, threw it down before retreating, and the rebs., next 
 day, were afraid to touch it, and would call out to our men 
 in the rifle-pits to come and get that infernal-machine. When 
 the fort was taken, my colonel sent and got the box. The rebs. 
 would also call out, How is Capt. Myers ? Our men would 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 77 
 
 reply, He is not dangerous, and then inquire about the officer 
 who ran from unarmed men." 
 
 Sixteenth Corps. In McArthur s division, Marshall s brigade 
 continued to furnish large details on a battery for the Third 
 Indiana light guns, and that brigade and Hubbard s had begun 
 an approach from their main line. The casualties were light, 
 not exceeding one or two in each regiment. 
 
 In Carr s division approaches were being dug, to connect 
 Moore s first and second line the Ninety-fifth Illinois, Col. 
 Blanding, being at work on the left, and the Thirty-third Wis 
 consin upon the one on the right. All the works were progress 
 ing fast. The sharpshooters were able to silence the guns in 
 their front, and the casualties of the division were light. l 
 
 1 Wednesday, March 29. Operations commenced very lively on both 
 sides. Casualties on ours severer than heretofore. I made a careful inspection 
 of both lines. Estimate the enemy s line of circumvallation at one thousand to 
 twelve hundred yards distant his skirmishers vary from two hundred and fifty 
 to three hundred yards distant. Eight batteries established against us j but 
 our artillery still seems to be superior, and generally silences theirs whenever 
 we try to do so. Our line as yet uninjured. The monitor that engaged Span 
 ish fort yesterday seems to be sunk on Blakely bar. Commenced to use steel- 
 wrought iron screens in our embrasures, for protecting artillerists, and find 
 them of general service. The usual work of repairs, and making splinter- 
 proofs, traverses, and passage-ways, carried on ; also, work on treadway pushed 
 ahead. A lively skirmish takes place on our right, about midnight, resulting 
 from some false alarm on one side or the other." Diary of a Confederate 
 Officer. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT FOURTH DAT. 
 
 March 30. The fourth day was devoted chiefly to work in the 
 trenches on the part of the besiegers. The pits had been dug 
 hastily, and were narrow ; in many places the sides were not 
 well sloped but abrupt, so that a heavy storm would crumble 
 them in. Orders were given to have them rectified, and widened 
 to six feet. This was undertaken, but retarded for want of 
 tools. The heavy siege guns were now on their way up the bay, 
 and several batteries were also commenced for them. Foust s 
 light battery of steel guns, on the extreme left, had done excel 
 lent service ; and his ammunition being exhausted but not his 
 zeal he withdrew, and gave place to four Ill-inch rifle-guns, 
 of Storer s Seventh Massachusetts, which were moved from the 
 right of Yeatch s division the section of twelve-pounders of the 
 latter battery, under Lieut. Benson, remaining in their original 
 position. 
 
 Four light guns, of Trull s Fourth Massachusetts battery, 
 were on Veatch s left, and only four hundred and fifty yards 
 from Fort McDermett so near, indeed, that the men could hear 
 the music of a brass band inside that fort. These guns were 
 doing some good service. The other section of the battery, 
 under Lieut. Briggs, had been sent to the extreme left, to fire on 
 the garrison s transports coming to the wharf. 
 
 Up to this time the besiegers had in use nine light bat 
 teries. 
 
 During this day a sheH from Fort McDermett exploded in 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 79 
 
 the camp of the Twenty-ninth Illinois, killing four men and 
 wounding nine others, all of Company A. 
 
 At three in the afternoon Veatch s division was withdrawn in 
 order to proceed with a supply train to meet Gen. Steele ; and 
 his front was occupied by Marshall s brigade of the Sixteenth 
 corps. The whole loss in Veatch s division had been nine 
 killed and forty-one wounded. 
 
 In Day s brigade, Benton s division, the Twenty-ninth Iowa 
 was detached to the rear on picket duty. 
 
 In Carr s division a part of Moore s brigade front was severe 
 ly enfiladed by guns off to his right, and which he could not 
 reach ; probably Lumsden s Tuscaloosa battery. The part of 
 Moore s front which was most exposed to this fire was occupied 
 by two companies of the Thirty-third Wisconsin : Company C, 
 Capt. William Were, Company K, Capt. A. H. Fitch. These 
 officers, with their companies, without flinching, held their 
 position under a raking fire. The regiment had eleven wound 
 ed, six severely. But the guns that inflicted this injury were 
 afterward silenced by a Eodman gun of the First Indiana light 
 battery which, at night, was placed in a masked position in 
 front of the first parallel of Moore s brigade. 
 
 The casualties in the two divisions during the day were five 
 killed and twenty- six wounded. 
 
 On the extreme left the Louisianians, at about one in the 
 morning, made another attack on Bertram s brigade front then 
 occupied by the Ninety-fourth Illinois, Col. McNulta. The 
 Nineteenth Iowa came up promptly to the assistance of the 
 Ninety-fourth, and the sally party was driven back before ap 
 proaching nearer than fifty yards, leaving nine dead which 
 were buried by the Ninety-fourth. The loss of the Nineteenth 
 and Ninety-fourth was three wounded. 
 
 The Navy. During the afternoon the Octorara opened with 
 effect with her one hundred-pounder Parrott on Spanish fort, 
 at a distance of five thousand seven hundred yards. 
 
80 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The Garrison. The commanding officer of the district, 
 Maj.-Gen. D. H. Maury, visited the garrison, examined the 
 lines and concluded to relieve Thomas reserves with Holtz- 
 claw s Alabama brigade. 1 In the evening Lidell sent two 
 regiments of Cockrell s division to O. Sibley s to relieve Holtz- 
 claw. The latter called in his pickets, and about midnight 
 his brigade was wending its way over Saluda hill and down 
 the Pensacola road to Blakely landing, where it embarked on 
 the steamers Mary and Hed Gauntlet for Spanish fort. 
 
 The casualties at Spanish fort, on the 30th, were reported to 
 be six killed and forty wounded. But it is probable the lists 
 of casualties could not always be accurate. Once the Nine 
 teenth Iowa, on the extreme left of the besiegers, in extending 
 their approach, dug into a confederate rifle pit where they found 
 two or three confederates who had fallen at their posts some 
 time previously, and been left unburied by their comrades. 
 The garrison during the day advanced the work on the tread- 
 way over the marsh to Fort Huger. - 
 
 1 Lidell to Gibson: "Blakely, March 30. Gen. Maury has again ordered me 
 to relieve the reserve brigade. I send Holtzclaw s brigade to relieve them, 
 and you must have the reserves ready to be placed on the boat as soon as 
 Holtzclaw arrives. This must be done under cover of darkness without fail." 
 
 2 " Thursday, March 30. Enemy very quiet all day. But one piece of artiL 
 lery fired along the entire line, and but little sharpshooting. The line is visited 
 and examined by the major-general commanding. A monitor opens in the even 
 ing on our hospital boat. Picket lines of two forces not more than fifty paces 
 apart in several places. Our treadway to Huger nearly finished. Enemy opens 
 a Parrott battery across Bay Minette on Batteries Huger and Tracy, and on 
 boats attempting to land at those points, thus stopping our steamboat commit 
 meatier, with these points to-day." Diary of a Confederate Officer. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT FIFTH DAY. 
 
 March 31. Details from Carr s division had constructed a 
 sunken battery on the shore of Bay Minette near the Whit- 
 worth and the steel gun already in position. Eight thirty- 
 pounder Parrotts, of Battery H, First Indiana heavy artillery, 
 Capt. W. P. Wimmer, and Battery K, Capt. Cox, had been 
 placed there the night before, and in the morning opened on 
 some ironclads and transports which were lying with steam up 
 near Forts Huger and Tracy. Two side-wheelers and a trans 
 port were in a few minutes compelled to move up stream ; but 
 the fourth vessel was of the turtle-back description, and though 
 repeatedly hit by solid shot remained under fire until evening. 
 About one, p. H., a transport attempted to pass down to the fort, 
 but was driven back. The forts were continually signalling, and 
 twice in the following night a transport attempted to run down 
 to them, but was driven back each time. Fort Huger answered 
 the fire of these thirty-pounders briskly, but they sustained no 
 injury. 
 
 Capt. W. H. Blankenship, of the First Indiana heavy artillery, 
 with his battery (B), eight Vlll-inch mortars, had arrived at 
 Stark s wharf the night of the 28th, and, by working all night in 
 the heavy rain, got his battery on the top of the hill. The 29th, 
 he moved out near Gen. A. J. Smith s headquarters. The 30th, 
 the battery was divided, forty men and four mortars, under 
 Lieut. Eaper, being sent to the extreme left ; with fifty men and 
 the other four mortars he proceeded to Carr s division ; and at 
 
 6 
 
82 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 three, A. M., of the 31st, had the mortars in position on a knoll in 
 rear of the left of Geddes brigade (Battery No. 18), nine hun 
 dred yards from Eed fort, but only six hundred from the main 
 works of the garrison in his immediate front. He commenced 
 firing at eight o clock, and fired thirty-eight rounds. 
 
 In Granger s front, Capt. Bough (Battery C, First Indiana) 
 got his Ylll-inch howitzers in position on the brow of a hill 
 eight hundred yards from McDerrnett, and delivered an accu 
 rate fire. There was a brisk engagement of the batteries on 
 both sides all along the line. 
 
 Morse s Fourteenth Indiana light battery, at Carr s left, 
 though its works had been strengthened, was much annoyed 
 by Slocum s columbiad, from which shells (weighing over fifty 
 pounds) had been coming with their dismal flutter and with 
 disagreeable precision. About ten, A. M., one of these shells 
 struck a limber of the Fourteenth battery, and, igniting the 
 contents (eighty pounds of powder), blew it in pieces, killing 
 one man, seriously wounding two, and slightly wounding several 
 others. During the day, another man of the battery was dan 
 gerously wounded b}^ a Minie-ball. 
 
 The First and Third Indiana and Second Iowa light batteries 
 were also actively engaged in the Sixteenth corps front, and 
 suffering but little. 
 
 In the Thirteenth corps, the chief engineer, Col. Palfrey son 
 of the historian designated the siege guns to be put in posi 
 tion, with orders that twelve large rifle guns should be placed 
 to give a reverse and enfilade fire on the left of the garrison s 
 line, in front of the Sixteenth corps. Capt. Van Lieuw and 
 Capt. Morton, of the Mnety-seventh United States colored in 
 fantry, were assigned to duty with the corps as assistant-engi 
 neers. The Seventh Vermont veteran infantry and the Thirty- 
 fifth Wisconsin infantry, of Benton s division, were assigned to 
 special duty on siege-works, were divided into four reliefs, to 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 83 
 
 work eight hours each in succession ; and the two officers 
 named above, with Capt. H. G. Palfrey, Ninety-eighth United 
 States colored infantry, with the assistant-engineer of the di 
 vision, in whose front the work lay, formed a roster, one being 
 on duty with each detail in succession. 
 
 On the right of the Thirteenth corps, the Twenty-first and 
 Twenty-sixth New York light batteries maintained the battle 
 ajaimt large projectiles well, and were the theme of praise 
 a iiong the infantry regiments around them. In the Twenty- 
 firs:, Privates John "Wilson and John Daley had been killed, and 
 Private George A. White wounded the first casualty on the 
 27th, the two last on the 29th. On Granger s left, the four light 
 guns of Trull s Fourth Massachusetts battery were withdrawn, 
 to give place to Mack s (Black-horse battery) eighteen-pounders. 
 In Bertram s front, two of the YHI-inch (sixty-four-pounders) 
 mortars of Battery B, First Indiana heavy artillery, opened on 
 Fort McDermett. l 
 
 A Gallant Exploit. The hulk of a steamboat, used as quar 
 ters at Fort Huger, having been cut loose to give range to 
 guns, floated down and lodged diagonally opposite McDermett, 
 and about five hundred yards distant. In a few minutes Lieut. 
 Bidnour, acting aide-de-camp, with Sergeant Charles Ashby, 
 Company G, and Privates Wm. H. Morgan and A. C. Spreadan, 
 of Company A, Louis Boy, Company B, and Bobert Pratt, 
 Company C, of the Ninety-fourth Illinois, paddled out in a 
 small skiff to examine it. Some of the squadron, at first sus 
 pecting them to be from the garrison, commenced shelling them, 
 but, by signals, were soon made to cease. The garrison then 
 
 1 Gen. Lidell to Col. Garner : " Blakely, March 31. Gen. Gibson reports the 
 enemy have erected a battery of heavy guns in front of Battery McDermett 
 (No. 2). Have fired a sixty-four-pounder. Artillery officers report a Parrott 
 battery in front of No. 2. Opened also thirteen guns on Battery No. 4, and 
 fired cohorn mortars on the left." 
 
84 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 opened fire on them from all the guns bearing in that direction, 
 and with musketry. But they made their way through the 
 shower of shot and shells to the object of their trip, coolly 
 boarded and examined it, returned to their skiff and paddled 
 themselves back, but now under cover of the fire from the 
 squadron. None of them was harmed, though their skiff was. 
 hit a number of times. And as they came back they were 
 greeted by the loud cheers of thousands of their comrades, 
 who stood watching them from the bluff. The garrison also 
 beheld and admired their gallantry. 1 
 
 Sortie and Capture of Skirmishers. On the night of the 30th, 
 Capt. R. B. Stearns, Company K, Seventh Vermont, with a part 
 of his company, had relieved Capt. Parker s company on the 
 skirmish line in front of the confederate battery No. 3. There 
 was a little firing during the night, and Capt. Stearns advanced 
 his line about twenty-five yards, and dug new pits though 
 there was only one spade found by the detail which brought 
 him in advance of the brigade line of skirmishers. He 
 was within one hundred and fifty yards of the works of 
 the garrison, and the musket fire by his men was exceed 
 ingly troublesome to their gunners. Soon after noon a 
 shot from that vicinity had instantly killed Col. Win. E. 
 Burnett, of Texas, confederate chief of artillery, and a 
 valuable officer. He had for a moment taken a rifle in 
 his hand, and was in the act of aiming it from behind the 
 breastworks through a wooden embrasure. Capt. Barnes in 
 Battery McDerniett had been giving considerable attention to 
 these skirmishers, and they were also subject to a fire from Eed 
 fort. Beginning early in the morning Barnes shelled the line 
 with a six-pounder and a twenty-four-pounder howitzer for 
 three or four hours, and made some of the men on Stearns 
 left fall back into the ravine. There was now a lull, and the 
 skirmishers popped out their heads and did some firing them- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 85 
 
 selves, for they were fair marksmen, and had plenty of pluck. 
 Barnes then brought out two six-pounders from McDermett, 
 placed them on the hill-top, and again fiercely shelled Capt. 
 Stearns position. The latter concluded it would be best to fall 
 back a short distance as soon as it became dark, and sent Cor 
 poral Crothers to regimental headquarters for instructions. He 
 also sent word that he expected to be assaulted before dark, 
 asked that the guns over at McDermett be silenced, and the 
 works of the garrison in his front be shelled, so that he could 
 fall back under cover of the fire. The severe fire which Capt. 
 Stearns was exposed to had already attracted the attention of 
 Col. Holbrook, the commanding officer of his regiment. 
 
 Arrangements were made in the garrison for a sortie. Capt. 
 Clement "Watson of Gen. Gibson s staff volunteered to lead it. 
 The rest of the party was to consist of Lieut. A. C. Newton, 
 Company E, Fourth Louisiana battalion, and thirty men, fifteen 
 of whom were picked. 
 
 At two o clock in the afternoon, preparatory to the sortie, the 
 garrison caused the slashings and brush on the right of Capt. 
 Stearns to be fired, and the smoke blew over and in front of 
 him. 
 
 Having stood the terrific shelling, he was now most appre 
 hensive of being burned or smoked out, for there were several 
 trees near him, and the wind was sending the fire in his direc 
 tion. He gave the order for his men to fall back singly. But 
 a hundred bullets came flying at the first man who started, and 
 Capt. Stearns immediately countermanded the order. During 
 the severe shelling a few of his men had retreated from their 
 rifle-pits, one of whom, Private Stoors, was wounded. Just be 
 fore sunset the fire had extended along his rear and on his left, 
 making so dense a smoke as to entirely seclude him. But the 
 guns of the garrison were still bearing on him and now opened 
 in a terrific manner. In less than ten minutes fifteen shells 
 
86 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 were exploded inside, and directly over the single pit in which 
 Capt. Stearns and ten of his men were stationed. Still ex 
 pecting an assault he ordered his men to fix bayonets. 
 
 It was now sunset. The cannonading c eased. The same 
 instant Capt. Watson and party were over the garrison works, 
 and, concealed by the smoke, vigorously rushed upon their ex 
 pected prisoners. Capt. Stearns gave the command to fire, 
 which was obeyed by a majority of his men. The next moment 
 every man had a musket at his head, with a summons to surren 
 der. The demand was complied with. Capt. Stearns and 
 twenty of his men were captured. Without parley and without 
 delay, their captors received their arms and hurried them away 
 into the garrison. None of the sortie party stopped to occupy 
 the pits. 1 The prisoners were rapidly taken a roundabout way 
 to a position near the water, which appeared to be sheltered 
 from the fire of the besiegers by artificial ravines. But no curi 
 osity now inspired them to notice the interior of the garrison. 
 They were confident their gallant comrades left behind would, 
 before many days, have full possession of everything around 
 them ; and the regret that they could not be present to partici 
 pate in the enthusiasm of victory, increased that distress of 
 mind which is ever experienced by the patriotic prisoner. 
 The prospect before them was dreary. 
 
 Capt. Stearns was soon notified that he was to have an inter 
 view with the general commanding the garrison ; and was 
 accordingly conducted down into a ravine some sixty or seventy 
 feet deep, and about thirty yards wide at the opening. The 
 
 1 Gen. Li dell to Col Garner (Chief of Staff] : " Blakely, March 31. Gen. Gib 
 son has just telegraphed me the following : Capt. Clem in t S. Watson, of my 
 staff, and A. C. Newton, Co. E, Fourth Louisiana battalion, led a sortie at sun 
 set, and drove the enemy from his advance on battery 3, killed a large number, 
 and captured one captain and twenty-one enlisted men. These brave comrades 
 deserve the thanks, and have entitled themselves to the admiration, of this 
 army. " 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 87 
 
 ravine was triangular, with its base facing north. In the apex 
 were two wall tents, into one of which he was taken and in 
 troduced to Gen. Gibson. here were present Capt. Watson 
 and the lieutenant who accompanied him. The general invited 
 Capt. Stearns to partake of his supper a frugal repast, con 
 sisting of cold fowl, cold water, with tin table furniture. This in 
 vitation was accepted. It was a compliment which would have 
 bee i paid only to a gallant officer. The garrison had the best 
 opportunity to judge of the courage and fortitude of their pris 
 oners, and the general was generous in acknowledging the 
 tenacity and courage with which, under a most severe fire, 
 they held to their position ; and the intelligence and address 
 of both the captors and prisoners seems to have excited mutual 
 respect. 
 
 After Capt. Stearns interview with the general, and he had 
 withdrawn from his tent, he had some conversation with persons 
 of lower rank, from whom he learned that they had " lost heart" 
 in the success of the Confederacy. 1 
 
 The casualties of the garrison on the 31st were reported to be 
 six killed and twenty-six wounded. 
 
 1 " HEADQUARTERS FORCES, SPANISH FORT, 
 
 " March 31, 1865. 
 
 " The commanding officer desires to make known to the troops his admira 
 tion of their unsurpassed valor arid endurance, and his entire confidence in 
 their ability to defend this outpost of the defences of Mobile. 
 
 " Thousands of your countrymen with anxious hearts turn toward you. 
 " Continue to prove yourselves worthy of their confidence, and of the cause 
 which it is your privilege to defend. 
 
 " Resolve to do your whole duty, every hour of each coming day, and with 
 the blessing of Heaven we shall continue to achieve those successes which so 
 far have crowned your efforts. 
 
 "RANDALL LEE GIBSON, 
 
 " Brigadier General? 
 
 " Heavy firing around Spanish fort all day. Col. Burnett, chief of artillery 
 to the major-general commanding, killed. Picket line of the enemy in front of 
 our line on right centre uiplodged and twenty-one prisoners captured with no 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT SIXTH DAY. 
 
 THEKE was a feeling of despondency in Mobile, but it was not 
 much shown. Some meetings were held to create a martial 
 feeling among the citizens ; the few ablebodied men who re 
 mained in the city were armed, did occasional duty as patrols 
 or guards, and were expected if a crisis required to go into the 
 trenches. Orders were published for the removal of the slaves 
 out of the city. The people cooked and sent over provisions to 
 the garrison, bestowed every attention upon the wounded, and 
 manifested a devotion well calculated to keep up the resolution 
 of their defenders. The daily newspapers were prohibited from 
 publishing details of the operations and casualties, and confined 
 what they published to general statements. " The enemy," 
 they confessed " is strong, reliant, and ingenious." Yet they 
 claimed that their defensive works were insurmountable. " But 
 better," they argued, " than all these safeguards is the valor of 
 our soldiers." 
 
 Owing to restrictions on the press only a few of the many 
 letters written from the garrison were published. One corre 
 spondent said that his shoulder was lame from shooting that 
 he " he shot under a log which the boys called skull crackers. " 
 Another soldier correspondent, in not so good humor, wrote 
 
 loss on our side. A very large work commenced in front of our left. No 
 material advance since yesterday in the enemy s approaches. Enemy opens 
 upon my engineer force on the marsh, and causes temporary discontinuance of 
 work on treadway." Diary of. a Confederate Officei*. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 89 
 
 that there was an immense fleet in the bay ; that the vessels 
 contained the families of the Yankee officers impatient to oc 
 cupy the fine houses in Mobile, and appropriate to themselves 
 the furniture and costly wares. 
 
 The Garrison (April 1). In compliance with special orders 
 coffee and sugar were issued for the benefit of the wounded. 
 It appears that the ordinary army rations issued to the garri 
 son were rneal and a poor article of bacon. 
 
 The brigade of Brig.-Gen. J. T. Holtzclaw, having relieved 
 the Alabama reserves, was now in position on the left centre 
 of the garrison. 
 
 This brigade had seen much hard fighting during the war;: 
 and its last important battle had been Nashville. 
 
 It was composed of the following organizations, all of Ala 
 bama troops : Fifty-eighth and Thirty-second, consolidated ; 
 the Thirty-sixth, Col. T. H. Hernden ; the Eighteenth, Col. P. 
 F. Hunley Holtzclaw s old regiment, which had helped to 
 capture the Eighth Iowa at Shiloh ; the Twenty-first, Col. J. 
 Williams, which had been badly cut up at Shiloh, then sent to 
 Mobile, where it afterward remained ; and the Thirty-eighth, 
 commanded by Capt. Bussy, the colonel and major being pris 
 oners. 
 
 The brigade was so posted that its right, consisting of the 
 Thirty-eighth, came opposite the (garrison) battery No. 3, 
 bringing it opposite the right of Benton s division. Next, on 
 the left, were the Twenty-first and Eighteenth, reaching to 
 Battery No. 4 (Bed fort), then the Fifty-eighth and Thirty- 
 sixth extending to the sand-bag battery ; the four last being 
 opposite McArthur s division. Next came Ector s Texas bri 
 gade. But Ector had lost a leg at Atlanta and had not yet 
 resumed command. Its right was a North Carolina regiment,. 
 Col. Coleman ; and next were posted the consolidated regi 
 ments, about four, fronting Carr s division. They had been. 
 
90 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 captured as cavalry at Arkansas post, and for eighteen months 
 had served as infantry. Col. Andrews of Texas now command 
 ed the brigade ; Col. Bush Jones of the Fifty-eighth Alabama 
 commanded Holtzclaw s brigade, and Holtzclaw commanded 
 both brigades, comprising the left wing of the garrison. 
 
 The garrison did not as yet feel much pressed, but was 
 obliged to work industriously. Orders were now issued to 
 economize ammunition, and immediate leave of absence for 
 twenty-four hours was promised each man who would pro 
 cure twenty-five pounds of lead. This caused many hun 
 dred pounds of the besiegers bullets to be picked up. 
 
 On the right, in McDermett, Capt. Barnes received from 
 Mobile, two twenty-pounder Parrotts, and one VHI-inch 
 mortar. The latter was put in position one hundred yards 
 inside the fort, on the interior slope of the hill. These in 
 creased the whole number of his pieces to eighteen. 
 
 To reinforce the garrison at Blakely, it was proposed to 
 withdraw Ector s brigade from Spanish fort. But, on the 
 urgent recommendation* of Gibson and Holtzclaw, it was 
 . allowed to remain. 1 
 
 The casualties of the garrison for this day were reported 
 to be four killed and seventeen wounded. 2 
 
 1 Lidell to Gibson : " April 1. Gen. Maury has ordered me to send no more 
 men to Spanish fort, and to withdraw Eotor s brigade. I do not know his ob 
 ject. Our lines are two thousand yards long, and I have not enough men here, 
 by one thousand, to man our fortifications, and Steeie s corps is reported to be 
 larger than both corps in front of your works." 
 
 L-idell to Maury : April 1. The following despatch just received from 
 Gen. Gibson: In the opinion of Gen. Holtzclaw and m^solf, the withdrawal 
 of Ector s brigade renders Spanish fort untenable, with the small force, left 
 ; against the large force, now pressing at every point. While this [is] my candid 
 conviction, I will continue heartily and with renewed efforts to do my utmost 
 to hold this place. Signed, R. L. Gibson, Brig.-Gen. Please decide this mat- 
 tcr at once ; the boats have gone to Spanish fort." 
 
 2 " I made a careful examination of the lines at Spanish fort to-day. Our 
 works show signs of injury on our right, but no damage, as yet, done to our 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 91 
 
 Operations of the Besiegers. The captain of the steamer Mary 
 had reported to Gen. Lidell, at Blakely, the effectiveness of the 
 thirty-pounders (First Indiana) on the shore of Bay Minette ; 
 whereupon that indefatigable officer went out and selected a 
 p;ood position, on the north bank of the Minette bayou, for a 
 light battery, which would give Wimnier and Cox a reverse and 
 raking fire. In the night, two ten-pounder rifles, of Grayson s 
 battery, moved out from Blakely and occupied the position, 
 vrhich was only about one thousand yards from the battery on 
 Bay Minette shore. Scarcely any work was done, for it was un 
 necessary, as the position was masked by the woods ; and, as 
 Steele was approaching from the north, it was evident the 
 guns could not remain there long. Grayson opened at daylight 
 with the two rifled guns, and with decided effect. His firing 
 was not wholly unexpected to Capt. Wimmer, for he had heard 
 the noise of work in that direction the preceding night. Gray- 
 son kept up a constant and accurate fire, raking the Bay Mi 
 nette battery from right to left. Wimmer had no protection 
 on his right, and his magazine was exposed. Nor was he 
 able to return Grayson s fire. He immediately commenced 
 throwing up works to protect his magazine, his subordinate 
 officers and men working with great intrepidity and zeal. All 
 this while a heavy fire Avas going on between his guns and 
 Fort Huger and the gunboat Morgan. At half-past four, P. M., 
 he had constructed works to effectively secure his magazine, 
 
 left . No signs of regular sapping on the part of the enemy, as yet ; his ap 
 proaches having been made up to this time by his skirmishers advancing them 
 selves at night, and protecting themselves by irregular pits. Their proximity 
 is such, in front of our salients, that I determine to try some countermines, and 
 order preparation made to that end. Enemy opens several mortars on Spaniah 
 fort. Capt. Grayson s battery of Parrotts, and the confederate steamer Mor 
 gan, open fire on Bay Minette batteries. Enemy appears in front of Blakely, 
 and captures about one hundred men of the Forty-sixth Mississippi regiment 
 by a dash on our outpost "r Diary of a Confederate Officer. 
 
92 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 and also got one gun in position to answer Grayson. But 
 the latter had, by this hour, been called back with his guns 
 inside the works at Blakely. It had been a furious day for 
 Wimmer and Cox s batteries, yet they had but three men 
 injured. 
 
 Capt. Blankenship commenced work with his Ylll-inch and 
 X-inch mortars (left of Geddes brigade, Carr s division), at 
 half-past seven o clock, A. M. fired fifteen rounds, and received 
 orders to cease firing. At noon he opened again, and threw 
 forty-seven shells into Eed fort, out of fifty-one fired, dis 
 mounting a gun and killing two men. Late in the evening, 
 he threw twenty-nine more shells inside the garrison works. 
 
 Hendrick s Battery L, First Indiana, having arrived the 
 previous evening, two of his thirty-pounder Parrotts, under 
 immediate command of Lieut. Parker, opened a direct fire, 
 early in the morning, from Me Arthur s right, and were imme 
 diately answered by a concentrated fire from six guns, including 
 one VHI-inch columbiad. Gun No. 3, Corporal James Busby, 
 gunner, dismounted one of the garrison guns during the first 
 day s firing. 
 
 Some brilliant shots were made by the Ill-inch rifles of the 
 Seventh Massachusetts they having struck the Brooks rifle, 
 in Fort McDermett, five times while it was being fired twice. 
 
 Along the line, generally, there was not so much artillery 
 firing as on the preceding day. 
 
 In the Thirteenth corps work was progressing on three 
 heavy batteries Nos. 1, 2, and 5. After dark Capt. Mack 
 had his eighteen-pounders hauled into position with ropes, 
 by hand, and got ready to open fire the following morning. 
 
 Bertram s brigade, on the left, was pushing its advance line up 
 to McDermett rapidly, day and night. But it had some natural 
 advantage in approaching under cover of the west slope of the 
 bluff on which the extreme left of their line rested. This 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 93 
 
 afforded at least one approach ; yet the side of the bluff was 
 steep, and considerable work had been done to excavate from 
 its side a terrace-walk. Starting from the rear line, where 
 the view of the bay and islands was extensive, the skirmish 
 ers went down a few steps to the terrace-walk, or covered way, 
 and passing along that some hundreds of yards, they turned 
 to the right, into an approach, and then, going another hun 
 dred yards, came into their present advance line of continuous 
 rifle-pits, which was now less than two hundred yards from 
 the guns of McDermett. This day the Ninety-fourth Illinois 
 was on duty at the front, and one of its men (Thomas Wilson, 
 of Company A) was killed. 
 
 Next, on the right of Bertram, was Marshall s brigade of the 
 Sixteenth corps, occupying and advancing the works commenced 
 by Veatch s division ; its right resting in the deep ravine which 
 was in range of the guns of Old Spanish fort. Next, on the 
 right, was Grier s brigade of Benton s division, in which Capts. 
 G. G. Stearns, of the Seventy-seventh Illinois, and Campbell, of 
 the Ninety-sixth Ohio, had been detailed to take charge of work 
 in the trenches. The Twenty-eighth and Seventy-seventh Illi 
 nois were in front, and at night a sortie was made on their skir 
 mish line, which was handsomely repulsed. 
 
 Next, on the right, Day s brigade (Benton s division) was re 
 duced to two regiments, the Fiftieth Indiana and Ninety-first 
 Illinois ; and on the right of that was the brigade of Col. Krez, 
 whose skirmishers were holding an exposed position, and meet 
 ing with some loss. 
 
 The left of the Sixteenth corps was now Hubbard s brigade 
 (McArthur s division), in whose front an approach had been 
 extended to within two hundred yards of the main works of 
 the garrison, and his second parallel there constructed. This 
 was manned with two hundred and fifty of the best sharp 
 shooters of the brigade, under charge of Capt. A. P. French, 
 
9 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Fifth Minnesota ; the detail being permanent. The operations 
 in that brigade were conducted with equal vigor and system. 
 The loss in the brigade, during the day, was, in the Thirty- 
 third Missouri, three killed and wounded, including Capt. "W. 
 Irwin ; in the Fifth Minnesota, one wounded. 
 
 In McMillen s brigade, there was one killed in the Twenty- 
 sixth Indiana, and one wounded in the Thirty-third Illinois. 
 
 In Carr s division, the works were also progressing with vigor. 
 Moore s brigade, in the centre, at night, commenced work on a 
 third parallel, thirty yards in advance of the second. The 
 casualties in the division were two killed and eight wounded, 
 two of the latter mortally. 
 
 The Navy. On this day another vessel was sunk by a tor 
 pedo. At one, P. M., the tinclad steamer Hodolph, Acting 
 Master N. M. Dyer, in obedience to signal from flagship, 
 weighed anchor, passed within hail, and, receiving orders to 
 take a barge alongside containing apparatus for raising the 
 Milwaulde, proceeded with it inside the Blakely bar. The Ro- 
 dolph had crossed the bar, and was standing up toward the 
 wreck of the Milwaulde, when, at 2:40, P.M., being directly 
 between the Chickasaw and Winnebago, she exploded a torpedo 
 under her starboard bow, and rapidly sank in twelve feet of 
 water. It appeared that a hole had been made in her ten feet 
 in diameter. By this casualty four of her crew were killed and 
 seven wounded, of whom five were colored men. 
 
 Here, for a short time, let us withdraw attention from the 
 operations at Spanish fort, and observe the movement of Steele e 
 column out from Pensacola. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 OPERATIONS OF STEELE S COLUMN FROM PENSACOLA BAY. 
 
 MAJ-GEN. F. Steele arrived at Barrancas on the 28th of Feb 
 ruary, and assumed command of the troops operating from 
 Pensacola bay. The Second and Third brigades of the Second 
 division, Thirteenth army corps, with the Second Connecticut 
 and Fifteenth Massachusetts light batteries, five thousand two 
 hundred effective men, were already at that place and in readi 
 ness to march. A few days afterward Hawkins colored divis 
 ion, five thousand five hundred effective, arrived, and by the 
 middle of March, Lucas cavalry brigade, two thousand five 
 hundred, had landed. The whole force amounted to thirteen 
 thousand two hundred. 
 
 Steele at once, in person, began a thorough inspection of his 
 troops ; taking one regiment at a time (formed in column of 
 companies), and going through it examining the arms, accoutre 
 ments, and clothing of each soldier. 
 
 A heavy pontoon train had arrived, and Capt. Boyle of. the 
 Thirty-fourth Iowa drilled his company successfully in the prac 
 tice of laying the bridge, but Gen. Steele wisely concluded to 
 leave it behind. 
 
 On the 10th of March, the Second division got orders to move 
 to Pensacola, and repair the wharf. This was in order that the 
 place could be available as a depot and base, if subsequent 
 operations should require it. The same afternoon the division 
 commander went up to Pensacola in a tug and ascertained what 
 work needed to be done. 
 
96 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 At sunrise the next morning (March 11), the division was 
 a mile from camp, just entering the woods on the eastern 
 part of the peninsula, with the train of eighty wagons of sup 
 plies. The distance round the head of the bayou to Pensacola 
 is thirteen miles, the road sandy and very heavy. It was the 
 same road over which Jackson marched in 1818 with his army 
 of three thousand men and two pieces of artillery. Some of the 
 road was under water ; and it was also necessary to construct 
 a few small bridges. Two miles out of Pensacola, the road for 
 several hundred yards was obstructed with slashings of pine- 
 trees ; but these were cut and rolled out of the way in a most 
 rapid manner by the pioneer company, assisted by details from 
 tlie column. The advance guard, consisting of a detachment 
 of the Second Maine cavalry, entered the tow T n soon after noon, 
 and by three, P. M., the division was on its camping ground. 
 The Second brigade (Spiceley s) camped on the ridge south of 
 the old fort ; the Third brigade (Moore s) camped on the level 
 ground east of the railroad. The march had been pleasant and 
 successful. 
 
 The next day, being Sunday, repairs of the wharf were not 
 fully commenC3d, yet Mr. Gray, principal mechanic in the quar 
 termaster s service, arrived from Barrancas with a detail of some 
 fifty men from the colored regiment, with tools, and commenced 
 taking up plank and caps from another wharf. The repairs that 
 were to be made consisted chiefly in driving piles and making 
 new wharf to fill up two gaps, each three hundred feet in length, 
 in the central or main wharf. The next morning, seventy pine 
 logs for piles were hauled from the neighboring woods to the 
 wharf before eight o clock ; and during the day two hundred 
 were cut and hauled ; and also sharpened. Mr. Gray was 
 assisted by the Pioneer corps and details from the division, and 
 all engaged worked in an earnest-hearted manner. Nearly all r 
 the planks and caps needed were brought in boats from the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 97 
 
 neighboring wharf ; and one pile was nearly driven when the 
 wind and waves rose and stopped the work. There being no 
 pile-driver, the piles had to be worked into the ground by their 
 own weight. For example, a pile having been placed upright, 
 a rope was then made fast near the top ; and while the pile was 
 kept steady, it was swayed backward and forward by men pull 
 ing on two sides till it became firmly set in the ground. 
 
 The next day the storm continued and no work could be done. 
 On the 15th it was resumed. It was also concluded to lay a 
 railway track from the end of the wharf, when it should be 
 repaired, up the main street as far as the quartermaster s and 
 commissary s stores. Capt. McComas, acting engineer, and a 
 detail from the Eighty-third Ohio, under officers of railroad 
 experience, then commenced taking up the track and ties 011 the 
 Montgomery railroad. On the afternoon of Saturday, the 18th, 
 the work was entirely finished. The wharf was made service 
 able and strong ; eight hundred yards of railroad completed, a 
 platform car made and put on it in running order. This was all 
 done in five and a half days. Though the work was done to 
 provide for a future contingency, the industrious men who per 
 formed it had the pleasure of seeing it available the next day, in 
 landing and bringing up supplies. 
 
 Pensacola at that time was indeed remarkable for its ruined 
 and lonely condition. It appeared once to have contained five 
 thousand inhabitants ; but it did not then have a hundred. It 
 had been raided upon by troops on both sides. Apparently the 
 best part of the town had been swept away by fire. Amid the 
 ruins, the shrubbery, and here and there delicate flowers, recalled 
 a period of taste, if not of affluence. But now there was not a 
 dozen sound buildings in the town, and not a single shop doing 
 business. 
 
 Not knowing how long they would remain, the troops hand 
 somely policed their camp and parade grounds, and built 
 
98 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 quarters ; using for the latter materials from the ruined build 
 ings in town. 
 
 Nor did they neglect to devote some hours to military exer 
 cises. 
 
 Information of the movement of these troops from Barrancas 
 (familiarly Imown in that neighborhood as the "Navy-yard") 
 reached Gen. Maury in Mobile in about thirty-six hours after 
 they had started; but their number was estimated at about 
 four times what it actually was. l At that time the confederates 
 
 1 Lidell to Maury : "Blakely, March 12, 1 A. M. Despatch from Greenwood 
 that enemy left navy-yard early yesterday morning (the llth) in direction ol 
 Gonzalis. Cavalry, infantry and artillery, twenty thousand strong." 
 
 Same to Same: "March 12, 5:12 A. M. The following despatch, just received 
 by Capt. Tutt, a reliable officer, commanding at Greenwood: Just received a 
 
 despatch from Mr. confirming the movement of the enemy from the 
 
 navy-yard yesterday morning. They encamped near Pensacola last night with 
 eighteen or twenty thousand, where they were to be joined by Gen. Steele 
 with the balance of the command. Whole force estimated at about twenty-five 
 thousand. Think they are coming out by Gonzalis. " 
 
 Same to Same: "March 12, 5:10 P. M. They had seventy-nine wagons and 
 about seven days provisions." 
 
 Lidell to Col. Armistead, at Pollard: "March 12, 5:20 A. M. The enemy is 
 
 moving out from Pensacola Apprize me as soon as you ascertain what 
 
 direction the enemy takes. Collect all your cavalry and keep in front of him." 
 
 Lidell to Col. Armistead: "March 12, 6:45 p. M. By direction of Gen- 
 Maury you will keep as close to the enenw as possible, and keep in constant 
 communication with Geri. Dan. Adams at Montevallo and Gen. Taylor at 
 Meridian." 
 
 Lidell to Armistead: "Marchl^, 10:10 P. M Have you heard anything 
 
 from your Pensacola road scouts ? Where are your sub-terra shells and your 
 piece of artillery ? Keep them with you, and, if possible, use them." 
 
 Lidell to Armistead: " March 13, 9 P. M. Push forward your scouts at once 
 to Pensacola ; find out where the enemy is, and what he is doing." 
 
 .Same to Same: "March 14, 11:30 P. M. The main body will yet move 
 toward Pollard, or this way. Watch him closely until he develops his inten 
 tions." 
 
 Same to Same : " March 17. Later information states, that the enemy is in. 
 creasing rather than diminishing his force. Unless your scouts go nearer the 
 navj -yard atad Pensacola, they -cannot ascertain the facts." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 99 
 
 had military posts at Canoe station and Pollard on the Mont 
 gomery and Mobile railroad, about fifty miles north of Pensa- 
 cola ; and there was a picket of thirty men at Pine Barren 
 creek. On the 12th, Gen. Lidell telegraphed Col. Armistead 
 at Canoe station that the federals had moved out from Pensa- 
 cola. This was a mistake, and must have led to some uncer 
 tainty. Col. Armistead complied with the urgent appeals made 
 to him to send scouts down to Pensacola. On the 15th, a small 
 party of confederates appeared in front of the picket four miles 
 out on the Pollard road, but without accomplishing anything 
 further than obtaining a glimpse of the picket. This led to 
 the strengthening of the cavalry picket on that road with a 
 company of infantry so disposed as to render the capture of a 
 small party probable if they had again appeared. 
 
 The confederates were no less vigilant and eager. Gen, 
 Lidell had instructed his outposts with a view of capturing 
 any federal scouts or picket that might be sent out, specially 
 enjoining them " to be certain of capturing the whole party, so 
 that the enemy will not know what has become of thein."- 1 - 
 
 On the 19th, Gen. Steele, with Hawkins division and Lucas 1 4 
 cavalry brigade, moved to Pensacola ; taking the short route 
 over the wide ford northeast of Barrancas. The cavalry bri 
 gade consisted of the Second Illinois cavalry (but then detached 
 to act with Spurling), First Louisiana cavalry, Second New 
 York veteran cavalry, the battalion of Thirty-first Massachu 
 setts mounted infantry, and the Second Massachusetts light 
 battery. Part of this brigade crossed the ford in the dark, 
 and the Thirty-first Massachusetts lost two horses with equip- 
 
 1 Lidell to Capt. J. V. Tutt, commanding at Greenwood: " MarcJi 15. Send 
 out a force sufficient to capture any picket-posts of the enemy, or scouting 
 parties that they may send out. You will instruct the officer in charge (who 
 must be a competent one) to be certain of capturing the whole party, so that 
 the enemy will not know what has become of them ; and in that way you may 
 b able to gain some information concerning the intentions of the enemy." 
 
100 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 ments. The same day, Lieut.-Col. Spurling, with eight hun 
 dred cavalry, v/ent on transports to the east shore of the Black- 
 water, and thence moved to strike the railroad above Pollard. 
 
 On the 20th, Steele s command moved out from Pensacola 011 
 the Pollard road, with ten days rations five earned by the 
 men and five in the wagons. There were about two hundred and 
 seventy wagons in the whole column. Each division took charge 
 of its own train. The Second division of the Thirteenth corps 
 had the advance, and started at daylight. It was followed by 
 the colored division. The cavalry brigade (except the Second 
 Illinois, which embarked with Spurling) left Pensacola at three, 
 p. M., and bivouacked at ten, P. M., four miles out, the roads 
 having been badly cut up by the infantry. The Second divis 
 ion, being in the advance, moved along pleasantly, halting ten 
 minutes every hour, and w r ent into camp by noon, at the Twelve- 
 inilo house, in a pine forest, where the ground sloped a few 
 hundred yards down to a clear stream. Each regiment came 
 up in handsome style, with the music playing. Moore s brigade 
 had been seen by confederate scouts, and the number of regi 
 ments counted, eight miles out from Pensacola. 1 
 
 A few wagons of the train had sunk down to the hubs in the 
 sand in some places, and these were not up till after dark. Haw- 
 kins division went into camp not far from the Second, before 
 dark. The picket on the road was posted a mile and a half out. 
 It was in charge of Capt. Rockwell, Thirty-fourth Iowa, who 
 had his men so arranged as to have captured any confederate 
 scouts if they had ventured closely up. Before midnight, a 
 
 1 Capt. Lewis to Col. Gamer, Chief of Staff : " Blakely, March 21. Have 
 just received following telegram Hd. Qrs., Canoe Station, March 21. To 
 H. L. 7). Lewis, A. A. A. G.: Scouts, just in, report five (5) regiments of 
 enemy s infantry, with small body of cavalry, eight (8) miles this side of Pen 
 sacola, at twelve o clock yesterday. Have sent down two regiments to meet 
 them, if still advancing. " C. G. ARMISTEAD, Col. Comd g. M 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 101 
 
 heavy fall of rain commenced, and continued to come down in a 
 steady pour till ten the next day. It was the same storm that 
 impeded the column marching up the eastern shore of the bay 
 to Fish river. The ground was, in many places, so flooded, 
 the troops were driven from their slumber and rest before 
 morning. 
 
 At daylight of the 21st, Spiceley s brigade, of the Second 
 division, moved out of camp, and pursued the march. Moore s 
 brigade remained, to take charge of the division train. As 
 soon as it was light, the artillery and the wagons attempted 
 to get out of park and move on. Then appeared a most dis 
 couraging and dismal prospect. The ground; seeming to be 
 a mere crust, which the falling torrents had softened and dis 
 solved, many of the wagons and artillery carriages had actually 
 sunk down to the hubs in the very tracks where they had 
 stood. The thought occurred to every one that he was indeed 
 in the midst of the Florida swamps ! In the midst of large 
 trees, where the ground was covered with a thin grass, and 
 with every indication of its being firm and solid, the wheels 
 would sink down, and the mules, in their struggles to draw, 
 would themselves plunge into the quicksand, and require 
 assistance to get out. Then wagons would be unloaded, and, 
 after moving a little way, and getting upon what seemed firm 
 ground, would be reloaded. The men pushed from behind, 
 and tugged at every wheel. In some cases ropes were hitched 
 to the wagon-tongues, and the men laying hold, pulled the 
 loaded wagons a considerable distance. Meantime, the pio 
 neers were busy with their axes, cutting down small trees to 
 corduroy the road. At first only bad places would be cordu 
 royed. But these were constantly occurring ; for, if one team 
 passed safely, the next was liable to be stalled, if it followed 
 in the same track. It seemed desirable to avoid corduroying 
 the entire road, jet it would, perhaps, have been economy of 
 
102 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 labor to have done so. During the day Moore s brigade 
 performed much work on the road, and in getting the train 
 along. The division marched only three miles, and camped 
 near the Fifteen-mile house. The most of the train was up 
 by dark. 
 
 The division commander had waited to see the artillery 
 and teams get started, and to judge how far they could move 
 during the day. He then, with the staff, passed on, and over 
 took Spiceley at eight o clock, not far from the point where it 
 was intended to camp. The rain was still falling. Spiceley 
 had his brigade drawn up in line on the right of the road, 
 in closed ranks, the men with their oilcloths (ponchos) on, 
 standing at secure arms, with a cheerful expression of coun 
 tenance. The fine brass bands of the Twenty-fourth Indiana 
 and Seventy-sixth Illinois struck up inspiring music. It was 
 like a review a singular spectacle, but one delightful to the 
 soldier. None but a natural soldier would have conceived the 
 idea. 
 
 The cavalry brigade started at noon, and marched three miles 
 only, such were the difficulties of the road, and bivouacked at 
 dark. Steele did not move his quarters, but was active in help 
 ing along the column. A large mail having arrived, was dis 
 tributed in the afternoon. 
 
 The next day, the 22d, was pleasant. Spiceley s brigade fur 
 nished large details to improve the road four miles to the front. 
 Before noon, Hawkins division got up near the Fifteen-mile 
 house, and camped. Lucas cavalry arrived late in the after 
 noon. About noon, Steele, with the division commanders, ex 
 amined the road three miles to the front. The inspector exam 
 ined the wagons, and caused some hundreds of pounds of 
 baggage to be abandoned. 
 
 The confederates were still using every exertion to ascertain 
 Steeie s force and purpose. Their latest information estimated 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 103 
 
 his strength at thirty thousand. About the same time, they 
 learned that Thomas was sending down forces from the north. 1 
 
 The march was resumed the following morning, March 23d. 
 The cavalry was in the advance, immediately followed by Haw- 
 kins division. In the Second division the artillery and wagon- 
 train began to hitch up at nine o clock, and the division was on 
 the march by ten. But the road was so cut up by the trains in 
 advance, that Spiceley s brigade, having charge of the train of 
 the Second division, had to renew its labor on the roads before 
 it was a mile from camp, and was, in fact, busy corduroying 
 nmch of the ten miles to Pine Barren creek. 
 
 A detachment of confederate cavalry under Lieut. -Col. Leary 
 was watching Steele s advance, and occasionally from behind log 
 breastworks on a favorable crest attempted to hold him in 
 check. Early in the forenoon there was considerable noise of 
 musketry, and the Thirty-first Massachusetts, Lucas rear 
 battalion, was called to the front in a gallop. But the obstruc 
 tion was not serious ; and before reaching Pine Barren creek 
 the confederates filed off toward the north, for they knew the 
 bridge was destroyed, and that the stream was not fordable. 
 
 1 Lidell to Armistead: " March 22. Let me know what is going on in your 
 front." 
 
 Lidell to Maury : " March 22. 5:15, A. M. I received the enclosed despatches 
 about midnight, and send them to you by first boat. Lieut. Sibley s report, in 
 a great measure, confirms that sent yesterday from Col. Armistead from Canoe 
 station. The enemy s strength being, however, ten thousand less [despatch had 
 estimated Steele s force at forty thousand] in this last. You will see that Gen 
 Thomas co-operates from Vicksburgh simultaneously. I now think there can 
 be no longer any doubt upon the subject. It is sad to think of the desolation 
 that will follow the traces of these columns of devastating Yankees ! ! ! I have 
 nothing late from the force coming up by Fish river. I can only conjecture 
 that if sufficiently large, it will attempt to get possession of Spanish fort for a 
 base, whence occupation can be given to the fleet in the bay. In carrying 
 through the movement on Selma, the use of the Alabama river is of the utmost, 
 importance to the enemy ; henoe I don t think we will be permitted to remain 
 in quiet long." 
 
104 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Their loss had been one killed and one captured. At noon, 
 Steele, being at the front, came to where the ground begins to 
 descend to the Pine Barren. It was a mile from that stream. 
 Just there was a farm under fair tillage, and on both sides of 
 the road a high rail fence. Four miles off to the right could 
 be seen the high and wooded bank of the Escambia, having a 
 picturesque appearance. From this point of observation to the 
 Pine Barren the descent was some three hundred feet ; but 
 there were several intervening hills, and on both sides of the 
 road an open pine forest. Gen. Steele soon ascertained the 
 condition of Pine Barren creek ; that it was ten feet deep, its 
 banks widely overflowed, and the current violent ; also that the 
 bridge was destroyed. Companies A and D, Capt. Bond, and 
 Lieut. Bond of the Thirty-first Massachusetts, crossed the 
 stream, dismounted, on driftwood, and after exchanging a few 
 shots with the confederate picket, drove it away, and remained 
 there themselves as a picket. One confederate was wounded. 
 Capt. Newton, assistant-engineer on Gen. Steele s staff, soon 
 after commenced the construction of a bridge assisted by large 
 details from the infantry. The cavalry went into camp on the 
 left side of the road a few hundred yards from the creek, and 
 on high ground. Hawkins division about opposite on the 
 right of the road. The Second division coming up by the 
 middle of the afternoon camped on both sides of the road in 
 rear of the other troops. Steele s tents were pitched on the 
 left of the road in the centre of his command. By direction, 
 the troops repeated the evening call twice to give the confed 
 erates an exaggerated impression of their number. 
 
 The weather continued pleasant on the 24th. Lucas had 
 scouts out to Williams station, and some infantry of the Second 
 division were sent down to the Escambia landing, to look for 
 steamboats, which were expected from Barrancas with supplies. 
 But some accident prevented their arrival. Captain Newton, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 105 
 
 though in poor health, continued hard at work, constructing the 
 bridge, and much of the time was in the water. He was assisted 
 by Captain Pickering s pioneers, and other details. White and 
 colored troops were working together. At about three o clock in 
 the afternoon, he said it would be finished in an hour, which w T as 
 sooner than the commanding general expected. This informa 
 tion was immediately communicated unofficially to Gen. Lucas, 
 who ordered " Boots and Saddles" to be sounded, then to Gen.. 
 Hawkins, and then to Gen. Steele, who at once sent out orders 
 for the command to move that evening. The bridge was finish 
 ed at the time specified ; and was three hundred feet in length. 
 Considering that the logs had to be newly cut and carried some 
 little distance, that the current was deep and swift, that its 
 banks were flooded bottoms, covered with timber and under 
 brush, difficult to move about in, a bridge of that kind to be 
 made in one day, is a respectable achievement. Yet it was no 
 singular instance of the soldier s enterprise and toil. 
 
 The cavalry began to cross as soon as the bridge was done. 
 Its wagon train moved tardily. It had to descend a steep hill, 
 terminating at the river bank, and the road being much washed 
 the wagons could not well be held back, and were in danger of 
 striking against trees. At that late hour, a few trees had to be 
 chopped down, and some other work done on the road. The 
 Second division had moved out of camp and had to sit down on 
 the road side till the teams had got over. Spiceley s brigade 
 was the advance of that division and the Sixty-ninth Indiana, 
 Lieut.-Col. Perry, was down at the river bank. Next to the 
 bridge, the road, for one hundred feet or more, was covered with 
 water a foot deep ; and the men of that battalion had taken off 
 their shoes and stockings, and rolled up their trowsers, so as to 
 be ready to wade to the bridge. It was nearly dark before the 
 cavalry wagon train was over. The Second division then fol 
 lowed. There was but a slight rise of the ground from the 
 
106 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 north bank, and the surface was thickly wooded with pine. 
 The artillery and wagons of the Second division had moved 
 but a few rods after crossing the Pine Barren, till the wheels 
 began to sink down horridly. Moore s brigade had charge oi 
 the train, and the men had to resume the toil of corduroying. 
 The artillery and train got a mile and a quarter from the river 
 at about eight o clock in the evening, and bivouacked on rather 
 high ground, half a mile from the cavalry. The colored division 
 did not move till morning. Lucas had pickets out about two 
 miles to the front, and during the night their shots were fre 
 quently heard. 
 
 In coarse of the day, his scouts had brought in a Mr. Wil 
 liams as prisoner, who imparted to Gen. Steele some informa 
 tion respecting the roads, and was detained by the latter till 
 the next day. He acquired the impression that Gen. Steele 
 was moving on Montgomery, which was not singular. Nor 
 was it strange that a citizen should estimate his force to be 
 twenty-five thousand. But that it should be thought he was 
 taking five hundred pieces of artillery through the swamps of 
 Florida, must indeed be considered an extraordinary esti 
 mate. T 
 
 l Lidell to Maury: " Blakely , March 25. The following despatch has just 
 been received from Col. Armistead : Canoe Station, March 25. Capt. Lewis, 
 A. A. A. G. : Since last despatch, a scout has arrived : says Bud Williams 
 was captured by enemy yesterday, and detained all night at Gen. Steele s 
 headquarters. From observation, and information received from enemy, Wil 
 liams says his force is twenty-five thousand, with over five hundred wagons 
 and a great many pieces of artillery, thinks five hundred. (!) Says Gen. Steele 
 kept him all night giving information as to the roads and towns between Pol- 
 ilard and Montgomery. This force moving on Montgomery, negro and white 
 ; troops about equally divided. Steele asked information as to all roads run 
 ning parallel in direction of Montgomery and Claiborne. " 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 CONTINUATION OF STEELE S MARCH. 
 
 STEELE S column moved out on the morning of the 25th, at 
 daylight, with expectations of a fight. Scouts had brought 
 reports the evening before, that two brigades of confederates* 
 with artillery, were intrenched on some creek a few miles ahead, 
 and .intended to make a determined resistance. The picket 
 firing, which had been heard in the night, and other circum 
 stances, seemed to render the report probable. 
 
 Lucas s troops encountered slight resistance when three 
 miles out. At nine o clock, they reached Mitchell s creek, on the 
 opposite bank of which a cavalry force of about four hundred, 
 under Col. Charles P. Ball, was intrenched. Some distance 
 in Ball s rear was Clanton s brigade, as a reserve. The bridge 
 had been partly destroyed. The banks, though not high, were 
 skirted with a thick growth of shrubbery, which was material 
 as a cover and defence. Having learned the nature of the 
 force in his front, Lucas sent a detachment of the Second New 
 York veteran cavalry, under Col. Christler, through the woods 
 to the left, to cross the stream, if practicable, a mile above, 
 and come in on the right flank and rear of the confederates. 
 He then caused three companies of the First Louisiana cav 
 alry to dismount and cross the stream below. They attacked 
 Ball s left with great spirit, and, after a short contest, made 
 him abandon his position. This firing was plainly heard by 
 the federal infantry. The Second division followed the cavalry. 
 And at about ten, A. M., an orderly brought word from Gen. 
 
108 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Lucas, that lie had met the enemy and captured three or four 
 of them. 
 
 Col. Christler returned, not having found a crossing. After 
 causing the bridge to be repaired, so the horses could pass 
 over safely, Lucas moved forward at a trot, with the First 
 Louisiana and a portion of the Second New York. He met 
 the confederate forces at Cotton creek, and again at Canoe 
 creek, but at each place his men pressed on with so much vigor 
 and gallantry that they were not long held in check. At 
 Cotton creek the Second Massachusetts light battery opened 
 fire, and for a few moments the combat seemed severe. The 
 confederates lost a few men in that skirmish. On the north 
 bank of Canoe creek the ground rose to a height of two hun 
 dred feet, and afforded an advantageous position to the con 
 federates, if it had been advisable to make a firm stand. From 
 there thev fell back to Pringle s creek, distant about four miles. 
 
 COMBAT OF PRINGLE S CREEK. 
 
 Pringle s creek was a shallow stream, skirted with shrubbery. 
 Its north bank rose gradually fifty feet, and was covered with 
 a characteristic growth of pine. On the brow of that crest 
 was a high fence of split rails, and a few hard-wood trees with 
 heavy foliage. After crossing the ford, the road bore round 
 to the right, making a gradual ascent of the hill, and was much 
 obscured by the trees. Three hundred yards above the ford 
 was Pritchard s small grist-mill, and above that a few acres 
 were covered with a mill-pond. A mile below there was the 
 small village of Bluff Spring. 
 
 Arriving at this creek, Col. Ball, to save his command, turned 
 off rapidly toward Williams station, leaving a picket on the 
 road. He did not suppose Clanton s brigade would again 
 offer battle, and both he and Col. Armistead, who was with 
 him, deemed Pringle s creek a poor position. This left only 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 109 
 
 Clanton s brigade in tlie immediate front of Lucas. The bri 
 gade consisted of two Alabama cavalry regiments, or battalions, 
 under command of Col. Leary and Maj. Faulkner, not exceed 
 ing five hundred men ; and attached to it also were two pieces 
 of artillery, and one hundred infantry reserves, which remained 
 on the north bank of the Escambia. Gen. Clanton had not yet 
 arrived from Pollard, and his brigade was under command of 
 Col. Leary. The latter made a breastwork of fence-rails on 
 the rise north of Pringle s creek, and behind it again formed 
 his men. Immediately in their rear was an extensive field, 
 wooded on both sides; and half a mile back of them their 
 horses were tied, in a thick grove of hard wood, near some 
 old log buildings which had been used for soldiers quarters. 
 
 A sharp engagement ensued as soon as Lucas advance came 
 up. The confederates were driven back two hundred yards 
 in ten minutes, and were still failing back as Gen. Clanton 
 galloped up and ordered a halt. At this Col. Leary seemed 
 surprised, and told Clanton they were being flanked. Clanton 
 replied : " But we must fall back in order." The latter then 
 commanded his forces to dress up on the colors. His brave 
 color-bearer, young Maynor, held the colors high, and repeated 
 the command, "Dress up on the colors." Fifteen minutes after- 
 ward Clanton fell severely, and it was then thought mortally, 
 wounded. Immediately the buglers of the First Louisiana 
 sounded the call for the charge, and that regiment mounted 
 and led by its commander, Lieut.-Col. A. S. Badger, dashed 
 forward in line of battle, in a gallant, impetuous manner, and 
 with a wild and thrilling cheer. They were met by a volley ; 
 and though some of their number fell, the fury of the charge 
 was not checked ; and in a few moments they had swept over 
 and captured the main part of the confederate force. The 
 prisoners consisted of Gen. Clanton, ten other officers, and one 
 hundred and twenty enlisted men. The killed and wounded 
 
110 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 numbered about a dozen. A battle-flag was captured by Private 
 Thomas Biley. A number of horses and mules were also 
 captured. The loss of the First Louisiana was two killed 
 First Lieut. Albert Schaffer and a bugler who fell in the 
 charge and eight wounded. Maj. J. E. Cowan of that regi 
 ment received a severe and painful injury to his leg by coming 
 in contact with a horse. In this action the Second New York 
 attacked the confederates on their flank. The remainder of 
 Clanton s command, a few who were mounted, were pursued to 
 the Escambia, where, not knowing that the bridge was torn up 
 from the centre, they leaped into the swollen and powerful stream, 
 and escaped to the opposite shore or were drowned. The others 
 fled into the swamps. Lucas had a running fight all the way to 
 the Escambia. The two pieces of artillery and reserves from 
 the north bank of that river produced an effect greater than 
 their force justified ; such is the moral power of artillery. They 
 were replied to by four pieces of the Second Massachusetts, 
 under Lieut. Greenleaf, and in an hour compelled to retire. 
 
 The Second division headquarters, with Spiceley s brigade of 
 that division, at one o clock, had ascended the long hill north of 
 Canoe creek and gone into camp. Just then a despatch from 
 Col. Whittelsey, chief pf staff to Gen. Steele, was received 
 stating that it would be prudent to send forward a brigade and 
 some artillery to support Lucas. 
 
 The commander of the division then with Spiceley s brigade 
 and a section of each of the light batteries hastened forward. 
 Just beyond Pringie s creek the prisoners were received and 
 taken charge of by the provost guard of the Second division. 
 The detachment arrived at the Escambia at four in the after 
 noon, and only a short time after the cavalry, having marched 
 seventeen miles. The banks of the Escambia being greatly 
 overflowed, and it being essential to cross it, details from 
 Spiceley s brigade set to work constructing a foot bridge on the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. Ill 
 
 railroad trestle which crossed the river a few rods below the 
 destroyed bridge. But before the infantry had arrived Lucas 
 had sent over two companies of the Thirty-first Massachusetts* 
 dismounted, as pickets. 
 
 The road had required considerable labor in order to bring 
 the train along, and the remainder of the infantry that day got 
 only to Cotton creek. Near the Escambia the road crossed 
 marshes several hundred yards in extent, and much of the way 
 covered with ponds of water. Through these it was perilous 
 to ride and tedious to march afoot. The details that worked 
 on the bridge had to pass through such places. It was with 
 much difficulty that the artillery was got through. 
 
 Information of the fight at Pringle s creek and its result was 
 received at Mobile the same day. 1 
 
 Entry of Pollard. In pursuance of Gen. Steele s orders, 
 Spiceley s brigade of the Second divison, marched for Pollard 
 at daylight, the 26th. It was also accompanied by the division 
 commander and staff. Infantry were sent, because cavalry 
 could not yet cross the river. All went a-foot ; and having 
 crossed over on the railroad trestle in single file, descended 
 as best they could, some fifteen feet upon the marshy and 
 overflowed bank. Thence, for some distance, the way lay 
 through swampy places, which had to be waded. The little 
 Escambia was bridged in a short time. On its opposite bank 
 some confederate scouts were seen, and two or three shots were 
 fired. The road showed tracks of the artillery, which the con 
 federates had used the day before, and the federals not yet 
 having any certain knowledge of what was in Pollard, thought 
 
 1 Gen. Lidett to Col Spence: "March 25. Geri. Clanton was wounded, and 
 with Col. Lary, Major Wharton, and the greater part of the brigade, were cap 
 tured to-day near "Bluff Springs. Col. Armistead and Col. Ball, not with them 
 in the fight, still safe and in front of the enemy. That column of the enemy 
 have a large wagon train and are moving for Montgomery." 
 
112 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 it possible they might there meet with resistance. Preparations 
 were accordingly made for such an emergency. But no armed 
 confederates could be found, and the village was peaceably 
 taken possession of. It was a small village, having, perhaps, 
 twenty dwellings, rude and much scattered. There were two 
 or three wooden storehouses, used by the confederates, but 
 there was no property, save a barrel or two of hard-bread. 
 The public storehouses, and only those, were burned. 
 
 A thousand yards of railroad was torn up by the Twenty- 
 fourth Indiana, for the moral effect, but the bridges were not 
 harmed, for it was thought they would soon be useful to the 
 federals. 
 
 Spiceley s brigade, it will be remembered, consisted of two 
 Indiana regiments the Twenty-fourth and Sixty-ninth and 
 two Illinois regiments the Sixty-seventh and Seventy-sixth 
 and it was in fine condition. It had two remarkably good 
 brass bands ; and when the brigade marched away from the 
 village, these bands struck up their inspiring strains. It ap 
 peared as if the whole population of the village, consisting prin 
 cipally of women and children, were following the soldiers away. 
 They walked along by their side, talking with them with the 
 utmost good humor. 
 
 As the brigade was leaving the place, some of the cavalry 
 foragers entered, they having effected a crossing of the Escain- 
 bia some distance above the railroad bridge. 
 
 The infantry returned to their camp, south of the Escambia, 
 at four in the afternoon. The Eighty-third Ohio had come up 
 and crossed the Escambia, to be in readiness as a reserve. 
 
 Spurling s Operations. On the morning of the 19th, Lieut. - 
 Col. A. B. Spurling, Second Maine cavalry, began to move from 
 Barrancas on transports, with a force of eight hundred mounted 
 men, with instructions to cut the railroad above Pollard. He 
 had an experienced and excellent command, consisting of the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 113 
 
 mounted force of the three following regiments : the Socoud 
 Maine, Major C. A. Miller ; the Second Illinois, Major Frank 
 Moore ; the First Florida, Capt. Francis Lyons. Two compa 
 nies under Capt. E. D> Johnson, Second Maine cavalry, were 
 landed at Milton, and moved out toward Pollard, to drive away 
 any confederate scouts that might be there, and to create the 
 impression that the whole force would land there. By three, 
 A. M., of the 20th, Spurling had landed his force on the east 
 shore of the Blackwater, three miles below, and opposite Milton, 
 and marched for the railroad, via Andalusia. Confederate 
 scouts were frequently met, and few escaped capture. The 
 night of the 23d, from eleven to one o clock, the column halted 
 to rest, a few miles out from Evergreen. 
 
 Capture of a Staff Officer. Soon after the column halted, Col. 
 Spurling rode forward to his advance, and had scarcely arrived 
 there when he heard talking in front. Dismounting quickly, he 
 cautioned the men to be on the alert. He then stepped forward 
 a few paces, and satisfied himself there were men approaching. 
 Then he crouched down beside the fence, to let them pass. 
 There were three ; and as soon as they had got by, Spurling 
 jumped in their rear and commanded them to surrender. They 
 demanded to know who he was. Spurling replied, " I am a live 
 Yankee." At that, the confederates raised their rifles on him, 
 and Spurling as quickly commenced firing on them with a re 
 volver, wounding two and capturing the three. They proved to 
 to be Lieut. Watts, of Gen. Clanton s staff, and two scouts. By 
 this, Spurling prevented alarm being given of his approach, and 
 at three o clock on the morning of the 24th he cut the rail 
 road seven miles above Evergreen, and captured an up and a 
 down train of cars, one train being loaded with confederate 
 troops, whom he took prisoners. Having destroyed consider 
 able railroad track and rolling stock, he came down, via Sparta, 
 bringing his prisoners mounted on captured horses. At Sparta, 
 
 8 
 
114 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 he burned six more cars, and the depot containing public stores, 
 which had been sent from Pollard for safe keeping. The morning 
 of the 26th, attempting to cioss the bridge over Murder creek, it 
 was found to be partly destroyed, and a small confederate force 
 was posted on the opposite side, behind a strong barricade of 
 Logs ; but it was dislodged and driven off by a detachment of 
 the Second Illinois and Second Maine dismounted. Lieut. 
 Vose and one man of the Second Maine cavalry were wounded. 
 The bridge was then repaired and crossed. Col. Spurling s 
 command arrived at Pollard on the 26th, only a short time after 
 Spiceley s brigade had left, and joined Steele s column the 
 morning of the 27th, he having accomplished the object of his 
 expedition in a brilliant manner, and without the loss of a man. 
 
 Steele turns toward Blaltely. The evening of the 26th, Steele 
 called his division commanders together, and notified them the 
 column would turn the next morning to join Canby. There 
 were now but four days rations on hand, and the country was 
 remarkably destitute. It was but little else than a wilderness, 
 The men were therefore put on half-rations. They having been 
 exposed to wet weather and heavy fatigue the five days rations 
 they carried had not lasted the full time, as to all the men. But 
 there were some who had been saving, and were still fairly pro 
 vided. A large number were without anything, and were 
 expecting a new issue w T hen they received orders to go on half- 
 rations. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 27th, the column turned and 
 inarched westerly, toward Canoe station, on the Mobile and 
 Montgomery railroad. Unfortunately, the route had not been 
 previously examined and repaired. The cavalry moved out first, 
 followed by Hawkins division ; but in attempting to get the 
 wagons along, it was found, that the first two miles of the road 
 needed to be corduroyed. This prevented the rear of the 
 Second division from starting till noon. The prisoners being 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 115 
 
 in charge of that division, those of them who were wounded 
 were carried carefully on stretchers to the neighboring houses. 
 Gen. Clanton was thus carried, for a ball had passed quite 
 through his body, and he was supposed to be mortally wounded. 
 But he recovered. 
 
 Spurring s prisoners, upward of a hundred, were turned over 
 to Capt. Garretson, provost marshal of the Second division. 
 Spuiiing s men had supplied themselves plentifully with tobacco, 
 which they distributed generously among the other troops. 
 
 The confederates appear to have restored their telegraph 
 communication on the Montgomery road in four days after it 
 was cut. 
 
 Col. Hall, after leaving Pringle s creek, passed round thirty 
 miles up to Hollins bridge, and the next night (Sunday, the 
 26th) swam the Escambia, then proceeded to Bellville, and 
 thence to Evergreen. Col. Arrnistead remained at Bellville, and 
 from there, on the 30th, telegraphed Gen. Lidell of the occupa 
 tion of Pollard by the federals on the 26th, and Canoe station 
 the 27th. 1 
 
 The distance to Canoe station, on the route the column 
 moved, was thirteen miles. After passing the bad road near 
 the Escambia, the country was hilly, and it seemed that there 
 would be but slight trouble in getting the wagons along. But 
 the rain commencad falling soon after noon, dissolving the 
 earth s treacherous surface. The main part of the column 
 reached Canoe station in good season. But Spicsley s brigade 
 with the train of the Second division had to bivouac near 
 Miles , four miles from Canoe station. The artillery got a little 
 farther. The night was intensely dark, the rain was coming 
 down in torrents. The prospect was dismal. 
 
 1 Lidell to Maury : "March 31. Col. Armistead telegraphs from Bellville 
 via Greenville, 30th, that the enemy were in force at Pollard Sunday morning, 
 and reported to have occupied Canoe station Monday. He heard the enemy 
 would turn toward Tensas and Blakely." 
 
116 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The 28th, the weather was pleasant overhead. The Second 
 division worked from daylight till eleven, A. M., anl corduroyed 
 the road nearly the whole way from Miles to Canoe station 
 four miles in order to get up the train and artillery. Tht 
 cavalry and Hawkins division had moved on. The Second 
 division train was all up to Canoe station by one o clock. A 
 rest was then taken of two hours. Rations were then issued for 
 five thousand one hundred and seventy-nine men, the number of 
 enlisted men of the two brigades present, and for two hundred 
 and thirty-six prisoners. At three, P. M., the march was re 
 sumed in a northwesterly direction. The troops moved out in 
 good spirits and handsome style, the music playing. Five miles 
 were made by dusk, when they again went into camp on an 
 abandoned plantation. Gen. Steele with the rest of the column 
 camped about five miles beyond. 
 
 The march was resumed at daylight, the 29th, by the Second 
 division ; but the roads were bad, and had to be corduroyed 
 much of the way. The camp of Hawkins division was passed at 
 eleven o clock. From there to the Perdido was three miles, and, 
 heavy rain falling in the afternoon, that distance also had to be 
 corduroyed. At dusk the column camped near the Perdido. 
 The cavalry moved on to Weatherford s plantation. 
 
 For the past three days cannonading had been heard in the 
 direction of Spanish fort; and there was a rumor that the 
 federals had assaulted and been repulsed badly repulsed, of 
 course, for the rumors of the camp are seldom moderate. 
 
 Gen. Steele having sent some scouts with despatches to Gen. 
 Canby, they were observed by the confederates at Bay Minette 
 station. l 
 
 1 Lid-ell la Hollzdaw, "commanding advance:" " March 29. . .... Capt. 
 Winston has just reported the advance of the enemy, consisting of between 
 Sfty and one hundred cavalry, was at Bay Minette station this afternoon, at 
 three o clock." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 117 
 
 The morning of the 30th was raw and windy, and the sol 
 diers were seen in thick circles around the camp-fires. The 
 colored division moved out first, and was followed by the 
 Second at nine o clock. The Perdido, where forded, was two 
 feet deep, and some trees were felled, on which the soldiers 
 crossed. To get the artillery along, the Second division made 
 two miles more of corduroy, and made it promptly. Consider 
 able work had to be done also on the road near McGills. 
 Then the division marched two miles farther, making nine from 
 the Perdido, and, at dusk, went into camp in the woods, on 
 high ground, just beyond a clear stream. The cavalry and 
 Hawkins division had got a few miles beyond. Toward 
 evening, the foragers, who had been to Montgomery Hill, 
 brought in some beef cattle and sheep, which were greatly 
 needed. The troops were on third rations, and the majority 
 were suffering with hunger. The labor and exposure were 
 enough to reduce men who were well fed. As it was, the 
 effects of the hardships of the march, and the scanty fare, 
 could be discerned, day by day, in the reduced flesh of the sol 
 diers. There was, perhaps, a day s ration still in the train. 
 It was singular to perceive so much difference in the economy 
 and husbandry of men. While some would be living on 
 parched corn, a few would have haversacks still plump, and 
 well furnished with bacon and hard bread, coffee and sugar. 1 
 
 At daylight on the 31st, the Second division resumed the 
 march, making Stockton, nineteen miles, by two o clock. The 
 whole column arrived there about that time. For a few miles 
 before reaching Stockton the country was more settled and 
 
 1 " Tired, wet, muddy, and hungry. Our supper consisted to-night of sassa 
 fras tea and parched corn, which we had picked up from the ground where 
 our cavalry had fed." Diary of a Private Soldier, March 30. 
 
 " Rations very scarce, and forage also. The prisoners are very hungry, but 
 say we are doing the best we can with them." Diary of another Enlisted Man, 
 March 31. 
 
118 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 fortile ; and though hilly, the road was fair. It was indeed a 
 luxury to come out upon a road that did not need corduroying. 
 The ration question began there to assume a pleasanter shape. 1 
 There was plenty of fresh meat. Considerable corn was also 
 found, and a grist-mill there was kept running while the troops 
 remained. 
 
 The troops having supplied themselves with corn from the 
 neighboring plantations, the march was resumed the forenoon 
 of April 1. The Second division was in the rear, and its last 
 files left Stockton at noon. The road being hard, though hilly, 
 Steele with the cavalry and Hawkins division pushed on to 
 within two miles of Blakely. A regiment of Pile s brigade was 
 detached to guard the Holly oak bridge, but returned the next 
 day. 
 
 Capture of an Outpost. Lieut. -Col. Spurling still retaining 
 his command, was sent forward from Stockton in advance to 
 open communication with Gen. Canby, Arriving within six 
 miles of Blakely he encountered confederate scouts, several of 
 whom he captured, and pursued the remainder closely two 
 miles, when he came upon a stronger force, consisting of the 
 Forty-ninth Mississippi, near Wilkins plantation, posted behind 
 a barricade of fence-rails three tier deep. Spurling then caused 
 the Second Maine to dismount to attack 011 foot, leaving the 
 First Florida as a reserve and as a guard for the horses. He 
 then disposed the Second Illinois with sabres drawn in rear 
 of the Second Maine, who were already skirmishing briskly, 
 and steadily advancing. The confederates observed the bullets 
 of the Second Maine to rattle faster and harder on their rail 
 barricade, and discerning the glittering sabres of the Second Illi 
 nois farther back they soon gave way. Then Spurling ordered 
 
 1 " Marched nineteen miles to-day. Have no bread or coffee, but plenty of 
 pork, beef, and mutton. Drew one cracker a piece to-night." Diary of a 
 Private Soldier, March 31 . 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 119 
 
 the Second Illinois to charge, which it did in gallant style, and 
 captured the main part of the outpost before it could rally 
 behind its second line of works. The Second Maine followed 
 as soon as it could mount. About one hundred of the Forty- 
 ninth Mississippi were captured, with its colors and arms. 
 Spurling s loss was one killed and three wounded. 
 
 About the same time the confederate outpost at O. Sibley s 
 was withdrawn and the bridge set on fire. 1 Lucas, having 
 learned the locality of the bridge, by permission, sent the 
 Second Illinois cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Moore, to hold it, 
 and the latter arrived in season to save it. Lucas cavalry also 
 reconnoitered the position of Blakely and drew the fire of its 
 artillery. One of the cavalry-men was killed within a thousand 
 yards of the principal redoubt on the Stockton road ; and was 
 afterward buried by men of the Second division. The cavalry 
 also charged on an outpost on Saluda hill, and the confederates 
 having rallied a skirmish ensued in which there were one or 
 two killed and wounded on both sides. During the day the 
 cavalry lost a few men and horses by the explosion of torpedoes, 
 
 Here, then, before Blakely, moving with rapid and defiant 
 step, was the column which, a few days before, was supposed 
 to be inextricably stuck in . the Florida swamps. It is not 
 
 1 Copt, Lewis to the colonel commanding infantry at Sibley s house : "March 
 31. The enemy is about fifteen miles distant near the railroad above* us, 
 and will probably advance to-morrow morning ; in view of which Gen. Lidell 
 directs that you withdraw your advance pickets to-night from front of the 
 enemy to Sibley s creek where you now are. You will direct the officer in 
 charge of the squad with sub-terra shells to plant them at once, except in the 
 road, where they will not be placed until the last moment, leaving a vidette 
 in the road, to inform any of our men coming in of the necessity of keeping in 
 the middle of the road. It is necessary for you to concentrate your command 
 in order to be ready to move to the works with the artillery or resist the 
 enemy where you are should he come in your front and not from above. 
 You will also burn the Sibley bridge should he be able to drive you from the 
 creek." 
 
120 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 strange that the commanding general at Blakely apprehended 
 an assault. 1 
 
 From Stockton to the railroad, crossing at Hall s, the distance 
 is fourteen miles. The Second division reached that place just 
 before dark, and received orders, which had been left by Gen. 
 Steele, to destroy the railroad. Spiceley s brigade having got in 
 first, the Twenty-fourth Indiana was set to that duty, and 
 effectively destroyed four hundred yards of track in an hour. 
 
 Veatclis Movement with Supplies. On the 31st of March, Gen. 
 Canby started a train of seventy-five wagons of supplies to 
 Steele. The train was in charge of Yeatch s division, which 
 moved out from near Spanish fort at eight in the morning, 
 arriving at Hollyoak at noon, where it intrenched. The next 
 day, April 1, a detachment of one hundred of the Fourth Ten 
 nessee cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Thornbury, reported to Veatch, 
 and Maj. McEntee, Steele s chief quartermaster, also came up 
 from Canby s headquarters. Veatch marched again at three, 
 p. M. At six, P. M., he heard firing toward Blakely. The column 
 halted, and a squadron of cavalry, supported by two regiments 
 of infantry and a section of artillery, marched three miles 
 farther toward Blakely, when, everything becoming quiet, and 
 it being very dark, they returned to the division-camp. The 
 supplies were got to Steele the next night. 
 
 1 Lidell to Maury : "April 1. In view of the fact that Steele with his 
 negroes may assault our works please send me one hundred and fifty small 
 arms to place in the hands of all surplus artillerists." 
 
CHAPTER XY. 
 
 INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF BLAKELY. 
 
 BLAKELY is situated ten miles northeast from Mobile, on the 
 east bank of the Appalachee river, and opposite its confluence 
 with the Tensas. The extent and depth of its adjacent waters 
 make it a fine natural port. On the old maps it appears as a 
 place of importance, and forty years ago it had a population of 
 three thousand ; but the landowners held their property at such 
 high prices its growth was checked, and the people soon took 
 down their buildings and moved with them to Mobile. At the 
 time of the war, Blakely, although a county-seat, had a popula 
 tion not exceeding a hundred. Its front of dry ground, on the 
 river, is a mile and a half in extent, and this character of soil 
 widens on going from the river ; but on each side of it is low,, 
 swampy ground, densely covered with hard- wood timber and a 
 rank growth of weeds and vines. The soil is sandy. Near the 
 river are several large and ancient live-oaks bountifully festooned 
 with moss. Approaching the place from the river, it seems nearly 
 covered with a growth of natural forest, yet some old and culti 
 vated openings can be seen. Five hundred yards above the 
 landing is a brick-yard, and near that a spur of ground fifty feet 
 higher than the water approaches to the river, upon which a small 
 stockade fort was first built. Then some half a mile from that, 
 on a plateau of equal elevation, was an incomplete bastion-fort, 
 of red earth. Two hundred yards from the landing, almost 
 secluded by the drooping branches of live-oaks, is the court 
 house a small two-story brick building, painted white, and 
 
122 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 having in its basement a room answering the purpose of a jail. 
 In sight, also, are four or five old wooden buildings. From 
 the vicinity of the landing two principal roads diverge, one 
 bearing northeast to Stockton, the other southeast to Pensa- 
 cola. For a mile they run about parallel. They are both 
 gravelly roads, much worn and washed. Pursuing the Stock 
 ton road, it was one mile from the landing to the line of con 
 federate fortifications. 
 
 The Pensacola road winds around on high ground. On this 
 road were the ruins of some cottages and a variety of shrub 
 bery and evergreens. 
 
 For a mile back from the landing the ground has a general 
 rise till it reaches the line of breastworks, where it is about 
 sixty feet above the water level. The surface is uneven, and 
 there are many dells thickly wooded with magnolias, beeches, 
 pines, and other trees, and abounding with clear springs and 
 streams. These are its attractive features. 
 
 The fortifications were constructed in a sort of semicircle 
 around Blakely ; resting on a bluff close to the river, at the 
 extreme left, and terminating with the high ground, a few rods 
 from the river, on the right. The line was nearly three miles 
 in length, and included nine well-built redoubts or lunettes. 
 The fortifications were thoroughly built, and were armed with 
 about forty pieces of artillery. But the ditches were not more 
 than four or five feet deep. From six to eight hundred yards 
 all along the front the trees had been felled pines on the 
 high ground and hard-wood trees in the ravines. Fifty yards 
 out from the works was a line of abatis, and opposite some 
 of the redoubts was an interior line. Then three hundred 
 yards out to the front, parallel with the works, was another 
 line of abatis, and behind the latter were detached rifle-pits. 
 
 The garrison of Blakely consisted of French s division then 
 commanded by Gen. Cockrell as the left wing, its right extend- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 123 
 
 ing a little below the redoubt south of the Stockton road. Tho 
 troops of that division were veterans, mostly from Missouri and 
 Mississippi. The right wing consisted of Gen. Thomas di 
 vision of Alabama reserves. There were several artillery com 
 panies to man the guns. The whole garrison numbered about 
 three thousand five hundred, and was under the command of 
 Gen. St. John Lidell. 
 
 On the 1st of April, Lidell instructed Cockrell to make a dash 
 on Steele, if he deemed it advisable, and cautioned him, if he 
 did so, to use " a small but reliable force." Cockrell was also 
 directed to fill the skirmish pits on the entire line with men 
 from his division, for the reason, as it appears, they were con 
 sidered more experienced and reliable than the reserves. But, 
 after consultation with Cockrell, this plan was abandoned, and 
 Thomas was instructed to supply the advance pits in his front 
 with his own men. 
 
 INVESTMENT OF BLAKELY. 
 
 The bivouac of the colored division was in plain hearing of 
 the guns at Spanish fort, but to the most of those men the 
 sound of artillery was not new. The men had lain down, each 
 with his gun beside him, the night of the 1st, in a sober mood, 
 and rose the next morning in similar spirits, for they were yet 
 on slender rations of parched corn. Heavy firing on the picket 
 line brought them into line of battle, early on Sunday morning, 
 the 2d. But before they had moved out, the quartermaster s 
 wagons went round with corn, and two ears and a " nubbin" 
 were dealt out to each man as rations, producing much mer 
 riment. 
 
 Drew s brigade was in the advance, and the picket from the 
 Sixty-eighth regiment, under Lieut. Taisey, was down on the 
 Stockton road. "When morning broke, the lieutenant could see 
 nothing of confederates in his front, and, after consulting the 
 
124 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 officer of the cavalry detachment with him, they concluded to 
 venture out for a reconnoissanco. They proceeded without in 
 terruption for some distance, and began to think they would find 
 the way unimpeded into Blakely, when suddenly, from a clump 
 of trees near the edge of the slashings, they were met with a 
 handsome volley. The firing soon grew brisk, and the confede 
 rate artillery caused them to fall back. 
 
 Then Hawkins moved his division out to close in on Blakely, 
 inarching obliquely to the right from the Stockton road, through 
 a pine forest, with skirmishers deployed. The troops felt that 
 they would encounter a veteran foe in his intrenchments, but 
 that reflection neither lessened the firmness of their step, nor 
 the ardor of their resolution. Not a man lagged, but with eager 
 strides to the front, they kept the horses of the mounted officers 
 on the trot. In the midst of shot, shell, and bullets, they had to 
 cross an abrupt, deep, broken ravine, made doubly difficult, by a 
 dense tangle of undergrowth. The regimental commanders 
 feared that they would come out of it a confused throng. The 
 company officers emerged, took their respective distances, still 
 moving forward, and the line quickly filled up, and swept along 
 as eagerly and collectedly as if no obstruction had been met. 
 
 The first earnest resistance encountered was about a mile and 
 a quarter in front of the confederate left, at a stream which runs 
 northwest, through a deep and narrow ravine, and near where 
 it debouches into a wooded swamp. The skirmish line then 
 consisted of six companies from each of the three brigades. 
 Col. J. B. Jones of the Sixtv-eighth regiment, was put in charge 
 of it, and the main line halted. A severely-contested skirmish 
 combat then took place on ground which became the extreme 
 right of the Federal line of investment. The confederates hung 
 along the brow and slopes of the bluff bordering on the swamp, 
 and Col. Jones found it no easy matter to dislodge them. They 
 were using their artillery vigorously from the redoubts, and a 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 125 
 
 number of the colored division had fallen. Three more com 
 panies from each brigade were sent to reinforce the skirmish 
 line so that it finally comprised twenty-seven companies. In 
 course of three hours the confederates were driven back about 
 eight hundred yards. Col. Jones established his line in the 
 slashings within one hundred and twenty yards of the confede 
 rates outer rifle-pits ; and it remained as the skirmish line on 
 the right during the siege. Hawkins loss was about forty killed 
 and wounded. Among the mortally wounded was Lieut. Ed 
 ward E. Talbot, a gallant young officer belonging to the Sixty- 
 eighth. In the Forty-eighth, four were killed and four wounded, 
 including in the latter, Col. Crandall, struck by a shell. The 
 major of the Ninety-seventh was shot in the foot. Col. Jones 
 was conspicuous along the line for bravery and had two horses 
 shot under him. 
 
 At half-past eight o clock, Lidell telegraphed to Maury at 
 Mobile, that he thought the Federals were preparing for an 
 assault, and that skirmishing was then occurring. He also asked 
 for additional artillery. 1 
 
 The Second division marched from Hall s soon after day 
 light, and were some distance on the road before sunrise. As 
 the soldiers ascended the high ground and looked off to the 
 left, over the wooded dells, they could see through the hazy 
 atmosphere that the eastern sky was still crimson. It. was 
 not long before firing was heard at the front. This hastened 
 their pace, and they arrived before Blakely at ten o clock. 
 
 Steele, Hawkins, Lucas, and several other officers, were sit 
 ting upon logs, by the Stockton road where it is crossed by 
 
 1 Gen. Lidell to Gen. Maury : " Blakely, April 2, 8:30 A. M. "The enemy 
 camped apparently in large force, one mile above us, last night, on the Stockton 
 road, and is now engaged skirmishing on the left flank, preparing, I think, for 
 an assault or demonstration in force. I need additional artillery, temporarily, 
 if it can be spared." 
 
126 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 the road from Sibley s, and about a mile from the Blakely 
 breastworks ; and were discussing the information that had 
 been brought from the front. The firing in Hawkins front 
 had abated somewhat, yet still continued. 
 
 It had been Steele s intention to first strike Holly oak, and 
 wait orders. But the want of forage compelled him to go by 
 the way of Stockton, which brought him close to Blakely. 
 He therefore immediately wrote Canby what had already 
 been accomplished before Blakely ; and he was soon after 
 ward instructed to continue the investment. 
 
 Hawkins left then extended within two hundred yards of 
 the Stockton road, but he had a strong picket in the bushes 
 close to the road. The Second division was ordered to form 
 on the left of Hawkins division. It had been formed in the 
 following order : The Third (Moore s) brigade in line of battle, 
 it being in the advance ; and the Second (Spiceley s) in the 
 rear, in the shade for the rays of the sun were beating down 
 oppressively in column of division closed in mass. The Sec 
 ond Connecticut light battery was in position on the left of 
 the Stockton road, and the Fifteenth Massachusetts on the 
 right. All the men in the division were resting. Then before 
 advancing any of the troops the commanding officer of the 
 division, with some other officers, went to the front to recon 
 noitre. They bore off to the left of the Stockton road in the 
 woods, and got within eight hundred yards of the main con 
 federate works, and where they could well survey the position. 
 It was also seen that confederate sharpshooters w r ere numer 
 ously stationed in advanced rifle-pits. The party got within 
 two hundred yards of some of these, but by cover of the trees, 
 and quick dodging, they escaped being hit. Returning to the 
 line, the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio, under Col. Kelly, 
 and the Twentieth Iowa, under Lieut.-Col. Leake, were ad 
 vanced as skirmishers, and moved up on a line with the division 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 127 
 
 on the right. The ground they passed over sloped a little 
 toward Blakerj. It was covered with a thin and small growth 
 of pines where the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio passed, 
 but where the Twentieth Iowa passed the timber was heavier. 
 The movement could not be entirely concealed ; and the con 
 federates opened a warm fire of artillery, but it occasioned no 
 loss to either regiment. The skirmishers of that regiment be 
 came engaged, and compelled the advanced line of confederates 
 to take shelter in their regular line of rifle-pits. 
 
 About noon, Maj.-Gen. Osterhaus, chief of staff to Gen. 
 Canby, came up from Spanish fort, to take a view of the 
 position. 
 
 Later in the day, the Second division was directed to com 
 plete the line of investment to Bay Minette, a distance of two 
 miles. Moore s brigade then took position on the left. The 
 Twentieth Iowa and One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio were 
 withdrawn at five, P. M., and the line occupied by the Twenty- 
 fourth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Sears, in front of Spiceley s brigade, 
 and the Thirty-fourth Iowa, Col. G. W. Clark, in front of 
 Moore s brigade. These were large regiments the Thirty- 
 fourth numbering seven hundred and forty-seven effective, and 
 the Twenty -fourth numbering seven hundred and twenty-nine 
 effective. Their deployed line, during the night, occupied about 
 two miles. "While the Thirty-fourth Iowa was taking position, 
 one of its men Josiah Robinson. was severely wounded in the 
 face by a musket-ball, which shattered both of his jaws and 
 tore out nearly all of his teeth. During the evening, John 
 Hudson, of the Twenty-fourth Indiana, was killed. 
 
 The confederate commander observing troops moving south 
 of the Stockton road, and even below the Pensacola road, was 
 still more apprehensive of an assault. 1 
 
 1 Lidell to Maury: "April 2. I believe the enemy are preparing to assault 
 my line to-day. Please spare me some light artillery temporarily, and, if pos 
 sible, send it over immediately." 
 
128 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The same afternoon the ground was further reconnoitred by 
 officers of the Second division, and also by Gen. Comstock, 
 chief engineer on the staff of Gen. Canby, who had come up 
 from Spanish fort for that purpose. 
 
 That night both divisions commenced intrenching one thou 
 sand yards from the confederate works, but the spades were 
 few for so long a line, and the progress was slow. At ten 
 o clock, the commanding officer of the Second division and Col. 
 Spiceley were both on the skirmish line of the latter s brigade, 
 and moved the skirmishers farther to the front, and pointed 
 out where the pits should be dug. The musketry-firing seemed 
 to be at close range. It was quite dark. There was a vehe 
 ment fire of artillery, searching the Stockton road and the 
 ravine running parallel with, and a short distance south, of it. 
 The frequent explosions of shells, like the flashes of lightning 
 in a severe storm, tended to blind and bewilder one, if they did 
 nothing worse. The confederate artillerists had been specially 
 instructed to maintain such a fire as would compel the federals 
 to commence their intrenchments a considerable distance off. 
 Their gunboats, on their left, also threw shells of large calibre. 
 
 At eleven o clock, the commanding officer of the Second 
 division, with some of the staff and the Pioneer corps, the latter 
 having spades, started to find the advanced line of the Third 
 brigade, expecting to strike some part of the main line of that 
 brigade on the way. The party crossed the brook, which runs 
 over the Stockton road near the confederate works, at a point 
 three quarters of a mile from those works, and near where the 
 Second division headquarters afterward were fixed. They then 
 passed down on the left of that brook, confident of at least 
 striking the rear of the Third brigade skirmish line ; but having 
 gone fully as far to the front as they expected that line was, they 
 halted. An aide then walked forward a few rods in the darkness, 
 but was fired on sharply With musketry, the balls coming in the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 129 
 
 direction of the party, and from only a very short distance off. 
 It seamed then that the fire must be from the confederates, and 
 no explanation was sought for in that position ; but the party 
 withdrew and made a new start, succeeding better the second 
 time, yet finding the Third brigade farther to the left than was 
 expected. The aide contended that the firing was from the 
 skirmishers of the Third brigade, and that the party had got 
 upon their flank. It may have been so, and undoubtedly the 
 result would have been different but for the darkness, the rough 
 ness of the ground, and the thickness of the shrubbery with 
 which it was covered. The occurrence is mentioned to show the 
 difficulties of operations in the night on strange ground ; how 
 surprises and accidents will obstruct the best intentions, and 
 how important it is that orders shall be specific, and lines kept 
 well closed. 
 
CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT SEVENTH AND EIGHTH DAYS. 
 
 April 2. Sunday morning opened clear asd mild, yet gave 
 no pause to the roar of artillery and the screeching of shells. 
 Before the sun rose, some shots were distinguished in the 
 direction of Blakely, which very soon increased to a full volume 
 of continued musketry and booming of field guns. 
 
 The usual Sunday morning inspection was observed at eight 
 o clock by those of the besiegers not on duty ; the drum-beat 
 all along the line, gave the signals ; and afterward were heard 
 the cheering strains of the brass bands. When the garrison 
 artillerists could do so, they were disposed to blend with this 
 agreeable music the explosion of a shell. 
 
 The two left sections of Mack s Eighteenth New York battery 
 four twenty-pounder rifles opened in the morning, in Gran 
 ger s front, four hundred and fifty yards from McDermett. 
 Capt. Mack noticed that it was the eighth Sunday his battery 
 had been in action. The sections were under the immediate 
 command of Lieuts. Williams and McConnel. The firing was 
 exceedingly lively and accurate ; and was ably answered by the 
 guns under Captain Barnes. Solid shot and shells literally 
 hailed around Mack s battery, and many of his command 
 escaped narrowly. But they all stood up to their work without 
 the quiver of a lip. About eleven, Slocum s Washington artil 
 lery came to the assistance of Fort McDermett, for the latter 
 was receiving some heavy blows also from the First Indiana 
 eight-inch mortars, and the Massachusetts light guns on Mack s 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 131 
 
 left and rear. Tlie Washington artillery almost enfiladed 
 Mack s position, and hurled their hideous projectil.es at him 
 from eleven o clock till one in the afternoon. Having no guns 
 to bear on them they being too far to his right he could only 
 increase the intensity of his fire on the guns in his immediate 
 front. He dismounted their twenty-four-pounder howitzer, and 
 before 110011 their guns were all silent. But at four, p. M., they 
 opened on him again, save the twenty-four-pounder. He re 
 turned the fire. The Washington artillery again set on him, and 
 the combat continued till dark. His works had been struck 
 thirty-eight times, during the day ; but none of his command 
 were killed or wounded. Most of the ensuing night was spent 
 by his men, repairing the injury to his works. 1 
 
 Fort McDermett had suffered the most. Its parapet had been 
 defaced, and an Vlll-inch mortar shell from Lieut. Raper s 
 section of the First Indiana, had dropped on the carriage of its 
 Brooks rifls, and completsly disabled it. 
 
 On the extreme right of the Sixteenth corps, Capt. S. F. 
 Craig s battery, A, Sixth Michigan heavy artillery, had four 
 X-inch mortars in position, behind a ridge two hundred yards 
 from the garrison works ; from which he had a fair enfilading 
 range. 
 
 Farther to the right Wimmer s and Cox s thirty-pounders, and 
 the other guns commanding Huger and Tracy maintained a 
 steady fire. 
 
 Blankenship s four YHI-inch mortars of the First Indiana, 
 began to fire at six o clock in the morning, threw one hundred 
 shells at Bed fort, and then, his ammunition being a little short, 
 he ceased till night. 
 
 In Granger s front batteries, No. 2 and No. 5, for heavy guns. 
 
 1 "The night after this the confederate sharpshooters called out to those in 
 Mack s front, and inquired what battery it was, and on being informed, replied 
 humorously, that they wished it might be taken away. 
 
132 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 were finished, and No. 6 commenced. In the evening, the 
 Eighty-first Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Eogers, was relieved from duty 
 at Minette bayou, and took position on Carr s extreme right, 
 and extended rifle-pits toward the bay, on a line with the ad 
 vance works of the rest of its brigade, now less than two hun 
 dred yards from the garrison breastworks. 
 
 In the Third division, Sixteenth corps, the casualties were 
 only eight killed and wounded, including Capt. C. G. Stetson, 
 of the Thirty-third Wisconsin, who was instantly killed by a 
 confederate sharpshooter, while superintending the construc 
 tion of the advance line of works. In the First division, Six 
 teenth corps, the casualties were only four. 
 
 The Navy. The Octorara had, on the 31st, taken her two IX- 
 inch guns aboard, but in the afternoon grounded on the west 
 bank of the channel. About noon of the 2d, she opened fire 
 on the confederate transport Jeff. Davis, then standing down 
 the river for the landing at Spanish fort, and succeeded in 
 striking her once, when she turned and steamed up the river, 
 out of range. After this, transports did not venture to Spanish 
 fort in the daytime. 
 
 The Eighth. Day April 3. The Navy. The service devolv 
 ing o-n the squadron was equally difficult and dangerous. Three 
 vessels had now been destroyed, and a number of lives lost, in 
 consequence of the thickly-strewn torpedoes. To remove these 
 hidden perils, and open a passage for the squadron up the 
 channel, details of officers and seamen kept steadily and fear 
 lessly at work. In these duties the Metacomet, Commander 
 Pierce Crosby, appears to have taken the lead. 
 
 The process of sweeping for torpedoes was performed in 
 boats, by pairs, each one taking the end of a line, to the centre 
 of which were attached light weights, and small ropes in loops, 
 so they might attach themselves to anything brought in con 
 tact with them upon the bottom. The boats separated a short 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 133 
 
 distance, and then pulled in parallel lines up or down the chan 
 nel, dragging the line with its centre upon the bottom. Many 
 torpedoes were thus taken up. When one was taken, it was 
 dragged upon the marsh and pierced with a rifle-ball or auger, 
 to admit water to drown the charge. 
 
 Admiral Thatcher concluded to adopt additional means to 
 clear the channel, in the nature of nets to intercept floating 
 torpedoes ; and on the night of the 3d, the boats of the Octo- 
 rara, with a small boat from the ironclad Chickasaw, got the 
 first net across the river, from the wreck of the Milwaukie to 
 the flat on the east side of the channel. 
 
 Operations of the Army. The four X-inch mortars of Com 
 pany K, Sixth Michigan heavy artillery, Lieut. Edward C. 
 Bearclsley in temporary command of the company, came up 
 on the night of the 1st of April, and the mortars were set in 
 the rifle-pits till suitable works could be constructed. Their 
 position was close to the edge of the bluff, four hundred and fifty 
 yards from McDermett, and about the same distance to the left 
 of Mack s twenty-pounder battery. But between the first and 
 second sections of the Sixth Michigan mortars, was a battery of 
 four Ylll-inch howitzers of the First Indiana which took posi 
 tion there this day. Lieut. Beardsley s first section opened in 
 the afternoon in a satisfactory manner in presence of Gen. 
 Granger and several other officers, the first two shells being 
 dropped directly on the top of the parapet of McDermett. 
 
 Mack s twenty-pounders worried the garrison at different 
 times during the day, but the guns of the latter in his front 
 continued silent ; their mortars, however, shelled him consider 
 ably. At three, P. M., the Washington artillery on his right 
 again commenced on him throwing shells incessantly to a 
 quarter to five, p. M. His works were struck nine times, but no 
 serious damage was done. 
 
 In the front of Gen. A. J. Smith s corps two of the light guns 
 
134 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 of the Fourteenth Indiana battery were taken out of position, 
 and two thirty-pounder Parrotts of Hendrick s battery (L, First 
 Indiana heavy artillery), under Lieuts. Clary and Benson, were 
 put in their place. But the construction of platforms was re 
 tarded by the garrison s sharpshooters. 
 
 Blankenship s battery (B, First Indiana) had been engaged 
 through the night in throwing shells into the garrison to dis 
 turb its slumbers. These were thrown at half-hour intervals 
 and during the night and day his men fired one hundred and 
 twenty-seven rounds. "While a number of these Indiana men 
 were standing round their camp-fire, a shell from the garrison 
 came over and fell in the fire. The men escaped injury 
 by quickly dropping upon the ground and rolling down the 
 hill. 
 
 The thirty-pounders (Batteries H and K, First Indiana) on Bay 
 Minette shore were still engaged actively in drawing the atten 
 tion of Fort Huger from the besiegers flank, and fired day and 
 night. During the day three men of Battery H were wounded 
 J. S. Holt by a piece of shell seriously, and Gray and Newman 
 by splinter slight. 
 
 In the Thirteenth corps front Battery No. 6 was finished and 
 occupied by two thirty-pounders of the First Indiana Bat 
 tery (M). Near the extreme left Capt. Bough advanced his 
 VIII~inch howitzer two hundred yards nearer McDermett. 
 Four cohorn mortars were put in position under direction of 
 Lieut. Sibert, First Indiana. 
 
 An incident occurred in the front of Marshall s brigade which 
 well illustrates both the soldier s daring and magnanimity. 
 While the Seventh Minnesota was on duty in the advance 
 trench in the daytime, a bird came and lit some yards in front 
 and between their line and the confederates. Many shots were 
 fired at the bird, and it soon dropped to the ground. At this 
 Private Win. Kowe of Oapt. Buck s Company D, jumped up 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 135 
 
 over the works and ran out in plain sight of the confederates, 
 picked up the bird and returned unmolested to his place in the 
 trench. 
 
 The toil of the besiegers was incessant and severe. They now 
 had only three divisions and one brigade engaged in the siege. 
 The second parallel had been opened ; in some places the third ; 
 approaches or saps dug and heavy batteries from day to day 
 being constructed. It was by no means smooth work ; for in 
 some places the ground was rocky, in others it was filled with 
 stumps and roots, and covered with large logs. The details had 
 become so wearing on the men that the officers sometimes took 
 the musket and went on duty themselves as sharpshooters while 
 the men rested and slept. Besides the works already referred 
 to, the besiegers had in rear of their first or outer line construct 
 ed bomb-proof quarters. For the most part these were regular 
 and sunk in the earth. The pits would hold from three to eight 
 men, and so arranged, of course, that the occupants could lie 
 down. They were covered over with layers of logs, sometimes 
 three thicknesses, over which were from one to four feet of 
 earth, varying according to the exposure of their situation and 
 the industry of the occupants. 
 
 Among the besiegers the estimate of the strength of the garri 
 son varied from three thousand to ten thousand. The garrison 
 at first under-estimated the number of the besiegers, thinking 
 they did not exceed ten thousand. 
 
 The casualties in the garrison were this day reported to be 
 eight killed and sixteen wounded. In Carr s division they were 
 three killed and nine wounded. 1 
 
 I " Sunday, April 2 Huger and Tracy very vigorously shelled by the 
 
 enemy s Bay Minetfce batteries which do some very fine practice. All going on 
 as usual at Spanish fort. Enemy steadily advancing against our salients, par- 
 tl jularly on the flanks of our line. Mortar practice pretty lively on both sides 
 at Spanish fort. Making a trend way to the rear of Battery Tracy for commu- 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT NINTH DAY. 
 
 April 4. Marshall returned with his brigade to his old posi 
 fcion on the left of the Sixteenth corps. While in the Thirteenth 
 corps front he had advanced the trenches two hundred yards. 
 His labor had been severe. The details were heavy ; each 
 regiment furnishing one half its men daily for duty. Three 
 companies were on fatigue and two on skirmish duty one day 
 and two on fatigue and three on skirmish the next. 
 
 nication with the city, owing to the danger and difficulty of landing in steamers 
 either by night or day at the wharf of Tracy." 
 
 " Monday, A.pril 3. Shelling of Batteries Huger and Tracy from the enemy s 
 Parrott batteries as usual. At Spanish fort the enemy appears to be engaged 
 in strengthening his first and second parallels, establishing mortar and heavy 
 artillery batteries and makes but little progress in his approaches. Very heavy 
 artillery practice toward evening. Continual repairs necessary on our line, 
 and the work of extending our left to Bay Minette across the marsh continued 
 as the enemy seems to be most vigorous in front of our left." Diary of a Con 
 federate Officer. 
 
 Gibson to Maury : "April 2, 7:30 P.M. The eighth day has closed. The 
 situation remains unchanged. The enemy in the first day s action succeeded 
 in pushing back my skirmish lines at certain points. He continues to erect 
 very heavy batteries and is using large mortars. But our losses become 
 smaller every day, our ability greater, and the confidence of the officers and 
 men grows stronger and stronger." 
 
 Same to Same: "April 3, 1865. We have been thoroughly shelled all night, 
 especially by mortars and there is brisk musketry this morning. I never saw 
 such digging as the enemy does he is like a mole. He is constructing heavy 
 batteries on my extreme flanks that are going to give me great trouble. I wish 
 I had more men and guns. We have all been up all night. It is digging all 
 night and fighting all day. Be certain to send more wooden embrasures of the 
 patent I requested, iron screens, and the heavy guns." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 137 
 
 Returning to his former position Marshall opened a trench 
 from Hubbard s advance parallel toward the left, connecting 
 with the works of the Thirteenth corps, and commenced saps 
 to it from the rear line. This advanced line was only a hundred 
 yards from the salient of the garrison, Battery No. 3. 
 
 To fill the gap made by the withdrawal of Marshall, Col. Krez 
 moved his brigade around to its proper position on Benton s 
 left. The ground vacated by Krez was occupied by the Six 
 teenth corps extending its left. 
 
 The brigade of Col. Krez had met with some loss since the 
 28th in holding its exposed skirmish line. In the Twenty-eighth 
 Wisconsin two had been killed and six wounded ; in the Twenty- 
 seventh Wisconsin one had been killed and six wounded ; in the 
 Thirty-third Iowa one had been killed and four wounded. 
 
 At this time the advance parallels of the besiegers were 
 within a hundred yards of the different salients of the garrison 
 fortifications. The garrison had also extended counter ap 
 proaches and rifle-pits so that the sharpshooters on both sides 
 were within talking distance. 
 
 Forts Huger and Tracy were strengthened by placing bags of 
 sand on the parapets between the embrasures, the filled sand 
 bags having been sent down the river in the night on flats. 
 
 In Granger s front, Battery No. 1, on the extreme left, was 
 finished for eight heavy pieces. 
 
 1 "At Huger and Tracy preparations are being made for better protection 
 against the enemy s shelling by erecting sand-bag merlons. One X-inch colum- 
 biad temporarily displaced to-day. Sand furnished to Tracy and Huger by 
 floating down, at night, flats loaded with filled sand-bags. 
 
 " Mortar firing going on steadily all day at Spanish fort. The enemy s bat 
 teries are largely increased. The enemy s line now up to within one hundred 
 yards of all of our salients. Tremendous cannonading from four, p. M., til] 
 seven, from about thirty to forty guns and a dozen mortars on the part of the 
 enemy. We reply from nearly the same number. But few casualties on our 
 side, not exceeding six or eight all told. One sap-roller appears in front of our 
 left centre." Diary of a Confederate Officer. 
 
138 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 In anticipation of the general bombardment that was to com 
 mence at five, P. M., the besiegers artillery fired but little before 
 that hour. The X-inch mortars of the Sixth Michigan, on the 
 left, did not, however, entirely neglect McDennett ; and their 
 fire was answered. A twenty-four-pounder shell exploded at 
 the entrance of Lieut. Beardsley s magazine, but did no harm. 
 Another shell struck among the men while they were at dinner 
 down under the bluff, wounding Corporal Perrin, and arousing 
 an Irishman s apprehensions for the safety of the coffoe. 
 
 Capt. Blankenship s battery (B, First Indiana) fired twenty 
 rounds per hour from each mortar from five, A. M., till five, P. M. 
 This battery was also disturbed at the dinner-hour. A shell 
 came through the captain s tent and exploded, causing, in the 
 excitement, the dinner to be upset, and " all the queen s-ware 
 to be broken which, however, was but one cup and saucer." 
 
 The two twelve-pounders of Morse s Fourteenth Indiana, 
 which had been withdrawn to give place to thirty-pounders, 
 were put in position on the extreme right. 
 
 Lieut. James (Battery I, First Indiana) arrived with detach 
 ment, and relieved Lieut. Sibert, acting adjutant, in charge of 
 the cohorn mortars. 
 
 The guns of Bay Minetto battery were engaged throughout 
 the day. 
 
 Capt. Foust having procured a fresh supply of ammunition, 
 his battery of steel guns resumed its original position. 
 
 During the day the garrison were quite annoying with their 
 cohorn mortars, and troubled the infantry in their advanced 
 pits exceedingly. The fire from small mortars was troublesome 
 on both sides. The Sixteenth corps had made a number of 
 wooden mo-rtars, which were also quite effective. Each mortar 
 was made of a log about a foot in diameter, sixteen inches in 
 length, and of calibre for a four-inch shell. 
 
 Up to and including the 4th of April the loss in the Thir- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 139 
 
 ;eenth corps was twenty-six killed and one hundred and sev 
 enty-seven wounded. 
 
 The Navy. In the afternoon, the Octorara got afloat and 
 resumed fire on Spanish fort with her one-hundred-pounder 
 Parrott. 
 
 The Garrison. Phillips Tennessee battery, in Red fort 
 (No. 4), had suffered so much from the mortar shells, it was 
 relieved by Capt. James Garrity s Mobile battery. The effec 
 tive strength of the latter was sixty-seven. It was composed 
 of northern-born men, and had participated in the prominent 
 battles of the Southwest, from Shiloh to Nashville. 
 
 The Bombardment. At this date, the besiegers had in posi 
 tion against Spanish fort, thirty-eight siege-guns (including six 
 twenty-pounder rifles, and sixteen mortars), and thirty-seven 
 field guns, all of which (seventy-five), with the Minette bay 
 battery, against Huger and Tracy, opened fire at five, p. M., and 
 continued till seven, p. M. The orders were for each gun to 
 fire every three minutes. There was not much response, except 
 from the guns of Old Spanish fort. It was a well-sustained and 
 grand bombardment. The garrison sought shelter in their 
 bombproofs. Clouds of dust rose from their parapets. "The 
 earth," says a correspondent, " actually trembled from the effect 
 of this mighty fire." Meanwhile, the sharpshooters, in the 
 skirmish trenches or pits, kept up their accustomed firing. 
 
 The signal had been given by Mack s battery, the Eighteenth 
 New York. That battery fired three hundred and sixty rounds, 
 and its works were hit seventeen times during the day. In the 
 bombardment there was a premature explosion of one of its 
 guns, which mortally wounded Aaron Vosberg, a most excellent 
 and gallant young soldier. 
 
 Two thirty-pounder Parrotts, of Capt. S. E. Armstrong s 
 battery (M, First Indiana heavy artillery), had taken position, 
 eight hundred and fifty yards from McDermett, the preceding 
 
140 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 night, and opened fire at the signal for the bombardment; 
 Their fire was answered with great vehemence by the guns oi 
 Old Spanish fort ; and the shells of the latter dropped thick 
 and fast over the battery of Capt. Armstrong. Once there wae 
 a pause of ten or fifteen minutes in their fire, and the gunners 
 of Battery M were congratulating themselves on the happy 
 prospect that they had quit for the day, when they again 
 opened with greater fury, nor ceased till after it was dark. 
 
 The No. 1 X-inch mortar, of Company K, Sixth Michigan, 
 exploded a caisson in McDermett, which produced a loud cheer 
 among the besiegers. 
 
 The first section of Hendrick s Battery (L, First Indiana), 
 Lieuts. Clary and Benson, opened on Old Spanish fort and Eed 
 fort, from Carr s left ; and the second section, Lieut. Parker, 
 near McArthur s right, dismounted the columbiad in Eed fort . 
 but, no-u knowing this at the time, the guns continued in the 
 same range and destroyed the embrasure. 
 
 During the bombardment, Blankenship s battery threw one 
 hundred and sixty shells inside the garrison works. 
 
 Capt. Wimmer observed a transport, loaded with troops, 
 approaching from above, but she did not come within range. 
 
 When the bombardment was over, the men received a ration 
 of whiskey ; the bands struck up patriotic airs ; and cheers 
 echoed and re-echoed from one end of the line to the other. 
 
 There was no enthusiasm, of course, in the garrison ; yet, a 
 feeling of relief and satisfaction. Owing to the art of bomb- 
 proofs, they had been hurt less than could have been expected ; 
 and they had been spared an assault. Gen. Lidell congratu 
 lated the garrison commander on his slight loss. 1 
 
 1 Lidell to Gibson : "April 4 Hope you will yet drive away trie 
 
 Yankee devils, and am delighted that you have suffered so little. Will try and 
 get Gen. Maury to send you another VHI-inch columbiad." 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT TENTH, ELEVENTH, AND TWELFTH 
 
 DAYS. 
 
 April 5. At this stage of the siege, mortar-shells were thrown 
 into the garrison throughout the night at regular intervals. A 
 ten-inch mortar-shell is a fraction under ten inches in diameter, 
 and weighs very nearly ninety pounds. An eight-inch shell is 
 nearly eight inches in diameter, and weighs about fifty pounds. 
 Some idea can be formed of the noise they produce in explod 
 ing. But although that wa,s calculated to brsak the slumber of 
 the garrison, what was most to be dreaded was their fatal effect 
 when they chanced to strike near troops ; for this had been 
 experienced in distressing examples. On this day, a ten-inch 
 shell, fired from Captain Craig s Company A, Sixth Michigan, 
 struck inside the garrison s battery (No. 5, sand-bag battery), 
 and went through six feet of earth and three layers of pine-logs, 
 literally burying twenty-six men, of whom one was killed and 
 five were wounded. During the previous night, Blankenship s 
 battery had thrown fifty-four eight-inch shells inside the garri 
 son works. In course of the day, he fired only six rounds. 
 There was a moderate amount of firing by the besiegers artil 
 lery, but very little from the garrison. The twenty-pounders of 
 the Eighteenth New York were engaged nearly all day but were 
 not replied to. Armstrong s battery was not annoyed, and he, 
 having been directed not to bring on an engagement without 
 orders from the corps commander, his thirty-pounders only fired 
 occasional shots. The X-inch mortars of the Sixth Michigan, 
 
142 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 in front of McDermett, were actively engaged, and disabled a 
 twenty-four-pounder howitzer in that fort. 
 
 The enterprise of the besiegers on the left was marked, and 
 Gen. Gibson was apprehensive an effort would be made to turn 
 his right. 1 
 
 Capt. Barnes (Company C, Twenty-second Louisiana), while 
 signalling to his Ylll-inch mortar, in rear of McDermett, the 
 effect of his fire, was struck by a musket-ball, and fell severely 
 wounded. Up to this time the casualties in his company had 
 been three killed and twenty-three wounded ; more than half 
 its effective strength. 
 
 This day, Gen. Gibson telegraphed Maury that the garrison 
 flanks were swept by heavy batteries, that his men were worked 
 all the time, and that their lines were thinner than when they 
 had fought under Johnston and Hood. He also asked for 
 a force of negroes, and said he could make good soldiers of 
 them. 2 
 
 From the beginning of the siege, the garrison had been look 
 ing for a diversion in their favor, by Forrest. But the blow 
 struck at his forces by Wilson, and the fall of Selma, were 
 
 1 " At Huger and Tracy operations as usual. And nothing new at Spanish 
 fort except an apprehension on the part of Gen. Gibson that the enemy is 
 attempting to turn our fight flank along tba marsh, between Blakely river and 
 our extreme right." Diary of a Confederate Officer. 
 
 a Gibson to Maury : " April 5. Enemy sweeps my flanks with heavy bat 
 teries, and presses on at all points. Can t you send me a little craft under my 
 orders. My line is extended now to the water and in it. My men are worked 
 all the time, and I don t believe I can possibly do the work necessary in the 
 dense flats on the flanks. Can t you take a look at the situation to-morrow. 
 I really can t spare any more men for launches. My men are wider apart than 
 they ever were under Generals Johnston and Hood. The works not so well 
 managed nor so strong, and the enemy in larger force, more active, and closer. 
 Can t you send me the detachments belonging to Ector and Holtzclaw. Can t 
 you send a forco of negroes, with axes. I can make good soldiers of the 
 negroes." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 143 
 
 now well known, and produced a dispiriting effect on the gar 
 rison. 1 
 
 April 6, Eleventh Day. A footway was now finished from 
 Fort Tracy over the marsh to Conway s bayou, affording a new, 
 but limited communication for the garrison with Mobile. Affairs 
 appeared to be growing critical, on account of the uncertainty 
 c,nd danger of their communications. 2 The artillerists were cau 
 tioned to bo prudent of ammunition, to fire only when, they saw 
 the enemy, and not to answer his artillery. They had to report 
 how their ammunition was expended, and make requisition^ 
 every night for what they would need the ensuing twenty-four 
 hours. 
 
 The planting of torpedoes in front of the garrison works, and 
 where there appeared most danger of close approach, was 
 renewed. The previous night Gen. Holtzclaw had staked out a 
 new line running off from Red fort, intending to withdraw his 
 left, and thus materially shorten the garrison line ; but, in course 
 of the forenoon, Mack s twenty-pounder rifles swept down the 
 stakes with their fire ; Holtzclaw told Gibson that the besiegers 
 had already got the range of his proposed new line, and the 
 purpose of occupying it was abandoned. Lumsden s battery on 
 the garrison s left was relieved by Perry s Chattanooga battery, 
 with one hundred and twenty effective men. 
 
 The Besiegers. In Granger s front, Battery No. 8, and the 
 
 1 About this date the Mobile Register said : " We suppose it is useless to 
 conceal that a Yankee raiding party has dashed into Selma, before our forces 
 were concentrated to prevent it. The result is nothing except the loss of the 
 government works at that point." 
 
 2 "At Huger and Tracy nothing new. A good communication is opened 
 with the city from these points by the footway to Conway s bayou. At Spanish 
 fort the enemy are steadily but not rapidly approaching our salients. An 
 engineer company is ordered to both Blakely and Spanish fort to commence 
 mining operations against the enemy s approaches. Three heavy guns removed 
 to Blakely and several mortars, all our operations retarded by the uncertainty 
 and danger of communications." Diary of a Confederate Officer. 
 
144 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 right branch of No. 4, had been finished the previous daj. The 
 right branch of Battery No. 8, was finished the 6th. 
 
 There was but little artillery firing during the day. Granger 
 crdered the two thirty-pounders of Capt. Armstrong s battery 
 (First Indiana) to be brought to bear in an enfilading fire upon 
 the garrison s rifle-pits in front of Bed fort. The embrasures 
 not admitting of this, Armstrong proposed to move one of his 
 guns out on open ground some yards to the left, whence 
 there would be good range. After some hesitation, permission 
 was given him to do this. Fifteen rounds of case shot and shell 
 were fired on the pits, causing the confederate sharpshooters to 
 scamper out of them before night, and several shots were fired 
 during the night. "When the gun was taken out a continued fire 
 on the gunners was kept up by sharpshooters in front of Mc- 
 Dermett, but they were about eight hundred yards off, and in 
 flicted no injury. Meantime, a rope was attached to the trail of 
 the gun, and men placed in readiness to haul it into the works 
 in case the garrison guns opened upon it. 
 
 Blankenship s mortars (Company B, First Indiana) fired only 
 five rounds during the day. Capt. Eichard Campbell (Battery 
 I, First Indiana) assumed command of three twenty-pounders in 
 Me Arthur s front. 
 
 Wirnmer withdrew his four guns from Minette bay battery, 
 and moved to works in front of Blakely. "While withdrawing, 
 there was a heavy fire on the battery from the confederate gun 
 boats. 
 
 There was no interruption, of course, of work in the trenches. 
 On the left, the Twenty-third Iowa and Ninety-fourth Illinois 
 were in the front, and established a new line, taking some rifle- 
 pits, in which were found three confederates, dead. 
 
 The casualties were light. In A. J. Smith s corps there was 
 one killed (in Eleventh Missouri), and eight wounded. 
 
 In Hubbard s brigade. McArthur s division, suspicion was e3> 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 145 
 
 cited during the afternoon that the garrison was evacuating 
 Whereupon Lieut. Jules Capon, of the Ninth Minnesota, a 
 brave and enterprising officer, with a detail of a dozen picked 
 men from his regiment, was directed to reconnoitre the garrison 
 works as soon as it should become dark. He succeeded in 
 getting his men through the abatis and to the ditch of Red 
 fort, without arousing attention, and remained there long enough 
 to become satisfied the works were still occupied in force. In 
 withdrawing, he was fired upon, but none of the party were hit. 
 
 April 7 Twelfth Day. The Navy. On the night of the 
 5th, tlie channel had been swept with chains by a couple of 
 tugs. At five, A. M., of the 6th, the gunboats steamed up and 
 anchored close to the torpedo net, five thousand one hundred 
 and seventy yards from Spanish fort ; did not open fire, how 
 ever, on account of the presumed exposed condition of the land 
 forces in their advanced rifle-pits. But on the morning of the 
 7th, the flagship signalled the Octorara to fire, which she did. 
 The fire was continued at intervals during the day, the supply 
 of ammunition not admitting of constant firing. 
 
 In Fort Huger, a twelve-pounder howitzer was dismounted ; 
 and the elevating screw of a X-inch columbiad on bombproof 
 was shot away, disabling it, by a ten-pounder rifle of the Bay 
 Minette battery. 
 
 At Tracy the sand-bag additions to the parapet progressed, 
 and a telegraph was started direct to Mobile. In Spanish fort 
 Capt. Slocum (Washington artillery) had got his disabled 
 columbiad repaired and in position. The garrison experienced 
 increasing danger from the besiegers enfilading batteries, and 
 constructed additional traverses and boinbproofs for cover. 
 Cheveaux-de-friese were also prepared, and at night placed in 
 front of the more damaged and exposed parts of their works. 1 
 
 1 " Friday, April 7. At Hnger and Tracy the work of constructing merlons 
 progressing, and a telegraph line commenced from Tracy direct to Mobile. At 
 
 10 
 
146 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The strength of the garrison on the morning of April 7, was 
 as follows : 
 
 Gibson s brigade (aggregate present) 674 
 
 Ector s " 659 
 
 Holtzclaw s " . ..988 
 
 ArtiUery " 506 
 
 Total 2,827 
 
 Kumber of small arms 2,047 
 
 The Besiegers. The infantry were busy still in advancing their 
 approaches ; and the sharpshooting on both sides from the 
 advance rifle-pits rendered it unsafe for a man s head to be 
 exposed there for a moment. In the morning there was a sharp 
 straggle on the left to hold the position which had baon gained. 
 The besiegers now used embrasures made of heavy split plank 
 which were set* into the parapets, and under the angle of which 
 they fired. The confederates also used wooden embrasures ; 
 but they were made of boards and covered over with the earth 
 of the parapet. The men called them " Beauregard screens." 
 
 Among the batteries already finished in the Sixteenth corps, 
 was one for two thirty-pounders taken from the Milwaukie, and 
 manned by some of her crew. 
 
 A one hundred-pounder Parrott under Lieut. Compton, Bat 
 tery K (First Indiana), with detail of twenty men, was put in 
 Minette Bay battery. 
 
 Spanish fort unusual activity on the part of the enemy s sappers. His ap 
 proaches on our right are made by a succession of close parallels without 
 boyaux ; and on our left and centre he has gained from thirty to forty feet 
 since yesterday. A new battery is established enfilading a portion of our left 
 and taking our centre in reverse, which with the constant mortar firing on this 
 portion of our line proves to be very annoying. Our troops attempt to remedy 
 this by making additional traverses and bombproofs, and cheveatix-de-friese 
 are placed in front of the exposed and damaged portions of line to protect 
 against any attempt at a coup-de-main." Diary of a Confederate Officer. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 147 
 
 In the Thirteenth corps two more batteries, . for siege guns 
 were finished, and the guns put in position. Lieut. Stamper 
 Battery B, moved his two YHI-inch mortars, with success, a 
 thousand yards to the right, to obtain better range of Red fort. 
 
 During the day the artillery firing was very light. In the 
 afternoon there was a heavy fall of rain. The besiegers were 
 getting ready for another grand bombardment ; and the garrison, 
 since their arsenal at Selma had been destroyed, felt the need 
 of economizing ammunition. 
 
 An artillery officer put down in his diary the following : " The 
 siege progresses splendidly. How different from - . There 
 it was charge ! charge ! charge ! Here a little more good sense 
 is shown, and a regard had for human life ; and the end ap 
 proaches much more rapidly." 
 
 The Hospital. Each corps had its hospital situated two miles 
 to the rear. They were amply supplied and well administered. 
 As fast as was practicable, the patients were sent in steamers 
 to the general hospital in New Orleans. For instance, on the 
 evening of March 31, one hundred of the federal wounded, 
 including three officers, arrived at New Orleans, on the steamer 
 N. "W. Thomas, under charge of Surgeon Hunieston, assisted by 
 Surgeon Hagy. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 SIEGE OF SPANISH FORT THIRTEENTH AND LAST DAY. 
 
 Saturday, April 8. Thirteenth Day. On the morning of 
 the 8th, G-enerals Gibson and Holtzclaw were of the opinion 
 it was time to evacuate. But Lieut. -Col. Williams, who had 
 been chief of artillery in Stewart s corps, expected to finish a 
 battery for four twelve-pounders, on Holtzclaw s left, to enfilade 
 the besiegers left, and expected to have the guns in position 
 the ensuing night. It was, therefore, concluded to hold on 
 another day, to give Williams an opportunity to try his battery 
 Meantime, orders were given for all the garrison artillery to 
 open vigorously at four, p. M. In view of the close approach of 
 the besiegers, steps were also taken to have additional torpedoes 
 planted. 
 
 The Navy. In the afternoon the guns of Old Spanish fort 
 opened on the boats of the squadron that were sweeping the 
 channel for torpedoes. The Octorara then resumed her effect 
 ive fire with the one-hundred-pounder Parrott. 
 
 The. Besiegers. In the Thirteenth corps, Battery No. 12, for 
 three siege guns, was completed. There had now been con 
 structed in this corps, besides the batteries, ten thousand five 
 hundred yards of parallel and sap. 
 
 In Bertram s front the works were carried to within one 
 hundred yards of McDermett. 
 
 McArthur s division of the Sixteenth corps had constructed 
 three thousand nine hundred and seventy-five yards of parallel, 
 and two thousand and thirty-five yards of sap besides two bat- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 149 
 
 teries for heavy guns Hubbard s brigade of that division liad 
 approached nearest to the garrison works, the head of the sap 
 from his second parallel being only sixty yards from Red fort. 
 
 Carr s division, in addition to work on parallels and saps, had 
 done most of the work of batteries for about fifty guns, in 
 cluding mortars. In his front the siege had been pushed, as 
 everywhere else, with unceasing vigor and industry. There 
 were two well-defined parallels, and some work done on the 
 third ; four approaches or saps, two of which admitted of artil 
 lery passing under cover ; and in front of Moore s brigade there 
 were two approaches extending within a hundred yards of the 
 main works of the garrison. On Carr s right flank, across the 
 swamp, a gabion work had been extended by carrying earth 
 from the high ground, affording cover to sharpshooters, a hun 
 dred yards from the garrison s left. 
 
 There were now in position in the Minette bay battery four 
 thirty-pounder and two one-hundred-pounder rifles ; against 
 Spanish fort, fifty-three siege guns (including nine twenty- pound 
 er rifles and sixteen mortars) and thirty-seven field guns (the 
 Seventh Massachusetts was withdrawn and moved to Blakely) : 
 total ninety-six guns. Four siege rifles and five siege howitzers 
 on the left centre enfiladed the garrison s centre and left ; and 
 four siege howitzers close in on the extreme right enfiladed their 
 centre. 
 
 A bombardment, which proved to be the final one, opened 
 from all these guns at half-past five, P. M., and continued till half- 
 past seven, P. M. The twenty-pounders of the Eighteenth New 
 York,.Capt. Mack, again fired the signal. 
 
 Gen. Canby was intending to assault the garrison s works the 
 following morning at eight o clock. But the corps commanders 
 had received instructions, when the investment commenced, to 
 push forward the works as fast as consistent with due care of 
 the men, and to take advantage of every opportunity that 
 
150 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 promised successful and decisive results, but not to attempt an 
 assault without that assurance. 
 
 Before the bombardment commenced the besiegers took the 
 precaution to double the force of their sharpshooters and the 
 reserves. 
 
 The garrison having arranged for a general artillery fire, 
 opened before the bombardment was commenced by the be 
 siegers. 
 
 Mack having given the signal, directed his fire principally 
 against McDermett. The shot and shell from the latter came 
 against his battery thick and fast. His works were struck at 
 least fifty times, but not one of his men received even a scratch. 
 Eight guns were being fired from McDermett. Earlier in the 
 day, one of Capt. Mack s guns had done splendid execution 
 on Red fort, in knocking away two of its embrasures, and a 
 solid shot struck down an officer at a distance of three fifths 
 of a mile. 
 
 The four thirty-pounders of Capt. Armstrong s battery (M, 
 First Indiana), each fired every half-minute. The section of 
 his battery near the right of the Thirteenth corps, had been 
 much annoyed by the garrison s sharpshooters, and one of the 
 cannoniers, Private Wm. EL Sparks, was badly wounded in the 
 forehead. 
 
 Up to five o clock in the afternoon, Capt. Blankenship s mor 
 tars had fired forty rounds. During the bombardment they 
 fired one hundred and twenty rounds. 
 
 The batteries of Bough, Cox, and Hendricks, were doing good 
 service. The latter had one man wounded. In Cox s battery 
 four were wounded. It has been seen thai; the greater part of 
 the First Indiana heavy artillery was engaged in the siege. 
 The regiment was under the command of Col. B. F. Hays, who 
 was assisted during the siege by Maj. James M. Connelly, in 
 front of the Sixteenth . corps, and Maj. J. W. Day, in front of 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 151 
 
 the Thirteenth corps. During the siege, Battery B expended 
 five hundred and seventy rounds of ten-inch shell, and six hun 
 dred and thirty-nine of eight-inch shell ; C, two hundred and 
 eighty-six rounds ; H, seven hundred and one rounds ; I, four 
 hundred and eleven rounds ; K, seven hundred and twenty 
 rounds ; L, six hundred and forty-three rounds ; M, four hun 
 dred rounds. 
 
 The fire of so many large guns, and the loud explosion of 
 shells, produced one of those sublime scenes which seldom 
 occur, even in the grandest operations of war. There is 
 scarcely anything in the phenomena of nature to which it 
 could be compared ; certainly not the distant murmur of 
 the thunder, nor its near and startling crash. Yet, in moun 
 tain storms may have been witnessed a scene to which this 
 grand commingling of many thunders forms some comparison. 
 It is when a storm having risen, the dark clouds seem to lin 
 ger on the mountain-tops, and from all quarters of the heavens 
 the awful bolts burst forth simultaneously. 
 
 ASSAULT. 
 
 Gen. Carr having pushed his works on the right about as 
 close to the garrison works as practicable, concluded to take 
 advantage of the cannonading, and carry, by assault on their 
 flank, some two hundred yards of the confederate left, and gain 
 a crest covered with a grove of pines. The possession of that 
 point he rightly judged would give him a commanding position 
 for a battery, and afford an effective fire in reverse on their 
 works by infantry. 
 
 Ector s brigade, in his front, comprised the Ninth, Tenth, 
 Fourteenth, and Thirty-second Texas regiments, and the 
 Twenty-ninth and Thirty-ninth North Carolina regiments. 
 
 After the bombardment had commenced, and at about six 
 o clock, Col. Geddes, commanding the brigade, went to Lieut.- 
 
152 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Col. Bell, then commanding the Eighth Iowa infantry volun 
 teers, informed him that Gen. Carr and himself had concluded 
 to advance two companies on the crest of the hill, well up to 
 the confederate works, as a picket guard, and that they could 
 intrench themselves during the night. He instructed Col. Bell 
 to accomplish this in any manner he chose, but to be particular 
 to keep his regiment behind the gabion work, which was on the 
 right, across the swamp. Col. Geddes inquired how long it 
 would take him to get ready and commence the advance of the 
 two companies, so that he could return to the rifle-pits and 
 direct the fire of the brigade, and attract the attention of the 
 garrison forces in his front. Col. Bell replied, " Fifteen min 
 utes ;" yet he had nearly a quarter of a mile to go, the compa 
 nies to select, and arrangements to make. At ten minutes past 
 six, his regiment was in position behind the gabion work. Com 
 pany A, Capt. Henry Muhs commanding, and Company G, 
 Lieut. Henry Vineyard commanding, were selected for the 
 advance, and both companies promptly moved around the right 
 of the gabion work, and gallantly deployed forward on the 
 centre, Capt. Muhs commanding the line of skirmishers. Thsy 
 had nearly one hundred yards of ground to pass over before 
 reaching their objective point, the most of which was wet and 
 soft, and covered thickly with fallen trees. Col. Bell accompa 
 nied them till he was satisfied they would gain the desired po 
 sition, when he returned to the balance of the regiment behind 
 the work. But his little assaulting party encountered obstacles 
 at every step. Even if they did not pause to fire, their progress 
 could not be rapid, and the Texas troops, from behind their 
 works, were on the alert, and resisted them with as sharp a 
 musketry-fire as was in their power. About the time the move 
 ment commenced, a cheer was given by the rest of the division 
 to give the impression that a general assault was intended, and 
 to draw attention from the real point of attack. Tins made the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 153 
 
 Texas troops only tlie more emulous to hold their ground, and 
 their fire grew more intense and deadly. They could also per 
 ceive too well its effect for a number of the gallant young men of 
 the Eighth had already fallen. The remainder of the party had 
 about come to a pause, and were sharply engaging the Texans, 
 yet with disadvantage. Col. Bell then took the responsibility of 
 sending forward Company H, Lieut. Ball commanding, to their 
 support And feeling anxious about the fate of those in front, 
 and his regiment, on account of the low position they occupied, 
 not being able to cover them at all with their fire, he sent 
 Lieut. Clark, of Company E, to Col. Geddes, for permission to- 
 advance with the balance of his command. The latter, behind 
 the gabion-works, could see the contest their comrades were- 
 engaged in, and were eager to rush forward to their assistance. 
 Col. Bell feared that the assaulting party, if unsupported, would 
 finally be driven back, in which case they would be almost anni 
 hilated. In a few moments, therefore, after Lieut. Clark had 
 started off, he ordered the remainder of the regiment forward 
 over the gabion-work, crossing himself in the centre, and each 
 wing closing in and f olio wing him over, a few at a time. Arriv 
 ing on the ground held by the advance companies, it was found 
 to be too hot a place to stop at with safety, and so, with his 
 gallant command, he charged over the confederate works with 
 out halting. The resistance was so vehement that his men had 
 to engage the Texans sharply before forming, and they were, of 
 course, in much disorder ; but there was no hesitating and no 
 flinching. Col. Bell now noticed that a mortar-battery in his rear 
 was bursting shells just over him, not knowing who he was. 
 Some one happily suggested to him to plant the regimental colors 
 on the captured parapet, which was done, and he also waved his 
 hat for the battery to throw its shells farther up the line. A num 
 ber of the Eighth had fallen before reaching the garrison woiks. 
 Early in the assault, Henry Vineyard, first lieutenant, Company 
 
154: CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 G, was struck in the left arm by a musket-ball; but hardly noti 
 cing it he pushed on. Near the crest of the hill his left thigh 
 was fractured, and it proved to be a mortal wound. Some of 
 his comrades gathered around him, but he said : " Pay no atten 
 tion to me, boys move on." 
 
 Col. Bell sent information to Col. Geddes of his success, and 
 requested support. But it was dark and his regiment had been 
 engaged an hour before any assistance came. 
 
 Meantime, the musketry fire was intense. For the rest of 
 Carr s division was maintaining a constant fire from their front, 
 partly as a diversion to the assault. At a distance the sound 
 was terrible. It seemed as if the contestants were grappling 
 in a close death struggle. And they were. 
 
 On entering the works the Eighth Iowa became furiously 
 engaged with the Texas and North Carolina troops, and many 
 fell on both sides. But the Eighth kept forming as they fought ; 
 .and rushing closer and closer upon their adversaries finally 
 made them yield. Those who could not escape they captured. 
 Such was the clamor of the firing on all parts of the line, that 
 this combat, sharp as it had been, was hardly discernible by 
 those not engaged in it. Hence those of the Texans next on 
 the right, being in detached pits, were surprised when the 
 Eighth Iowa advanced upon them. There were from four to 
 ,a dozen of them in a pit. The pits were deep and a few yards 
 apart. Detachments of the Eighth rushed eagerly upon them 
 demanding their surrender. Some of them complied. But 
 there were many who refused, even when the bayonet was at 
 their breast, and the muzzle of the musket at their head. They 
 fought to the last moment, and then, with the words, " I never 
 will surrender" on their lips, met death in a fearless manner. 
 Some were taken prisoners who were less noble and brave, 
 for, after being ordered to surrender by the men of the Eighth, 
 they would first fire on" them, and then throw up both hands 
 =and surrender. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 155 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Bell, with his command, captured about three 
 hundred yards of the confederate works, three stand of colors, 
 and three hundred and fifty prisoners. 
 
 The loss of the regiment was five enlisted men killed, three 
 commissioned officers and seventeen enlisted men wounded, 
 some mortally. The officers wounded were Capt. F. P. Ket- 
 lenring, Company B ; Lieut. Henry Vineyard (mortally), and 
 Lieut. Spencer Smith, Company A. 
 
 Entering the garrison works alone, maintaining there a severe 
 struggle, and, finally, in a victorious manner, sweeping along 
 the rear, capturing works and prisoners, was a daring and 
 romantic exploit, and justly entitles the Eighth Iowa to bril 
 liant distinction. It was an achievement which called forth 
 and well illustrated the best elements of soldiership. 
 
 It was some time after dark before any regiment came to 
 Col. Bell s support. The first troops that entered the works 
 after him was the Eighty-first Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Rogers com 
 manding. It had three men wounded in the engagement that 
 evening. Next followed the One Hundred and Eighth Illinois, 
 Col. Turner, and the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois, 
 Col. Howe. Each of these regiments, and their commanders, 
 did all that was required of them in the action, in a gallant 
 manner. Col. Geddes, the brigade commander, also came up, 
 and apprehending an attempt on the part of the garrison to 
 recover the works which had been captured, placed Lieut.-Col. 
 Bell, with the Eighth Iowa, outside of the garrison works, 
 fronting toward them. About the same time he placed Col. 
 Turner, of the One Hundred and Eighth Illinois, in temporary 
 command of all the troops of his brigade present. 
 
 As soon as Gen. Carr had learned the success of the Eighth 
 Iowa, he gave orders for a line of rifle-pits to be thrown up at 
 the extent of the ground taken, and perpendicular to the garri- 
 eon works. And the work was commenced. 
 
156 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Carr then hastened to the naval battery, where were Gens. 
 Canbj and A. J. Smith, and informed the commanding genera] 
 what had been done ; and he was ordered to follow up the 
 advantage gained as far as possible. 
 
 In the mean time, the firing had been very sharp on the other 
 flank in front of McDermett. The Nineteenth Iowa were in the 
 advance rifle-pits, and their fire and that of the batteries had 
 about silenced the guns in that work. The garrison was then 
 so much pressed that Col. Bruce was apprehensive of an attack 
 to drive him back, and he had ordered bayonets to be fixed. 
 Pretty soon the Twenty-third Iowa, Col. Glasgow, came up to 
 the front on the double quick, and Bruce then expected an 
 assault was to be made. 
 
 As soon as Gen. Gibson learned that the line had been broken 
 on his left, he directed Gen. Holtzclaw to have it restored ; but 
 he was informed by the latter that the Texas brigade was 
 doubled up, and in confusion, and that the attacking force 
 was too strong to be driven back. These officers then had a 
 hurried consultation, and determined it was best to evacuate. 
 But to render this safe it was necessary, of course, that they 
 should hold Carr s division in check ; and reinforcements were 
 sent as soon as possible for that purpose. 
 
 The Eighth Iowa was first brought to a stand by Coleman s 
 North Carolina regiment and a detachment of garrison (or pro 
 vost) guards, commanded by Lieut. A. G. Clark, of Gen. Gib 
 son s staff, and Lieut. Holtzclaw, aide to Gen. Holtzclaw. This 
 force formed perpendicular to their main works. Its strength 
 was between two hundred and three hundred, and must have 
 felt it was confronting superior numbers. Nevertheless they 
 realized that the safety of the garrison depended upon their 
 valor, and also that it was perilous to remain there on the defen 
 sive. A charge was ordered and attempted. But Carr s ad 
 vance remained steadfast, except that a few skirmishers were 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 157 
 
 driven back, and the change repulsed with loss. The two aides, 
 rallying their men, led them forward with a dauntless spirit. 
 Lieut. Clark was killed ; Lieut. Holtzclaw, severely wounded. 
 It was this bold front that enabled the garrison safely to 
 escape. 
 
 Col. Zacharie, commanding Twenty-fifth Louisiana infantry, 
 had now come up with some sixty men of his regiment. He had 
 left his position near McDermett and had double-quicked to Gib 
 son s headquarters, and thence out to the left, with instructions 
 to do what he could to restore the line. He first formed, with 
 his left covering the treadway, and his right thrown forward, and 
 soon afterward advanced. In a short time he sent forward a 
 few men as scouts to reconnoitre, but they returned saying they 
 could see nothing of the federal line. He sent others but with 
 no better success. In about an hour and a half he sent forward 
 a captain, one sergeant, and two men from the Twenty-second 
 Louisiana, telling them to go till they discovered the federal line. 
 They went but were captured. The ground in front of the fede 
 rals was thickly covered with timber and underbrush, and cut 
 by deep ravines. It being also dark, it was natural that they 
 should be cautious and make sure of the advantage already 
 gamed. 
 
 Gibson was withdrawing his forces on the treadway across the 
 swamp. This treadway extended out to the river at Fort " Hu- 
 ger, where the garrison crossed over in boats and embarked as 
 fast as possible on transports. But the treadway was only two 
 feet wide, and the passage over it was slow. Moreover, to pre 
 vent noise, the troops took off their shoes and stockings and 
 walked barefooted. 
 
 The purpose of evacuating was cautiously imparted and went 
 round to the officers in a whisper ; for it was apprehended some 
 of the troops would loudly object. The first movements, there 
 fore, were in the nature of a feint. "When the right wing left 
 
158 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 their quarters, many of the men thought they were going to 
 reinforce the left. 
 
 At about nine o clock, Capt. Garrity sent in a requisition for 
 ammunition. The lieutenant brought back a handful of spikes 
 to spike the guns. He and his command left an hour after 
 ward. Between ten and eleven, Gen. Holtzclaw informed Col. 
 Zacharie that he was evacuating, and to exercise his discretion 
 as to when he would withdraw. In a short time after Zacharie 
 withdrew as rear-guard, with the Sixteenth Louisiana, Lieut. 
 Col. Lindsay, who had made the charge the morning of 27th 
 March, as rear-guard proper. 
 
 Before their final departure, however, a party of these troops 
 had gone up to within fifty yards of Carr s advance, and on 
 receiving a volley fell back and were seen no more. During the 
 evening one of the confederate parties that charged Carr s ad 
 vance, came up within thirty yards calling out "we surrender," 
 and then fired. The Eighth Iowa fired on them and fixed bayo 
 nets, at which they faced about and ran rapidly back. 
 
 Soon after the Eighth Iowa made a lodgment, Carr had 
 ordered Col. Moore to leave three hundred men in the trenches 
 and with the balance of his brigade move round to the right to 
 reinforce Geddes brigade. After having made this movement, 
 Moore set the Ninety-fifth Illinois, Col. Blanding, to opening a 
 road through the abatis and works for troops and artillery to 
 pass ; it being the general impression that the garrison s left 
 was withdrawn merely to an interior line. He also posted the 
 Thirty-third Wisconsin so as to flank the confederates should 
 they attempt to change their supposed front. 
 
 At nine o clock, perceiving that Geddes brigade had not 
 developed this supposed new line of the confederates, on his 
 own responsibility he moved back to his old front. Then, 
 by his directions, Major James, Seventy-second Illinois, with 
 the three hundred men who had been left in the trenches 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 9 
 
 charged the garrison skirmishers remaining in the advance pits, 
 unconscious of the evacuation, and captured them, easily. Moore 
 then moved the balance of his brigade over the main works. 
 
 About the same time Ward s brigade captured the garrison 
 skirmishers in its front. Some of the latter called out, "Don t 
 shoot, Yanks, we are coming in." And they were as good as 
 their word. 
 
 Moore soon wheeled to the left, charged along the garrison 
 works in reverse and flank, and captured a number of prisoners, 
 and kept on till he got to Old Spanish fort where a few more 
 prisoners were captured. Learning there from a prisoner how 
 the garrison had escaped, he, with the Thirty-third Wisconsin, 
 hastened down to the foot-bridge but was too late to accom 
 plish anything. 
 
 Gecldes with his brigade reached Old Spanish fort between 
 eleven and twelve, and the men being tired after so much watch 
 ing and fighting, arms were stacked and they were allowed to 
 rest. 
 
 There was now a scramble for the hams and corn-meal left 
 by the garrison ; and especially was there a scramble for pos 
 session of the captured guns. 
 
 At midnight, the Octorara aimed a hundred-pounder shell 
 at Old Spanish fort, and although it went some distance beyond, 
 the troops thought it prudent to change their position for the 
 present. After leaving proper guards over the captured prop 
 erty, Carr s division returned to their quarters, having in their 
 possession between four hundred and five hundred prisoners. 
 It had done a splendid day s work. 
 
 As soon as Gen. Canby was informed of the lodgment made 
 by the Eighth Iowa, he sent notice of the fact to Granger, 
 who at once communicated the agreeable intelligence to his 
 corps. It produced much enthusiasm. The men cheered all 
 along tli3 line. 
 
1GO CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The divisions on Carr s left it appears took the confederate 
 pickets in their respective fronts. But this was not done till 
 after midnight. In McArthur s division, Capt. French, Fifth 
 Minnesota, of Hubbard s brigade, having charge of the sharp 
 shooters, captured those in front of that brigade, and was 
 followed over the works by the Forty-seventh Illinois, Maj. 
 Bonhani commanding. McArthur s division captured one com 
 missioned officer and forty-nine enlisted men. 
 
 The ground in front of the confederate main works was con 
 siderably mined with torpedoes or as they w t ere called, sub- 
 terra shells. Marshall s entire brigade, of McArthur s division, 
 moved into the fort before daylight. There were some confed 
 erate dead, then, to be seen in their front lying upon the ground. 
 Of these one appeared to have been killed by a musket-ball 
 while planting a torpedo. Close by him was a spade ; also a 
 torpedo planted about two feet in the ground, but not yet cov 
 ered. They buried him there with it. 
 
 In front of Day s brigade, Benton s division, Capt. Shepherd, 
 Company F, Ninety-first Illinois, had charge of the skirmish 
 line, and hearing the shouts of Carr s division entered the works 
 in his front unopposed, with a detachment of the Ninety-first 
 and the Fiftieth Indiana. In the brigade front of Col. Krez a 
 detachment of his brigade first entered under Maj. Boydston, 
 of the Thirty-third Iowa, and on the extreme left, at about 
 midnight, Col. McNulta with the Forty-ninth Illinois entered 
 McDermett capturing the picket in front, and soon after had 
 the colors raised over that heavy work amid the loud cheery of 
 the delighted men. 
 
 The siege of Spanish fort was at an end. About five hundred 
 prisoners and all the artillery, nearly fifty pieces, captured. 
 Bertram s brigade was ordered to remain, and garrison Spanish 
 fort, with instructions to collect and take charge of the ord 
 nance and other property. All the rest of the infantry, and 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 161 
 
 most of the artillery, were ordered to move immediately to 
 Blakely. 
 
 In the Thirteenth corps the loss had been : in Benton s 
 division, sixteen killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded, 
 twenty-seven captured^ and one missing in action total, one 
 hundred and sixty ; in Bertram s brigade, about eighty, killed 
 and wounded. 
 
 In Me Arthur s and Carr s divisions of the Sixteenth corps, 
 the entire loss, in the siege, was twenty-six killed, three hun 
 dred and nineteen wounded and captured. 
 
 As soon as Gen. Canby knew of Carr s assault, he telegraphed 
 to Gen. Steele, at Blakely, to send down a brigade, to reinforce 
 that part of the line. Slack s brigade moved down promptly, 
 and reported to Gen. Smith, but the latter sent them back, 
 saying he wanted no assistance. While this brigade was rest 
 ing, near the shore of Bay Minetfce, and the men were talking 
 and laughing, a part of the garrison, in their retreat, were pass 
 ing along on the marsh, not many yards from them, and within 
 hearing. 
 
 Retreat of the Garrison. As the rear-guard of the garrison 
 were stepping upon the treadway, they heard tremendous 
 cheering up at McDermett, which must have been soon after 
 the Ninety-fourth Illinois had entered. Shortly after, they 
 heard cheering on the road leading to Blakely, and conjectured 
 their victors were already on the march for that place ; but the 
 troops they heard must have been Slack s brigade, which started 
 back to Blakely soon after midnight. 
 
 There was no little excitement among the confederates as 
 they thronged the marshy bank at the end of the treadway. 
 Some shells had passed closely over them from the right of the 
 Sixteenth corps, as they had come over the treadway, and the 
 place they occupied was commanded by several of the besiegers 
 batteries. Wind and tide were against them, and they thought 
 
 11 
 
162 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 it unsafe to use any other vessels than the light-draught 
 blockade-runners. Their passage over to Huger was, therefore, 
 slow, and they were still huddled on th-3 marshy bank, with a 
 prospect of daylight finding hundreds of them still there. At 
 this juncture, it; being midnight, Col. Locket t, chief engineer, 
 proposed to Gen. Gibson that a portion of the troops endeavor 
 to make their way up to Blakely through the marsh. Being 
 acquainted with the locality, he offered to guide the column 
 himself. The suggestion was adopted, and about a thousand 
 of the garrison took up the march for Blakely. The distance 
 was five miles. The march was difficult, but not so difficult as 
 might have been apprehended ; for there are few things the 
 soldier s resolution cannot overcome. The route lay through 
 mud and water, through marsh grass, canebrakes, or thick 
 underbrush, and over bayous. The men often sank down in 
 the swamps, and sometimes had to be pulled out by their com 
 rades. It was reported that some were lost, but the better 
 opinion is they all arrived safely at Blakely. They reached 
 that place at dawn, thoroughly exhausted and presenting a 
 singular appearance. In course of the day, they proceeded on 
 steamers to Mobile. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEUE OF SPANISH FORT. 
 
 GEN. Beauregard considered it a mistake for the confederates 
 fco garrison any part of the Eastern shore of Mobile bay. His 
 opinion was that Huger and Tracy should have been made self- 
 sustaining forts, and that the main garrison should be in Mobile. 
 That appears to be the better opinion. 
 
 The object of holding Spanish fort was to protect Huger by 
 preventing the establishment of batteries to bombard the latter. 
 But it really could not effect much in that respect, because 
 some distance north of Spanish fort, on the shore of Bay 
 Minette, the site of batteries actually established, guns could be 
 placed which in two weeks time would have crushed Huger and 
 Tracy. 
 
 Nevertheless, there was an advantage to the confederates in 
 having Spanish fort. It was a cover whence parties could have 
 been sent out to obstruct the communications of the federals, 
 and operating as the former could on interior lines they could 
 have concentrated a sufficient force there to cause much an 
 noyance. 
 
 This suggests the answer to the, opinion expressed by some 
 confederate engineers, that it was a mistake in the federal com 
 mander to have noticed Spanish fort at all, they holding, that it 
 would have been better for his purpose to have passed those works 
 and attempted the destruction of Huger and Tracy, with bat 
 teries on Bay Minette or shore ; or passing all the eastern-shore 
 garrisons to have gone round to the confluence of the Tombigbee 
 
164 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 and the Alabama, the occupation of Mobile by the confederates 
 being then a question of supplies. Undoubtedly the evacuation 
 of Spanish fort could have been compelled by indirect opera 
 tions, yet before the accomplishment of that, was there not too 
 much danger to be apprehended to the communications, if an 
 enterprising enemy should be left in a strong position on the 
 very line necessary to use ? On the 12th April, Gen. Maury left 
 Mobile, with four thousand five hundred infantry. About five 
 hundred had been captured at Spanish fort, three thousand at 
 Blakely, and the killed and wounded must have numbered at 
 both places five hundred ; so, that at the beginning of the siege 
 his effective force must have been about nine thousand. If an 
 opportunity had warranted, this force could, with but little 
 trouble, have concentrated at Spanish fort. But it would have 
 been dangerous to have had half that force sallying out from 
 that garrison. 
 
 The garrison fully expected to be assaulted on the 27th of 
 March. That was one reason why it was not best to assault. 
 The character of the works were not then fully known to the fed 
 erals. Furthermore, there was no pressing necessity nor special 
 object to be gained "by an immediate assault. On the contrary 
 not much would have been gained in time as the army would 
 still have been waiting for supplies. As has been seen, some 
 portions of the fortifications around Spanish fort were quite elab 
 orate, as also the obstructions in front ; and they had been made 
 by skilful engineers. The troops behind them were veterans. 
 Ordinary prudence would dictate that the besiegers should at 
 least have one line of works behind which they could fall back 
 in security in case of an unexpected accident or reverse. Nev 
 ertheless if a general assault had been ordered on the first day 
 or on any subsequent day, there is no doubt it would have been 
 successful, And this is the opinion of the garrison officers. 
 But it would have been stubbornly resisted, and success would 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 165 
 
 have cost many valuable lives. The best place for the assault 
 was where it occurred ; for it was the weakest part of the garri 
 son s line. The fact that it was unexpected and the darkness 
 probably are the reasons for its not being followed up rapidly 
 enough to capture all the garrison. Gen. Canby liad already de 
 termined to carry the works by a general assault the next morn 
 ing at eight o clock, which no doubt would have been a lucky 
 hour ; for the garrison commander had cautioned his troops to 
 " be prepared for an assault every morning before daylight, ev 
 ery day at twelve, M., and every evening before dark." An as 
 sault would not have been expected at eight. 
 
 The besiegers and garrison alike are entitled to praise for con 
 stant industry and for energy. The besiegers had the most 
 work to do ; and the works constructed will long remain as evi 
 dence of their willing toil. 
 
 The garrison commander, Gen. Gibson, was competent and 
 active, and inspired his troops with enthusiasm. He was highly 
 complimented by his superior officers for his conduct during 
 the siege. Second to him in command was Gen. Holtzclaw, 
 also an accomplished and earnest officer. In fact the officers 
 and troops comprising the garrison were remnants of many 
 historic campaigns, and possessed no small share of culture 
 and spirit. 
 
 The only neglect which can be cited against the garrison 
 was their failure to construct strong and connected works on 
 their left down across the swamp. This is where ihey were 
 assaulted. Their works there were disconnected and their 
 occupants were captured in detail. More industry and care 
 there would have enabled them to repulse the attack, or would 
 have prevented the attack that was made. 
 
 The garrison displayed uncommon resolution and courage 
 in the frequency of its sorties. About a dozen must have been 
 made in all. One was attended with brilliant success. Holtz- 
 
166 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 claw had arranged for two more sorties on the night of the 8th. 
 They were intended against the right and left of McArthur. 
 
 It appears that a formal siege of Spanish fort, with heavy 
 artillery, was not decided upon till after the investment. Siege 
 batteries were then sent for and brought on transports from the 
 forts at the mouth of the bay. During the siege the ammuni 
 tion was brought up from Fort Morgan, and the labor of land 
 ing it there was performed by the Sixth Michigan. 
 
 Some experienced confederate artillerists at Spanish fort 
 expressed the opinion that the firing of the besiegers land bat 
 teries was not generally good. While the results of the latter s 
 fire must be their justification, it is proper to remark that there 
 was some complaint about the ammunition. Col. Hays, com 
 manding First Indiana heavy artillery, states in his report that 
 the Hotchkiss pattern of solid shot would end over when fired, 
 and that the shells would burst prematurely. The shells, he 
 says, were made more effective by emptying out the powder 
 with which they were charged and refilling them with sand, and 
 then using them as solid shot. 
 
 Always seek an Enfilading Fire. The engineer operations of 
 the besiegers were directed by Gen. Comstock and Col. McAl 
 lister, and were conducted with skill and. energy. Positions 
 were soon selected and batteries started whence damaging 
 enfilading fire could be delivered ; an object ever to be kept in 
 view in the use of all arms. 
 
 Have tlie Trendies continuous, and Approaches secure. The 
 stumps and fallen trees afforded so much cover to the besiegers 
 skirmishers that even the first or second day they got out some 
 hundreds of yards beyond any continuous line of rifle-pits. They 
 continued to occupy such advanced positions before approaches 
 to them were started ; and were consequently in a very exposed 
 situation. The result of this was the loss of a captain and 
 twenty men in Benton s front. If, -as should have been done, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 167 
 
 an approach had been started and followed close up to the line 
 occupied by the skirmishers, they could then have retreated 
 when so severely shelled, or reinforcements could have been 
 sent to them. As it was, they were at the mercy of the gar 
 rison. In a siege, the skirmishers or picket should be but a 
 short distance from the advance line of works, unless they have 
 a safe approach from that line to their posts. The loss of 
 twenty men in a siege, out of rifle-pits, has much more moral 
 effect than the loss of the same number on an open battle-field. 
 Scipio is said to have been overjcved when ho inflicted on 
 Caesar a loss of only twenty -sevini men, and that on open 
 ground, 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 SIEGE OF BLAKELY SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH DAYS. 
 
 April 3 Second Day of the Siege. The ground lying between 
 the combatants, viewed from a distance, appeared level, but it 
 was much cut up by ravines, the sides of which were scalloped 
 with numerous and deep depressions. Some of the ravines ran 
 parallel with the confedsrate works, others perpendicular tc 
 them, and affording a damaging fire for their artillery. Along 
 the bottoms of the principal ravines ran clear and gurgling 
 brooks, half concealed by the luxuriant bushes and vines, and 
 the banks of which were marshy. The general elevation of the 
 ground was eighty feet above the water, and sixty feet was, per 
 haps, the greatest depth of any of the ravines. 
 
 Where the Second division commenced its first line of in- 
 trenchments, a thousand yards from the main line of the con 
 federates, the ground was a little higher than that occupied by 
 the latter ; and from that position there was a gradual decline 
 for three hundred yards toward the front. The ground occu 
 pied by the colored division was about on a level with the con 
 federate works. The position of both divisions was favorable on 
 two accounts it was in the woods, and there was an abundance 
 of good running water. 
 
 In Hawkins division the work of intrenchmeiit was con 
 tinued ; but that division suffered considerably from the con 
 federate artillery, and especially from the gunboats, which, to 
 some extent, had an enfilading fire. Scofield s brigade was 
 held in reserve ; but at night the Fiftieth, Col. Gilchrist, and 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 169 
 
 the Fifty-first, Col. Webber, were sent to the front, and the 
 brigade commander was there with them till eleven, p. M., when 
 the work was ordered discontinued. 
 
 In the Second division, Moore s brigade closed up to the 
 right, connecting with Spiceley s brigade ; but between them 
 was a wooded ravine and running stream. The latter was 
 bridged during the day, and both brigades made considerable 
 progress in the first strong and continuous line of intrench- 
 ments. 
 
 Spiceley s brigade was extended two hundred yards to the 
 right to connect with Hawkins division. And in the evening 
 the skirmishers of that brigade gained thirty yards to the 
 front, and established new detached pits. 
 
 The camp of each regiment was close to the first line of 
 intrenchments, and so arranged as to have some natural shel 
 ter of the ground. 
 
 In Spiceley s brigade, the Twenty-fourth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. 
 Sears, was on the right. Next, on the left, were the Sixty- 
 seventh Illinois, Col. Busey ; the Sixty-ninth Indiana, Lieut.- 
 Col. Perry ; the Seventy-sixth Illinois, Lieut.-Col. Vifquain 
 In Moore s brigade, the Eighty-third Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Bald 
 win, was on the right, and next the One Hundred and Foui 
 teenth Ohio, Col. Kelly ; the Twentieth Iowa, Lieut.-Col. Leake 
 the Thirty-seventh Illinois, Col. Black ; and the Thirty-fourth 
 Iowa, Col. Clark. 
 
 The casualties in the division, were one killed and five 
 wounded. Of the latter was Col. Spiceley, who was not, 
 however, stopped from his active duties. 
 
 Toward evening, certain movements of the confederates in 
 front of Moore s brigade, excited ths suspicion of a sortie, 
 and Hotchkiss Second Connecticut battery was sent round to 
 the left ; but it did not go into position, and returned to its 
 camp, near the Stockton road, at dark. 
 
170 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Gen. Steele had his headquarters at O. Sibley s. The head 
 quarters of the Second division were move;l from near the 
 Stockton road to a ravine at a point six hundred yards in 
 rear of the centre of the division. The headquarters of the 
 Colored division were also in a ravine in rear of about the 
 centre of the division. 
 
 Yeatch s division, of the Thirteenth corps, having received 
 Borders, at midnight of the 2d, to move immediately to reinforce 
 ^Steele, arrived before Blakely at daylight of the 3d ; and in 
 -course of the forenoon took position, with a brigade front, 
 across the Pensacola road. But Garrard s division, of the 
 Sixteenth corps, having also come up from C. Sibley s on the 
 3d, went into position on the left of the Pensacola road, a 
 thousand yards from the confederate works, Col. Rinaker s 
 brigade being on the right, Gen. Gilbert s in the centre, and 
 Col. Harris on the left. Veatch s division was then withdrawn 
 and remained near O. Sibley s, as a reserve. 
 
 During the ensuing night, Garrard s division covered its front 
 with a line of rifle-pits, and the skirmishers of each brigade 
 occupied ground some distance in advance. The Tenth Kansas, 
 of Gilbert s brigade, had three men wounded, one mortally. 
 
 In Harris brigade, the Eleventh Wisconsin supported the 
 : skirmish line, and kept within fifty yards of it. At eleven, p. M., 
 the skirmish line was warmly engaged, and the commanding 
 officer of the Eleventh sent forward a company to reinforce it. 
 At the same time he received information that the confederates 
 had come out of their works, and were flanking the skirmishers 
 on the left. He then sent Companies E and G to protect the 
 iflank. 
 
 The firing continued through the night, but darkness deprived 
 it of effect, except to weary both sides equally and hold each 
 .other at bay. 
 
 During the day the sharpshooters of the confederates main- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 171 
 
 Gained a watchful fire, and at intervals their artillery was sharp 
 and savage. They had already disabled two guns by firing, 
 and the commander sent for more. 1 
 
 April 4 Third Day of Siege of Blaltely. In the Second 
 division, the work progressed on the first and second lines of 
 intreiichments, and the same was occurring on Hawkins left. 
 In the afternoon, both divisions got a new supply of intrenching 
 tools, and the work went on faster. Toward evening, the 
 Second division was preparing to advance its skirmish-line. 
 Soon after five, the men cheered, on account of the grand 
 bombardment of Spanish fort, the mighty clamor of which 
 was plainly heard. The shouts from many thousand voices 
 made the confederates think that they were going to be as 
 saulted, and at sight of the skirmish -line of Moore s brigade 
 they fell back rapidly to an interior line of pits, so that Moore s 
 skirmishers, consisting of details from each regiment of the 
 brigade, advanced nearly three hundred yards without resist 
 ance. This carried his line out of the woods, and upon a sort 
 of plateau on a level with the garrison s main works, and only 
 five hundred yards distant therefrom. Intrenchments were 
 then commenced on the line thus gained and continued, but 
 the work was difficult, for there were numerous stumps, and 
 the surface was strewn with fallen pines. 
 
 In front of Spiceley s brigade the ground was more earnestly 
 
 1 Lidett to Maury : ^ April 3. No change of importance here. Much firing 
 and some shelling during night, upon enemy attempting to establish line of 
 skirmish pits." 
 
 Same to Same : " April 3. Will you send another ; Blakely gun, in place of 
 one which exploded at the muzzle to-day ?" 
 
 Same to Same: "April 3, 8:45 p. M. Please send me the Blakely gun as 
 Boon as possible, as two of the guns on this line have been disabled and sent 
 to Mobile for repairs. Enemy made an attempt to establish their picket line 
 on our centre just at dark." 
 
 Same to Same : "April 3, 8:45 p. M. Please send me, by first boat, a quantity 
 of two-inch plank, oak if possible, to make screens for the guns." 
 
172 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 contested, and his skirmishes gained only one hundred and 
 fifty yards. In making the advance Sergeant J. W. Ficklin, 
 of the Twenty-fourth Indiana, exhibited special gallantry. No 
 loss was then suffered. Later in the evenining Corporal Haw 
 kins of the Twenty-fourth was wounded. 
 
 In Pile s and Seofield s front of Hawkins division, the line?; 
 were advanced about two hundred yards. But that division 
 suffered severe loss as well from the gunboats as the sharp 
 shooters and artillerists in front. 
 
 Up to this time no artillery had been used by the besiegers. 
 But during the night a sunken battery, with good cover for the 
 gunners, was made on the Stockton road on a line with the first 
 parallel, for one of the ten-pounder rifles of the Second Connect 
 icut battery. The gun, with full detachment under Lieut. Gray, 
 was put in position sometime after midnight, being hauled a 
 quarter of a mile by hand. 
 
 At nine, P. M., Dennis brigade, of Veatch s division, moved 
 to the front and occupied the ground between the Second divis 
 ion and the Pensacola road connecting with Garrard s right. 
 
 In the morning, Garrard s division advanced its skirmishers 
 still farther to the front. In Gilbert s brigade the skirmish line 
 was commanded by Maj. H. S. Bailey, Sixth Minnesota, and in 
 the movement two were killed and several wounded. Maj. 
 Bailey had a rib fractured by a piece of shell. Lieut. Gresham 
 of the Sixth Minnesota was slightly wounded. In Harris 
 brigade the Fifty-second Indiana and Fifty-eighth Illinois 
 were on the front line, also ono company of the Eleventh Wis 
 consin as sharpshooters. Two deserters from the confederates 
 came in and were taken by Lieut. Leonard, adjutant of the 
 Fifty-second Indiana, to the brigade commander. They related 
 that Blakely was garrisoned by three thousand five hundred 
 men, and that labor was still being done on the works. 
 
 In course of the day/Gen. Steele s chief of staff, Lieut.-CoJ. 
 
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 i I I Pjl -I Hi 
 
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 riinlill lii^ilii vi 
 
 lg ! ;ill li^, !i: 
 
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CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 173 
 
 Whittlesey, was on the front line, making observations, and com 
 ing to where the Fifty-second Indiana was posted, he advanced 
 fifty yards in front of the skirmish line to an old log building, 
 which had been used as a barrack, and climbed upon the rafters 
 to get a good view. Being seen by the enemy, their artillery 
 soon opened on him, and shells exploded above and around him, 
 and through the house beneath, yet he continued to write in his 
 note-book as if nothing was happening, till he had finished his 
 observations, and then descended and left. 
 
 Lidell reported his loss on the 4th, two killed and twelve 
 wounded. 
 
 April 5 Fourth Day. At the break of day, just as soon as 
 the confederate works could be seen, Lieut. Gray opened with 
 the ten-pounder of the Second Connecticut, from the Stockton 
 road, firing obliquely at the work immediately south of that 
 road, which indeed was the most prominent point of resistance, 
 on the confederate line. Thirty rounds were fired before there 
 was any reply, then the response was warm. Lieut. Gray con 
 tinued at intervals to fire during the day and battered down one 
 of the embrasures of the* assailed redoubt. Six confederate 
 guns were brought to bear on his snug baitery, and the explo 
 sions around it were frequent and close, but hurt not a man. At 
 night the damage to the work was repaired. 
 
 Separate batteries for two more of Hotckkiss guns were being 
 built on the left of the Stockton road, and farther to the front 
 than Lieut. Gray s. At night a battery was commenced near 
 the right of Moore s brigade, for the Fifteenth Massachusetts. 
 
 In the evening the skirmish line of Spiceley s brigade ad 
 vanced one hundred and fifty yards, and intrenched within 
 eighty yards of the confederate rifle-pits, which had a distinct 
 line of abatis for cover. In front of Moore s brigade the skir 
 mishers were forty yards in advance of the tine gained the pre 
 vious evening, making their way as best they could through the 
 
174: CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 network of pine logs, and being within one hundred and six try 
 yards of the well-fortified confederate sharpshooters. 
 
 Both brigades now had two well-built lines of intrenchment 
 with safe approaches. The men were advancing steadily and 
 sure, and casualties, though generally fatal, were not numerous. 
 The whole loss in the Second division during the day was three 
 killed and one wounded ; namely, killed ; Sergeant S. G. Harter, 
 Sixty-ninth Indiana, Privates C. Grove and "W. L. Johnson, 
 Twenty-fourth Indiana ; wounded, Thos. McGovern, One Hun 
 dred and Fourteenth Ohio. 
 
 In Hawkins division, on the right, there was an apprehension 
 at night of a sortie, and at nine, P. M., the Third brigade (Lieut.- 
 Col. Kinsey commanding) of Veatch s division, marched out in 
 rear of Hawkins as a reinforcement. 
 
 In Veatch s front, the Eighth Illinois was on the skirmish- 
 line, and had one man wounded. At nine, p. M., it was relieved 
 by the Forty-sixth Illinois, Col. Dornblaser commanding, who 
 sent out two full companies as skirmishers. The right of the 
 line was then advanced twenty-five yards, to connect with the 
 left of the Second division, and the left was carried forward one 
 hundred yards, meeting with little opposition. 
 
 In Garrard s division, on the left, some advance was made in 
 front of Harris brigade. The Thirty -fourth New Jersey was on 
 the skirmish-line ; but the left of that line was occupied by 
 Company E, Eleventh Wisconsin, under command of Lieut. 
 McDonald. During the night, the latter officer, with a few 
 men, moved. forward, across a ravine covered with slashings, to 
 open ground, and intrenched a short distance from the con 
 federate rifle-pits, and held his position successfully against 
 warm resistance. 
 
 In the afternoon, the position of Rinaker s brigade of Gar- 
 rard s division was changed from the right to the left, but the 
 camps were not moved till the succeeding day. At five, P. M. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 175 
 
 Maj. Winter, of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, with five hundred 
 men of that brigade, moved down to the left through the woods. 
 to complete the investment of Blakely, connecting with the left 
 of Harris brigade, and extending as nea.r the river as practica 
 ble. On that part of the ground the woods extended to within 
 four hundred yards of the right of the confederate works, and 
 to a stream running parallel with them, and the banks of which 
 were thickly wooded. About opposite the eighth redoubt of the 
 confederates, that stream assumes the character of a swamp, 
 widening as it approaches the river. It is thickly covered with 
 trees, and the water is a foot deep. At sunset, Maj. Winter de 
 ployed one hundred men, six paces apart, and holding four hun 
 dred as reserve, moved to the front. His left passed over a small 
 field, and then the line began to descend a hill-side, and was soon 
 struggling across the stream and swampy ground. They were 
 then greeted by one or two volleys from the brow of the high 
 ground, two hundred yards in front of them. They pressed 
 on, and emerging from the woods and tangled underbrush, 
 came out where the trees had been felled, and began to ascend 
 the rise of ground, and reaching the brow, the men on his 
 left were within two hundred yards of the garrison s main 
 works. Maj. Winter observed that his right did not connect 
 with the skirmish line of Harris brigade, but that he was 
 considerably to the left and in advance of it, and being also 
 in some danger from the fire of that line, he sent Capt. Hub- 
 bard, of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois, to notify 
 its commander of his position. Maj. Winter had now gained 
 a most important position, it being considerably nearer to the 
 garrison works than any other part of the besiegers line. It 
 was, of course, too good a position to expect to hold with ease. 
 A fire of artillery and musketry was opened on him, and, un 
 fortunately, he ordered a retreat. He withdrew his line over 
 the stream, and commenced fortifying several hundred yards to 
 the rear. 
 
176 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 When Capt. Hubbard returned, he was surprised to find only 
 the first sergeant and seventeen men of his own company, who 
 had halted at the edge of the stream to wait for him. He 
 thought a key position had been given up. Then posting his 
 few men as securely as possible behind logs, he went to find 
 the reserve ; and, after some persuasion, got permission to have 
 Gapt. Chubb s company, of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, go to 
 the front and join his left. Maj. Winter, at the same time, 
 advanced his reserve, and intrenched on the high ground in 
 rear of the stream, near w 7 here an old road passes which leads 
 into Blakely. The companies of Capts. Chubb and Hubbard 
 took position north of that road. It was about eleven o clock 
 when Lieut. McDonald of the Eleventh Wisconsin made the 
 advance before mentioned, and joined their right. Soon after, 
 Capt. Hubbard brought forward a company of reserves with 
 shovels, and, sending his own men a little in advance, com 
 menced digging rifle-pits. 
 
 Lucas, with his cavalry, marched to occupy Clairborne, on the 
 Alabama. During the day the besiegers heard of the fall of 
 Selma. 
 
 The loss in the garrison, on the 5th, was reported to be one 
 killed and twelve wounded. Lidell sent to Spanish fort for 
 sharpshooters armed with the Whitworth rifles, 1 and reported 
 that he had men killed and wounded at the Blakely wharf by 
 
 1 Lidell to Maury : "April 5 The enemy have erected a battery on 
 
 my left have fired occasionally from it. Quite heavy skirmishing in my 
 front." 
 
 Lidell to Gibson : " April 5. I am much in need of sharpshooters. Send 
 me the Whitworth riflemen, or half of them, if you cannot spare all. The 
 enemy are very near you, and here they are at some distance, but with their 
 sharpshooters kill and wound men at the Blakely wharf. 1 will send you five 
 other men." 
 
 Gen. Lidell to Maj. Myers, Ord. Officer : " April 5. I wish two hundred 
 feet of three-inch rope to parbuckle a large gun in position, and have it on 
 band whenever it may be needed." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 177 
 
 the besiegers sharpshooters. On account of limited supply 
 of ammunition he directed the firing to be restricted to a few 
 picked skirmishers. He also sent for fireballs to light up his 
 front, and enable him to use his artillery with more effect in 
 the night. 1 
 
 1 Lidell to Myers : "April 5. Have made for me as soon as possible some fire 
 balls for twenty-four-pounder cohorn mortars. The enemy are trying to advance 
 their lines during the night, and I want to light up the front of our works, in 
 order to see their positions, and allow the artillery to be used with effect." 
 
 12 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 SIEGE OF BLAKELY FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH DAYS. 
 
 April 6 The Fifth Day. At three o clock on the morning of 
 the 6th, the garrison made a sortie from opposite their fourth 
 redoubt down to their right, advancing a line with much noise 
 and shouting, for the purpose, as it appeared, of dislodging the 
 besiegers skirmishers. No ground, however, was lost by the 
 besiegers, yet a noisy combat of musketry ensued, lasting for 
 an hour ; and above all the turmoil roared the garrison s 
 artillery. On the extreme left of the besiegers, where were 
 Capt. Chubb s company of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, Capt. 
 Hubbard s of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois, and 
 Lieut. McDonald s of the Eleventh Wisconsin, the charging 
 party came up within a few feet of the newly-dug pits, but 
 finding them resolutely occupied had to give way. Lieut. 
 McDonald had with him Sergeant Moore and about a dozen 
 men. Being hard pressed, he undertook to awe his assail 
 ants by a stratagem, and called out "First and Second brigade 
 supports, forward!" which had a good effect. 
 
 In front of Moore s brigade of the Second division, the attack 
 appeared to be mainly against the working party on the battery 
 which was being made for the Fifteenth Massachusetts. The 
 atmosphere being thick and heavy, the sound of the musketry 
 seemed closer than usual. The darkness was also complete, 
 and, it being known how tired and worn the men were, there 
 was some uneasiness felt at the division headquarters lest some 
 part of the line had been forced back. Lieut. Pettibone, aide- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 179 
 
 de-camp, hastened down to the front line alone, and brought 
 back the pleasing intelligence that everything was right. 
 
 In Garrard s division, a position about three hundred yards 
 farther in advance was gained in front of Gilbert s and Harris 
 brigades. The advance was made at midnight. In front of 
 Harris brigade ; the force consisted of Companies A, C, and H, 
 from the Eleventh Wisconsin, under Capt. Lang, and the One 
 Hundred and Seventy-eighth New York, and was commanded 
 by Lieut.-Col. J. B. Gondalfo, of the latter regiment. In front 
 of Gilbert s brigade, it consisted of companies from the Tenth 
 Kansas and Thirty-second Iowa, and was commanded by Major 
 Hutchinson, of the Thirty-second. Each man was provided 
 \\ith a spade, and, at the given signal, the line advanced in 
 good shape, though opposed by a sharp fire. Some two hun 
 dred and fifty yards were gained by Lieut.-Col. Gondalfo, which 
 brought him about six hundred yards from the garrison s main 
 works. The loss in his line was one killed and four wounded. 
 Major Hutchinson was ordered to advance three hundred yards, 
 which would bring his line also six hundred yards from the 
 main works of the garrison. He performed the duty in a truly 
 soldierlike manner. His men bein g .deployed and in line, he 
 placed himself on their right, and, moving forward with them, 
 caused them to dress on him, he at the same time counting the 
 paces as he marched along, and going till he had got the -full 
 and required distance. His course lay near the Pensacola and 
 Blakely road. Having gained the required distance, the whole 
 line commenced a rifle-pit. 
 
 On the left of Harris front, Company F, Lieut. McConnell, 
 of the Eleventh Wisconsin, was posted on the opposite side of 
 a ravine ; and being isolated from the line on his right, Com 
 pany H, of the Eleventh, was sent to his support, and Company 
 G, of the same regiment, was also sent to fill up the gap be 
 tween him and the companies on his right. The balance of the 
 
180 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Eleventh was held in reserve occupying the trenches vacated 
 by the skirmish-line. 
 
 Work was also being done in Garrard s division, for a battery 
 for the Seventeenth Ohio. 
 
 All along the line of the besiegers, the work of opening or 
 widening trenches and approaches was progressing with vigor. 
 
 In the Second division, front, two additional separate batter 
 ies being finished for the ten-pounder rifles of the Second Con 
 necticut, two more guns of that battery opened at daylight, one 
 being under command of Lieut. Whitney, the other under Lieut. 
 Hanley. Both these guns as well as the one under Lieut. Gray, 
 were served with effect. In the morning Corporal Beecher with 
 one of the guns last in position, fired at the colors in the Stock 
 ton road redoubt (No. 4), and caused the speedy removal of a 
 couple of tents. 
 
 The loss in the Second Division was only four wounded. 
 
 The artillery firing by the garrison during the forenoon was 
 fierce. Gen. Lidell reported that there was constant firing du 
 ring the night, and that he had several men wounded in the 
 night by stray shots. 1 He asked for a company of sappers and 
 miners. He also expected the besiegers would open the next 
 morning with artillery from five different positions. a At eleven, 
 r. M., he requested the captain of the Morgan to send two small 
 boats under charge of a commissioned officer to picket the 
 mouth of the bayou, just below his right flank, and the lower 
 mouth of the bayou, near Bay Minette. 
 
 April 1 Sixth Day. Just before daylight the garrison 
 
 1 Liddl to Col Garner, Chief of Staff: " Blakely, April 6. Enemy at this 
 place keeps up a constant firing throughout the night with skirmishers, and is 
 busily engaged erecting his batteries. Several men wounded during the night 
 by stray shots." 
 
 2 Lidell to Mauri/: " April 6, 7:40 P. M It is very probable the enemy 
 
 will open upon us early in the morning from five different positions. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 181 
 
 made another sortie against the advance line of the troops of 
 the Thirteenth and Sixteenth corps. They came out apparently 
 in strong force, delivering repeated volleys and charging with 
 cheers up to the pits of the federals. The artillery also per 
 formed its part, and for two miles along the line the tumult of 
 the roar of musketry and cannonading was startling. At such 
 an hour was felt how much depended on the steadfast soldier 
 ship and activity of a few men at the front. The confederates 
 were repulsed, and it was reported with unusual loss. 1 The loss 
 in the Tenth Kansas was one killed. In the Fifty-second Indi 
 ana, two wounded. The five companies of the latter regiment 
 expended during the night about seven thousand rounds of car 
 tridges and the firing was probably in the same proportion on 
 other parts of the line. In front of Einaker s brigade, Lieut. 
 Col. Taylor, of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Elinois, was in 
 command of the skirmish-line and advanced the left of it acroso 
 the stream and swamp and had some pits dug. 
 
 During the afternoon of the 7th and the succeeding evening, 
 rain fell ; the air was chilly, and duty in the muddy trenches 
 was uncomfortable. 
 
 Yeatch s front was occupied by Dennis brigade. The Twen 
 ty-third Wisconsin was engaged in making a battery in Haw- 
 kins front, and lost one man killed and four wounded. 
 
 On the right of Hawkins, at the edge of the bluff, a fine 
 battery was being constructed for five thirty-pounder Parrotts, 
 under the direction of Capt. Newton, assistant-engineer, to drive 
 off the gunboats. Large details from the Colored division were 
 constantly at work on it, yet many of the gabions and fascines 
 were being made by details from Yeatch s division. Working 
 parties on the battery were concealed from the gunboats by 
 the large forest-trees along the brow of the bluff. 
 
 1 A report, afterward captured, of Col. Laws, Second Alabama reserves, 
 showed that his loss was fifteen killed and twenty-two wounded. 
 
182 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The night attack had interfered with the labor on the bat 
 tery for the twelve-pounder Napoleons of the Fifteenth Massa 
 chusetts on the left centre of the Second division, and it was 
 not entirely finished at daylight of the 7th. Lieut. Bowse com 
 manding the battery, hoy/ever, had four guns in position and 
 at that time opened fire. The redoubt opposite him was only 
 five hundred yards distant and had two light steel rifled guns 
 and a twelve-pounder howitzer, while eleven hundred yards ob 
 liquely to his left was a thirty -pounder Parrott ; and there were 
 several other guns in his front. The confederates returned an 
 accurate and severe fire, filling up the embrasures and silencing 
 the Fifteenth in a short time. The gunners of the Fifteenth 
 Massachusetts clung to their work with gallantry. Corporals 
 Clark, Essex, and Gove, were mentioned for good behavior. 
 Private George K. Cooney jumped up into the embrasure to 
 clear out the obstructions and was seriously wounded. Two 
 others were wounded. None of the guns, however, were injured. 
 Work continued on the battery the ensuing night. 
 
 The three ten-pounders of the Second Connecticut continued 
 to do good service and remained uninjured. 
 
 In Moore s brigade of the Second division, tho third parallel 
 was widened to from six to eight feet, and from its left an 
 approach was being carried forward by the Thirty-seventh 
 Illinois, under the personal direction of its commanding officer, 
 Col. Black, and was then thirty yards to the front. 
 
 In Spiceley s brigade, the third parallel was opened one 
 hundred and fifty yards from the left, along a crest, connecting 
 with an approach which had been finished the preceding day. 
 This third line was only about five hundred yards from the con 
 federate works, and was subject to dangerous fire from sharp 
 shooters strongly posted on the brow of a ravine, off to the left. 
 Only one man worked in the trench at a time. Lieut.-Col. 
 Vifquain and Capt. Howard, of the Ninety-seventh Illinois, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 183 
 
 having been specially detailed, were superintending the con 
 struction of the rifle-pits and approaches in that brigade. 
 
 The loss in the division was five wounded. 
 
 Operations of the Cavalry. Gen. Steele having directed 
 Lieut.-Col. Spurling to break up a party of confederates who 
 were hovering in the rear, the latter started out in the morning 
 on that enterprise, with twenty picked men. They disguised 
 themselves in confederate uniform, and the neighboring citizens, 
 supposing them to be confederates, informed Spurling that 
 Capt. Dupree and Lieut. Fitzgerald, with twelve men, would be 
 at a certain house at one o clock, P. M., for the purpose of cap 
 turing some "Yankees" who were in the habit of visiting there. 
 Spurling then moved on, and met the party near the house in 
 question, attacked them, killed one and wounded one, and cap 
 tured the captain, lieutenant, and seven men. 
 
 In the garrison, three siege guns were put in position. The 
 Yll-inch guns were waiting for platforms. New skirmish-pits 
 were made at night. The commander reporte^l that he" had 
 not men enough to occupy the whole line, and asked that a 
 hundred negroes might be sent him for fatigue duty. * 
 
 The garrison was notified that at eight o clock on the follow 
 ing morning their artillery would open at all points against the 
 besiegers, and the skirmishers were enjoined to take all possible 
 advantage in their firing. 2 
 
 1 Lidell to Maury : April 7. Three siege guns are in position and will be 
 ready for use to-inorrow morning. The heavy guns will be delayed, for want 
 of platforms and all necessary appliances. Have not sufficient men to occupy 
 the whole line ; hence the labor of digging, and duty in skirmish pits, is very 
 hard upon the men. If you could spare me a hundred negroes for a few nights, 
 I could get all the approaches and traverses constructed promptly and save the 
 men. It is better to use them than to lose them. 
 
 2 Capt. Lewis (A. A. Gr.), to Gens. Gockrell and Tliomas : " April 7. Gen. 
 Lidell directs me to inform you, that at eight, A. M., to-morrow, our artillery 
 will open upon the enemy at all points along our lines ; and he directs that 
 
134 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Bat ween the skirmishers of Garrard s division, of the Six 
 teenth corps, and of Thomas Alabama reserves, a system of 
 intercourse had grown up, which the garrison commander justly 
 condsmned. The men on the skirmish line made truces of some 
 hours length, during which they would meet and converse in a 
 friendly manner, often discussing public questions relating to 
 the war. They would also exchange newspapers, and trade 
 coffee and sugar for tobacco. They agreed also that there 
 should be no firing while the skirmish-line was being relieved. 
 Then when they resumed their places, it would sometimes hap 
 pen that one or the other would call out to warn his adversary 
 that he was about to fire. The garrison commander learned 
 that the Sixteenth corps men were " very bold," and that they 
 exposed themselves " without being fired upon with sufficient 
 effect to make them timid." To abate the mischief, he directed 
 Gen. Thomas, commanding the reserves, to send a company to 
 report to Gen. Cockrell, to exchange for a company of his com 
 mand," and that the old soldiers of Cockrell s division should be 
 scattered in the skirmish pits with Thomas men. 1 
 
 April 8 Seventh Day of the Siege. At one o clock the 
 morning of the 8th, the garrison, with their usual enterprise 
 advanced a strong skirmish-line, covered by the fire of artillery, 
 against Veatch s front, and the right of the Second division, 
 
 you order your skirmishers to take all advantage possible of firing upon the 
 enemy s skirmishers and artillerists, when the salvo is made." 
 
 1 Capt. Butler (A. A. A. G.}, to Gen. Thomas : "April 7. Gen. Lidell directs 
 me to say, that he did not recollect the reported capture of the second pit. 
 He has been informed that the enemy in your front is very bold, and that his 
 r/ien expose themselves without being fired upon with sufficient effect to make 
 them timid. He wishes you to caution your skirmishers to use their utmost 
 vigilance in preventing the encroachments of the enemy, and directs that you 
 send one company to report to Gen. Cockrell, to exchange for a company of his 
 command, and he wishes you to scatter these old soldiers about in the skir 
 mish pits with your men along the front where tne enemy is now attacking." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 185 
 
 usin, in front of the latter a blue light for a signal. The move 
 ment was repulsed successfully ; but an alarm was caused all 
 along the line, and for an hour the firing was heavy, especially 
 in front of the Colored division. Gen. Osterhaus, chief of staff, 
 rode up from Spanish fcrt, to ascertain what 1 was going on ; and 
 Gen. Caiiby telegraphed to Steele for the same object. The 
 latter replied that nothing unusual was occurring. 
 
 In Veatch s front the Ninety-ninth Illinois had three men 
 wounded in the affair, and there were slight casualties on other 
 parts of the line. 
 
 On Garrard s left, where the One Hundred and Nineteenth 
 Illinois was on duty at the front, the first line of rifle-pits 
 beyond the stream having been made a few yards back from 
 the brow of the hill, a new line of pits was made some 
 sixty or seventy yards in advance. In the night the skir 
 mishers moved into the new trench to give it a trial, and 
 having fired a few shots to draw the fire of the confederates 
 and then giving them a volley aimed at the blaze of their 
 muskets, the One Hundred and Nineteenth men raised a yell 
 as if intending to charge. They heard the fire taken up all 
 along the line, the artillery firing on both sides, and also the 
 confederate gun-boats ; and they thought their volley and shouts 
 caused all the tumult. 
 
 At eight in the forenoon, the garrison opened with all their 
 artillery, and fired with uncommon vehemence for an hour. 
 The shells frequently struck the parapets of the besiegers rifle- 
 pits and exploded over them. There were many narrow escapes, 
 but few casualties. Their fire was replied to in Garrard s front 
 by the Seventeenth Ohio light battery ; and in Hawkins front 
 by two guns of the Second Massachusetts, under Lieut. Swan. 
 The battery for the Fifteenth Massachusetts was in such condi 
 tion that four of its guns could be served in it with safety, and 
 they renewed their fire with effect. The three guns of the Second 
 
186 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Connecticut were also engaged. In course of the day the one on 
 the left, and farthest to the front, was disabled by its own recoil. 
 
 When the engagement was hottest, Col. Matthews, of the 
 Ninety-ninth Illinois, in Yeatch s front, saw a confederate flag 
 inside the garrison in his immediate front, and he at once caused 
 his regimental colors to be planted on the parapet of the works 
 he occupied. This induced a livelier fire, and once his colors 
 were knocked down by a shot, which, at the same time, com 
 pletely covered three of his men with earth. 
 
 Many of the shots, aimed at the Fifteenth Massachusetts 
 battery, passed over and struck about the camp of Moore s 
 brigade, and would have done much injury if the men had not 
 been well protected by their earthworks. A shell passed close 
 to Lieut.-Col. Baldwin, of the Eighty-third Ohio, and tore down 
 a part of his quarters. 
 
 Work in advancing the trenches was steadily progressing on 
 all parts of the besiegers front. On the extreme left, Maj. 
 Chapman, of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois, was 
 in command of the skirmish-line, and caused new pits to be dug 
 farther to the left and to the front. At one point, his men occu 
 pied a position within fifteen yards of a rifle-pit of the con 
 federates. 
 
 During the day, orders were received by the Second division 
 to be in readiness to march with five days rations in the haver 
 sack and fifteen in wagons. This was most unwelcome to all of 
 the division, for work on trenches and approaches had been 
 going on with enthusiasm day and night, and it was felt that 
 whatever was in their front must soon yield. The prospect of 
 Losing the results of their toil might well have dampened their 
 ardor ; but it did not. The crack of the sharpshooter s rifle did 
 Qot abate, and the spade was none the less nimbly handled. 
 
 A similar order was sent to Carr s division, of the Sixteenth 
 corps, then on the eve of its victorious assault on Spanish fort. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 187 
 
 But the necessity for the movement did not occur, and neither 
 division marched. The order was occasioned by a false ala,rm 
 of confederate troops gathering in considerable force above 
 Stockton. 
 
 Combat with the Gunboats. At ten o clock, there was rain. At 
 twelve o clock, three thirty-pounder Parrotts, of Capt. Wim- 
 mer s battery (H, First Indiana heavy artillery), wore ii 
 position in the battery on Hawkins right ; and, at two o clock, 
 the trees having first been cut down to give a suitable range, 
 fire was opened on the gunboats, lying a mile distant, in the 
 Tensas. 
 
 These steamers consisted of the Morgan, built of wood and 
 carrying eight guns ; the Nashville, clad with six inches of iron 
 before, and with iron round the pilot-house, carrying five large 
 guns and a howitzer ; and the Huiitsville, a turtle-backed iron 
 clad, carrying four Ylll-inch guns. The heavy projectiles from 
 these boats had annoyed the besiegers every day, striking quite 
 close to the different headquarters ; but had inflicted the princi 
 pal injury on the colored troops, who now raised a glad shout 
 as they heard the first booming from the assailing battery. 
 
 Expectation was at a high pitch. Drew, Whittlesey, and 
 several other officers, were present to watch the effect of the 
 firing, for the guns and gunners were in good repute. The 
 thirty-pounders of the First Indiana were loaded with percus 
 sion shells, and the first shot struck the Morgan in her middle, 
 That blow was the first warning the gunboats had of the exist 
 ence of the battery ; and it was a few minutes before a reply 
 was made. In the meantime, Capt. Winuner maintained an 
 accurate and splendid fire. Then the Morgan and Nashville 
 opened on the battery and fired with accuracy, exploding their 
 shells against its ample and well-beaten parapets. Yet so 
 elaborately and thoroughly had the work been made that it 
 seemed impervious. The only casualties were two men wound- 
 
188 CAMPAIGN OP MOBILE. 
 
 ed by earth thrown by a shell. The firing became intense and 
 the effect was grand. It was not long till the Morgan and 
 Nashville in a disabled condition steamed off out of range. 
 Then Wimmer turned his guns with solid shot on the Hunts- 
 ville, and as soon as it was dark she also made her escape. 
 
 The Garrison. A detail of colored men was sent to cut the 
 timber on the right of the Ninth redoubt, and a strong picket 
 force kept in their front. The confederate artillery endeavored, 
 but without success, to silence the Seventeenth Ohio battery. 1 
 The commander of the garrison reported that his batteries were 
 briskly replied to at eight, A. M., from several points. At nine, 
 p. M., fireballs were thrown from redoubts 1 and 4 to assist 
 their pickets. 2 Toward night the troops on both sides re 
 marked the awful cannonading at Spanish fort, and at ten the 
 besiegers heard of the assault there and that a lodgment had 
 been effected. 
 
 1 Lidett to Maury: " April 8, 8:45, A. M. Enemy kept up a brisk fire about 
 half-past two, A. M., from their lines in front of 5, 6, 7, for about one and a half 
 hours. At eight, A. M., our batteries commenced opening upon them, which, 
 up to this, have been briskly replied to from several points, and one imme 
 diately in front of No. 7, throwing shells into Blakely and at the Brickyard 
 i landing. We are not yet able to silence this battery." 
 
 2 Capt. Lewis to Gens. Cockrell and Thomas : " April 8. Gen. Lidell di 
 rects me to inform you that, at nine, p. M., fireballs will be thrown from re 
 doubts 1 and 4, and desires you to have your pickets relieved before that 
 time, and let them be informed of the above, so that they will be able to take 
 every possible advantage of the enemy, and increase the effectiveness of their 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 SIEGE OF BLAKELY EIGHTH AND LAST DAY OF THE SIEGE. 
 
 THE morning of Sunday, the 9th of April, was calm, for the 
 skirmish line was unusually quiet. At nine o clock there was a 
 shower of rain. Afterward the sun came out bright and warm, 
 but toward evening dark clouds rolled up from the west. 
 
 The fall of Spanish fort enabled Gen. Canby to send more ar 
 tillery to Blakely, and, in course of the day, six or eight more 
 guns opened on the side of the besiegers, but were faintly 
 answered. 
 
 The Fourth Massachusetts light battery, Capt. Trull com 
 manding, arrived from Spanish fort, and opened with two guns 
 from a battery in Sconeld s brigade front, of Hawkins divis 
 ion ; and on the extreme right, two of the thirty-pounders of 
 the First Indiana were turned on tha garrison and fired over 
 thick timber. These, with the two light guns of the Second 
 Massachusetts, in Pile s brigade front, made six guns engaged 
 in Hawkins front the last day of the siege, and they did good 
 execution. Some of the men in Scofield s brigade were injured 
 by shells from a mortar in the garrison. When the thirty- 
 pounder shells from the First Indiana guns were screeching over 
 the heads of the colored troops, they cried, " Another through 
 train to Mobile." 
 
 In the Second division front two ten-pounders of the Second 
 Connecticut, and four twelve-pounders of the Fifteenth Massa 
 chusetts, fired at intervals through the day and with much 
 
190 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 spirit, the latter sending some of their shots against the gar 
 rison s left. 
 
 In Veatch s front two twelve-pounders of the Seventh Massa 
 chusetts, Capt. Storer, were in position and engaged, in an 
 unfinished battery. 
 
 But the largest proportion of the artillery the last day was in 
 Garrard s front. Capt. Mack left Spanish fort at four, A. M., 
 with his eighteen-pounders, and at nine, A. M., reported to Gen. 
 Steele. The battery went into carnp for a while, and at five, 
 p. M., took position nine hundred yards from the garrison works, 
 behind a trench on Gen. Garrard s right. On his left, and 
 considerably to the rear, were four thirty-pounder Parrotts, of 
 Cox s and Hendrick s batteries, of the First Indiana, which had 
 come up from Spanish fort. Along his second line of intrench- 
 ments near his right were four ten-pounder Parrotts, of Capt. 
 Lowell s Second Illinois, and three of Capt. Rice s Seventeenth 
 Ohio Napoleons. Late in the afternoon, four ten-pounder* Par 
 rotts, of Ginn s Third Indiana, took position farther to the left 
 on open ground masked by timber. 
 
 The besiegers now had three lines of intrenchments or con 
 tinuous rifle-pits with approaches, the Third being within about 
 six hundred yards of the garrison s main works, and some 
 portions of the line were nearer. The skirmishers on Garrard s 
 left were within three hundred yards of it, the ground there 
 affording cover up to about that distance. On the right of 
 Moore s brigade, of the Second division, an approach had been 
 opened a hundred yards out from the advance parallel and 
 within four hundred yards of the main works of the garrison, 
 and skirmishers were posted within one hundred and forty yards 
 of the principal line of confederate rifle-pits. On Spiceley s 
 left, of the same division, the parallel was within about live 
 hundred yards of the garrison s main works, but withdrew as it 
 extended to the right, so that from the point where it crossed 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 191 
 
 the Stockton road the advance trench was five hundred and 
 eighty yards from the main works in front ; but there were 
 detached pits forty yards farther in advance. There was a safe 
 approach to the left part of that trench ; and the soldiers witli 
 characteristic humor had put up in it a sort of guide-board 
 with the inscription " Jl^ To Blakely." Another approach 
 was being started thence to the front. An approach was also 
 commenced to it from the right wing of the Twenty-fourth 
 Indiana. In digging that advance trench two torpedoes had 
 bsen excavated ; and others in Spiceley s front had been ex 
 ploded by stray musket-balls. 
 
 In Hawkins division Pile s skirmish-line had been advanced, 
 during the night of the 8th, one hundred and forty yards, and 
 rifle-pits dug in the new position. On the right of Scoiield s 
 brigade an approach was extended within two hundred and forty 
 yards of the principal line of confederate rifle-pits. 
 
 Each division commander had daily reported to Steele the 
 progress of the works, and the casualties. 
 
 Up to this time the casualties had been : in the Colored divis 
 ion, sixteen killed, and one hundred and seventy-six wounded ; 
 in each of the other divisions the loss had been about four or 
 five killed, and from twenty to thirty wounded. 
 
 In the forenoon 3 some boats had been seen from the tree- 
 observatory in rear of the besiegers, to put out from Blakely 
 loaded with troops. A report soon afterward flew through the 
 trenches that the garrison was evacuating ; and this seemed to 
 be confirmed by the unusual silence of both their artillery and 
 sharpshooters. There was, therefore, a general desire all along 
 the line to take the first opportunity to move forward to " feel 
 f:he enemy." 
 
 Garrard received instructions, in the forenoon, from his corps 
 commander, to assault the works in his front in the afternoon ; 
 and was informed that the other two divisions of the corps 
 
L92 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 would be up to reinforce him, and that he should have all the 
 artillery he wanted. 
 
 Then, about three in the afternoon, Garrard had a consulta 
 tion with his brigade commanders, at his own headquarters, 
 Gen. Veatch also being present, and fixed upon half-past five 
 o clock, P. M., for an assault to be made in his front. 
 
 Notice of the intended assault was immediately sent to the 
 troops of that division by the respective brigade commanders. 
 
 About three o clock, Lieut. Pettibone, aide-de-camp, was sent 
 from the headquarters of the Second division to obtain permis 
 sion from Gen. Steele for that division to move on the garrison 
 works, " as far as it could go." 
 
 . Gen. Steele was, at the same time, actively engaged making 
 arrangements for an advance, and was found in the saddle by 
 the aide-de-camp, who returned, saying Gen. Steele desired the 
 movement to be made, and fixed the time for it at half-past five, 
 p. M. Then, not knowing that the movement was to be general, 
 the same staff officer was sent to give notice to Gen. Hawkins 
 of the proposed advance, that there might be concert of action. 
 He returned with the information that Canby and Steele were 
 both at Hawkins headquarters, and that a general advance 
 would be made at half-past five, P. M. 
 
 Gen. Yeatch received official notice at five, P. M., through 
 Capt. Lacy, of Gen. Steele s staff, that a general advance would 
 be made at half -past five, P. M. ; and he was directed to " enter 
 the enemy s works, if possible." 
 
 The Garrison. All this while the besiegers were much de 
 ceived, in supposing that any part of the garrison had evacu 
 ated. The troops who had been seen to leave on steamers 
 were a portion of the jaded force that, through mud and water, 
 had made their way from Spanish fort ; and not all of them 
 had left Blakely. 
 
 Meantime, the garrison commander was informed, by signal 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 193 
 
 telegraph from Battery Tracy, that the federal forces were 
 moving from Spanish fort up to Blakely. As soon as he heard 
 this he apprehended that the besiegers, with such reinforce 
 ments, would be pretty certain to assault ; and he sent out the 
 intelligence to the division and separate artillery commanders, 
 with instructions for them to hold their commands "in readi 
 ness for an assault at any moment." 1 A copy of the order was 
 captured, containing the endorsements of some officers, expres 
 sive of their ardent determination to hold their position at all 
 hazards which, undoubtedly, was the universal sentiment of 
 the garrison. 
 
 They had suffered a severe artillery fire during the forenoon, 
 having two guns dismounted, but their artillery were saving 
 their ammunition to repel an assault, and abstained from 
 replying. 2 
 
 Preliminary Advance by the Colored Troops. Previous to the 
 general assault which took place at about six o clock, there 
 was an advance and spirited combat in front of the Colored 
 division. 
 
 1 CapL Lewis to Gen. Cockreli and others : "April 9. Gen. Lidell directs me 
 to inform you, that Col. Patton signals the following from Battery Tracy : 
 Wagon trains and heavy columns of infantry have been crossing Bay Minette 
 bridge all the morning. 
 
 " In view of the above, Gen. Lidell directs that you hold your command in 
 readiness for an assault at any moment." 
 
 3 Lidell to Maury : "April 9 We have had the constant fire of five 
 
 batteries on us this morning, dismounting two guns, field pieces, including the 
 only Blakely gun. Col. Patton has signalled Capt. Grayson (3:20 P. M.), that 
 artillery accompanies the infantry. There is nearly one quarter of a mile, from 
 the right of Gen. Thomas, through the swamp, and to the river, that is unoccu 
 pied by any troops ; and the track of the garrison from Spanish fort discloses 
 to an enemy the means of approach to this place, on that side. I shall move 
 my quarters to that locality, and make every disposition available. I am hav 
 ing the new place of landing prepared for the use of boats, small craft, and, 
 possibly, steamboats." 
 
 13 
 
194 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 In Gen. Pile s brigade, which was the left one of the Colored 
 division, the Seventy-third regiment, Lieut.-Col. Merriam, and 
 the Eighty-sixth, Major Mudget, were in the advance trench. 
 A little after noon, Gen. Pile received word from each of those 
 officers, that the confederate sharpshooters in their front had 
 suddenly become quiet, and they asked permission to " feel the 
 enemy." Pile then ordered one commissioned officer, and 
 thirty select men from each regiment to be in readiness to 
 advance. He also caused the two guns of the Fourth Massa 
 chusetts light artillery to fire a few shots, to see what reply 
 would be elicit. No reply was made. He, then, at about 
 three o clock, was starting to the front to advance, when Maj.- 
 Gen. Osterhaus, chief of staff, rode up, dismounted, and went for 
 ward with him. After examining the ground, Gen. Osterhaus, 
 directed that half the men selected for the movement should get 
 into a ravine immediately in front of the right regiment, then 
 move up to a crest held by the skirmish-line. At a given signal 
 they, with the remainder of the party who were to spring out of 
 the rifle-pits on the left, were to charge and, if possible, capture 
 the confederate rifle-pits. This was undertaken in a resolute 
 manner, Capt. Jenkins of the Eighty-sixth, and Capt. Brown, of 
 the Seventy-third, assisted by the skirmish-line under Capt. 
 Greenwood of the Eighty-sixth, leading the movement. A gall 
 ing fire was immediately opened on them, both from the sharp 
 shooters and artillery. They then grew more cautious and 
 sought as they advanced what protection there was from stumps 
 and logs.^ These, however, afforded but little cover; and to 
 advance at all they had to jump over fallen trees and logs, 
 and were consequently much exposed. Ths ground was exceed 
 ingly rough, and they had three hundred yards to go. The 
 garrison sharpshooters had a strong liae of abatis in their front, 
 and felt cool and confident. They took advantage of the ex 
 posure of the assaulting party and shot down many. Capt. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 195 
 
 Brown of the Seventy- third was mortally wounded. Still, offi 
 cers and men kept moving forward with self possession and 
 courage, and though fighting at disadvantage, returned the 
 fire with spirit. Gen. Osterhaus declared that they fought as 
 well as the best of troops. 
 
 Perceiving, by the steady advance of the party, that they 
 meditated a serious attack, the garrison sent out reinforcements 
 to their skirmish-line, and the contest grew more obstinate. 
 Here and there a man of the colored troops would fall back a 
 few yards for better shelter, for the artillery was playing on 
 them with searching fire, but the general line held its ground 
 and advanced rather than fell back. Pile reinforced them with 
 five companies, with instructions to hold the ground gained and 
 intrench immediately in rear of the enemy s abatis." In about 
 an hour they had advanced three hundred yards, got possession 
 of the garrison s advanced rifle-pits, and inflicted some loss on 
 the occupants of the latter as they fell back to their breast 
 works. 
 
 The skirmish-line in front of Scofi eld s brigade and Drew s 
 brigade was advanced at about four o clock, and the confederate 
 pits were also captured in their fronts, yet not without loss. In 
 Drew s brigade, on the extreme right, the Sixty-eighth regiment, 
 with Lieut.-Col. Densmore in command, and the Seventy-sixth, 
 Major Nye, were at the front. The skirmish-line being doubled 
 for the advance, there were four companies from each of the two 
 regiments engaged. The movement was conducted by Col. J. 
 B. Jones, of the Sixty-eighth by a left wheel. The men first 
 took off their coats so as to move more readily through the 
 brush, and charged in their shirt-sleeves. They had three hun 
 dred yards to pass over. The skirmishers who had been on 
 duty and were in the front first rushed out of their pits and were 
 followed closely by the second line, all moving on the double- 
 quick and making a deafening clamor by their cheers. By the 
 
196 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 time they had gained a hundred yards the confederate skirmish 
 ers began to retreat from their advance pits. The assaulting 
 party mat an effective artillery and musketry fire from the garri 
 son and lost several of their number, yet they pushed on in 
 a dauntless manner to the confederate pits, and then in obedi 
 ence to Col. Jones orders, laid down behind the abatis. In the 
 charge, Col. Jones was shot through his hand with a musket 
 ball, but continued at his work. 
 
 At this time Col. Drew s reserve regiment, the Forty-eighth, 
 Col. F. M. Crandall commanding, was in camp nearly a mile 
 in the rear ; yet Drew, being confident that the force -there 
 present could carry the main works in his front, or else, im 
 pelled by the enthusiasm of the moment, ordered the balance 
 of the Sixty-eighth, and Seventy-sixth to charge, giving the 
 order " Forward on the enemy s works," at the same time wa 
 ving his hat. This was only a few minutes after Jones move 
 ment was completed. He passed along the trench, loudly 
 giving the command, for there was now a great din, and com 
 pany officers and men, as fast as they heard it direct from 
 him for the best disciplined could hardly be expected to be 
 formal when they heard an order to charge broke off on the 
 double-quick with shouts, and charged with the greatest enthu 
 siasm. Not starting in line, both regiments soon got mingled 
 together, and they encountered a galling fire from every gun 
 that could be brought to bear on them. Yet the officsrs were 
 using their best endeavors to keep the men in line. The fatal 
 track of the cannon-ball, of grape, canister, and shells, AY as 
 soon apparent. Lieut. Manhardt, of the Sixty-eighth, was 
 instantly killed by a grape-shot, while endeavoring to execute an 
 order to close the men to the right. Capt. George Giger, of the 
 Sixty-eighth, was mortally wounded while rallying the men to 
 close up to the left. Many of the men had fallen. Col. Jones, 
 in passing along, felt Something pulling at his trowsers, and, 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 197 
 
 looking down, a man, who was mortally wounded in the first 
 charge, besought him to take his cartridges to the boys." 
 Jones himself soon after fell, stunned by the explosion of a 
 shell. 
 
 Col. Drew, and the two regiments with him, had moved along 
 the ground on a level with the garrison s left redoubt, and had 
 to face a deadly fire. At length he ordered that they should 
 pass to the right and advance on the bluff side, where they 
 would have some cover ; and in a few minutes all, except a few 
 who continued on the high ground, were skirting the brow of 
 the bluff, intending to reach the left of the confederate works 
 and go in if possible. The bluff side was steep and thickly 
 covered with slashings. The ground also was springy and soft, 
 and it was extremely difficult for the troops to get along. While 
 a squad of men paused to fire over the brow of the bluff, others 
 hurried along to take an advanced position, and then the former 
 squad again would drop down, work their way along and take a 
 position farther to the front. A storm of missiles was still 
 sweeping over them, and they were losing some of their number 
 from exhaustion as well as wounds. Finally, the last depression 
 affording any protection was reached. From there to the main 
 parapet was smooth ground of less than a hundred steps. Then 
 they halted to take breath and wait the arrival of those who had 
 fallen behind, preparatory to their last effort. A few of the men 
 pushed on some yards below the hill, but were soon either killed 
 or driven back. 
 
 It soon seemed clear to them that they were too few for the 
 work in hand. Their numbers were counted over and found 
 to be nineteen officers and sixty-five men ! Officers in too great 
 proportion. What was to be done ? There is reinforcement in 
 a cheer. They cheered, fired volleys, and cheered again as if 
 about to charge. They wondered why the reserve did not show 
 itself, and why more of their own comrades were not up. Many 
 
198 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 of the latter, poor fellows, would never again bo up. Then they 
 listened but in vain to hear any shots on their own side. They 
 could see the garrison works tseming with men, and felt that 
 they were in imminent danger of a sally. To go forward was 
 folly, to go back was less to their notion. 
 
 Col. Drsw then went back, to hasten up the reserve, and 
 the senior officer left with the party was Lieut.-Col. Densinore, 
 of the Sixty-eighth. They kept firing volleys at the parapet 
 and cheering. 
 
 The garrison, suspecting the charging party were in trouble, 
 attempted a sally, yet with diffidence. Capts. Holcomb, Nor 
 wood, Lieut. Kogers, and some other officers, with a few men 
 who kept on the high ground, had got some cover near the main 
 works, but they and the party over the bluff were ignorant of 
 each other s whereabouts. When the former saw the sally party 
 starting, they fired on it with all their might, and Densmore s 
 men, hearing some of the shots go over, also put in a volley, 
 with one of their cheers. This happy concurrence repulsed 
 the sally. But Densmore s men did not know the result, and 
 continued to apprehend an attack ; and, while awaiting with 
 absorbing anxiety the arrival of the reserve, they continued 
 their volleys and cheers. 
 
 Then three ominous-appearing vessels steamed out in sight, 
 and tlie men, as if willing to catch at straws, exclaimed, " They 
 are Union gunboats that have arrived just in season to help us !" 
 and then they had a cheer for the " Union gunboats." Dens- 
 more said nothing to them of the confederate flag he saw at the 
 mast-head. Shortly, the garrison ran a howitzer outside of 
 their works, and threw canister into the logs and brush, which 
 compelled the colored troops to hug closer to the ground. 
 
 After waiting some time, Lieat.-Col. Densinore had sent back 
 a captain for the reserve. Afterward he sent a lieutenant, 
 charging him to let nothing but death prevent his bringing 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 199 
 
 back men or orders. He began to think he would need to 
 send a third messenger, when an officer showed himself suffi 
 ciently to get his attention. But the din of canister, bullets, 
 and hand-grenades, prevented a word being heard. Then the 
 officer took off his hat and beckoned the party back. 
 
 Too indignant and sullen to hurry, they retreated in order 
 bringing back their dead as far as possible, and taking all their 
 wounded. They returned as they went, a part halting to fire 
 while the rest retreated to the next cover. When they had got 
 far enough away to render it safe for the gunboats to fire with 
 out endangering the garrison, those boats opened a raking fire 
 along the side of the bluff. 
 
 The party got back to their trenches in time to see the re 
 serve arrive from the rear. But the little detachment with Nor 
 wood and Holcomb still remained in their position, nearly 
 up to the garrison works. 
 
 As the movement commenced, this party had hastened for 
 ward through impediments of fallen tree-tops, in face of a 
 sharp fire, and when within a hundred yards of the fort, a 
 shower of musket-balls, thrown from cannon, beat around them. 
 Out of eleven officers of the party, seven were there killed or 
 wounded. They became apprehensive of a counter-charge, and 
 of being flanked. If captured, they also apprehended that 
 their rights as prisoners would not be respected. After a short 
 consultation, they rightly concluded the best thing to be done 
 was to fight it out. Then the men fixed bayonets, and some 
 were heard, with clenched teeth, to say they would die sooner 
 than surrender or retreat. With fixed bayonets this gallant 
 party charged down the line parallel with the fort, and, after 
 a short but desperate resistance, drove the garrison sharp 
 shooters from the interior line of abatis into their main works, 
 and gained a position whence they could silence the more de 
 structive guns. Here they remained till the final assault. 
 
200 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 THE ASSAULT. 
 
 The skirmish-line of Gen. Pile s brigade had been intrenching 
 in their new position, under heavy fire, about forty minutes, 
 when the cheering of the white troops was heard 011 their left. 
 An officer then ran in that direction till he could see what was 
 taking place, and quickly returning, signalled to Gen. Pile that 
 the Second division were charging on the main works in their 
 front. 1 
 
 Then Pile ordered forward his brigade, and the assault be 
 came general in Hawkins entire front. The brigades of Pile, 
 Scofield, and Drew, charged almost simultaneously, and carried 
 the works in their respective fronts. Greater gallantry than 
 was shown by officers and men could hardly be desired. The 
 latter were burning with an impulse to do honor to their race, 
 and rushed forward with intense enthusiasm, in face of a ter 
 rible fire. As they got close to the works some of the con 
 federates, dreading to fall into their hands, ran off to surrender 
 to the white troops. In Drew s front, several of the confed 
 erates, with muskets, remained outside of the works, refused to 
 surrender, and maintained a cool and desperate struggle till 
 they fell. In Scofield s line, the explosion of a single torpedo 
 killed and wounded thirteen of the Fifty -first regiment. As his 
 men were advancing, they heard a confederate officer behind the 
 works exclaim, " Lay low and mow the ground the d d 
 
 1 " This movement on my part was followed up by the Second brigade on 
 my right, and the work of intrenching had been progressing, under heavy fire, 
 forty minutes, when cheering on rny left notified me that Gen. Andrews 
 division was moving forward. Still ignorant whether this was an assault on 
 the enemy s main works, or merely a following up of the movement already 
 made by me, I sent a staif officer to my left to report if their advance continued 
 beyond the first line of abatis, and parallel with my advance, who immediately 
 signaller] that Gen. Andrews division was already advancing to assault the 
 main works." Gen. Pile s Official Report. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 201 
 
 niggers are coming !" which became a byword in camp. The 
 colored troops captured nine guns, twenty-two commissioned 
 officers, and two hundred and one enlisted men. The Seventy- 
 third colored regiment New Orleans troops was the first of 
 Pile s brigade to plant its colors on the parapet ; and Sergt. 
 Edward Simon, of Company 1 of that regiment, was mentioned 
 for his signal bravery. 
 
 The prisoners were generally treated with kindness. A col 
 ored soldier of the Fiftieth regiment found his former young 
 master among the prisoners. They appeared happy to meet, 
 and drank from the same canteen. Some of the Louisiana , 
 men, however, made an attack on the prisoners and were with 
 difficulty restrained from injuring them. The latter almost 
 invited attack by manifesting an unreasonable dread of the 
 colored soldiers ; huddling together in heaps, and acting as if 
 their captors were wild beasts. Capt. Norwood and Lieut. 
 Gleason of the Sixty-eighth were wounded, the latter mortally, 
 in their efforts to save the prisoners. 
 
 Afterward the prisoners were taken to the camp of the Col 
 ored division, and some of them endeavored to lead the way so 
 as to avoid torpedoes ; yet one of the guards had his leg blown 
 off by the explosion of a torpedo near Scofield s trenches, but 
 nothing like retaliation was manifested. 
 
 Hawkins loss in the assault was thirty-two killed and one 
 hundred and forty-seven wounded. Of these a pretty large pro 
 portion were officers. Several of the latter have been named. 
 Among those who fell in the assault were Maj. Mudget of the 
 Eighty-second, and Capt. S. E. Wilson of the Sevent} 7 - sixth,, 
 acting assistant adjutant-general on Col. Drew s staff. The 
 total loss in killed and wounded in that division before Blakely 
 was three hundred and seventy-one namely : killed, five com 
 missioned officers and forty-three men ; wounded, twenty-two 
 commissioned officers and three hundred and one men. The 
 
202 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 confederate loss in their front in killed and wounded was about 
 a third as large. 
 
 Second Division. Cols. Spiceley and Moore, brigade com 
 manders, were at division headquarters about four o clock, 
 when the order of assault, or advance for it was not then 
 thought there would be much resistance was agree 1 upon. 
 It was arranged that a regiment, deployed as skirmishers, 
 should advance in front of each brigade ; and after it had 
 gained the distance of one hundred and fifty yards, that the 
 remainder of the brigades should follow., deployed in line of 
 battle. The movement was to commence with the Second 
 brigade, and the cheer of the skirmish-line, as it started, was 
 to be the signal for the skirmish-line to start in front of the 
 Third brigade. The commander of the latter brigade, Col. 
 Moore, selected the Eighty-third Ohio as the skirmish regi 
 ment in his front, and the Ninety-seventh Illinois, at the re 
 quest of its commanding officer, was designated for the skir 
 mishers of the Second brigade. 
 
 Both brigades were in the two front trenches at about half- 
 past five ; and the first notice most of the men had of the 
 assault was the order to fall in. Of the men in camp that 
 Sunday afternoon, some had been writing home that they were 
 soon to march for they were under marching orders. Others 
 were washing their clothes ; and so from the humblest duties, 
 they hastened to take part in the grandest. 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Yifquain had the Ninety-seventh deployed, and 
 had passed along the trench once or twice to see that every 
 thing was in readiness, when an explosion of a torpedo occurred 
 on the rear edge of the trench, tearing off the leg of Capt. 
 Wisner, of the Ninety-seventh Illinois, who was endeavoring to 
 pass to his company, and injuring, to all appearances, fatally, 
 one or two men. It was no happy augury ; and as the wounded 
 were borne along the trench and approach to the rear, the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 203 
 
 spirits of the beholders seemed depressed. Such is the terror 
 of concealed dangers. 
 
 This occurrence caused a few moments delay, and it was 
 quarter to six when the movement commenced. Precisely at 
 that time, Lieut.-Col. Vifquain, in a clear, inspiring tone, and 
 with his sword drawn, and elevated, gave the command, " For 
 ward, Ninety-seventh !" Then he and his gallant regiment 
 sprang upon the parapet, and with loud cheers, which wero 
 taken up by all the troops left behind, they dashed forward 
 on the run. Instantly tfyey were greeted with a shower of 
 bullets, and before they had got twenty yards a few men fell. 
 In less than half a minute the Eighty-third Ohio, led by Lieut.- 
 Col. Baldwin, swept over the parapet in their front, and, with 
 thrilling shouts, moved, on the run, for the redoubt in their 
 front. Three or four pieces of artillery, from the garrison, 
 quickly opened on these regiments, firing with great rapidity, 
 and they also encountered a bitter musketry fire. The confed 
 erate sharpshooters at first were disposed to hold their position ; 
 and the men of the Ninety-seventh commenced firing when they 
 had got eighty yards. The skirmish grew more and more bitter, 
 the Ninety-seventh every minute gaining ground and the confed 
 erates giving way. While the skirmish was occurring, Lieut.-CoL 
 Vifquain ran back with a prisoner to the trench from which he 
 had started, then hastened to his regiment and resumed the 
 charge, following the course of the Stockton road. The prisoner 
 stated that the whole garrison still remained at Blakely. Every 
 one could, by that time, see that such was the* fact, for the con 
 federates were getting out of their rifle-pits and falling back to 
 their main works in literal swarms. Over a hundred of these 
 were seen, in a straggling crowd, to ascend the hill on which 
 was Redoubt No. 4, just south of the Stockton road. At the 
 same time the breastworks appeared numerously mai died It 
 was apparent there was to be a much severer struggle tlia-L bad 
 been expected. 
 
204 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The Ninety-seventh Illinois had got but a short distance when 
 the Seventy-sixth Illinois, Col. S. T. Busey, sprang forward. 
 About the same time, the Sixty-ninth Indiana, Lieut.-Col. O. 
 Perry, also rushed forward ; and, afterward, the Twenty-fourth 
 Indiana, Lieut.-Col. Sears, charged from the right. These 
 regiments advanced on the run with great enthusiasm and 
 gallantry. The Sixty-ninth Indiana took the Stockton road, 
 and entered the confederate works a little south of that road. 
 Lieut.-Col. Perry was severely wounded before he had got two 
 hundred yards. The Seventy-sixth Illinois charged directly on 
 the redoubt in their front, the one north of the Stockton road, 
 and preserved its allignment weU till it got to the second line of 
 abatis. One man of that regiment was killed at the first line 
 of abatis and rifle-pits ; then, at the second line, the battle 
 became fierce and bloody. The confederates maintained a bold 
 front from behind their breastworks, and when the Seventy-sixth 
 was within fifty yards of the redoubt, they suffered severely from 
 the confederate musketry and artillery. While a part of the 
 regiment maintained a spirited fire, the rest crossed the abatis. 
 Lieut. Wm. F. Kenaga was shot through a leg at the second 
 abatis, and nearer the works was hit in the ankle-joint of his 
 other leg ; then, unable to walk, he kept upright on his knees 
 and rallied and cheered the men. The color-sergeant, Hussey, 
 was killed within twenty feet of the works ; then the colors were 
 taken by the noble and brave Corporal Goldwood, who, as he 
 was planting them on the parapet, received the contents of three 
 muskets so close that the discharge burnt his clothes, and he fell 
 dead inside the works with the colors in his arms. 
 
 The Seventy-sixth and the confederates were now fighting 
 across the works, and those of the regiment in the rear were 
 coming up as fast as they could pass the obstructions. Col. 
 Busey ran along close to the parapet, and, with his revolver, 
 disabled the gunner of a "howitzer about to be fired, and which 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 205 
 
 afterward proved to have a double charge of grape and can 
 ister ; then turning to the right, he exchanged shots with two 
 at short range. Afterward, he ordered Lieut.-Col. Jones, with 
 Capts. Hughes and Ingerson, and Lieut. Warner, with from 
 twenty to fifty men, to charge the right flank of the redoubt, 
 while he, with another squad, charged the front. They charged 
 with bayonets, and drove the confederates from the works. 
 
 Fifty yards in rear of the redoubt the ground began to slope 
 considerably. It had been cleared of thick underbrush, and the 
 latter had been piled in a row along the crest. Behind that 
 cover the confederates formed again, and gave another volley, 
 wounding, among others, Col. Busey and Capt. Hughes. Then 
 the Seventh-sixth charged them again, and they threw down 
 their arms, and ran into the woods and toward the landing. 
 Col. Busey sent detachments in pursuit of them. Upward of 
 four hundred prisoners fell into the possession of the Seventy- 
 sixth. It had five men killed inside the works. " Its whole num 
 ber of killed was sixteen, of whom, besides those already men 
 tioned, were Sergeant Perkins and Corporals Hopkins and 
 Tremain. There were eighty wounded, some mortally ; so that 
 its entire casualties were about one hundred. Among the 
 wounded were Lieuts. Martin and Warner. The Seventy-sixth 
 Illinois entered the works over the south salient of the redoubt, 
 and over the breastworks extending south. Its national colors 
 were planted on the breastwork. It was claimed by his com 
 rades that Private Eldrick Bromillet, of Company D, was the 
 first one of the regiment over the works. He was killed fifty 
 yards inside the works by a confederate captain, and the latter 
 was killed by Bromillet s comrade. That regiment used the 
 bayonet in the charge, and displayed throughout the highest 
 degree of valor. No regiment on the field that day suffered so 
 heavily, none exhibited more intrepid bravery. And higher 
 praise than that cannot be awarded troops. 
 
206 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 The Twenty-fourth Indiana entered the works on the right 
 of the Seventy-sixth Illinois, soon after the latter had pos 
 session. The right of the Twenty-fourth had to pass one or 
 two deep ravines, in which was wet ground covered with fallen 
 trees, and, when part way to the confederate works, the regi 
 ment was halted, and ordered to lie down. But such was the 
 ardor of the men, that their commander found it difficult to 
 restrain them, and bade them go on. Such was their ardor 
 they did not stop to capture the confederate skirmishers, nor 
 even to disarm ah 1 they met. One of the latter raised his hands, 
 to indicate his submission, and after the Twenty-fourth men 
 had passed him turned and fired on them, grazing the ear of 
 a man named Messer. The latter then turned upon him, and 
 shot him dead. A man named Walker, in Company C, had 
 told his comrades where he would fall, and after they had 
 passed the spot they looked back, and saw that he was indeed 
 lying there. A shell burst right over the Twenty-fourth, 
 enveloping the men in a cloud of smoke, yet doing no more 
 serious injury than tearing to pieces the hat of one man, the 
 cartridge-box of another, and the stock of another s musket. 
 However, the confederates thought it had done more mischief, 
 and raised a cheer. The loss of the Twenty-fourth was about 
 twelve, killed and wounded. Not far from the works, fell the 
 lamented Capt. George E. Merchant, commanding Company D. 
 He lived only till the next day. He was an excellent officer, 
 and dearly beloved by his company and comrades. 
 
 The Ninety-seventh Illinois had pushed forward over the 
 obstructions, against a dreadful fire, and, having started de 
 ployed as skirmishers, the men got much scattered ; but they 
 well knew how to take care of themselves, and officers and men 
 performed their duty with unflinching valor. The colors of the 
 regiment were planted on the works between the Stockton road 
 and the redoubt south of it, almost simultaneously with the 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 207 
 
 Eighty -third Ohio. They were carried by Sergeant Edwin 
 D. Lowe, and in the charge they were struck and torn by the 
 fire of the artillery, but, unharmed himself, he kept them con 
 spicuously in the advance, and, undismayed by the thick 
 clangers around him, planted them firmly on the works, then 
 fell with a mortal wound. But the hand that struck him down 
 was soon itself laid cold, by an unerring shot from one of the 
 color-guard. The Ninety-seventh Illinois lost nine killed and 
 fifty-three wounded. Among the latter were five officers. 
 Capt. Howard and Lieut. Orern were both struck down when 
 near the main works. The loss in the Sixty-ninth Indiana 
 battalion was ten, wounded. Col. Spiceley and staff entered 
 the works about with the Twenty-fourth. 
 
 The right of the Eighty-third Ohio had three ravines to pass, 
 and the ravine nearest the garrison works was deep and long 
 enough to include nearly the whole of the regiment. When 
 it had advanced about two hundred yards, it had come to the 
 principal line of confederate rifle-pits, still to some extent oc 
 cupied. The Eighty-third there paused a few moments for 
 the right to get up out of the ravine ; the confederate sharp 
 shooters guns were taken from those who surrendered, and 
 broken. Then the colors of ths Eighty-third moved on the 
 line still advancing as fast as the nature of the ground and the 
 obstacles of brush and logs would admit. It soon began to 
 descend the ravine two hundred yards from the main works, 
 and for two or three long minutes was lost sight of. It was 
 passing the ravine through which ran a rivulet, and in the bot 
 tom of which was a jungle of slashings almost defying the pas 
 sage of persons even at a time of leisure and unencumbered 
 with weapons. Then it began to ascend the high ground in 
 front of the redoubt where were some detached rifle-pits. A 
 few steps farther and it was up to another line of abatis, breast- 
 high, apparently impassable, and fifty yards from the works. 
 
208 CAMPAIGN OP MOBILE. 
 
 Before this the foremost of the Eighty-third stooped down to 
 avoid the destructive fire which was being poured upon them, 
 to take breath, and to wait till the wings could close up. Fif 
 teen yards inside of the line of abatis just before them was 
 another line, not readily seen at a distance, consisting of stakes 
 firmly driven into the ground close together, and sharpened at 
 the end. Then, thirty-five yards from that, was the ditch and 
 the high parapet of the redoubt. The infantry troops which 
 manned that redoubt and the adjacent breastworks, consisted of 
 Cockrell s Missouri brigade, comprising the First, Third, Fourth, 
 and Fifth Missouri infantry, and the First and Third Missouri 
 cavalry, dismounted ; one of the most famous fighting brigades 
 of the confederate army. These troops stood up in a bold man 
 ner behind their breastworks, firing on their assailants as if they 
 hoped to repulse them. There seemed to be a constant blaze oi 
 musketry along, the breastworks. The artillery" was served with 
 the same desperate energy. The guns vomited forth grape and 
 canister with a fury that made one shudder. But most of the 
 shots went over the mark. 
 
 While tlie Eighty-third Ohio was in that position the Sixty- 
 ninth Indiana and Ninety-seventh Illinois were on their right, 
 on lower ground, near the Stockton road, and hotly engaged. 
 Lieut. Col. Baldwin caused part of his regiment to return the 
 fire of the garrison while the rest made an opening through the 
 abatis. The colors of the regiment were flying conspicuously, 
 and both flagstaff s were shot in two and the colors riddled with 
 bullets. 
 
 While this scene was occurring, a division staff-officer was sent 
 to have the Twenty-fourth Indiana move down to reinforce the 
 Ninety-seventh Illinois, whoso colors were seen not far from the 
 main works ; but the Twenty-fourth was already on the way to 
 the works farther to the right, and the officer found it inside of 
 them, About the same lime, another staff-officer was sent to 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 209 
 
 hasten forward the main line of the Third brigade in support 
 of the Eighty -third Ohio ; but before he reached its commander, 
 it was advancing on the double-quick, the colors flying, the men 
 cheering, and the whole line looking splendidly. On the right, 
 was the Thirty -fourth Iowa, Col. G. W. Clark ; next the Ono 
 Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio, Col. J. H. Kelly ; the Thirty- 
 seventh Illinois, Col. Chailes Black ; and the Twentieth Iowa, 
 Lieut.-Col. J. B. Leake ; all superior regiments, with gallant 
 and able commanders. Their appearance on the field, of course, 
 began to excite dismay in those against whom the Eighty-third 
 was contending. Lieut.-Col. Baldwin, as soon as a passage was 
 opened through the abatis, gave the order for the regiment 
 again to advance. This was done with a dauntless spirit. The 
 men, with their bayonets, pried an opening through the next 
 line of abatis, then rushed forward, bearing their flying 
 colors, and, though still encountering numerous obstructions, 
 in the nature of wire lines, were soon upon the redoubt. Capt. 
 Garry, of the Eighty-third, was among the first to mount the 
 parapet, but a private soldier is said to have been the first over 
 them. Lieut-Col. Baldwin was soon on the parapet ; and see 
 ing that the most of his regiment was ready to mount the works, 
 he jumped down inside, and cried out, " Surrender !" The com 
 manding officer inquired, " To whom do we surrender ?" Bald 
 win answered, " To the Eighty-third Ohio." Then the officer 
 said, " I believe we did that once before," referring to a some 
 what similar occasion at Yicksburgh. 
 
 It was about twenty minutes from the time the Eighty-third 
 began the charge till it was in possession of the works ; but 
 some contest was kept up for a few minutes in rear of the 
 redoubt after the first had entered. Two volleys were fired 
 inside the works, in the edge of the woods, five minutes after 
 the Eighty -third was inside. 
 
 The less of the Eighty-third Ohio was seven killed and twenty- 
 
 14 
 
210 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 one Abounded. Among the killed were Corporal Hughes, and 
 Privates De Mar (on the works), Cook, Cox, Anderson, and Van 
 Amsdale. Among the wounded were Capt. Gary and Lieut. 
 Snyder. 
 
 The other regiments 01 Moore s brigade met with some resist 
 ance. The Thirty-fourth Iowa had three killed, and twelve 
 wounded. The brigade commander advanced in the charge 
 near that regiment. A man of Company H, of the Thirty- 
 fourth, was shot at by a wounded confederate lying in a rifle- 
 pit, having been passed by the skirmishers. Another man, of 
 Company H, then dealt him a fatal blow with his clubbed 
 musket. The loss in the Thirty-seventh Illinois was one killed 
 and three wounded. In the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio, 
 two wounded. The Twentieth Iowa escaped loss in the assault, 
 and only had its flag shot through. That regiment entered the 
 works at the two-gun battery, on the brow of the ravine, south 
 of Redoubt No. 4. About eight hundred prisoners were taken in 
 front of Moore s brigade. The whole number of prisoners taken 
 by the Second division was thirteen hundred, including a general 
 commanding a division ; also ten or twelve guns and several 
 stands of colors. The works carried, in its front, were three 
 quarters of a mile in extent, and embraced two strong 
 redoubts (Nos. 3 and 4) and a two-gun battery. After dark, 
 while the men were picking up the dead and wounded, a 
 few torpedoes were exploded. In this way a man of the 
 Second Connecticut battery and one of the One Hundred, 
 and Fourteenth Ohio were killed, and one or two others 
 wounded. The whole loss of the Second division in the 
 assault was two hundred and thirty-three, namely : forty-one 
 killed and one hundred and ninety-two wounded. The con 
 federate loss in killed and wounded, in front of that division 
 was not fully ascertained. Abcut twenty confederates were 
 buried near the works; 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 211 
 
 Featck s Division. Next, on the left, in Veatch s division, 
 Dennis brigade had the advance, the Third brigade, Lieut.-Col. 
 Kinsey commanding, being held in reserve. Slack s brigade was 
 not called out of camp, it having been on duty the preceding 
 night in going to and returning from Spanish fort. Gen. Dennis 
 brigade was disposed as follows : The Eighth Illinois (Ogelsby s 
 old regiment), a vsteran and splendid regiment, Col. Sheetz 
 commanding, was in the advance parallel. The Eleventh Illi 
 nois (veteran), Col. Coats commanding, was to follow in support 
 in line of battle on the left, and the Forty-sixth Illinois, Col. 
 Domblaser, on the right. Col. Sheetz was instructed to 
 advance, with tlie Eighth Illinois deployed as skirmishers, as 
 soon as he saw the troops moving in the assault on his right 
 and left. 
 
 At the moment the Eighth Illinois advanced, the Eighty- 
 third Ohio had got about halfway to the main works. The 
 line of the Eighth Illinois, deployed in one rank, extended 
 about four hundred yards. The regiment numbered seven hun 
 dred. The distance to the confederate works was six hundred 
 yards. There was first a slight ravine to pass, and then the 
 ground was moderately level ; but the course of the right of the 
 line lay over the irregularly-scalloped side of a deep ravine. 
 There were two or three lines of abatis to overcome, and the 
 ground was partly covered with fallen trees. There was also 
 some obstruction by wires. Yet that, including a strip of 
 ground adjoining on the left, was, perhaps, the smoothest part 
 of the field of Blakely, and it was, perhaps, the most exposed. 
 
 The Eighth Illinois took up the soldiers war-cry, and rushed 
 forward in the charge with all the compulsive force that a 
 skirmish-line can have. They made but short pause at the 
 confederate rifle-pits. Those of the occupants who did not fall 
 back rapidly to tbeir main works, were killed or captured. The 
 abatis was passed, either by springing over it, or by pulling 
 
212 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 it one side and making passage ways through it. The nearei 
 the Eighth got to the main works, the fiercer raged the tempest 
 of bullets against them. Besides a constant volume of mus 
 ketry, they encountered the rapid fire of four pieces of artillery. 
 They returned the fire to some extent. Meantime the besiegers 
 batteries in their rear were dropping shells on the garrison s 
 works with excellent effect. When within about a hundred 
 yards of the main works, the contest seemed desperate, and it 
 was apparent the Eighth was losing many. The Eleventh and 
 Forty-sixth had got halfway over the field, moving in a gal 
 lant manner, when an order reached them to halt, the right of 
 Garrard s division having been seen to pause. Then the 
 orderly, Murray, who carried the order, went on with a similar 
 one to the Eighth, but the latter, with victorious strides, 
 was already on the parapets of the redoubt, and the brave 
 orderly entered the works close by Lieut.-Col. Wheaton, 
 of the Eighth. The latter and Sergt. John Switzer, of Com 
 pany B, were the first of the regiment upon the works. A 
 shot from one of the besiegers batteries struck the parapet 
 while Wheaton was going over the works ; and while he was 
 close to the parapet, two men of the Eighth were killed by the 
 last artillery fire from the redoubt. Wheaton ordered Sergt. 
 Switzer to shoot the gunner ; but before it could be done, 
 Sergt. Henderson had struck him down with the butt of his 
 musket. 
 
 Capt Miller entered several yards to the left of Wheaton. 
 and Private James B. Garwood, of his company, was shot down 
 by his side when on the top of the works. Capt. Miller there 
 encountered an oincer of the garrison, who attempted to shoot 
 him with a revolver, and took him prisoner. Then seeing their 
 flag, which was planted in the ground that the bearer might 
 better assist in the defence, he tore it from the staff. 
 
 The confederates fell back from their works, into the timber, 
 
^ta SjIili 
 
 . iSsiSi; 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 213 
 
 and continued firing till the most of the Eighth were over 
 the breastworks. As soon as the Eleventh and Forty-sixth 
 had come up, the Eighth moved down toward the landing. 
 
 Veatch s loss in the assault was thirteen killed and sixty-four 
 wounded. Of these the Ei^h ii Illinois lost ten killed and 
 fifty-four wounded. Among the severely wounded of the Eighth 
 were Capt. Coleman who, after having been brought to the 
 ground, continued to wave his sword and cheer his men also 
 Lieuts. Sanderson and Harrington. 
 
 In Veatch s front were captured about three hundred prison 
 ers, one thirty-pounder Parrott, one ten-pounder Parrott, two 
 twelve -pounder howitzers, and one YHI-inch columbiad. The 
 latter was in position, but the embrasure for it had not been 
 finished. 
 
 GarrarcTs Division. The trench containing the right of the 
 First brigade (Col. Kinaker s), and left of the Third brigade 
 (Col. Harris ), of this division, being the nearest point to the 
 confederate works, Gen. Garrard directed that the assault in 
 his front should commence there, and be taken up on the right 
 and left. His order of attack was two lines of skirmishers, to 
 be supported by the main line of battle. When the first 
 skirmish line had started, and appeared to be advancing with 
 success, the second line was to follow, and when the first line 
 had reached the enemy s works, the main line was to charge. 
 This plan was adopted by him on account of the terrible 
 obstructions in his front. 
 
 His three brigades were in position at about the appointed 
 hour. Col. Rinaker, assisted by his acting aide-de-camp, 
 Lieut. McLain, of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, had been arrang 
 ing the position of his brigade, and was about ready to give the 
 order to advance, when the commander of the Third Indiana 
 light battery reported to him for orders. This caused him a 
 little delay, and his brigade did not move precisely with Harris . 
 
214 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Col. Harris brigade was formed in two lines. In the first 
 line, the Fifty-eighth Illinois, Capt. John Murphy commanding, 
 was on the right ; the Eleventh Wisconsin, Maj. J. 8. Miller, 
 on the left ; the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth New York, 
 Lieut.-Col. J. B. Gondalfo, in the centre. In the second 
 line, the Thirty-fourth New Jersey, Col. Lawrence, was on the 
 right ; and the Fifty-second Indiaiia, Lieut.-Col. Main, on the 
 left. Company A, Capt. Park, Company F, Lieut. McConnell, 
 and Company D, Capt. Toms, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, were 
 selected for the skirmish-line of that regiment, and they 
 deployed and lay down in front of the trench previous to 
 the movement. These troops had to charge six hundred yards 
 (more than one third of a mile), over broken ground, covered 
 with the usual amount of obstructions. At quarter to six 
 o clock, Col. Harris directed his acting assistant adjutant-gen 
 eral, Capt. E. E. Jackson, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, to order 
 the charge to commence ; which order was soon given, and 
 promptly obeyed. When the skirmish-line of the Eleventh 
 had gained one hundred yards, they received such a heavy fire 
 from the confederates well-fortified and numerously manned 
 pits, that Maj. Miller, fearing they would be checked, took the 
 responsibility of ordering forward the rest of his regiment, com 
 manding, " Forward, Eleventh !" Instantly the Eleventh Wis 
 consin sprang out of their trench, and, with the ringing 
 cheers of veterans, rushed onward, with emulous ardor and 
 high resolve, to victory or death. They followed so closely 
 upon the retreating confederate skirmishers, as to save them 
 selves from a general fire from the main works till within 
 about one hundred yards of them. Then they encountered 
 a destructive fire of musketry, and grape, and canister. 
 
 Though many were struck down, and the ranks of the 
 leading groups were visibly thinned, the survivors moved on 
 with unfaltering step fo the main works, and there engaged 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 215 
 
 in a hand-to-hand contest with the most unyielding spirits 
 of the garrison. Lieut. Angus It. McDonald, Sergeant Daniel 
 B. Moore, and six others, were within thirty yards of the 
 works, and. by Lieut. McDonald s orders, they fixed bayo 
 nets, and charged them. When close to the parapet a vol 
 ley killed five of their number, and knocked the lock off of 
 Moore s gun. Then McDonald ordered that they should wait 
 till others came up; but Serg ant Moore, in the din, not 
 hearing the order, mounted the works. The gallant Corporal 
 Joel Wheeler, of Company A, had preceded him and was 
 shot dead on the parapet. McDonald quickly followed and 
 demanded a surrender. At that time the main part of the 
 Eleventh was coming up within a few yards, but one or 
 two volleys were afterward fired on them from behind the 
 works. A portion of the garrison had already broke and was 
 fleeing toward the landing. Where McDonald and Moore 
 entered were eight who surrendered ; but ten yards to their 
 right was a squad of twelve under charge of an officer, who 
 were still pouring a deadly fire into the right of the Eleventh. 
 
 The officer exclaimed : " No quarter to the d d Yankees." 
 
 Lieut. McDonald and Sergeant Moore fell into their hands, 
 and then followed a desperate struggle. Eive or six attacked 
 McDonald with bayonets, but he fought them with his sword, 
 knoqking some down, and killed two. He received two bayonet 
 thrusts in his breast and a musket ball in his thigh, when he 
 fell. A confederate fell over him whom he used as a shield 
 against a farther thrust by the bayonet. Then Sergeant Moore, 
 who had also received a bayonet wound, picked up a confederate 
 musket and shot McDonald s assailant dead. 
 
 Other gallant men of the Eleventh were soon upon the works, 
 closely followed by the regiment. Then came with eager step 
 the rest of the brigade with its commander, Col. Harris ; and 
 when the troops were in full possession of the works a shout of 
 
216 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 triumph, want up that baffles description. The men flocked 
 around their commander with earnest and joyful greetings. 
 But no single voice could be heard. Col. Harris pointed up to 
 the flag, now proudly waving on the captured works. Then 
 again the emotions of patriotism and of victory burst forth in 
 tumultuous shouts. Near them the ground was thickly strewed 
 with the wounded and the dead, and many of the latter were 
 buried near the works. Among the killed in the Eleventh Wis 
 consin, were Lieut. Richard Coddell, Sergeant W. H. Phelps, 
 and Corporals Wheeler, Allbaugh, Shea, and Ingamills. Its 
 whole number of killed was fifteen, and it had two commissioned 
 officers, including Lieut. Wm. Charlton, twelve non-commis 
 sioned officers, and thirty-two privates wounded. Total casual 
 ties in the Eleventh Wisconsin, sixty-one. In the Fifty-eighth 
 Illinois, Lieut. Thomas Malloy was killed on the works, and 
 Lieut. Atwater severely wounded ; and there were other casual 
 ties in that regiment. In the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth 
 New York, there was one killed and four wounded ; in the Fifty- 
 second Indiana two killed and eight wounded ; in the Thirty- 
 fourth New Jersey, Corporal Hampton was killed and three 
 were wounded. 
 
 Soon after the works in Harris front were taken, detachments 
 of his brigade marched down to the landing for prisoners. The 
 Fifty-second Indiana was placed as guard over the artillery ^and 
 prisoners. 
 
 Similar enthusiasm and gallantry characterized Gen. Gilbert s 
 brigade, next on the right, which advanced soon after Harris . 
 It was formed in three lines. The Tenth Kansas, Lieut.-Col. 
 Charles S. Hills commanding, and Company B, of the Twenty- 
 seventh Iowa, deployed as skirmishers in the advanced trench, 
 six hundred yards from the main works. The Twenty-seventh 
 Iowa, Col. Lake ; the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois, 
 Col. Moore, and Companies D, H, and K, of the Thirty -second 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 217 
 
 Iowa, under Maj. Hutchinson, in the second line. The Sixth 
 Minnesota, Lieut.-Col. Grant, and the other seven companies of 
 the Thirty-second Iowa, Lieut.-Col. Eberhart, forming the 
 reserve line, and posted eleven hundred yards from the main 
 works. The severest part of the charge fell upon the Tenth 
 Kansas, and they breasted the storm that beat against them 
 with a noble heroism. In their front, as elsewhere, the artillery 
 uttered its last fierce thunders, pouring forth shell, grape, and 
 canister ; the musketry volleys roiled along the line in quick 
 succession, and clouds of smoke rose up from the works. The 
 Tenth Kansas directed their steps toward the Sixth redoubt ; 
 vet such was the fire upon them, and not wishing to pause to 
 roturn it, they turned for a moment down the side of a ravine. 
 But an enfilading fire greeted them there ; and with hardly a 
 pause, they soon gained the high ground again, crossed two lines 
 of abatis, then the ditch, and mounted the parapets. 
 
 The furious fire that had beset them, made them cluster 
 in a group, and they entered the works more as a column 
 in mass than in line. Then, with fixed bayonets, they swept 
 along the works to their right, mixing blue and gray to 
 gether ; and the latter, seeing their helpless condition, hud 
 dled into the angles of the fort, and making little resistance, 
 surrendered by scores. Yet there was some firing after the 
 Tenth were inside the works, for a number of the confederates 
 refused to surrender. One captain caught up a musket and 
 fired at Capt. Wood, of the Tenth, while the latter was calling 
 on him to surrender, and then another, and a third rnusket, 
 each time failing to hit Capt. Wood. 
 
 Then Corporal Schultz, of the Tenth, sent a ball through 
 the confederate s head, and he fell. Several other instances 
 of the same kind occurred. Meantime, some of the leading 
 confederate officers were approaching officers of the Tenth, 
 handing them their swords, and beseeching them to stop the 
 
218 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 "butchery," as they termed it. But it appears none were 
 intentionally killed after they had ceased fighting. The con 
 federate commanders were not able to get all to surrender, 
 even after resistance seemed utterly fruitless. 
 
 A number of pieces of artillery and several hundred prison 
 ers were captured in Gilbert s front. 
 
 The Tenth Kansas had seven killed and twelve wounded, and 
 of the latter, Lieut. John Bryan and Private Plummer died 
 of their wounds. Among the killed were Sergeant George 
 Daller and Corporals Buxton and Thompson. There were 
 fyur wounded in the Twenty-seventh Iowa, including Lieut. 
 Eisenhart ; one killed and one wounded in the One Hundred 
 and Seventeenth Illinois ; one wounded in the Sixth Minnesota, 
 and one in the Thirty-second Iowa. The whole loss in Gilbert s 
 brigade was eight killed and nineteen wounded. After the 
 brigade was in possession of the works, large detachments 
 hurried down to the 4 landing, and through the woods, for 
 prisoners. Maj. Hutchinson, of the Thirty-second Iowa, with 
 a squad of eight men, held a large number of confederates in 
 check, in range of their gunboats, in a manner to prevent the 
 latter from firing on the Union troops. 
 
 Binaker s brigade had from three hundred to four hundred 
 yards of rough groiind to charge over, before reaching the 
 confederate works. The One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois, 
 Col. Thomas J. Kinney, deployed as skirmishers, commenced 
 the charge in front of that brigade, advancing with cheers, 
 on the run, at a signal by the bugle. The supporting line co3> 
 sistecl of the Eigl^fcy-ninth Indiana on the right* the One Hun 
 dred and Twenty-second Illinois in the centre, and the Twenty- 
 first Missouri on the left. Lieut.-Col. Craven, of the Eighty- 
 ninth Indiana, had accompanied the regiment down to the 
 front, although ill, but was not able to take part in the charge, 
 and the command fell upon Major "Winter. At the second 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 219 
 
 signal on the bugle, these three regiments advanced with eagei 
 step. The most of the One Hundred and Nineteenth was then 
 only thirty yards in front ; and the ground was so irregular, and 
 the obstacles so numerous, that both lines were soon merged 
 together. Yet the latter regiment pushed forward as fast as 
 men could go, stopping to fire but little. The greater part 
 of the confederates retreated from their rifle-pits to the main 
 works, and it seemed to be a race between them and the assault 
 ing troops as to which should reach them first. A vehement and 
 excited fire from the main works assailed the advancing troops, 
 the artillery of two redoubts being turned upon them. Yet 
 the guns did less injury than was to have been apprehended. 
 Each regiment sustained some loss. Lieut. -Col. Drish, of the 
 One Hundred and Twenty-second, fell struck by a piece of 
 shell, and the command devolved on Major Chapman. Two 
 of that regiment, named Miller, were killed, and eleven wounded. 
 In the Eighty-ninth Indiana, one Corporal Cowan was killed, 
 and five wounded, two of whom, Hutchinson and Coppock, 
 died. The color-bearer of the Twenty-first Missouri was shot 
 down when near the works, and they were seized by Cox of 
 Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois, and 
 planted on the works. The loss in the One Hundred and 
 Nineteenth was sixteen killed and wounded and the most of 
 those casualties occurred in Capt. Hubbarcl s company, and his 
 brother, Edward P. Hubbard, a private soldier, wa% among the 
 mortally wounded. Some twenty of that company charged the 
 works with fixed bayonets, and were among the first to enter 
 ijiem. Jj& Rinaker s brigade got close to the works, the most 
 of the infantry Alabama reserves retreated toward the river. 
 The artillerists, however, held their positions, and, refusing to 
 surrender, were shot. Many of the artillerists were armed with 
 rifles. After entering the works, the Twenty-first Missouri and 
 Capt. Bostwick s company, of the One Hundred and Twenty 
 
220 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 second Illinois, turned to the left and charged down in rear of 
 the works to the last redoubt. Einaker s brigade took three or 
 four battle-flags, the artillery in their front, and several hundred 
 prisoners. 
 
 The redoubts in Garrard s front had eighteen embrasures, 
 and his division carried all the works in its front, capturing the 
 artillery, and sixteen hundred prisoners, including two general 
 officers. The loss in his division was : commissioned officers, 
 two killed and seven wounded ; enlisted men, thirty-nine killed 
 and one hundred and seventeen wounded ; total, one hundred 
 and sixty-nve 
 
 The total casualties of the federals, engaged in the assault, 
 was one hundred and twenty-seven killed and five hundred and 
 twenty-seven wounded ; grand total, six hundred and fifty-four. 
 Number of prisoners captured, three thousand four hundred 
 and twenty-three, including three general officers. There were 
 also captured, several battle-flags, upward of forty pieces of 
 artillery, the small arms used by the infantry, and ah 1 the gar 
 rison stores. 
 
 It is not easy to estimate the loss of the garrison in killed 
 and wounded ; but it was probably a third as large as that of 
 the besiegers. There were a few boats out in the stream, and 
 some of the garrison attempted to swim to them, and it was 
 reported a number were drowned. 
 
 "Wellington well said that a battle could not be painted. 
 Neither can language fully describe so great and ever-chang 
 ing a scene. 
 
 It has been seen what was the nature of the ground over 
 which the assault was made ; that it w r as cut up by ravines, 
 rough, and covered with obstructions. It was known, also, to 
 be mined with torpedoes in various places ; and there was 
 reason to dread them. 
 
 Thirty-five regiments fully sixteen thousand troops partici- 
 
C.VMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 221 
 
 pated in tlie assault. The lines were three miles in length, and 
 the advance of the entire line was remarkably simultaneous. 
 
 The scene was picturesque and grand. From different points 
 of view the assaulting lines could be seen for a mile or two, as 
 far even as the forms of men could be distinguished moving 
 over the broken ground, The regimental colors, though not in 
 perfect line, were steadily advancing, and the troops were dash 
 ing on over and through the obstructions like a stormy wave. It 
 was at a moment when the shock of battle was the fiercest. In 
 the clamor could be heard the voices of the assaulting troops. 
 Nothing could exceed their enthusiasm. If then they could 
 have known the great event that had occurred a few hours 
 before that Lee had surrendered and that their contest would 
 probably be the last important struggle oi the war, they could 
 hardly have experienced more exulting emotions, or pressed 
 forward with more dauntless step. It seemed as if " all the joy, 
 all the sensation of life, was in that one moment, that they cast 
 themselves with the fierce gladness of mountain torrents, head 
 long on that brief revelry of glory." 
 
 Gen. Steele, during the assault, was along the front of the 
 Second division, and, with his staff, kept np with the main line 
 of Moore s brigade. "When he saw the advance line entering 
 the works, he exclaimed : " I knew they would do it. I told 
 you they would go over those works." 
 
 He soon after sat down, and signed a despatch to Gen. Canby, 
 which Capt. Lacy, his assistant adjutant-general, had written, in 
 these words : " We have stormed the entire line of works, and 
 our troops are now in full possession." A reply soon came, 
 written by Col. Christensen, saying : " Gen Canby says : God 
 bless you, and God bless your brave command. " 
 
 It was dark before the prisoners could be collected together 
 and formed to march back with the different divisions to their 
 camps ; and great care had to be taken to avoid dangers from 
 
222 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 torpedoes. All the fore part of that night, there were occa 
 sional explosions of torpedoes, and a few men were killed by 
 them while searching for the dead and wounded. It was a 
 discordant and melancholy sound to lieas. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE SIEGE AND ASSAULT OF BLAKELY. 
 
 1. THE fall of Blakely, and capture of its garrison, left the con 
 federates only four thousand five hundred troops for the imme 
 diate defence of Mobile, which being too small a force to hold 
 the city, they marched, on the llth, for Meridian. Gen. Maury 
 followed at daylight of the 12th. 
 
 Canby, by signals, learned of the evacuation of the city the 
 evening of the llth, and had troops immediately in motion for 
 its occupation. Granger, with the First and Third divisions of 
 his corps, embarked on transports at Stark s landing, at daylight 
 of the 12th, and, with a portion of the squadron, under Thatcher, 
 crossed over the bay, landing two miles below the city, and 
 entered it unopposed. The Third division marched on to Whist 
 ler s station, and overtook and skirmished with the rear-guard of 
 the confederate column. 
 
 It was not Gen. Canby s purpose, under any circumstances, to 
 besiege Mobile from the land side. If the city had held out 
 longer, he would have moved across the head of the bay, "by 
 means of transports and pontoons, and established batteries on 
 the islands in front of the city. And some steps toward such a 
 movement had already been taken. 
 
 2. The conduct of tlie garrison of Blakely is, on the whole, de 
 serving of commendation. The troops manifested much energy 
 and spirit during the siege, often making bold sallies in the 
 night, and disturbing the besiegers. They were expecting an 
 assault about the time it took place, and felt considerable confi- 
 
224 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 dence they could repulse it. Had an assault been made before 
 the fall of Spanish fort, it would probably have been more 
 bloody, though not repulsed ; for the garrison would have had 
 more hope .in resisting. But, after they knew that fifteen ov 
 twenty thousand more troops had come up from Spanish fort 
 (these, however, were two miles in the rear in their camps), they 
 had reason to feel that the odds against them were too great for 
 successful resistance. The assaulting troops had the moral 
 reinforcement of the Spanish fort troops. 
 
 The garrison had a large number of sharpshooters or skir 
 mishers in pits three hundred yards in front of their main 
 works. These had an opportunity to fire only one or two 
 rounds, and then fell back ; but there being no covered way, 
 and not being able, on account of the obstacles, to move 
 rapidly, they were for a short time a sort of cover to the 
 assaulting troops, embarrassing, if not preventing, the fire of 
 those behind the main works. If, instead of being three hun 
 dred yards to the front, they had been in pits fifty yards in 
 front, with approaches to the main works, a double line of 
 musketry fire could then have been poured on the assaulting 
 troops just as they were reaching the most difficult abatis. 
 
 The rules for defending fortifications require the garrison to 
 mount the parapet when they find the assaulting troops are 
 attacking closely. This does not appear to have been done 
 anywhere on the line. 
 
 3. But it was a mistake to keep the garrison at Blakely an 
 hour after the fall of Spanish fort. Every possible means 
 should have been used to remove it before an assault could be 
 made. But Gen. Maury alleges : " It would have been difficult 
 to do this after day dawned, and up to that time all of Span 
 ish fort garrison had not been transferred from Blakely to 
 Mobile." 
 
 4. Gen. Maury, in an account which he wrote of the siege, 
 
CAMPAIGN OP MOBILE. 225 
 
 makes the just remark, that " the marshes about Mobile, as 
 marshes almost everywhere else, produced a greater moral 
 effect upon besiegers and besieged than facts justified." On 
 account of the existence of a swamp on the left of the 
 besiegers, the investment of Blakely was not complete on that 
 flank to within four or five hundred yards. The swamp was 
 narrow, and could have been bridged, and there was no good 
 excuse for the investment being incomplete. 
 
 5. Whether the time for the assault was favorable, is an 
 interesting question, and will doubtless be answered affirma 
 tively. The troops engaged in it had the moral support of 
 the presence of the rest of the army which had come from 
 Spanish fort. When the garrison saw the assaulting lines 
 advancing, they felt that the woods behind them were also full 
 of troops ; for they had heard of heavy columns moving over 
 Minette bayou. Suppose the assault had taken place the day 
 .before? Is it not probable the resistance would have been 
 greater ? They certainly would have had more hope of effect 
 ing a repulse. As it was, the general assault was not repulsed 
 at any point. 
 
 It is probable Gen. Steele would not have ordered a general 
 assault for two or three days longer had it not been for the fall 
 of Spanish fort, such was the distance from five to six hundred 
 yards to charge over. But it perhaps saved life that " the 
 assault was made from the third parallel, and without waiting 
 till a fourth was dug, The besiegers had come upon torpedoes in 
 their digging, and doubtless many lives would have been lost by 
 farther extending the approaches and trenches. After the 
 assault, it was ascertained the advance trench, on the right of 
 the Second division, ran between two rows of torpedoes ! 
 
 6. The besiegers deserve commendation for the amount of 
 work they performed. And, it should be remarked, that not one 
 of their number was captured. Yet, unouestionably, more work 
 
 15 
 
226 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 might liave been performed; for there are few operations in 
 which the energy and industry of men are exhausted. Each 
 division constructed its works according to its own plans, and 
 with but little, if any, outside professional assistance. Several 
 miles of trenches and approaches were made, and they will long 
 remain as proof of the labor that was done. Over the field ox 
 Blakely the bushes are beginning to grow up, and in a few years 
 another forest will no doubt cover the ground. But many of 
 the trenches will remain. The storms of centuries will not wear 
 them away. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 REDUCTION OF FORTS HUGER AND TRACY. 
 
 FORTS Huger and Tracy held out three days after the fall 
 of Spanish fort. They were not days of quiet. Guns were 
 now turned on them from McDermett and old Spanish 
 fort. The Octorara approached nearer and delivered a more 
 unerring and effective fire. The old and a new battery 
 on Bay Minette shore also hurled against them a copious 
 shower of heavy projectiles. Both those forts replied with 
 spirit. Their garrisons expected soon to evacuate, and were 
 lavish of ammunition. 
 
 April 9. Capt. Foust s battery (First Missouri) moved into 
 old Spanish fort, unspiked two one-hundred-pounder Brooks 
 rifles, and opened them on Huger. In the evening one of them 
 was bursted. Another one-hundred-pounder Parrott, under 
 Lieut. Parker (First Indiana), was put in the Bay Minette 
 shore battery, making two there of that calibre, which were 
 also engaged. On the north shore of that bayou, batteries 
 were begun for two more one- hundred-pounder rifles and four 
 thirty-pounder rifles. 
 
 The Navy. At twenty minutes past one, A. M., the squadron 
 observed lights in Old Spanish fort, and twenty minutes 
 afterward they received a message through the army signal 
 officer, that the works were evacuated. 
 
 Torpedoes still held the navy in check ; but energetic efforts 
 were being made to remove them. About one hundred and 
 fifty had already been removed. A second net having been 
 
228 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 stretched across the channel, about a mile and a half above 
 the first one, the intervening part of the channel was swept 
 with chains, by tugs. At forty minutes past three, p. M., the 
 Octorara and ironclads weighed and stood over the first net, 
 steamed up to the second, and came to anchor a thousand 
 yards below Old Spanish fort. The tall reeds on the marsh 
 so obstructed the view of Huger, that range-stakes were neces 
 sary for pointing the guns ; and as the reeds would not burn, 
 men were sent on shore with poles, and a lane was beaten, 
 through which the fort could be seen. 
 
 The Octorara now opened fire on Huger with her hundred- 
 pounder Parrott, at a distance of five thousand four hundred 
 ya-rds a little upward of three miles! Her first shots fell 
 short. Some of the Spanish fort garrison had not yet got 
 away from Huger ; the noise of the Octorara s shells were famil 
 iar to them, and they joyfully congratulated themselves when 
 they saw them fall short. Soon, however, a shell came and 
 plunged into the river, three hundred yards above the fort. 
 The next one struck the very centre of the works, making their 
 boggy foundations rock and tremble (to use the expression of 
 one who was there) like a ship in a gale of wind. The sub 
 sequent shots told with good effect on their bombproof s. One 
 man was killed. 
 
 The confederates thought the Octorara s gun was served with 
 remarkable skill. It was a saying among them that it must be 
 served by "one-eyed Brannegan," a famous gunner and deserter 
 from their service. They considered indeed that it was handled 
 with skill surpassing that of Sergeant Bonner, of the Twenty- 
 second Louisiana regiment, who was celebrated in the confede 
 rate service for his efficiency in that respect. 
 
 The captain of this hundred-pounder gun on the Octorara, 
 and who fired every round, was James Welsch, chief boatswain s 
 mate, an old man-of-war s man. He was subsequently dis- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 229 
 
 charged at the end of his three-years term of seivice. His skill 
 was remarkable, and there should be inducements for such men 
 to remain in the navy. 
 
 The gun itself was a navy-Parrott rifle, manufactured at the 
 West Point foundry, under the supervision of its designer. 
 Eighty-pound Parrott shells were fired from it, with the reduced 
 charge of eight pounds of powder. 
 
 April 10. The morning of the 10th was thick, and a shell 
 fired at daylight, showed that it was best to suspend the fire. 
 At half past nine, it was resumed in reply to guns which had 
 opened on the Mustang, in which Gen. Bailey had gone up to 
 Spanish fort, and continued slowly for two hours. At forty 
 minutes past one, p. M., the guns of Huger were firing on the 
 squadron s boats, which were sweeping for torpedoes; and the 
 Octorara again opened fire in reply. But during the day she 
 fired only seventy -three rounds. In course of the day the tug 
 Glasgow came up with Commodore James S. Palmer on board, 
 and being beyond signal distance from the Admiral s ship, his 
 pendant as divisional commander, was hoisted. 
 
 Lieut. Beardsley, with Company K, Sixth Michigan, niovad 
 into Old Spanish fort in the forenoon, and relieved Capt. Foust. 
 Besides serving the one hundred-pounder, Beardsley got a new 
 thirty-pounder Parrott (made at Selma only a few months 
 before) in position and at work. At four, p. M., Capt. Fousfc com 
 menced with two of his light pieces, and at five, P. M., Beardsley 
 got a twenty-pounder Parrott unspiked and at work. All the 
 while the fire from Huger and Tracy was tremendous, for they 
 were using more than a dozen heavy guns without mercy, and 
 made it deathly hot around Old Spanish fort. A detachment of 
 the Ninety -fourth Illinois opened fire with a thirty-pounder on 
 McDermett. 
 
 April 11. Foust s battery had been firing all night. At 
 eleven o clock of the same night, Lieut. Beardsley, with ten 
 
230 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 men of his company, got a hundred-pounder Brooks rifle 
 mounted in McDermett on a new carriage the garrison had just 
 procured, but not used. Much to his surprise, Beardsley found 
 that the gun was spiked and shotted. They then worked till it 
 was just daylight, when they succeeded in blowing out the spike 
 by firing the gun from the muzzle. They had scarcely lain 
 down to get a little sleep when the guns from Huger opened on 
 them. They then jumped up and returned the fire with the 
 one-hundred-pounder. The firing continued heavy and grand 
 through the day. It was the last day for great guns in Mobile 
 bay the last for the war. The smoke rolled up in cloudy 
 columns. The bellowing peals reverberated far inland and far 
 out upon the sea. Four thirty-pounders, from the north shore 
 of Bay Minette, fired on Tracy. On the south shore, the two 
 one-hundred-pounders, with the eight thirty-pounders of the 
 First Indiana, were still engaged. Likewise the guns at Old 
 Spanish fort, manned by Foust s company. During the day, a 
 salute of one hundred shotted rounds was fired in honor of the 
 national victories. Some twenty guns, in all, of the land- 
 batteries were delivering a destructive fire on those forts. A 
 battery was also in progress on the north shore of Bay Minette 
 for two one-hundred-pounders and four thirty-pounders. From 
 Huger, shot after shot came in quick succession, ploughing up 
 the ground about McDermett. One shot destroyed a wheel of 
 a thirty-pounder, and six shots were buried in the magazine. 
 
 The Octorara was also engaged at intervals during the day 
 with her one-hundred-pounder. 
 
 In the evening, the guns of E[uger and Tracy ceased their 
 mighty roar, but not till the garrisons were ready to leave. 
 
 In the evening, Gon. A. J. Smith, with a detachment of his 
 corps, went down to the shore of Bay Minette, intending to 
 move out in the night in boats and flats and carry Huger and 
 Tracy by assault. About *ten, p. M., a signal officer, with orders 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 231 
 
 from him, went to Armstrong s battery to have the firing cease. 
 This being complied with, the officers soon after turned their 
 attention intently on those forts. As tXey sat peering through 
 the darkness, with their glasses in the direction of Huger, they 
 saw the glimmer of lanterns passing to and fro, and at about 
 half-past ten, signal lights were seen. The indications were 
 that the forts were being evacuated. 
 
 At about nine in the evening, the first cutter of the Octorara, 
 on picket just below Huger, fell in with a skiff that v/as pulling 
 down the river. In the skiff were eight men who represented 
 themselves to be refugees and deserters from that fort. They 
 said, in answer to questions, that Huger and Tracy had been 
 hastily evacuated immediately after dark, and that the armament 
 and ordnance stores had not bc.^n destroyed. This information 
 was communicated to the officer in charge of the boats sweeping 
 for torpedoes. A landing was made at the forts, and they were 
 taken possession of by the officers and men of the boats. It 
 seemed a happy and fitting circumstance that these forts should 
 first come into the possession of the navy, not because the navy 
 had done the most toward compelling their evacuation, but 
 because it had done all it was possible to do, and in a good 
 spirit. Yet, in the honors of victory all, of course, have a share. 
 It is seldom, if ever, that any particular organization has a right 
 to claim them entire ; or to claim a specific share. 
 
 This night the pontoniers happened to be on duty in itiose 
 waters . They had come to take away the canvas bridge 
 the lower one on the bayou and in some way, it seems, got 
 knowledge of the evacuation and -entered the forts themsttves. 
 The next day the guns in those forts had inscriptions on them 
 to this effect : " Eleven o clock, p. M., April 11. Captured Iry 
 the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois" (pontoniers). Also^ 
 the names of individual soldiers. This was an excellent joke, 
 and a fine sarcasm on those thoughtless men who would parcel 
 
232 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 out the honors of conquest. For pontoniers, though nc4 
 expected to be the first inside a captured fort, havs a share iu 
 the glory of the victory. 
 
 Wednesday, April 12. Tho channel was swept with chains, 
 by tugs, and the Octorara and ironclads, preceded by the Glas 
 gow, steamed up to the obstructions at Huger. The Glasgow 
 passed through the gap. During the night, a boat from the 
 Octorara went up the Blakely river to the Tensas, and ascer 
 tained there were no other obstructions. At daylight on the 
 13th, the Octorara attempted to follow the Glasgow through 
 the obstructions of the gap, but did not succeed. The channel 
 was then blown out, and the wreck of a sunken scow removed. 
 At about noon, the Octorara and the ironclads steamed through 
 the gap and through Tensas and Spanish rivers, anchoring off 
 Mobile at about eight o clock, p. M. 
 
 Admiral Thatcher was already off Mobile, having the day 
 previous, with a portion of the squadron, accompanied Granger s 
 forces across the bay from Stark s landing. 
 
 A few days afterward the Sixteenth corps marched rapidly to 
 Montgomery. Steele, with his command, proceeded to the same 
 place on transports, leaving, however, one division at Selma. 
 
 The campaign may be said to have occupied twenty-two 
 days. 1 The result has been sesn. The number of prisoners 
 accounted for by Canby s provost-marshal general was four 
 thousand nine hundred and twenty-four. His own loss in 
 killed and wounded was fifteen hundred. 
 
 1 Strength of Canby s army in the field : 
 
 Two divisions, and one brigade of Thirteenth corps, . 13,200 
 
 Sixteenth corps, .."..... 16,000 
 
 Engineers, artillery, arid cavalry, . . . . . 3,000 
 
 Total, 32,200 
 
 Column under Steele, 13,200 
 
 Grand total, ,* 45,400 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 ADVENTURES AND. INCIDENTS. 
 
 THE wheel of fortune does not always withhold its honora 
 from those who, at obscure posts, are constant and faithful. 
 
 During the siege of Spanish fort, the base of supplies for the 
 army was at Stark s landing. The commanding officer at a 
 base, every one will admit, should be energetic, vigilant, ancl 
 prudent. Wharves are to be built labor day and night to be 
 performed ordnance and ammunition are to be received 
 ressels laden with provisions and forage are to arrive and 
 be promptly discharged sick and wounded soldiers are to 
 be put aboard vessels and sent off. Industry, good order, 
 humanity, should prevail. The quartermaster and commissary 
 have much responsibility, but the military commander present 
 is also responsible that everything goes right. 
 
 The officer in command at Stark s landing, also in command 
 of the engineers, was Gen. Bailey, well-known for distinguished 
 service in building a dam on Red river. While the inspiring 
 scenes of battle had been occurring some distance off, yet in his 
 hearing, he had been performing the duties of a more secluded 
 position. 
 
 On the 9th of April, Gen. Canby being at Blakely, and 
 anxious to get transports up to Spanish fort, inquired, through 
 Gen. Osterhaus, chief of staff, by telegraph, of Bailey, if he 
 could find some courageous captain, who would move up and 
 try the channel ? 
 
 Gen. Bailey replied, that he would try to find a captain of a 
 
234 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 vessel who would go ; but, tliat failing to find one, lie would go 
 himself. Not long afterward he telegraphed again to Gen. 
 Canby s headquarters, that the Mustang had come in, and that 
 he would go up on her as soon as her freight was discharged, 
 which was being rapidly done ; and inquired whether it would 
 be better to go that evening or wait till morning. An answer 
 promptly came, to wait till morning ; and that the commanding 
 general felt much regret that he had determined to go himself 
 .on so perilous an adventure. 
 
 On the morning of the 10th, Gen. Bailey, with his staff, Maj. 
 t3r. Pien, Fourth Wisconsin cavalry, Capt. J. H. Meredith, 
 Lieuts. Nolan, Hill, Martin, and Burdick, embarked on the 
 Mustang. She was a steamer which had formerly ran on the 
 Eio Grande, but was now about worn out. 
 
 Having got into the channel, she soon passed the admiral s 
 flag-ship, then; farther on, the monitors, and near them the 
 three sunken ironclads, their hulls now just above the water. 
 Some hundred yards more brought her to the first torpedo net. 
 Her wheels stopped, and she glided over it. Half a mile 
 farther they reached the Octorara, the advance gunboat, and 
 there anchored. Gen. Bailey, with some of his staff, and the 
 captain of the Mustang, went aboard the Octorara, and pro 
 cured information concerning the channel. He also learned 
 the progress that had been made in taking up torpedoes ; and 
 that there was scarcely any clanger in a light-draft boat, like 
 the Mustang (drawing only two and a half feet) going to 
 Spanish fort landing ; as boats and tugs of the squadron, draw 
 ing about as much, had been above there. He also learned 
 that he would, in all probability, draw the fire of Fort Huger. 
 The Mustang then steamed on up the river, and soon passed 
 over the second net, from which several torpedoes had been 
 taken the night before. After passing this, they had some 
 cause to apprehend danger from floating torpedoes. But their 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 235 
 
 boats were ready to launch in case of accident. Finally, they 
 reached the landing at Spanish fort in safety. 
 
 On going ashore, Gen. Bailey proceeded to the quarters oi 
 Col. Bertram ; and had been there but a few minutes, when a 
 signal-officer came in and informed him that the commander at 
 Tracy had ordered every gun of Huger to be " brought to bear 
 011 that steamer, and, for G-d s sake, to sink her." At this 
 announcement, Gen. Bailey, and staff, hastened on board, to 
 put back to Stark s landing. But the Mustang was slow in 
 turning, and getting into the channel, and sliot and shell were 
 all the while coming from Huger. Forty-one were fired at the 
 Mustang, a few striking her, but they caused no serious injury, 
 though an explosion of one of the shells disagreeably be 
 sprinkled some of the party with earth and sand. 
 
 She got back safely to Stark s landing, having been gone four 
 hours, and Bailey reported the result of his trip. The com 
 manding general telegraphed the following reply : " Your inter 
 esting report of the expedition to Spanish fort is received ; and 
 the promptness and signal bravery displayed by you are highly 
 appreciated." 
 
 Incidents of tlic Siege. Keckless exposure of life in a siege 
 commands -no part of that applause which is earned by daring 
 in its true sense. Yet, light censure will be cast on such exam 
 ples, considering the tendency for msn to grow timid by long 
 continued service in trenches. 
 
 The daily history of every regiment in the siege would doubt- 
 oss exhibit individual acts of gallantry, and even of rashness, 
 on the part of the enlisted men. 
 
 On the second day of the siege, Company D, Seventh Minne 
 sota, was on the skirmish-line in Me Arthur s front, and had 
 approached, under cover of logs and stumps, to within about 
 three hundred and fi-iy yards of the garrison s main line of 
 works. Sergeants Yidito and Caniield, and Private Leigh ton, 
 
236 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 were farthest advanced, and in short musket-range of the con 
 federates. They were each six foot high, and when they fired, 
 would rise from behind a log, stand deliberately, ana aim, dis 
 charge their muskets, and watch to see the effect. It was only 
 after repeated commands from their captain that they became 
 more cautious. 
 
 The consequence of unnecessary exposure was more apt to be 
 like what occurred in the following case : On the 5th of April, a 
 man of the Thirty -fifth Wisconsin persisted in standing on the 
 bank in rear of the sunken battery of the Sixth Michigan. On 
 being told by one of the men that he would be hit, replied . 
 " The ball isn t moulded yet that would hit me." Scarcely had 
 the words been uttered when he received a ball through bis 
 right elbow ; a wound that lost the poor fellow his arm. 
 
 When the annals of war are truly written, painful blunders are 
 often disclosed, which repress the exultation of victory. 
 
 The night Spanish fort was being evacuated, two federal 
 soldiers, who had been for some time held as prisoners at Fort 
 Tracy, managed, amid the darkness and confusion, to make 
 their escape in a skiff. Beaching the main land, they r/.oved 
 cautiously along the shore ; but some of the federals having 
 followed down after the retreating garrison, heard the rustling 
 of the bushes, and thinking it was some straggling confederates, 
 challenged them to surrender. Presuming the demand came 
 from confederates, the fugitives made no answer, whereupon 
 they were fired on, and one of them was instantly killed. The 
 other cried for quarter, and soon found himself among friends. 
 The body of his dead comrade was secured and buried with 
 funeral honors. 
 
 So, during the siege, each side lost a few killed by the 
 accidents or mistakes of its own firing. 
 
 The night before the final bombardment, Capt. Garrity and 
 a man of his battery made their way up to where the federals. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 237 
 
 in Me Arthur s front, were digging an approach, and so close 
 that some of the dirt was thrown upon them. Garrity listened 
 to the talk of the men, and heard them say, " We ll give the 
 rebels to-morrow." 
 
 One night, in the same division front, some confederates 
 came out to relieve the sharpshooters, and the federals gave 
 them a volley that quite disconcerted them, and drove the 
 most of them back into the main works. In the excitement, 
 one of their number, a son of Erin, ran up to one of the federal 
 pits, and stooping down, anxiously inquired, " Is this No. 3 ?" 
 " Yes ; j-ump down quick !" was the answer. Down he jumped, 
 a prisoner. 
 
 One night, the Eighth Wisconsin skirmishers captured a 
 small confederate post of three men, one of whom was an 
 Irishman. He was asked if the confederates had any torpedoes 
 in their front, and replied, " I trod light when I came out." 
 
 Sometimes the firing between the federal and confederate 
 sharpshooters would cease, and there would be some conver 
 sation between them. It was, however, specially prohibited, 
 on the part of the latter, by the garrison commander ; yet the 
 men were instructed by every means practicable to exaggerate 
 the numbers of the garrison. 
 
 Conversation, when it occurred, was generally jocular and 
 sarcastic in its character, and often partook of criticism of the 
 artillery. When a federal addressed a confederate, he called 
 out, "Holloa, Johnny." The confederate answered, "Holloa, 
 Yank." One day, in front of McDermett, a federal soldier had 
 called out to the confederates several times, but got no answer. 
 Finally, in good earnest, he asked why they so refused to 
 answer. The confederate replied, "Because you all insult us 
 so when we talk with you." 
 
 Soldiers are proverbial for their wit and good humor, and the 
 confederates were no exception to the rule. They used to say, 
 
238 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 "Jeff. Davis will have to rent a piece of land to fight the war out 
 on." They often declared, "We are fighting for our rights in the 
 territories under the Dred Scott decision." 
 
 In Spanish fort the artillerists named their heavy guntf in 
 honor of the ladies of their officers, with the name in large capi 
 tals placarded on the gun as " The Lady Gibson," " The Lady 
 Slocum," "The Lady Maury," &c., &c. The gunners spoke of 
 them by these names instead of No. 1, 2, &c., and were always 
 exceedingly polite and complimentary to them. They also 
 named the federal guns, but called them " Anna Maria," " Sarah 
 Jane," "Elizabeth Ann," &c., &c. And when a federal gun 
 fired, the sentinel would say, " Look out, boys, Anna Maria is 
 going to speak." It would pass down the line, and all knew in 
 advance the direction the shot would come, and get shelter. 
 Then when one of their guns was to be fired, they would say, 
 " Ah, my lads ! Look out now for the Lady Slocum ; when she 
 speaks the Yanks must hush up and hide." 
 
 The effect of some of the shells was fearful. One day a fede 
 ral mortar shell fell inside the garrison works, plunged through 
 seven feet of earth and logs, and killed four men and wounded 
 three, all of whom were asleep. One of the men was thrown up 
 twenty feet into the air and came down dead, of course, for 
 every bone in him was broken ; but he was not at all torn. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 FURTHER OPERATIONS OF LUCAS CAVALRY COMBAT OF .IOUNT 
 
 PLEASANT. 
 
 ON the morning of April 5, Gen. Lucas moved out from 
 near Blakelj with all of his command, except the Thirty-first 
 Massachusetts mounted infantry, taking ten days half rations, 
 and all the forage the men could carry, to occupy Claiborne, on 
 the Alabama river. The same night he camped at Stockton, 
 and the next morning continued his march. On the fore 
 noon of the 7th, while halting to feed, a freedman came to 
 him, on his way from Gen. Wilson, bearing despatches from that 
 olncer to Gen. Canby. He had come down the river, having 
 passed through more than one confederate camp, but had eluded 
 detection. The papers were carefully sewed up in tire collar of 
 his vest. Gen. Lucas furnished the faithful man a mule to ride, 
 and sent him on to Gen. Canby, with a guard, under a sergeant. 
 
 Combat of Mount Pleasant. From the same bearer of des 
 patches, Lucas learned that a force had recently come up from 
 Mobile and. occupied Claiborne ; and he resolved to capture it. 
 With that view, he marched till a late hour in the night. Start 
 ing at daylight the next morning, April 8th, some delay was 
 soon after experienced in repairing a bridge so as to cross his 
 artillery. At Mount Pleasant, Maj. Ives, with a battalion of the 
 First Louisiana cavalry, had dispersed a detachment of militia. 
 The column halted an hour at that place to feed, and on resum 
 ing the march, Maj. Ives kept a quarter of a mile in advance. 
 In course of an hour, while marching along in the wood, where 
 
240 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 the ground was swampy, liis battalion was met unexpectedly by 
 a sharp volley of musketry, proceeding from a force drawn up in 
 line of battle, but nearly concealed, on the farther side of a 
 piece of low ground, T_ie suddenness of the attack checked 
 the advaD.ce, and, for a moment, threw it into confusion ; but 
 ocder was soom restored, and Maj. Ives deployed his small force, 
 answered the fire, yet had to fall back, though slowly. Lucas 
 being near at hand, ordered the remainder of the First Louisi 
 ana, under Lieut. -Col. Badger, forward at the gallop, and the 
 rest of the column to follow at a trot. The First Louisiana, 
 having deployed, made a gallant charge on the attacking force. 
 The latter consisted of the Fifteenth confederate cavalry. It 
 was well posted ; but the charge was so spirited and well 
 supported that they made but brief resistance, and then gave 
 way. Lucas pursued with vigor for two miles, capturing two 
 battle-flags, three commissioned officers, and sixty men, with 
 many horses and arms. The victory would have been moro 
 complete but for the miry nature of the ground. The loss in 
 Lucas command was confined to the First Louisiana, and con 
 sisted of two men killed, and one commissioned officer (Lieut. 
 Boyle) and four men wounded. The casualties of the Fifteenth 
 confederate were reported to be greater. That regiment retired 
 north, moving rapidly through Claiborne. Lucas reached 
 that place at eleven, p. M., and went into camp. "While there, 
 his scouts captured several more prisoners, some of whom 
 were officers or agents of importance, and by the 18th, the 
 whole number in his possession was one hundred and fifty. 
 On that day, pursuant to orders from Gen. Canby, he marched 
 for Blakely. 
 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 OPERATIONS OF WILSON S CAVALRY IN ALABAMA. 
 
 WHILE Canby was moving upon Mobile, Thomas caused a 
 dive-rsion to be made in his favor by a column of cavalry 
 under Brevet Maj.-Gen. J. H. Wilson. But the operations of 
 that column included results beyond those of a co-operative 
 character ; and they have hardly ever been surpassed, even 
 by the achievements of Alexander. 
 
 The condition and purposes of the confederates in Central 
 Alabama show that the flank and rear of Canby s army 
 would have been much harassed but for W 7 ilson s movement. 
 Lieut.-Gen. Taylor, commanding the department of Alabama, 
 Mississippi, and East Louisiana, in some respects, it is true, 
 was in straitened circumstances. He could no longer procure 
 materials nor transportation on credit, and was dependent on the 
 funds derived from the produce loan, cotton being the main 
 article. There were many deserters from his forces j 1 and soon 
 after the fall of Mobile and Selrna, he would have accepted 
 colored troops but for a lack of arms. 2 Nevertheless, there was 
 
 1 Capt. Sarget (A. A. G.), to Gen. Hodges, March 16. Calls his attention to 
 the large number of deserters and absentees, and adds : " Employ the Texas 
 and Arkansas troops in vigorously hunting down all those who fail to comply 
 with the provisions of those orders. Some cases of shooting would have a 
 beneficial effect." 
 
 2 April 15, 1865. Mr. Win. Lyon, of Demopolis, Ala., who, on behalf of 
 citizens of Marengo and adjoining counties, tenders the military services of 
 negroes, is informed that, although Lieut-Gen. Taylor has no instructions from 
 Richmond on the subject, he would accept the services of negro troops if he 
 
 16 
 
242 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 a respectable force ready for service in the field. And Taylor 
 entertained a hope that he would be able to defeat the federal 
 columns in detail. 1 Forrest, having command of the cavalry, 
 was at West Point, Mississippi. On the 23d of March, Taylor 
 ordered troops to Greenville to resist Sfceale, who was then 
 thought to be moving on Montgomery. 2 His veteran battalions 
 were directing their steps southeastwardly, when the rattling of 
 Wilson s sabres was heard from the north. 3 Then they paused, 
 and soon wheeled about. Taylor hoped he would be able to 
 overpower this unexpected column ; and he promised Maury 
 that when he had accomplished that purpose he would go to his 
 assistance. 4 
 
 had arms for them. The assistant adjutant-general requests Mr. Lyon to ascer 
 tain the number that can be had. 
 
 1 Lieut.-Gen. Taylor to Gen. E. E Lee: " Meridian, Mar c7i 27 His 
 
 [enemy s] cavalry, from Florida coast, has struck Montgomery railroad at 
 Evergreen. A raid advancing from North, arid another from northeast Ala 
 bama, toward Selma and Montgomery. Another threatening Prairie region 
 from Memphis. My intention is to meet and whip these detached columns 
 before they can advance far into the country or unite with each other." 
 
 2 Copt. Surget to Gen. D. W. Adams, Selma or Montevallo : " March 23. 
 Armistead reports enemy moving. Direct Gen. Buford to move at once for 
 Greenville via Selma, or point where pontoon is. Assist the movement by 
 sending baggage by rail and steamboat. Forrest will send other troops to con 
 centrate at same point. Communicate with Armistead and dispose troops as 
 movements of enemy may render advisable. Push forward completion of the 
 pontoon near Selma." 
 
 Capt. Surget to Gen. D. W. Adams : " March 25. Greenville is the point 
 toward which all troops be pushed rapidly as possible." 
 
 Same to Same. " Chalmers and Jackson s divisions are ordered via Finche s 
 ferry to Selma." 
 
 Taylor to Gen. D. W. Adams, Montevallo : " West Point, Miss., March 25. 
 Troops are being pushed forward to Selma to meet raid from below. Use 
 every exertion to prevent them cutting road to Pollard and Columbus." 
 
 3 Taylor to Forrest: "March 27. Gens. Adams and Roddy are still of 
 opinion that it is a large and well-equipped cavalry force moving from 
 above." 
 
 4 To Gen. Mauri/: "March 28. The Lieutenant-General hopes in three or 
 four days to whip the large raid moving from north, and then will be in con 
 dition to assist you." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 243 
 
 Organization of Wilsons Cavalry. For several weeks pre 
 vious to the campaign, the cavalry corps of the military division 
 of the Mississippi, numbering twenty-two thousand, had been in 
 camp on the north bank of the Tennessee, at Gravelly Springs 
 and Waterloo. The surface of the country is there rolling ; the 
 soil rocky. The men had comfortable quarters, the horses good 
 shelter, and supplies were furnished in abundance. The fault 
 in the cavalry system had previously been overwork in detach 
 ments, and the absence of instruction and uniformity of equip 
 ment. Gen. Wilson instituted a thorough system of instruction, 
 and every necessary effort was made to bring the corps to the 
 highest possible state of efficiency. The troops were drilled in 
 the double-rank formation. Wilson discovers the true genius of 
 a soldier when he says that the future victories of the corps 
 were " won by patient industry and instruction while in the can 
 tonments of Gravelly Springs and Waterloo." 
 
 Early in February, Knipe s division, numbering five thousand, 
 \ras sent round by water to Cahby, leaving under Wilson s 
 immediate command seventeen thousand men, requiring about 
 five thousand horses for a complete remount. The lack of horses 
 compelled him, reluctantly, to leave Hatch s division at East- 
 port, and the divisions assigned for the march, were the First* 
 Second, and Fourth, commanded, respectively, by McCook, Long, 
 and Upton ; comprising, in all, a little over twelve thousand 
 mounted men. The dismounted men of the three divisions, 
 numbering fifteen hundred, were designated as escort for the 
 supply train ; were organized into battalions, and commanded 
 by Maj. Archer. 
 
 The division commanders were directed to see that every 
 trooper was provided with five days light rations in haversacks, 
 twenty-four pounds of grain, one hundred rounds of ammuni 
 tion, and one pair of extra horseshoes for his horse ; that the 
 pack-animals vere loaded with five days rations of hard-bread, 
 
244 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 ten of sugar, coffee, and salt ; and the wagons with forty-five 
 days rations of coffee, twenty of sugar, fifteen of salt, and 
 eighty rounds of ammunition. This allowance was prescribed 
 on the basis of a sixty days campaign, and under the supposi 
 tion that the command would be able to supply itself from tho 
 country through which it marched, with everything else in 
 abundance. Only enough hard-bread was taken to last through 
 the sterile region of North Alabama. 
 
 The supply and baggage train numbered about two hundred 
 and fifty wagons, and was under the charge of Captain W. E. 
 Brown, acting chief quartermaster. 
 
 In addition, there was a light canvas pontoon train of thirty 
 boats, transported by fifty six-mule wagons, and in charge of a 
 battalion of the Twelfth Missouri cavalry, Maj. J. M. Hubbard 
 commanding. l 
 
 Wilson s instructions from Lieut.-Gen. Grant, allowed him the 
 amplest discretion, as an independent commander. 
 
 The March. As the rains had retarded Canby s columns, so 
 the overflow of the Tennessee delayed Wilson ; and it turned 
 out that there was a happy concurrence in their movements. 
 Wilson commenced crossing the Tennessee on the 18th of 
 March ; and at daylight of the 22d, the order of march having 
 been designated, the movement began from Chickasaw. The 
 scanty condition of the country, and the purpose of creating 
 doubt in the mind of the enemy as to the real object of the 
 column, rendered it prudent that it should move on diverging 
 routes. 
 
 "Upton s division, followed by his train, marched rapidly by 
 the most easterly route, passing Barton s station, Eusselville, 
 
 1 Here, and in many of the following pages, I borrow largely from the 
 report of Brevet Maj.-Gen. J. H. Wilson, dated Macon, Georgia, June 29, 
 1.865. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 245 
 
 Mount Hope, and Jasper, to Sanders ferry, on the west fork oi 
 the Black Warrior river. 
 
 Long s division marched by the way of Cherokee station and 
 Frankfort ; but being encumbered by the pontoon train, and 
 having mistaken the road by which it should have ascended 
 the mountain, was considerably delayed in reaching Russelville. 
 Thence it marched south, by the Tuscaloosa road, till it crossed 
 Upper Bear creek ; then turned to the eastAvard, by the head of 
 Buttahatchie creek, crossed Byler s road near Thorn hill, and 
 struck Blackwater creek about twenty-five miles from. Jasper. 
 The crossing of the last-mentioned stream, and the road for six 
 miles beyond, were as bad as could be, but, by industry, every 
 thing was got through to Jasper, and the ford on the Warrior, 
 with but little loss of time. 
 
 McCook s division pursued the same route to Bear creek on 
 the Tuscaloosa road, but instead of turning to the eastward 
 at that place, continued the march toward Tuscaloosa as far 
 as Eldridge, and thence east to Jasper. 
 
 In this order the whole command arrived at and crossed the 
 Black Warrior river. 
 
 The ford on the west branch was extremely difficult of 
 approach as well as of passage. The country on both sides, 
 very rugged and six or seven hundred feet above the bed of 
 the stream, was entirely destitute of forage ; the stream itself 
 was at the time likely to become entirely impassable by the rain 
 which threatened to occur at any moment. Wilson, therefore, 
 having heard at Jasper, on the 27th, that a part of Forrest s 
 force under Chalmers, was marching by way of B ridge ville 
 toward Tuscaloosa, and apprehending that the balance of For 
 rest s force might be sent in the same direction, directed his 
 division commanders to replenish the haversack, to see that 
 the pack animals were fully laden, to leave all the wagons, 
 except the artillery, and march with the greatest possible 
 
246 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 rapidity, via Ely ton to Montevallo. He felt confident the 
 enemy would endeavor to check his movement with the hopo 
 of destroying the supply train. So he left it between the two 
 streams, with instructions to have it pushed on as far as Ely ton, 
 where it would receive further orders. In crossing the two 
 branches of the Warrior each division lost a few horses, but 
 no men. 
 
 While at Elyton, on the evening of the 30th, Wilson directed 
 McCook to detach Croxton s brigade, with orders to move on 
 Tuscaloosa as rapidly as possible, burn the public stores, mili 
 tary college, bridges, foundries, and factories there, return 
 toward the main column by the way of Centerville road, 
 and rejoin it at or in the vicinity of Selma. Besides covering 
 the trains and inflicting a heavy blow on the enemy, Wilson 
 hoped by that detachment to develop any movement intended 
 to intercept his main column. The achievements and hazards 
 of Croxton s brigade will be related hereafter. 
 
 On the 28th, Forrest was moving from West Point via Finche s 
 ferry ; and the same day he learned that Gen. Dan. Adams 
 scouts from Montevallo reported the federals moving on Tusca 
 loosa with a force estimated at five thousand. On that day, 
 also, he was informed that Gen. Adams reported that three 
 divisions under Wilson camped at Jasper the night of the 
 26th, and that their destination was Elyton and Montevallo. 
 On the 28th, the Kentucky brigade was put in motion to strike 
 the federal rear from Tuscaloosa. On the 29th, orders were 
 again sent to Gen. W. L. Brandon to send, twenty-five hundred 
 Mississippi reserves from Scooba to West Point. 
 
 Skirmishes near Montevallo. Gen. Upton s division in the 
 advance encountered a small mounted force at Elyton, but 
 pushed it rapidly across the Cahawba to Montevallo. The 
 enemy having felled trees into the ford and otherwise obstructed 
 it, the railroad bridge near Hillsborough was tloored over by 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 247 
 
 Gen. E. F. Winslow s brigade. Upton crossed his division and 
 pushed on to Montevallo, where he arrived late in the evening 
 of the 30th. Winslow s brigade had a slight skirmish just 
 before entering Monterallo, which was participated in by three 
 companies of the Fourth Iowa, under Maj. W. W. Woods, and 
 one man of the Fourth Iowa was slightly wounded. Long and 
 McCook marched by the same route. In that region Upton s 
 division destroyed the Red Mountain, Central, Bibb, and Co- 
 lumbiana iron-works, Cahawba rolling mills, five collieries, and 
 much valuable property; all of which were in full operation. 
 Wilson arrived at Montevallo, on the afternoon of March 31, 
 where he found Upton s division ready to resume the march. 
 Directly after, the confederates made their appearance on the 
 Solma road, pushing in the federal pickets. By Gen. Wilson s 
 direction, Upton moved his division out at once, Gen. A. J. 
 Alexander s brigade being in advance. After a sharp fight and 
 handsome charge, by the Fifth Iowa cavalry, Col. J. M. Ycum* 
 commanding, Alexander s brigade drove the confederate cavalry, 
 a part of Crossland s Kentucky brigade, and Roddy s division, 
 rapidly and in confusion toward Randolph. On their seeking 
 to make a stand at Six-Mile creek, south of Montevallo, Upton 
 caused Rodney s battery (I, Fourth United States artillery) to 
 take position and open fire, and pushed Winslow s brigade to 
 the front. The Tenth Missouri cavalry, Lieut. Col. F. W. Ben- 
 teen commanding, dismounted and forced the confederates from 
 their position, the Tenth suffering a loss of two men wounded. 
 While that regiment was mounting, the Third Iowa cavalry, Col. 
 J. W. Noble commanding, took the advance and charged the 
 confederates with one company at a time on the road when 
 their column was in retreat. A portion of the confederates 
 being separated from their main force, Capt. Johnson, of the 
 Third, with two companies, was sent to the right and charging 
 with vigor and gallantry, captured a number. On the main 
 
248 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 road, the confederates were driven to "Randolph, leaving many 
 animals and men along the road. Winslow s brigade took 
 seventy-five prisoners. The Third Iowa behaved with its 
 habitual gallantry. It was led by Col. Noble, whose adjutant 
 lost his horse in the first charge. Meantime, the enemy being 
 familiar with the ground attacked the rear and right of Wins- 
 low s brigade, when Lieut.-Col. Peters, commanding the Fourth 
 Iowa, dismounted seven companies of that regiment, charged 
 the enemy, driving him about two miles, killing and wounding 
 several and capturing two. The loss of the Fourth was three 
 severely, and two slightly wounded. The gallantry of men and 
 officers had been conspicuous throughout the day, and much 
 increased the moral supremacy of the corps. 
 
 Upton s division bivouacked that night fourteen miles south 
 of Montevallo, and at dawn the next day, April 1, moved forward 
 to Eandolph. At that point, in pursuance of the order of march 
 for the day, Gen. Upton turned to the east, for the purpose 
 of going by the way of Old Maplesville, and thence by the Old 
 Selina road, while Gen. Long was instructed to push forward 
 on the new road. 
 
 Capture of Despatches. At Randolph, Upton s scouts cap 
 tured a confederate courier just from Centreville, from whose 
 person were taken two despatches, one from Brig.-Gen. W. H. 
 Jackson, commanding one of Forrest s divisions, and one from 
 Major Anderson, Forrest s chief of staff. From the first Wil 
 son learned that Forrest, with a part of his command, was in his 
 front which had also been learned from prisoners that Jack 
 son with his division, and all the wagons and artillery of the 
 confederate cavalry, marching from Tuscaloosa, via Trion 
 toward Centreville, had encamped the night before at Hill s 
 plantation, three miles beyond Scottsboro ; that Croxton, with 
 the brigade detached at Elyton, had struck Jackson s rear 
 guard at Trion and interposed himself between it and the tram : 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 249 
 
 that Jackson had discovered this, and intended to attack Crox- 
 ton at daylight, April 1. He learned from the other despatch 
 that Chalmers had also arrived at Marion, Alabama, and had 
 been ordered to cross to the east side of the Cahawba, near 
 that place, for the purpose of joining Forrest in Wilson s 
 front, or in the works at Selma. He also learned that a force 
 of dismounted men were stationed at Centreville, with orders to 
 hold the bridge over the Cahawba as long as possible, and in no 
 event to let it fall into the hands of the federals. 
 
 Shortly after the interception of these despatches Wilson 
 received a despatch from Croxton, written from Trion, the night 
 before, stating he had struck Jackson s rear ; and instead oi L 
 pushing on toward Tuscaloosa, as he was ordered, he would 
 follow and endeavor to bring him to an engagement, hoping, 
 thereby to prevent his junction with Forrest. 
 
 Having this information, Wilson directed McCook to strength 
 en the battalion previously ordered to Centreville, by a regiment 
 and to follow at once with La Grange s entire brigade, leaving 
 all pack-trains and wagons with the main column, so that he 
 could march with the utmost celerity ; and after seizing the 
 Centreville bridge, and leaving it under protection of a sufficient 
 guard, to cross the Cahawba, and continue his march by the 
 Scottsville road toward Trion. His orders were to attack and 
 break up Jackson s forces, form a junction with Croxton, if 
 practicable, and rejoin the corps, with his entire division, by 
 the Centreville-road to Selma. Although McCook did not leave 
 Randolph till near eleven, A. M., and the distance to Scottsville 
 was nearly forty miles, Wilson hoped, by the movement to do 
 more than secure the Centreville bridge, and prevent Jackson 
 from joining the force in front of the main column. 
 
250 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 BATTLE OF EBENEZER CHUHCH. 
 
 Having anticipated Forrest, in his characteristic plan of get 
 ting upon the rear of his adversary, Wilson directed Long and 
 Upton to allow him no rest, but push him toward Selma with 
 the utmost rapidity. Those officers comprehended the situa 
 tion, and pressed forward, with zeal and activity, on the roads 
 that have been indicated. The advance of both divisions 
 -encountered small parties of confederates, but drove them 
 back to their main force at Ebenezer church, six miles north 
 of Plantersville. Forrest had chosen a position on the north 
 bank of Bogler s creek, and disposed of his force for battle, his 
 right resting on Mulberry creek, and his left on a high wooded 
 ridge, with four pieces of artillery to sweep the Randolph road, 
 upon which Long s division was advancing, and two on the 
 Maplesville road. He had under his command, in line, Arm 
 strong s brigade of Chalmers division ; Roddy s division ; Cross- 
 land s Kentucky brigade ; and a battalion of three hundred 
 infantry, just arrived from Selma ; in all, about five thousand 
 men. Part of his front was covered by a slashing of pine trees 
 and rail barricades. 
 
 Gen. Long, on discovering the confederates in strength close 
 upon the main body, reinforced his advance guard (a battalion 
 of the Seventy-second Indiana mounted infantry) by the balance 
 -.of the regiment, dismounted, and formed it on the left of the 
 Toad. As it moved forward, the confederate advance fell back. 
 At that juncture, he ordered forward four companies of the 
 Seventeenth Indiana mounted infantry, Lieut. -Col. Frank White 
 commanding. With drawn sabres, that gallant battalion drove 
 the enemy, in confusion, into the main line, dashed against that, 
 broke through it, rode over the artillery, and, finally, turned to 
 the left, and cut its way out, leaving one officer and sixteen men 
 in the hands of the confederates, either killed or wounded. In 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 251 
 
 this charge, Capt. Taylor, of the Seventeenth Indiana, lost his 
 life, after having led his men into the very midst of the enemy, 
 and engaged in a running fight, of two hundred yards, with 
 Forrest in person. 
 
 While this was transpiring, Upton s division was coming from 
 a northeasterly direction on the Maplesville road. Alexander s 
 brigade was in the advance, and hearing the firing and cheers 
 of Long s men on the right, when within three miles of Ebenezer 
 church, pushed forward at the trot, and soon came :o the scene 
 of action. Alexander promptly deployed his brigade mostly on 
 the right of the road, intending to connect with Long s left, and 
 soon afterward advanced his line dismounted. In less than an 
 hour, although the resistance was determined, the position was 
 carried by a gallant charge, and the confederates routed. Gen. 
 Alexander s brigade captured two guns and about two hundred 
 prisoners, while one gun fell into the hands of Gen. Long s 
 division. 
 
 Winslow s brigade came up just as the engagement was being 
 decided ; and two regiments, the Third Iowa leading, were 
 hastened to the front. Capt. Arnim s Company I of the Third 
 was thrown out on the left of the road, and directed to charge 
 a line formed on the bank of the creek four hundred yards from 
 the head of Winslow s column. That company, having to 
 throw down a fence under severe fire, had one officer, Lieut. J. 
 J. Yeach, and several men wounded, losing also about fifteen 
 horses. The column moving forward the last of Forrest s forces 
 retired, and the Third Iowa cavalry pursued them five miles to 
 Plantersville. Capt. John Brown s Company L charged over a 
 deep stream, captured a color company, and, indeed, more men 
 than his command numbered. 
 
CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 CAVALRY OPERATIONS CONTINUED. BATTLE OF SELMA. 
 
 THE night of April 1, Wilson s corps bivouacked near Plant- 
 ersville, nineteen miles from Selma. With almc st constant 
 fighting, it had driven its adversaries twenty-four miles since 
 morning. It gave them no pause nor rest. At daylight of the 
 2d, .Long s division took the advance, closely followed by 
 Upton s. Wilson, having paid heed to that important injunction 
 of Napoleon to be informed of the condition of the enemy 
 had obtained a well-drawn sketch, and complete description of 
 the defences of Selma. 
 
 That city is situated on the north bank of the Alabama river, 
 about one hundred feet above high water. It contained an 
 arsenal and foundries, and was the most important confederate 
 depot of the southwest. 
 
 Its fortifications consisted of a bastioned line on a radius of 
 nearly three miles, extending from the Alabama river below to 
 the same above the city. That part of the line west of the city 
 was covered with a miry, deep, and almost impassable creek, with 
 sloping banks ; that on the east side, by a swamp, extending 
 from the river almost to the Summerville road, and entirely 
 impracticable for mounted men at all times. On the east side 
 also is a stream with high and precipitous banks. The profile 
 of the works was as follows : Height of parapet, six to eight 
 feet ; thickness, eight feet ; depth of ditch, five feet ; width, 
 from ten to fifteen feet ; height of stockade on the glacis, five 
 feet; sunk in the earth, four feet. The place was indeed 
 
/i,.,,,,,./../J&,mttdy 
 
 Position, in. N<ll , 
 Range Line Road, 
 
 frofilr ofstodsaded fiJ? 
 m*Hmuu? of continuous l <u;ij> t t 
 Line of stochadeU flirt,- Kl . 
 
 for field Artillery Bastitms Radons 
 
 A-c. wUfc 77 Embrasures. 
 
 a b r Flanking Redans *c. 
 
 dd d Kndosad Jlasiions foi-lUamiai 
 
 I." l-i ,-J,t Huns captured, in fhsttion 
 
 Mothers capturefLjust outside of 
 
 Kruly*. 
 
 MAP OF THE (^ITY 
 OF 
 
 SELMA AND ITS DEFENCES 
 ALABAMA 
 
 Captured by Assault by tin- Cavalry Corps Al.D.AJ. 
 
 April 2 d. 1865 
 Bvt.Maj. Geid. J.If.WILSOX Comdg. 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 253 
 
 strongly and elaborately fortified, and the stockade in front of 
 the ditch was no inconsiderable obstruction. 
 
 Wilson directed Long to march by the flanks of brigades, 
 approach the city, and cross to the Suimnerville road, without 
 exposing his men, and to develop his lina as soon as he should 
 arrive in front of the works. Upton was directed to move on 
 the Range Line road, sending a squadron on the Burnsville 
 road. Lieut. Rendelbrook, with a battalion of the Fourth 
 United States cavalry, was instructed to move down the rail 
 road, burning stations, bridges, and trestle-work, as far as 
 Burnsville. By rapid marching, without opposition, the troops 
 were all in sight of the town, and mostly in position, by 
 four, P. M. 
 
 Lieut.-Gen. Taylor left the city at about that hour, leaving 
 Forrest in command, who had under him a garrison numbering 
 nearly seven thousand, including the citizen militia. Preachers 
 of the gospel took muskets and went into the trenches. 
 
 ASSAULT. 
 
 As Gen. "Wilson approached the city he perceived that the 
 information he had received was generally correct. He then 
 made a reconnoissance of the works from left to right, for the 
 purpose of satisfying himself as to the true point of attack, and 
 the probable chances of success. He directed Gen. Long to 
 assault the works by moving diagonally across the road upon 
 which his troops were posted, while Gen. Upton, at his own 
 request, with a picked force of three hundred men, was directed 
 to penetrate the swamps upon his left, break through the line 
 covered by it, and turn the garrison s right, the balance of his 
 division to conform to the movement. The signal for the ad 
 vance was to be the discharge of a single gun from Rodney s 
 battery, to be given as soon as Upton s turning movement 
 had developed itself. 
 
254 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Before that plan could be executed, and while waiting for 
 the signal to advance, Gen. Long was informed that a strong 
 force of confederate cavalry had begun skirmishing with his 
 rear, and threatened a general attack upon his pack train and 
 led horses. He had left a force of six companies well posted at 
 the creek, in anticipation of that movement, afterward ascer 
 tained to have been made by Chalmers, in obedience to the 
 instructions of Forrest. This force was at Marion the day 
 before, and was expected on the road from that place. Fearing, 
 lest the affair might compromise the assault upon the main 
 position, Long (having strengthened the rear by another regi 
 ment), determined to make the assault at once, and without 
 waiting for the signal, gave the order to advance. His com 
 mand was formed in line of battle dismounted, the Seventeenth 
 Indiana mounted infantry on the right, and next, from right to 
 left, the One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois and Ninety- 
 eighth Illinois mounted infantry, the Fourth Ohio cavalry, and 
 Fourth Michigan cavalry, comprising in all fifteen hundred 
 officers and men. They had to charge across open ground six 
 hundred yards to the works, exposed to the fire of artillery and 
 musketry, and that part of the line they were to assault was 
 manned by Armstrong s brigade, regarded as the best of For 
 rest s corps, and numbering fifteen hundred strong. Long s 
 division sprang forward in an unfaltering manner. Its flanks 
 had some difficulty in crossing a ravine and marshy soil ; but in 
 less than fifteen minutes it had swept over the works and 
 driven the confederates in confusion toward the city. But 
 the loss was considerable, and among the wounded was Gen. 
 Long himself, who was temporarily succeeded in command 
 by Col. Minty. Wilson arrived on that part of the field just 
 after the works were carried. He at once notified Upton of the 
 success, directed Col. Minty to form Long s division for a 
 new advance, ordered Col. Vail, commanding the Seventeenth 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 255 
 
 Indiana, to place his own regiment and the Fourth United 
 States cavalry, Lieut. O Connel, and the Board of Trade bat 
 tery, Capt. Robinson commanding, and renewed the attack. 
 The garrison had occupied a new line, but partially finished, OIL 
 the edge of the city. A gallant charge by the Fourth United 
 States cavalry was repulsed, but it rapidly re-formed on the 
 left. It was now quite dark. Upton s division advancing at 
 the same time, a new charge was made by the Fourth Ohio, 
 Seventeenth Indiana, and Fourth cavalry, dismounted. The 
 troops, inspired by the wildest enthusiasm, swept everything 
 before them, and penetrated the city in all directions. Upton s 
 division, though encountering less resistance, charged with its 
 habitual spirit and devotion. It was said that the men, finding 
 it too difficult to break down or pry away the sharp-pointed 
 stockade in front of the earthworks, those behind, coming on 
 swiftly, jumped on the shoulders of the foremost and leaped 
 the obstructions, thus storming the works by a game of " leap 
 frog." 1 Nor was such a humorous expedient inconsistent with 
 the coolness and fervid valor of those splendid troops. 
 
 During the first part of the action, the Chicago Board of 
 Trade battery had occupied a commanding position, and steadily 
 replied to the garrison guns. 
 
 The loss in Long s division was forty killed and two hundred 
 and sixty wounded. Of the latter, besides Long, were Cols. 
 Miller, McCormick, and Briggs. Wilson s force, engaged and 
 in supporting distance, was nine thousand men and eight guns. 
 
 The garrison fought with considerable coolness and skill. 
 Forrest was reported to have been engaged personally in 
 two or three romantic combats ; and he, with Gens. Armstrong, 
 Roddy, and Adams, and a number of men, escaped under cover 
 of darkness, by the Burnsville or river road. A portion of 
 
 1 Ingersoll s Iowa and the Rebellion, p. 465. 
 
256 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Upton s division pursued on the Burnsville road until long 
 after midnight, capturing four guns and many prisoners. 
 
 The immediate fruits of Wilson s victory were thirty-one 
 field guns and one thirty-pounder Parrott ; two thousand seven 
 hundred prisoners, including one hundred and fifty officers ; a 
 number of colors, and large quantities of stores of every kind. 
 
 As soon as the troops could be assembled and got into 
 camp, Brevet Brig.-Gen. Winslow was assigned to the command 
 of the city, with orders to destroy everything that could benefit 
 the confederate cause. In the excitement of the hour, some 
 acts of plunder were committed. 
 
 Gen. Upton was directed to march at daylight with his 
 division, for the purpose of driving Chalmers to the west side 
 of the Catawba, to open communication with McCook, who was 
 expected from Centreville, and to assist him in bringing in 
 the train. 
 
 In anticipation of the fall of Selma the confederates burned 
 twenty-five thousand bales of cotton, sent the steamers that 
 were there, down the Alabama, to go up the Tombigbee, and 
 cut loose a pontoon bridge which floated down to Oven bluff. 
 
 Gen. Wilson directed Lieut. Haywood, Fourth Michigan cav 
 alry, engineer officer on his staff, to employ all the resources 
 of the shops in the city in the construction of pontoons, with the 
 intention of laying a bridge and crossing to the south side of 
 the Alabama river, as soon as he could satisfy himself of Gen. 
 Canby s success in the operations against Mobile. On April 
 5, Upton and McCook arrived with the train, but nothing 
 definite had been heard of Croxton. McCook had been entirely 
 successful in his operations against Centreville, but on reaching 
 Scottsboro, he found Jackson well posted with a force, he 
 thought too strong to attack. After a sharp skirmish 1 he 
 
 1 Gapl. Surrjet (A. A, 6r.), to M-y. Hope, Dsmopvlis : " April 3. If news of 
 Jackson s victory be true, he ought to cover Demopolis." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 257 
 
 returned to Centreville, burned the Scottsboro cotton factory 
 and Cahawba bridge, and returned toward Selma. Meantime, 
 Col. Noble, Third Iowa, with a detachment of Winslow s 
 brigade, made a march to the rear through Summerfield to 
 Johnson s ferry, returning on the 6th. 
 
 On the 3d, Gen. "Wirt Adams, at West Point, was ordered to 
 prepare immediately to move east via Pickensville with every 
 available man of his own and Scott s Louisiana brigade, leaving 
 the battery behind. On the 4th, Lieut.-Gen. Taylor was at 
 Mobile. On the same day, Capt. Surget telegraphed from 
 Meridian to Gen. Hodge at Jackson, that there were some 
 eighty federal prisoners there, recent captures. On the 5th, 
 Taylor returned from Mobile, and at one, P. M., telegraphed 
 Forrest as follows : 
 
 "Returned from Mobile this morning. Wirfc Adams left 
 Columbus this morning with fifteen hundred men to join 
 
 you at Marion via Pickensville Tis useless to fight 
 
 enemy until we are strong enough to whip him. Hang on his 
 flanks and rear, cut off small parties and delay his movements 
 till you can get your whole force in hand." 
 
 The same day Capt. Surget informed Forrest " At Mobile 
 everything goes on well. Yankees have gained nothing thus 
 far." 
 
 On the 6th of April, Gen. Wilson having ordered Maj. Hub- 
 bard to lay a bridge over the Alabama with the utmost despatch, 
 went to Cahawba to see Gen. Forrest, who had agreed to meet 
 Wilson there, under a flag of truce, to arrange an exchange of 
 prisoners. Wilson soon discovered that he need not expect 
 liberality in the matter, and that Forrest hoped to recapture 
 the prisoners in his hands. During the conversation, Wilson 
 learned from Forrest that Croxton had had an engagement with 
 Wirt Adams, near Bridgeville, forty miles southwest of Tusca- 
 loosa, two days before. This, it appears, assured Wilson ot 
 
 17 
 
253 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 Croxton s success and safety, and he determined to lose no 
 time in crossing to the south side of the Alabama. Returning 
 to Sslnia he urged every one to the utmost exertions. The 
 river was quite full and rising, its current swift and strong. 
 The weather was also unsettled and rainy, but by great energy 
 and labor night and day the bridge, eight hundred and seventy 
 feet long, was constructed, and the command all crossed by day 
 light of the 10th. Three times the bridge was swept away. 
 Gen. Alexander narrowly escaped drowning; boats were cap 
 sized, and men precipitated into the stream, but the crossing 
 was finally accomplished with success. 
 
 Behind him, in the destroyed arsenal, foundries, arms, stores, 
 and military munitions of every kind, Wilson had left immense 
 ruin. He had struck the Confederacy a disastrous blow. 
 
 At Selma, he left the severely wounded of his command, and 
 many paroled prisoners. But the confederates considered the 
 parole illegal, and ordered the men to duty. 
 
 Wilson now determined to march, by the way of Montgomery, 
 into Georgia, and, after breaking up railroads, and destroy 
 ing stores and army supplies in that state, to march thence, 
 as rapidly as possible, to the theatre of operations in North 
 Carolina and Virginia. 
 
 He was now able to secure greater mobility to his command. 
 Enough horses had been captured to mount all the dismounted 
 men. The surplus wagons, and all of the bridge train, except 
 enough for twelve bags, were destroyed. The column was 
 claared of the multitude of freedmen who hovered around it, 
 except such ablebodied ones as could enlist, who were organ- 
 iz&d into regiments, one to each division. Efficient officers were 
 assigned these commands ; and how well they succeeded, is 
 shown by the fact, that " in addition to subsisting themselves 
 upon the country, they marched (upon one occasion) forty-five 
 miles, and frequently as much as thirty-five, in one day." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 259 
 
 In the march from Selma, La Grange s brigade, of McCook s 
 division, was given the advance. The recent rains had rendered 
 the roads quite muddy, and a small body of confederate cavalry, 
 in falling back before La Grange, destroyed several bridges, so 
 that the progress of the column was slow. 
 
 On the morning of the 12th, the advance-guard reached 
 Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, and received the sur 
 render of the city from the mayor and council. The confed 
 erate general, Adams, with a small force, after falling back from 
 bofora Wilson s column, to the city, burned ninety thousand 
 bales of cotton, stored there, and continued his retreat to Mount 
 Meigs, on the Columbus road. 
 
 Gen. McCook assigned Col. Cooper, Fourth Kentucky cav 
 alry, to the command of the city, and immediately began the 
 destruction of the public stores. Maj. Weston of the Fourth 
 Kentucky, with a small detachment of his regiment, made a 
 rapid march toward Wetumpka, swam the Coosa and Talla- 
 poosa rivers, and captured five steamboats and their cargoes, 
 which were taken to Montgomery and destroyed. 
 
 The grand column entered Montgomery in imposing style. 
 The capitol stands on a commanding site, and is visible far out 
 in the country. As they approached the city the troopers were 
 delighted to see the federal flag restored to its position, and 
 proudly floating from the dome of the first capitol of the then 
 tottering confederacy. 
 
 Pausing two days at Montgomery, Wilson resumed his march 
 on the morning of the 14th, moving into Georgia and accom 
 plishing brilliant results ; the most important of which was the 
 capture, on the 16th of April, of the fortified posts of Columbus 
 and West Point. On the 20th, he entered Macon, where he was 
 met by news of the armistice. 
 
CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 OPERATIONS OF CROXTON S BRIGADE. 
 
 GEN. John T. Croxton s brigade consisted of the Second! 
 Michigan cavalry, Col. Johnston, the Fourth Kentucky mounted 
 infantry, Col. Kelly, the Sixth Kentucky cavalry, Maj. Fidler, 
 and the Eighth Iowa cavalry, Col. Dorr, fifteen hundred effective. 
 
 Leaving the Fourth Kentucky cavalry temporarily with the 
 train, Croxton, on the morning of March 31, marched from 
 Elyton for Tuscaloosa, having eleven hundred effective men. 
 He took no artillery nor train, save one headquarters bag 
 gage-wagon, three ambulances, and the allowance of pack 
 mules. The men had each about one hundred and twenty 
 rounds of ammunition, and, like the main column, were armed 
 with Spencer carbines. 
 
 At five, P. M., when approaching Trion, some twenty miles 
 from Tuscaloosa, and while ascending a rise of ground, in a 
 wooded and broken country, the advance detected indications 
 of the enemy, which proved to be the rear of Gen. W. H. Jack 
 son s division, estimated at twenty-six hundred, and having 
 artillery. Croxton s brigade deployed in line near the top of 
 the hill, with videttes on the crest, and having remained in 
 that position till dark, went into camp off the road. Meantime, 
 thorough scouting on the flanks, showed hostile forces on 
 Croxton s left and left rear. 
 
 Sldrmisli at Trion. At daylight the next morning, April 1, 
 Croxton, in order to elude Jackson, though still having Tusca 
 loosa in view, turned, by an unfrequented road, in a northeast 
 erly direction, to the Dirt creek road, and marched rapidly for 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 261 
 
 ten or fifteen miles. Jackson, however, made a sharp attack 
 before the brigade was all out of camp, the Sixth Kentucky 
 cavalry losing some thirty men, including a lieutenant, captured. 
 A. scouting party, of the Eighth Iowa, was cut off, all of whom, 
 except one, killed, made their way to Gen. Wilson. 
 
 Gen. Jackson addressed a despatch to the commanding officer 
 at Tuscaloosa, informing him that he had attacked and dis 
 persed Croxton s force ; adding : " It is scattered in the moun 
 tains, and cannot again be collected. Assure the fair ladies of 
 Tuscaloosa, that the tread of the Yandal hordes shall not pollute 
 the streets of their beautiful city." 
 
 Croxton marched that day about forty miles, striking the 
 Black Warrior river at Johnson s ferry. The Fourth Kentucky 
 joined him at noon. The same night he crossed the Black 
 Warrior. The stream was high and rapid ; and the men 
 resorted to various plans to get across. The forty miles 
 march and some had been on duty the previous night had 
 made them tired and stiff, but they addressed themselves to the 
 duty of crossing the swollen river with cheerful alacrity. A 
 small flat-boat was used, but it would have required much time 
 for the whole brigade to cross in that. Some attempting, while 
 mounted, to swim their horses, were carried under by the 
 current. Others, to be odd, stripped to their shirts, and were 
 piloted across, holding to their horses tails ; a scene which 
 occasioned no little merriment. A few horses were lost in 
 crossing. 
 
 The brigade marched thirty-two miles the next day, and at 
 ten, P. M., arrived before Tuscaloosa, but on the opposite side 
 of the river. The bridge was refloored, and Col. Johnston, 
 of the Second Michigan cavalry, with one hundred and fifty 
 officers and men of his regiment, crossed the bridge, surprised 
 the guards, and captured the pieces of artillery. The Eighth 
 Iowa entered about the same time, and Col. Dorr received 
 
262 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 formal surrender of the town at one, A. M. Upward of fifty 
 prisoners were captured and paroled. After daylight, OroxtoD 
 caused the military college, the public works and stores, to 
 be destroyed. He remained there till the 5th, trying to com 
 municate with Wilson or McCook. The confederate scouts were 
 hanging around Tuscaloosa, and, knowing that Jackson and 
 Chalmers were between him and Selma, he thought it too 
 hazardous to undertake to reach that place by way of Centre- 
 ville. He therefore decided to move toward Eutaw, in the 
 hope of crossing the "Warrior lower down, and cutting the 
 railroad between Selma and Demopolis. On the 5th, he re- 
 crossed the Black Warrior, burned the bridge, marched out on 
 the Columbus (Mississippi) road, and, on the 6th, turned toward 
 Eutaw. The same morning, at seven o clock, Gen. Wirt Adams, 
 with fifteen hundred men, left Pickensville, intending to join 
 Forrest at Marion, by the way of Einche s ferry. Croxton, at 
 the time, thought his force was larger. 
 
 Combat of Pleasant Eidge. About two, P. M., Adams men 
 began to annoy the rear of Croxton s brigade, consisting of 
 the Sixth Kentucky cavalry, near Pleasant Hiclge. Meantime, 
 Croxton had re-crossed the Sipsa river, and turned on the 
 military road toward Tuscaloosa. In front of the Sixth Ken 
 tucky were the two ambulances and the wagon, and next in 
 front of them was the Second Michigan. At about five, p. M., 
 Adams charged the rear with much vigor, the shock falling 
 entirely on the Sixth Kentucky cavalry. The commanding 
 officer, Maj. Fidler, sent forward to Col. Johnston that he was 
 hard pushed, and needed help, but before the message could 
 be delivered, he himself and nearly a third of his regiment were 
 captured or disabled. One of the ambulances was captured 
 at the same time, in which was Croxton s valise. 
 
 The Second Michigan cavalry halted and formed, facing to 
 the rear, partly behind a little ridge with bushes on both sides 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 263 
 
 of the road, a portion of the line being dismounted. In theii 
 rear was a house, and farther back a hill and Avoods. In their 
 front was a field extending one hundred yards, and beyond that 
 a body of timber. Heavy rain was falling, accompanied with 
 thunder and lightning ; yet it was a cold rain, and everything 
 around was dreary. The ground was muddy, night was coming 
 on, and it was believed a superior force would soon be hurled 
 against them. Soon the Sixth Kentucky cavalry came hurrying 
 up in some disorder, and the Second Michigan made an opening 
 for them to pass through. All the column except the Second 
 Michigan marched on. Adams forces, encouraged with their 
 success, charged, mounted, against the Second Michigan, fully 
 expecting to rout them. But the latter, reserving their firt 
 till they were within short range, repulsed them. Then the 
 confederates retired out of sight, dismounted, and charged 
 again. But again the Second Michigan men held their position 
 like statues, and drove them back with heavier loss. Adams 
 men charged repeatedly in a heroic manner, and as often were 
 repulsed. Their rallying cries, and the exhortations by their 
 officers, could be plainly heard. One was heard to say, " The 
 
 d d Yankee cowards won t fight they ll run!" This only 
 
 increased the sullen feelings oi the Second Michigan men. 
 Their line never wavered. Their own safety, probably the 
 safety of the brigade, was secured by their firm courage "and 
 their unerring aim. Finally, at dark, Adams ceased his attack. 
 His loss must have been severe. 1 The Second Michigan cavalry 
 
 i " We have reliable information that Gen. Wirt Adams, with comparatively 
 small force, met the enemy under Croxton, about two thousand five hundred 
 strong, at Pleasant Ridge, Alabama, and whipped them badly, killing thirteen 
 men, and capturing and wounding a large number, as well as taking all their 
 artillery, wagons, ambulances, pontoons, and all of Gen. Croxton s papers. Gen. 
 Adams lost about three hundred men. Capt. W. B. Luckett, of Wood s regi 
 ment, was killed in the engagement. The enemy outnumbered Adams at least 
 two to one." Jackson (Miss.) News. 
 
264 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 suffered but little, having only three men wounded. Col. John 
 ston had his horse killed under him. The regiment then 
 inarched on, and at twelve o clock overtook the rest of the 
 brigade in camp. 
 
 On the 7th, Croxton wont into camp near Northport, a few 
 miles from Tuscaloosa. His foraging parties and scouts on the 
 road to Columbus misled Wirt Adams men, who, on that 
 evening, reported him moving toward Columbus. Adams then 
 turned his column in that direction, and arrived there at one, 
 p. M., on the 8th, having marched forty-five miles in eleven 
 hours. 1 This put him about seventy miles northwest from 
 Croxton. Chalmers was moving toward Columbus the same 
 time, and reached there the 9th. 
 
 On the llth, Croxton was still in camp near Northport on the 
 Boiler road, and picketing three miles out toward Columbus. - 
 The same day he sent four hundred freedmen toward Decatur. 
 On the morning of the 12th, ho marched northward ; and pass 
 ing on through Jasper, recrossed the west fork of the Black 
 Warrior river at Hadley s mill, marched nearly due east by the 
 way of Mount Penson and Trussville, crossed the Coosa at 
 True s and Collins ferries, and continued on to Tallaclega, a 
 region opulent in mineral resources. The numerous streams 
 they crossed were much raised by the spring freshet. The men 
 with their horses had to swim them, incurring, in some instances, 
 no little peril. A few men were drowned. The arms, saddles, 
 
 1 Gen. Wirt Adams to Capt. E. Surget, A. A. G.: " Columbus, April 8. 
 The Yankee Jblumn which was attacked and driven toward Tuscaloosa on the 
 6th, was reported by my scouts last night as making forced marches on Colum 
 bus. I marched my command forty-five miles in eleven hours, reaching there 
 at one, p. M., to-day. No reliable intelligence of his approach thus far." 
 
 2 Lieut. -Col. Win. Martin to Capt. Surget: " Tuscaloosa, 5 p. M., April 11. 
 A prisoner states that they (Croxton s force) would cross at or about this 
 place, and move in direction of Selma. One thousand men could take them 
 all. I have despatched Gen. Adams." 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 265 
 
 and accoutrements, were generally ferried over in canoes, flats, 
 or even sugar-troughs. 
 
 On the 22d of April, the Eighth Iowa, being in advance, 
 charged into Talladega, with drawn sabres, against Gen. B. H. 
 Hill s brigade, and put that force to route, losing two men, 
 captured, and having one wounded by a sabre-cut. The two 
 captured men were taken by a squad of thirteen confederates ; 
 but Lieut. Bennett, of the Eighth, with only two men, charged 
 and scattered them, and rescued the two prisoners. 
 
 At Talladega, Croxton replenished the haversacks, and, on the 
 23d, pushed on, northeasterly, destroying the railroad, and 
 skirmishing with Hill, who had artillery, and was falling back 
 on Jacksonville. The Second Michigan cavalry was in the 
 advance, but could not bring Hill s forces to an engagement, 
 except with the advance guard. That regiment had one man 
 killed, of Company B, near Oxford, and a detail having gone 
 back to bury him, found too many confederates gathering to 
 render their stay safe. The Eighth Iowa, in the rear had two 
 men killed. 
 
 In the region of the Blue mountains, Croxton s command 
 destroyed valuable iron and nitre works, besides railroad 
 bridges, depots, and rolling stock. 
 
 On the 24th, the Eighth Iowa cavalry was detached and sent 
 to Jacksonville, and, on the way, had lively skirmishes. Before 
 reaching that place, a freedman informed the commander of the 
 Eighth, that Hill s forces were in line in Jacksonville, waiting 
 for him. Then the Eighth at once broke into a gallop, and 
 dashed on with enthusiasm. A lieutenant exclaimed, " I do 
 hope they have a battery." And a captain said, " I wish every 
 man of Hill s command had a cannon, for we would have t!n m 
 all before night." But the remnant of Hill s forces about one 
 hundred made a rapid retreat from the town. The Eighth Iowa 
 rejoined the brigade the same night, having marched forty miles. 
 
266 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 
 
 On the 25tli, Croxton moved out on the road leading to New- 
 nan, Georgia. The next day, while crossing the Chattahoochee 
 river, a white flag appeared on the opposite bank. 
 
 Then those soldiers heard, but with unlike emotions, of the 
 fall of Richmond, the surrender of Lee, and the assassination of 
 Lincoln. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON WILSON S RAID. 
 
 1. If Wilson had moved on Selma with five or six thousand 
 men, as first proposed, he would have found himself in the 
 presence of Forrest with an inferior force. He undoubtedly 
 would have diverted that able commander for a while, from any 
 movement toward Mobile, but in doing so must have suffered 
 considerably; and, in all probability, would have furnished 
 another of those examples which had already become too fre 
 quent, of the poor success which attends aggressive operations 
 with an inferior force. It was Wilson s own sagacity, as we 
 have seen, that led to his taking a column sufficiently powerful 
 for the task before it. Yet Colonel Dorr and other officers in 
 his command, who had spent some time as prisoners-of-war in 
 the South, had even two years before urged the advantage of 
 moving large columns into the very heart of the confederacy; 
 forces which would be able to cause just such widespread and 
 irreparable injury as was inflicted by Wilson s victorious corps. 
 Had such columns been moved into the South a year or two 
 earlier, they would have found but slight fortifications surround 
 ing the important towns. 
 
 2. The capture of Selma must be regarded as the most 
 remarkable achievement in the history of modern cavalry. The 
 valor of the troops engaged in that splendid assault, illustrates 
 the maxim of Alexander, that " No place is impregnable to the 
 brave nor secure to the timorous." 
 
 3. Croxton, when lie rejoined Wilson, had marched six hun- 
 
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 267 
 
 dred and fifty miles in thirty days. His command encountered 
 many hardships, and nothing but its pluck and good soldiership 
 brought it out so successfully. It would se^m that Croxton s 
 better course would have been to have marched northeasterly 
 from Tuscaloosa the morning after entering that place, instead of 
 again recrossing the Black Warrior. The critical moment was, 
 when he was attacked by Wirt Adams, near Pleasant Ridge. 
 The firmness of Col. Johnston and the Second Michigan there 
 was highly exemplary. Adams made a forced march to Colum 
 bus, and got seventy miles from him. But for the stern treat 
 ment he had received from the Second Michigan, he doubtless 
 would have followed the column when close upon its heels. 
 
 Croxton s command felt an apprehension lest they would get 
 out of ammunition, but their supply lasted to the end. And 
 most of the time the men were in good spirits. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ADAMS, Gen. D. W., Taylor s Despatch to, 242 
 
 (note) ; At Selma, 255. 
 ADAMS, Gen. Wirt, at West Pomt, 257 ; attacks 
 
 Croxton at Pleasant Ridge, 262 ; marches to 
 
 Columbus, 264 (note). 
 
 Adventure ou Skirmish-Line, 131,134,235-238. 
 Alabama (see Reserves, Number of Regiments. 
 
 &c.) 
 
 ALBAUGH, Corporal, killed in Assault, 216. 
 ALEXANDER, Gen. A. J., Brigade of, 247, 251. 
 Ambulances, Allowance in Field. 28. 
 Ammunition, Amount to be kept on Hand, 29 ; 
 
 Quality of, at Spanish Fort, 166 ; at Blakely, 
 
 ANDERSON, Col. (Confer!. ), at Fort Gainos, 16. 
 
 ANDERSON, Maj., Chief of Staff to Forrest, 248. 
 
 ANDREWS, Col. J. A., commands Texas Brigade, 44. 
 
 ARCHER, Maj., commands Escort of Supply Train. 
 243. 
 
 ARMISTEAD, Col., Despatches to, 98 (note) ; De 
 spatch from, 100 (note). 
 
 ARMSTRONG, Capt. S. E., Battery at Spanish Fort, 
 139, 144, 150. 
 
 ARMSTRONG, Gen., Brigade of, at Ebenezer Church, 
 250 ; at Selma, 255. 
 
 Army, Basieging, Concentration and Equipment 
 of, 21. 
 
 ABNIM, Capt., Company at Battle of Ebenezer 
 Church, 251. 
 
 ARNOLD, Gen. R., arrives at Fort Morgan with 
 Siege Train 18. 
 
 Artillery (see Names of Batteries), Position of 
 Confederate at Spanish Fort, 70 ; Singular Es 
 timate of in Steele s Column, 106 (and note) ; 
 Additional sent to Blakely, 189. 
 
 ASHBY, Sergeant, mentioned, 83. 
 
 Assault, at Spanish Fort. 151 ; when intended, 
 165 ; on Blakely, 200-222 ; on Selma, 253. 
 
 Attack on Wagon Train, 35. 
 
 ATWATKR, Lieut., mentioned, 216. 
 
 BADGER, Lieut. -Col. A. S., 109, 240. 
 
 BAILEY, Gen., mentioned, 229 ; Trip to Spanish 
 
 .Fort, 233-235. 
 
 BAILEY, Maj. H. S., mentioned, 43, 172. 
 BALDWIN, Lieut.-Col., 169 ; ia Assault, 203, 208. 
 BALL, Col. C. P., 107. 
 BALL, Lieut., -i 53. 
 
 BARNES, Capt. S., 71, 84, 85, 90 ; Wounded, 142. 
 Barrancas, Description of, 23 : the Camp there, 
 
 23,24. 
 BKARDSLEY, Lieut. E. C., at Spanish Fort. 133, 138, 
 
 229. 
 
 BEAUREGARD, Gen., Opinion of Defences, 168. 
 
 BELL, Lieut.-Col., 53. 
 
 BENSON, Lieut., 78. 
 
 BEXTEEN, Lieut.-Col., 247. 
 
 BENTON, Gen., Division marches to Fish River 
 33-35 ; at Spanish Fort, 56.73, 93, 160. 
 
 BERTRAM, Col., his Brigade on the March, 34. 
 
 BLANDING, Col., mentioned, 37, 77, 158. 
 
 BLANKENSHIP, Capt., 81, 92, 131, 140, 150 ; Explosion 
 of Shell in his Camp, 134, 138. 
 
 BOARDMAN, Maj. , 43. 
 
 Bomb-proofs at Spanish Fort, 135. 
 
 BOND, Capt. , 104. 
 
 BONNER, Sergeant, 228. 
 
 BOSTWICK, Capt., 219. 
 
 Blockade-Running stopped by Fall of Forts Mor 
 gan and Gaines, 19. 
 
 BOUGH, Capt., 84, 134, 150. 
 
 BOWYER, Col. E., 54. 
 
 BOYDSTON, Maj. , 160. 
 
 BOYLE, Capt. , 95. 
 
 BRADLEY, Lieut.-Col., Geo., 55. 
 
 BRANNEGAN (Confed . Gunner) , 228. 
 
 BKIGGS, Col., wounded at Selma, 255. 
 
 BRIGG3, Lieut., 78. 
 
 BRITTON, Lieut.-Col. W. B., 54. 
 
 BROMII.LET, Eldrich, in Assault, 205. 
 
 BROWN, Capt,, 194. 
 
 BROWN, Capt. J. , Charge by his Company, 251. 
 
 BROWN, Capt. W. E., has charge of a Supply Train, 
 244. 
 
 BROWN, Lieut.-Col. (Confed.), Despatch to, 38 
 (nota) . 
 
 BROWN, Lieut.-Col. (Ninety -sixth Ohio), 56. 
 
 BRUCE, Lieut.-Col., John., 57, 156. 
 
 BRYAN, Lieut. John, 218. 
 
 BUCK, Capt. Norman, 64, 134. 
 
 BULLOCK, Capt. W. M., at Spanish Fort. 53. 
 
 BURNETT, Col. W. E., killed at -Spanish Fort, 84. 
 
 BUSEY, Col. S. F., 24, 169 ; in Assault, 204, 205. 
 
 BUSSY, Capt , 89. 
 
 BUXTON, Corporal, 218. 
 
 BEECHER, Corporal, 180. 
 
 BELL, Lieut. Col., 152. 
 
 Besiegers, Toil of, 135. 
 
 BLACK, Col. Charles, 169, 182 ; in Assault, 209. 
 
 Blakely (Alabama), Federal Cavalry appear be 
 fore, 119; Description of, 121, 122 ; Garrison 
 of, 122, 123 ; Investment of, 12:j-127 ; Prog 
 ress of Siege, 168 ; Casualties in its Garrison, 
 176; Sortie by Garrison, 178; Garrison puts 
 New Guns ia Position, 183 ; Eighth and Last 
 day ot Siege, 189 ; Suspicion of Garrison 
 evacuating, 191 ; carried by Assault, 193- 
 222 ; Observations on Siege and Assault of, 
 223-226. 
 
 Bombardment (see Fort Morgan) of Spanish Fort, 
 139 ; Final, 150, 15L 
 
 BONHAM, Maj.,lGO. 
 
270 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Campaign of Mobile, Plan of, 31. 
 
 Camp at Barrancas, 24. 
 
 CAMPBELL, Capt. R. . 144. 
 
 CAMPBELL, Col., 73. 
 
 CANBY, Maj. -Gen. E. R. S., assumes Command 
 Military Division West Mississippi, 13 ; sends 
 Troops East, 14 ; His Movable Forces, 21 ; 
 Thorough Orders for Equipment and Mobility 
 of Army, 26 ; Intontious as to Assault, 59 ; 
 sends Supplies to ^teele, 120 ; Purpose to As 
 sault, 1-J9 ; Orders respecting, 156 ; communi 
 cates Fact of Lodgment, 159 ; sends Additional 
 Artillery to Blakely, 189 ; at Hawkins Head 
 quarters, 192 ; Reply to General Steele. 221 ; 
 Purpose as to Besieging Mobile from Land 
 Side, 223 ; Estimate of his Forces in Field. 
 232. 
 
 Canoe (Station), 99, 115. 
 
 CAPON, Lieut. J. , Enterprise of, 145. 
 
 CARR, Gen. E. A., Drills in his Division, 39 ; Move 
 ment of Division on Spanish Fort, 50 ; Loss 
 in his Division First Day, 54 ; its Approaches, 
 77, 79, 91, 149 ; assaults Spanish Fort, 151, 
 155. 
 
 Casualties at Spanish Fort, 161. 
 
 Cavalry (sea Lucas, SpurJing, Wilson). 
 
 CHALMERS, Gen., moves toward Columbus, 264. 
 
 CHAPMAN, Maj., 186, 219. 
 
 CHARLTON, Lieut. William, at Blakely, 216. 
 
 Chicago Board of Trade Battery, 255. 
 
 Chickasaw (Gunboat) , 67. 
 
 CHRISTENSEN, Col. , mentioned, 221. 
 
 CHRISTLEK, Col., 107. 
 
 CHUBB, Capt., 176. 
 
 CLANTON, Gun., his Brigade, 107 ; captured at 
 Pringle s Creek, 109. 
 
 CLARK, Col. G. W., 24, 169 ; in Assault, 209. 
 
 CLARK, Corporal, mentioned, 182. 
 
 CLARK, Lieut., 153. 
 
 CLARK, Lieut. A. G., "killed in Charge, 156,157. 
 
 CLARY, Lieut., 134. 
 
 Clothing, Allowance in Field, 29. 
 
 COATS, Col., at Blakoly, 211. 
 
 COBB S Colored Regiment of Engineers, 14. 
 
 COCKIIELL, Brig. -Gen., his Command, 44 ; at Alexis 
 Spring, 45 ; at Blakely, 123. 
 
 CODDELL, Lieut. R., killed at Blakely, 216. 
 
 COLEMAN, Capt. , 213. 
 
 COLEMAN, Col., 86. 
 
 Colored Division (see Hawkins). 
 
 COMSTOCK, Gen., visits Blakely, 128 ; Services 
 at Spanish Fort, 166. 
 
 Confederate Officer, Diary of, 68 (note), 77, 80, 135 
 (note), 142. 
 
 Confederates, strengthen Defences on Eastern 
 Shore Mobile Bay, 19 ; Plans and Position of, 
 44 ; Loss in Front of Second Division, 210 ; in 
 Garrard s Front, 215 ; Humorous Remarks of 
 Soldiers, 238 ; Deserters from Army, 241 
 (note). 
 
 CO.VNELLY, Maj. J. M. , 60. 
 
 COONEY, Private G. R., mentioned, 182. 
 
 COOPKR, Col., commands Montgomery, 259. 
 
 Corduroying Roads, 34. 116. 
 
 Corps (see " Thirteenth," " Sixteenth," " Re 
 serve"). 
 
 COWAN, Corporal , 219. 
 
 COWAN. Maj. J. E., 110. 
 
 Cox, Capt., Battery of, 81, 150 : at Blakely, 
 190. 
 
 CRAIG, Capt. S. F. , 131 
 
 CRANDALI., Col., wounded at Blakely, 125, 196. 
 
 CRAVEN, Commodore, at Fort Morgan, 15. 
 
 CRAVEN, Lieut. -Col., 218. 
 
 CROSBY, Lieut. -Com. P. , 182. 
 
 CROSSLAND, Brigade of, 247, 250. 
 
 CROXTON, Gen. J. T., Operations of his Brigade, 
 260 ; captures Tuscaloosa, 261 ; Combat of 
 Pleasant Ridge, 262 ; Skirmish with Gen. 
 Hill s Forces, 265 ; Observations on his Opera 
 tions 266. 
 
 CURTIS, Maj. E. P., 73. 
 
 DALLEB, Sergeant, 218. 
 
 Danley a Ferry, 39. 
 
 DAVIDSON, Gen., Expedition of, 20. 
 
 DAY, Col., Brigade of, 56, 93. 
 
 DAY, Maj. J. W.,150. 
 
 DE MAR, Private, mentioned, 210. 
 
 DENNIS, Gen., Brigade, 55; at Blakely, 181; in 
 Assault, 211-213. 
 
 DENSMORE, Lieut. -Col., participates in Assault, 
 195,198. 
 
 Deserters from Confederate Army, 241 (note). 
 
 Despatches, Capture of Confederate, 248. 
 
 Diary (see Confederate Officer) of a Soldier, as to 
 Rations, 117, 118 (note). 
 
 DORNBLASER, Col., at Blakely, 174, 211. 
 
 DORR, Col., 260 ; receives Surrender of Tusca 
 loosa, 261,262. 
 
 DOUGLAS, Stephen A., how received in Mobile, 9. 
 
 DREW, Col. his Brigade before Blakely, 123 ; As 
 sault by , 195-201. 
 
 Drill, Brigade, at Barrancas, 25. 
 
 DRISH, Licut.-Col., 219. 
 
 DUTTON, Capt., mentioned 66. 
 
 DYER,N. M.,94. 
 
 EAD S Turrets, 67. 
 
 Ebenezer Church, Battle of, 250, 251. 
 
 EBERHART, Lieut.. -Col. , 21 7. 
 
 ECTOR. Gen., Texas Brigade, 44, 151. 
 
 Eighteenth New York Battery, 83. 
 
 Eighth Iowa, 53; Casualties on Second Day of 
 
 Siege, 63 ; Assaults Spanish Fort, 152-155. 
 Eighth Illinois at Blakely, 174; in Assault, 211- 
 
 213. 
 
 Eighth Iowa Cavalry, 260, 265. 
 Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Skirmish at Fish 
 
 River, 40 ; at Spanish Fort, 54. 
 Eighty-first Illinois, Skirmish at Minette Bridge, 
 
 51 ; at Spanish Fort, 132, 155. 
 Eighty-ninth Indiana at Blakely, 175, 218, 219 
 Eighty-sixth (Colored) Regiment, 194. 
 Eighty-third Ohio at Barrancas, 24 ; at Blakely, 
 
 169 ; in Assault, 202, 203, 207, .08, 209. 
 EISENHART, Lieut., 218. 
 Eleventh Illinois at Blakely, 174, 211 , 213. 
 Eleventh Missouri at Spanish Fort, 54. 
 Eleventh Wisconsin at Blakely, 170, 174 ; in As 
 sault, 214-216. 
 
 Enfilading Fire, Advantage of, in Siege, 168. 
 Equipment, of Infantry, what, 29. 
 Escambia, Fight on the, 109, 110. 
 ESSEX, Corporal, mentioned, 182. 
 Evergreen entered by Cavalry, 113. 
 Exploit, Gallant, of Men of Ninety -fourth Illinois, 
 
 83. 
 
 FARRAGUT arrives off Mobile, 12 ; Gallant Conduct 
 
 in Mobile Bay, 15, 16. 
 FAULKNER, Maj., 109. 
 FICKLIN, Sergeant J. W., mentioned, 172. 
 FIDLER, Maj , 260. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 271 
 
 Fifteenth Massachusetts Battery at Blakely, 173, 
 182, 189. 
 
 Fifth Iowa Cavalry, 247. 
 
 Fifth Minnesota, 54. 
 
 Fiftieth Indiana moves from Arkansas, 25; at 
 Spanish Tort, 65. 
 
 Fifty-eighth Illinois at Blakely. 172, 214, 216. 
 
 Fifty-first (Colored) in Assault, 200. 
 
 Fifty second Indiana at Blakely, 172, 214, 216. 
 
 First Florida (Cavalry), 113. 
 
 First Indiana (Light) Battery, 53, 82. 
 
 First Indiana (Heavy Artillery), 81, 150; at 
 Blakely, 187. 
 
 First Louisiana (Cavalry), 107 ; its Charge at 
 Pringle s Creek, 103 ; in Combat of Mount 
 Pleasant, 240. 
 
 FISH, Corporal, mentioned, 58. 
 
 Fish River, Passage of Sixteenth Corps up, 37 
 Condition at Danley s, 39. 
 
 FITCH, Capt. A. H., 79. 
 
 Florida Swamps, Difficult March through, 10L 
 
 FoLSom, Lieut., wounded, 55. 
 
 FORREST, Lieut. -(Jen. , Situation of his Command, 
 242. 246 ; at Battle of Ebenezer Church, 250, 
 251 ; in Romantic Combats, 255. 
 
 Fort (see Gaiues, Morgan, Spanish, &c.) 
 
 Fortieth Missouri, 52. 
 
 Forty -eighth Ohio, 24. 
 
 Forty-eighth (Colored), 196. 
 
 Forty-fourth Missouri, 51. 
 
 Forty-ninth Mississippi, Colors captured, 118. 
 
 Forty-ninth Missouri, 52. 
 
 Forty-seventh Illinois, 54. 
 
 Forty -seventh Indiana, its Flank charged on, 49. 
 
 Forty-sixth Illinois, at Blakely, 174, 211. 
 
 Fourteenth Indiana, Light Battery, 53, C2. 
 
 Fourteenth Wisconsin, 52. 
 
 Fourth Iowa Cavalry. 247. 
 
 Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, 259. 
 
 Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, :60, 1 61. 
 
 Fourth Massachusetts Battery, 78; at Blakely, 189. 
 
 Fourth Michigm Cavalry, 254. 
 
 Fourth Ohio Cavalry, 254. 
 
 Fourth U. S. Artillery, in Wilson s Raid, 247. 
 
 Fourth U. S. Cavalry, at Selma, 255. 
 
 Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, Lieut. Knowles De 
 tachment, 34. 
 
 FOUST S Battery, oa the March, 84 ; at Spanish 
 Fort, 138 ; Operations against Huger and Tra 
 cy, 227, 229. 
 
 FRANK, Maj. George R., killed at Spanish Fort, 54. 
 
 Freedmen, three Regiments of, organized by Wil 
 son, 258. 
 
 FRENCH, Capt. A. P., 93, 166. 
 
 FEY, Corporal, mentioned, 55. 
 
 Gaines (Fort), Description of, 11 ; Siege of, 14, 16, 
 17. 
 
 GAMBLE, Lieut. Com., 70. 
 
 GARRARD, Gen. K., Division at Sibley s Mill, 50 ; 
 before Blakely, 170, 179 ; new rifle-pits in his 
 Front, 85 ; Artillery in his Front, 190 ; in 
 structed to Assault, 191 ; in Assault, 213-220. 
 
 GARRETSON, Capt., 115. 
 
 Garrison of Spanish Fort, 60 ; visited by Gen. 
 Maury, 80 ; Ammunition of. 90 ; Strength of, 
 140 ; withdraws, 15R, 161 ; of B .akely, Loss in, 
 176 ; Conduct of, 223 ; of Selma, 253. 
 
 GARRITY, Capt. J., Battery at Spanish Fort, 139 ; 
 Last Requisition for Ammunition, 158. 
 
 GARWOOD, J. R., mentioned, 212. 
 
 GARY, Capt., iu Assault, 209, 210. 
 
 GATES, Col. (Confed.) , Command of, 44. 
 
 DEIS, Col., Brigade, 51 ; Prepares for Assault, 
 157, 159. 
 
 GERE, Lieut.-Col. W. B., 54. 
 
 GIGLR, Capt G. mortally wounded &t Blakely, 195. 
 
 GILBERT, Gen., Brigade at Blakely 170, 179, 216- 
 218. 
 
 KINN, Capt., Battery of, 190. 
 
 GLI--ASON, Lieut. , mortally wounded in saving Pris 
 oners, 201. 
 
 GOLDWOOD, Corporal, in Assault, 2C4. 
 
 GOVK, Corporal, mentioned, 182. 
 
 GrssoN, Brig. -Gen. R. L. (Confer!.) Command of, 
 44 ; AdV ince from Spanish Fort, 45 ; Despatch, 
 50 (note) ; Despatch from Spanish Fort, 59, 61 : 
 General Order of (not- 1 ) , 87 ; l. c "^patches, 138 
 Apprehension of being flanked, 142 ; Opinion 
 as to Evacuation, 148 ; orders Line restored, 
 156 ; as a Commander, 165. 
 
 GILCHRIST, Col., 168. 
 
 GILLIS, Lieut. -Com., 67. 
 
 GINN, Capt. T. J. , 55. 
 
 GLASGOW, Col., 156. 
 
 GOXDALFO, Lieut.-Col. J. B.,179, 214. 
 
 GRANGER, Maj. -Gen. Gordon (see Thirteenth Corps) , 
 in Siege of Forts Gaines and Morgan, 14-.0 ; 
 assigned to Command Thirteenth Corps, 25 ; 
 on Skirmish Line, 43; at Spanish Fort, 143, 
 144 ; occupies Mobile, 223. 
 
 GRANT, Gen. , instructions to Banks, 13; to Wil 
 son, 244. 
 
 GRANT, Lieut.-Col., 217. 
 
 Gravelly Springs, Cavalry Camp at, 243. 
 
 GRAY, Lieut., 172, 173. 
 
 GR,<Y,Mr.,96. 
 
 GRAYSON, Capt,, Effective Fire of his Battery, Dl. 
 
 GREEN, Col. D. P. , B-igade of, 56-93. 
 
 GRF.ENLEAF, Lieut., 110. 
 
 GREENWOOD, Capt., 194. 
 
 GRE^IIAM, Lieut., Ii2. 
 
 GRIER. Co!. D. P., Brigade of, 56, 98. 
 
 GRIERSON, Gen., Expedition from Memphis, 20. 
 
 Gunboats, Combat with, 187. 
 
 GUNN, Capt. J., 64. 
 
 HAGY, Surgeon, 147. 
 HALL, Col , Movement of, 115. 
 Hall s, Railroad Destroyed at, 120. 
 HAMPTON, Corporal, killed at Blakely, 216. 
 HANLEY, Lieut., 180. 
 HARRINGTON, Lieui., 213. 
 
 HARRIS, Col., Brigade at Blakely, 170, 179 ; in As 
 sart, 213-216. 
 
 HARTER. Sergeant S. G., killed at Blakely. 174. 
 HATCH, Gen., Division of Cavalry left behind, 243. 
 HAWKINS (Gen.) Division (Colored) Arrives at 
 
 Barrancas, 25 ; March from Pensacola, 101- 
 
 103 ; before Bhikely, l i :3-l 25, 168, 163, 171. 
 
 181, 187 ; Trenches. 101 ; Assault on Blakely, 
 
 193-202. 
 HAYS, Col. B. F., His Opinion of the Ammunition, 
 
 166. 
 
 HAYWOOD, Lieut., bridges Alabama River, 256. 
 HEATII, Col. W. H., mentioned, 55. 
 HENDERSON, Sergeant, 212. 
 HENDRICK S (Capt.) Battery, C2, 134 ; at Blakely, 
 
 190. 
 
 HERNDEN, Col. T. H., 89. 
 HILL. Gen. B. H., Brigade of, 265. 
 HILL^. Lieut.-Col., mentioned, 43 ; in Assault, 218- 
 
 218. 
 
 HOLBROOE, Col., 85. 
 
 HOLCOMB, Capt., in Assault on Blakely, 198, 199. 
 HOLLIDAY, Corporal, mentioned, 58. 
 H-JLTZCLAW, Brig. -Gen. j: T. (Confed.), Command 
 
 of, 44, SO ; Regiments in his Brigade, 8W; 
 
 Stakes out New Line, 143 ; Character as an 
 
 Officer, 165. 
 
272 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 HOLTZCLAW Lieut. (Aide-de-Camp), 156. 
 
 HOOD, Gen. , Veterans from his Ariuy, 44. 
 
 HOPKINS, Corporal, 205. 
 
 Hospital, Provision for, 28 ; at Spanish Fort 147. 
 
 HOTCUKISS (Capt.) Batt. ry at Blakely, 172, 1/3. 
 
 HOWARD, Capt., 182 : wounded, 207. 
 
 HOWE, Col J. H., 5 1,155. 
 
 HrBRARD, Oapt., on Skirmish-Line, 175, 219. 
 
 HCBBARD, Col., Brigade at Spanish Fort, 54, 77, 93, 
 
 HUBBARD, Maj. J. M., commands Pontoon Train. 
 
 244. 
 
 HUBBARD. Private E. P., 219. 
 HUDSON, John, killed at Blakely, 127. 
 Huger (Fort), 70. 71. 137 : Howitzer dismounted 
 
 ia, 145 : Reduction of, 227-232. 
 HUGHES, Capt. , 205. 
 HUGHES, Corporal, 210. 
 HUMESTON, Surgeon, 147. 
 HUXLEY, Col. P. F., 89. 
 HuaeEY, Color-Sergeant, in Assault, 204. 
 HCTCHIXSON, Maj., his Advance of Skirmish-Line, 
 
 179 ; in Assault, 217,218. 
 
 [llinois (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 Incident on Skirmish-Line, 134 : of the Siego, 235- 
 238. 
 
 Indiaua (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 INGAMILLS, Corporal, killed at Blakely, 216. 
 
 LVGERSON, Capt. , 205. 
 
 Inspections, frequent before Campaign, 26 ; Sun 
 day, 130. 
 
 Iowa (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 IRWIX, Capt. W.,94. 
 
 lvE3,Maj.,240. 
 
 JACKSON, Capt. R. E., 214. 
 
 JACKSON, Gen. W. H. , one of his Despatches cap 
 tured, 248 ; Despatch in regard to Tuscaloosu, 
 
 261. 
 JACOBY, Capt. L., Light Battery at Spanish Fort, 
 
 53. 
 
 JAMES, Maj.. 158. 
 JENKINS, Capt., 194. 
 JOHN-SON, dipt. E. P., 113. 
 JOHNSON, Capt. (Third Iowa Cavalry) in a Charge, 
 
 247. 
 JOHNSTON. Col. (of Second Michigan Cavalry), 260 ; 
 
 in Combat of Pleasant Ridge, 232-264, 267. 
 JOHNSTON, Gen. J. E. , his Remarks on Defences 
 
 of Mobile, 10. 
 JONES, Col. Bush, Despatch to, near Hollywood, 40 
 
 (note). 
 JONES, Col. J.B., at Blakely, 124, 125 ; participates 
 
 in the Assault, 195, 196. 
 JONES, Lieut. -Col., in Assault, 205. 
 JONES, Lieut. -Com., 67. 
 
 Kansas (see Number of Regiment). 
 HEELER, Lieut-Col. W. B., 55. 
 KELLY. Col. J. H., 24, 126, 169 ; in Assault, 209. 
 KELLY. Col. (of Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infan 
 try), 260. 
 
 KENAGA, Lieut. W. F.. 204. 
 Kenner, Encampment at, 21, 22. 
 Kentucky (see Number of Regiment). 
 KKTLEMIXG, Capt. F. P., 155. 
 Kickap H) (Gunboat), 67. 
 KlMBALL, Major, 89. 
 
 KINNEY, Col T. J.,218. 
 
 KIXSEY, Licut.-Col., Brigade of, 65; at Blakely 
 174,211. 
 
 KIKKLAND, Lieut. Com. ,67. 
 
 KNEE,MUJ. S. G. 55. 
 
 KNIFE, Gen. , Cavalry Division of, sent round to Can- 
 by, 243. 
 
 KNOWLE?, Lieut., mentioned, 34. 
 
 KREZ, Col. C., Brigade of, 56, 4, 93, 137. 
 
 LACY, Capt., mentioned, 192, 221. 
 
 LAKE. Col., in Assault on Blakely, 216. 
 
 LANG , Capt., 179. 
 
 LAWRENCE, Col., 214. 
 
 LEADBETTER, Gen., Works built by, 10. 
 
 LEAKE, Lieut.-Col. 126, 169 ; in Assault, 209. 
 
 LEARY, Col., 109. 
 
 LEE, Gen. R. E., Taylor s Despatch to, 242 (note). 
 
 LEONARD, Lieut., at Blakely, 172. 
 
 LJDELL, Gen. St. John, Activity of his Scouts, 39- 
 Despatches 40 (note) ; Commands on Eastern. 
 Shore, 44; Hans of, 46, 47 (and note); De 
 spatches from, 80, 83, 86, 90 ; at Blakely, 123 
 127 (note) ; 171, 176, ISO, 188 ; prepares tc 
 receive Assault, 193. 
 
 LIEURNEK, Capt., Works built by, 10. 
 
 LINDSAY, Col. R., Attack on Federal Pickets, 49 ; 
 helps cover Retreat of Garrison, 158. 
 
 LOCKETT, Col., conducts half of Spanish Fort Gar 
 rison to Blakely, 162. 
 
 LONG, Gen., Cavalry Division of, 243 ; at Ebenezer 
 Church, 250. 251 ; at Selma, 253, 265. 
 
 Louisiana (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 Low, Lieut. Com , 67. 
 
 LOWE, Sergeant E. D. , in Assault, 207. 
 
 LOWELL, Capt., 190. 
 
 LUCAS, Gen., Cavalry Brigade reaches Barrancas, 
 26 ; Mirch from Pensacola, 102, 103 ; Crosses 
 Pine Barren, 105 ; Skirmish at Mitchell s 
 Creek, 107; Combat at Pringle s Creek, 108, 
 109 ; before Blakely, 119 ; Moves to Claiborne, 
 176 ; Combat of Mount Pleasant, 239. 
 , bis Battery, 72. 
 
 LYON, Mr. Wm., oners Colored Men for Soldiers, 
 241 (note). 
 
 in 
 
 MACK, Capt., Battery of, 83 (see Eighteenth New 
 York), 93, 130, 133, 150 : Arrives at Blakeiy. 
 190. 
 
 MACKAY, Col., mentioned, 35. 
 
 MAJOR. Corporal, mentioned, 58. 
 
 MAIN, Lieut. -Col., 214. 
 
 MALLOY, Lieut. T. , killed at Blakely, 216. 
 
 MAXIIAR DT, Lieut., killed at Blakely, 196. 
 
 March, Difficult, of Thirteenth Corps, 33-35. 
 
 MARKS, Maj. W.,71. 
 
 MAR?H, Col. J. H.,54. 
 
 MARSHALL, Col. W. R., wounded, 41 ; Brigade at 
 Spanish Fort, 54, 77, 93, 136, 160. 
 
 MARTIN, Lieut.-Col.. Despatch of, 2J4 (note). 
 
 MARTIN, Lieut., 205. 
 
 Maryland (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 Massachusetts (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 MASSENBERT, his Battery, 72. 
 
 MATTHEWS, Col. A. C., 43 ; at Blakely, 186. 
 
 MAURY, Maj. -Gen. D. H-, His Report referred to, 
 20 (iiotiM ; Confederate Commander, District 
 of the Giilf, 44 ; his Visit to the Garrison, 80 , 
 (for Despatches to, see Lidell, Gibson ;) 
 moves from Mobile, 223 ; Observations of, on 
 Siege of Blakely, 224. 
 
 MAYNOR, Confederate Color -Bearer, 109. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 273 
 
 MCALLISTER, Col., Engineer Operations of, 166. 
 McARTHUR, Gen., Pickets felt of in his Front, 40 ; 
 
 Advance of Division on Spanish Fort, 52, 54, 
 
 94, 160. 
 
 MCCOMAS, Capt. , 96, 97. 
 MoCoNNEL, Lieut, (of Eleventh Wisconsin), 179, 
 
 McCoNXEL, Lieut., 130. 
 
 McCooK, Gen., Cavalry Division of, 213, 258. 
 McCoRMiCK, Col. , wounded at Selma, 255. 
 McDermett (Fort), in Line of Works at Spanish 
 
 Fort, 48, 49,71. 
 McDoNtLD, Lieut. A., 174 ; Stratagem of, 178 
 
 Gallant Conduct of, 215. 
 McEnroe, Maj., 120. 
 McFARLAND, Ca.pt , 66. 
 MCGINNI?, Gen., at Siege of Fort Gaines, 14. 
 McLAiN, Lie :;t , 213. 
 
 MCMILLBN, Col. , Brigade at Spanish Fort, 54, 94. 
 MCNULTA, Col. Jolm, C6, 79, 160. 
 MERCHANT, Caj:t. Geo. E., in Assault, 206. 
 Meredian, Headquarters Confederate Department 
 
 Comman er, 44. 
 MERRIAM, Lieut. -Col., 194. 
 Metacomet, Crew of, removes Torpedoes, 132. 
 Michigan (see Number of Regiment). 
 MILLER. Maj. C. A., 113. 
 MILLER, Maj. J. S., 214. 
 MILLKR, Capt. , 112. 
 MILLER, Col., wounded at Selma, 255. 
 Mihvaukie (Gunboat), Sinking cf, 67. 
 Minettc (Bay) Battery on, 81,119. 
 Minnesota (see Number of Regiment). 
 MINTY, Col., at Selma, 254. 
 Missouri (see Number of Regiment). 
 MITCHELL, Lieut. J. H., 63. 
 Mobile, Remarks conce ning, 9 ; its Fortifications, 
 
 10, 11 ; Earlier Operations against. 13 ; Easy 
 
 Capturo, when coul 1 have been made, 20 ; 
 
 Confederate Garrison of, 44 : Feeling in during 
 
 Siogv), 88 ; occupied, 223. 
 Montevullo, Skirmish at, 248. 
 Montgomery, to what Extent an Objective Point, } 
 
 31 ; entered by Wilson s Column, 259. 
 MOORE, Co!. F. W., 24; his Brigade, 101, 170; 
 
 Parallels widened, 182 ; in the Assault. 202, 
 
 209. 
 MOORE. Col. J. B., Demonstration of Brigade on 
 
 Western Shore, 36 ; Advance on Spanish Fort, 
 
 51, 77, 94 ; Movements of, 158, 159. 
 MOORE, Col. (117th 111.). 216. 
 MOORE, Maj. Frank, 113. 
 MOORE, Sergeant D. B., mentioned, 179 ; in Assault 
 
 at Blake ly, 215. 
 MORGAN, Capt. , 39 (note). 
 MORGAN (Fort), Description of, 11: Siege of, 14- 
 
 20. 
 MORSE, Capt. F. W., his Battery at Spanish Fort, 
 
 63, 82, 158 
 
 Mortar-Shells, thrown at Night, 141. 
 MORTON, Capt., 8-2. 
 Mount Pleasant, Combat of. 239. 
 MUDGET, Maj., 194. 
 Mras, Capt. H., 152, 
 MURPHY, Capt. J., in Assault, 214. 
 MURRAY, Orderly, mentioned, 212. 
 MYERS, Capt. L. K., Adventure on Skirmish-Line. 
 
 73-77. 
 
 nr 
 
 Naval Battery in Sixteenth Corps Front, 146. 
 
 Navy, Operations, 66, 69, 94, 132, 139, 145, 148, 
 227-232. 
 
 Negroes, as Soldiers, 143 (see Colored Troops) : 
 Lieut.-Geu. Taylor s Dispositiifh to employ, 
 241 (note) ; Wilson organizes, 258. 
 
 NEWTON, Capt., builds Bridge over Pine Barren, 
 
 104 ; constructs Battery at Blakely, 181. 
 NEWTON, Lieut., A. C., 85. 
 New York (see Number of Regiment). 
 NIELDS, H. C., Bravery of 15. 
 Nineteenth Iowa, at Spanish Fort, 57, 156. 
 Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry at Selma. 
 
 254. 
 Ninety-fifth Illinois, 52 ; Loss first day at Spanish 
 
 Fort, 64, 158. 
 Ninety-fourth Illinois in Siege of Fort Morgan, 17 ; 
 
 Gallant Exploit of Men of, at Spanish Fort, 
 
 83 ; loss in. 93. 
 Ninety-ninth Illinois in Skirmish, 43 : at Blakely. 
 
 186. 
 Ninety-seventh Illinois, 24 ; in Assault, 202, 203, 
 
 204, 206. 
 Ninety-sixth Ohio in Siege of Forts Morgan and 
 
 Gaines, 14 ; at Spanish Fort, 56. 
 Ninth Minnesota at Spanish Fort. 54, 
 NOBLE, Capt. J. L., Attack on his working Party, 
 
 65. 
 NOBLE, Col. J. W., at Montevallo, 247, 24S : Scouis 
 
 from Selma, 257. 
 North Carolina Troops, 154. 
 NORTON, Joel, mentioned, 57. 
 NORWOOD, Capt., in Assault on Blakely, 198. 
 N YE, Maj., 195. 
 
 Observations, on the Siege of Spanish Fort, 163- 
 167 ; on Siege of Blakely, 223-226 ; on Wil 
 son s Raid, 268, 267. 
 
 O CoNNEL, Lieut., 255. 
 
 Octorara (Gunboat) , 67 ; some Account of, 65 
 cpons Fire, 79, 132, 139, 145, 159 ; splendid 
 Firing by, 2f8. 
 
 Ohio (see Number of Raiment). 
 
 Old Spanish Fort, 71; Night of Assault, 159. 
 
 One Hundred and Eighth Illinois, 51, 53, 63, 155. 
 
 One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois, 231. 
 
 One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio, moves to Bar 
 rancas, 22 ; before Blakely, 12u ; in Assault, 
 209, 210. 
 
 One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois, 175, 185 ; 
 in Assault, 218, 219. 
 
 One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois, 2l6, 218. 
 
 One Hundred andSeventv-eighth New York. 179, 
 214. 
 
 One Hundred and Sixty-fiVst New York, Attack 
 upon , 49. 
 
 One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois, 51, 53, 
 63, 155. 
 
 One Hundred and Twenty -second Illinois, 186,218, 
 219. 
 
 One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois, Mounted 
 Infantry, at Selma, 254. 
 
 Orders, to fit Troops for Campaign, 27 (note). 
 
 OREM, Lieut., woimde:!, 207. 
 
 Organization, of Besieging Army, 21 ; of Cavalry 
 Corps, 243. 
 
 Osage (Gunboat), Sinking of, 70. 
 
 OSTERHAUS, Maj.-Gen. P. J.,at Blakely, 127, 186. 
 194. 
 
 OWEN, his Battery, 71. 
 
 PAGE, Gen. (Confed.), at Fort Morgan, 19. 
 
 PALFREY, Col. , 82. 
 
 PALFREY, Capt. H. G. , 83. 
 
 PALMER, Commodore J. S., 229. 
 
 PARK, Capt., 214. 
 
 PARKER, Lieut,, 92, 227. 
 
 PATSMIER, Capt., 71. 
 
 18 
 
274 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PATTON, Col. J. , commands Artillery, 60, 70. 
 Pcusacola, Repairs on Wharf at, 96 ; Condition 
 
 of, 97 ; Steele moves from, 100. 
 Perduo, River, forded, 117. 
 FERKISS, Sergt., 205. 
 PERRIN, Corporal, 133. 
 PERRY, Lieut.-CoI. <;.. 24, 105, 169, 204. 
 1 KTERS?, Lieut. -Col. , 248. j 
 
 PETTIBJNE, Lij;.t. H. D., mentioned, 178, 192. 
 PHELPS, Sergt. W. H., killed in Assault, 216. 
 PHILLIPS, his Battery, 72 ; relieved, by Garri- 
 
 ty s, 139. 
 
 PICKETING, Capt., 105. 
 PiEN,Maj. <-., 234. 
 PILE, Gen. W. A., at Blakely, 172, 191 ; Assault by 
 
 his Brigade, 104, 195, 200. 
 Pino Barren (Creek), Picket at, 99 ; bridged, 104, 
 
 105. 
 
 Pioneers, Company to each Division, 29. 
 Plan of Operations, 31. 
 Pleasant Ridge, Combat of, 252. 
 Pollard (Ala.), Post at, 99 ; Entry of, 111. 
 Pontoon (Trai.i), at Barrancas, 95 ; of Wilson s 
 
 Column, 244. 
 
 Pringle s Creek, Combat on, 108, 109. 
 Prisoners, Safety of Garrison, 201 ; Arrangements 
 
 lor Exchange of Wilson s and Forrest s, 257. 
 
 Quarters, Allowance of on Campaign, 28. 
 
 RAPER, Lieut., 81,131. 
 
 Rations, Limitation of, in the Field, 29 ; of Garrison 
 of Spanish Fort, 89 ; reduced, 115, 117 ; to 
 Colored Troops, 123 : of Wilson s Cavalry, 243. 
 244. 
 
 Red Fort, shelled, 131. 
 
 REED, Capt. J. R., 55. 
 
 Register (Mobile), Remarks on Fall of Selma, 143 
 (note). 
 
 RENDELBROOK, Lieut., 253. 
 
 Reserve Corps, of the West Mississippi, 21 ; Organ 
 ized into Thirteenth Corps. 25. 
 
 Retreat of Garrison from Spanish Fort, 161. 
 
 RICE, Capt., at Blakely, 190. 
 
 RIDNOUR, Lier.t., 83. 
 
 RILEY, Thos.,110. 
 
 RI.NAKER, Col., Brigade at Blakely 170; changes 
 Position, 174 ; in Assault, 213, 218, 219, 220. 
 
 Road, through the Swamps, 34, 101, 115, 116. 
 
 ROBINSON, Capt., 255. 
 
 ROCKWELL, Capt. , 100. 
 
 RODNEY, his Battery mentioned, 247. 
 
 Rodolph, (Tinclad), sinking of, 94. 
 
 RODY, Gen., Division of, 247, 250, at Selma, 255. 
 
 ROGERS, Col. A. W., Skirmish at Minette Bayou, 
 51 ; at Spanish Fort, 132, 155. 
 
 ROGERS Lieut., in Assault on Blakely, 198, 199. 
 
 ROWE, William, Daring of, 134. 
 
 ROWSE, Lieut, 182. 
 
 RYAN, Capt. , 54. 
 
 SANDERSON, 9. Lieut., 213. 
 
 SCHAFFER, Lieut. A. , killed at Pringle s Creek, 110 
 
 SCHULTZ, Corporal, mentioned. 217. 
 
 SCOFJELD, Col., Brigade of, 168 ; Assault by, 195- 
 201. 
 
 Second Division (Thirteenth Corps) ordered to 
 move from Barrancas, 95 ; March from Pen- 
 Bacola, 101-103 ; Arrival at the Escambia, 110 ; 
 
 at Canoe Station, 116; before Blakely, 12ft- 
 127, .168, 171 ; Batteries in Front of, 180 ; 
 ordered to be in Readiness to march. 186 ; its 
 Trenches, 190 ; prepares for an Advance, 192 ; 
 Assault on Blakely, 202-210. 
 
 SEARS, Lieut. -Col., 169. 
 
 Second Connecticut (Battery) at Blakely, 172, 180, 
 189, 210. 
 
 Second Illinois (Battery), 190. 
 
 Second Illinois (Cavalry), 118, 118. 
 
 Second Iowa (Battery) , 55, 82. 
 
 Second Maine (Cavalry). 113, 118. 
 
 Second Massachusetts (Battery), 185. 
 
 Second Michigan (Cavalry), 260, 261 ; Brave Con 
 duct in Combat of Pleasant Ridge, 262, 263. 
 
 Second New York (Vt t. Cavalry), 107. 
 
 Second Tennessee (Cavalry) , 43. 
 
 Selma, Notice of its Fortitications, 252 ; captured, 
 255 ; Destruction of Property in, 256, i58. 
 
 Seventeenth Indiana Mounte I Infantry, 250, 251. 
 
 Seventeenth Ohio (Battery) ISO, 185, 187. 
 
 Seventh Massachusetts (Battery) at Spanish Fort, 
 57, 78, 92. 
 
 Seventh Vermont, 56 ; Capture of Detachment of. 
 84-87. 
 
 Seventy -second Illinois, 51; Loss first day at Span 
 ish Fort, 54 ; Charges Garrison Skirmishers, 
 158, 159. 
 
 Seventy-second Ohio, 54. 
 
 Seventy-seventh Illinois in Siege of Forts Morgan 
 and Gaines. 14. 
 
 Seventy -seventh Ohio leaves Arkansas, 25. 
 
 Seventy-sixth Illinois, 24 ; in Assault, 204, 205. 
 
 Seventy -sixth (Colored) Regiment, 195. 
 
 Seventy-third (Colored) Regiment, 194 ; plants lU 
 Colors on Works, 201. 
 
 Sharpshooters, 77, 146 ; magnanimity of Confed 
 erate, 134 ; Otfer to surrender, 159. 
 
 SHEA, Corporal, mentioned, 216. 
 
 SHEETZ, Col., at Biakely, 211. 
 
 SHELIHA, Lieut. -Co!. V., Works built by, 11. 
 
 SHEPHERD, Capt., 160. 
 
 SIBERT, Lieut., 134. 
 
 SIBLEY, C. , Mill of, 43. 
 
 SIBLEY, Lieut. , attacks Wagon-train, 35. 
 
 SIBLEY, 0.,Mill of. 45 : Outpost withdrawn from, 
 119. 
 
 Siege-train organized at Fort Gaines, 26. 
 
 Siege of Spanish Fort, Progress of, 147 ; com 
 pleted , 160 (see Blakely). 
 
 SIMON, Sergeant E., mentioned, 201. 
 
 Sixteenth Corps moves down the Mississippi, 25, 
 26 ; at Fish River, 37 ; investment of Spanish 
 Fort, 50-55, 02 ; Use of Wooden Mortars, 138 ; 
 moves to Montgomery, 232. 
 
 Sixth Kentucky (Cavalry), 260; in Combat of 
 Pleasant Ri dge, 262, 263. 
 
 Sixth Minnesota, 43, 172, 217, 218. 
 
 Sixty-eighth (Colorea) Regiment, its Part in As 
 sault, 195-200. 
 
 Sixty-ninth Indiana at Barrancas, 24 ; in Assault, 
 204, 207. 
 
 Skirmishers (see Sharpshooters) ; Advance of, at 
 Blakely, 171 ; Communication between 184. 
 
 SLACK, Gen., Brigade of, 55- at Spanish Fort, Gff v 
 161; at Blakely, 211.. 
 
 SLOCUM, Capt. C. H. , 72, 145. 
 
 SMITH, Capt. J. J. s, Pontoniers, 34. 
 
 SMITH, Lieut. W. F.., at Spanish Fort, 53. 
 
 SMITH, Maj.-Gen. A. J. (see Sixteenth Corps) ; 
 narrow Fscape at Minette Bridge, 51 ; re 
 bukes Men for cheering him, 52 ; has to move 
 Quarters, 72 ; Operations in his Front, 133, 
 151-156 ; Intention to assault Huger and 
 Tracy, 2cO. 
 
 SNYDER, Lieut. , in Assault, 210. 
 
 Soldiers (see Sharpshooters, Skirmishers) ; re 
 ligious Worship by, 41 ; in Bivouac, 50 ; on 
 
INDEX. 
 
 275 
 
 Short Rations, 117 ; after Bombardment, 140 ; 
 Communication on Skirmish-Line, 184 ; Re 
 mark of Colored in regard to Shells, 189 ; 
 Characteristic Humor of, 191 ; Remarks of 
 Confederate, 238 ; Valor at Sehna, :-55 ; Man 
 ner of crossing Streams, 261, 264, 265. 
 
 Sortie, on Party of Seventh Vermont, 84; expec 
 tation of at Blakely, 169, 174. 
 
 Spanish Fort, Description of, 48. 49 ; Investment 
 of, 50 ; Continuation of Sisge, 60, 130 ; Num 
 ber of Guns in Position to April 4, 139 ; 
 assaulted, 151 ; captured, 160; Observations 
 on Siege of, 163-167. 
 
 SPENCE, Col., Despatches to at Montrose, 40 (uote) ; 
 scouting, 45 (and note). 
 
 SPICELEY. Col. W. T., 21; Brigade of, on March, 
 102 ; enters Pollard, 111 ; at Blakely, 127, 
 170 ; in Assault, 202, 207. 
 
 FPURLING, Lieut.-Col. A. B., Operations of, 112-114 ; 
 captures Outpost, 118 ; Capture by, 183. 
 
 Squadron, Naval, 66 (see Navy). 
 
 Staff, Organization ot,30 
 
 STAMPER, Lieut., 147. 
 
 STARR, Lieut.-Col., mentioned, 58. 
 
 STEARNS, Capt. R. B., Capture of, 84-87. 
 
 SIEELE, Maj.-Gen. F., commands Forces at Kenner, 
 21 ; assumes Command Column at Barrancas, 
 95 ; marches from Pensacola, 100 ; turns 
 toward Blakely, 114 ; Headquarters at Sib- 
 ley s, 170 ; Reply to Canby, 185 ; prepares to 
 advance, 192 ; in the Assault, 221 ; moves to 
 Montgomery, 232. 
 
 STETSON, Capt. C. G., killed at Spanish Fort, 132. 
 
 STOCKER, Lieut., 73. 
 
 STOCKTON, Lieut.-Col., mentioned, 36. 
 
 Stockton, Town of, Steele s Column reaches, 117. 
 
 STONE, Capt., mentioned, 58- 
 
 STORER, Capt., mentioned, 57. 
 
 Streams, Difficulties in crossing, 261, 264, 265. 
 
 SURGET, Capt., Despatch to Gen. Hodges, 241. 
 
 SWAN, Lieut., 185. 
 
 SWITZER. Sergt. John, 212. 
 
 TAISET, Lieut. 123. 
 
 TAYLOR, Capt. , killed in Charge, 251. 
 
 TAYLOR, Lieut.-Col., 181. 
 
 TAYLOR, Lieut. -Gen. Richard, his Command, 44 ; 
 his Despatches to Gcn.Lse,44 (note) ; Con 
 dition of his Command, 241, 242 ; Leaves Sel- 
 rna, 253 ; Visits Mobile, 257. 
 
 Tecumseh (Ship), in Mobile Bay, 15. 
 
 Tennessee (Ram) , Encounter with, 16. 
 
 Tennessee (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 Tenth Kansas in Skirmish, 43 ; at Blakely, 179, 
 181 ; in Assault, 216-213. 
 
 Tenth Minnesota, 54. 
 
 Tenth Missouri Cavalry, 247. 
 
 Texas Regiments, 151. 
 
 THATCHER, Rear-Admiral, 66 ; adopts Means to re 
 move Torpedoes, 133, 232. 
 
 Third Indiana Battery, 55, 82. 
 
 Third Iowa Cavalry, 247, 251. 
 
 Third Maryland (Dismounted Cavalry), 14. 
 
 Thirteenth Corps, organized, 25 ; March to Fish 
 River 33-36 ; Investment of Spanish Fort, 
 55-58; Operations, Second day of Siege, 64; 
 Filth day, 82 ; Casualties in, 138-139 ; Enthu 
 siasm in, 159. 
 
 Thirtieth Missouri, 41. 
 
 Thirty-eighth I^vra, in Siege of Fort Morgan, 17. 
 
 Thirty-fifth Iowa, 55. 
 
 Thirty-fifth Wisconsin leaves Arkansas, 25. 
 
 Thirty-fourth Iowa in Siege of Forts Gaines and 
 Morgan, 14-20 ; moves to Barrancas, 22 at 
 Blakely, 127, 169 ; in Assault, 209, 210. 
 
 Thirty-fourth New Jersey, 174, 214, 218. 
 
 Thirty -second Iowa, 179. 
 
 Thirty-seventh Illinois in Assault, 209, 210. 
 
 Thirty-third Illinois, 54. 
 
 Thirty-third Iowa moves from Arkansas, 5 , 
 
 Casualties in, 64. 
 Thirty-third Missouri, 55. 
 Thirty-third Wisconsin, 51, 54. 
 THOMAS, Brig. -Gen. B. M,, Confederate Command 
 
 of, 44, 80. 
 THOMPSON , Corporal , 218. 
 
 iHORNBURY, Lieut.-Col., 120. 
 
 TUMS, Capt., 214. 
 
 Torpedoes near D Olieve s Creek, 42 ; sweeping 
 Cnannel for 132 ; Effects of Explosion of One, 
 200 ; at Blakely, 222. 
 
 Tracy (Fort), 10, 7*1, 137 : Additions to its Para- 
 pet, 145 ; Reduction of 227-232. 
 
 Transportation, Allowance on Campaign, 28. 
 
 Transports (Confed.), fi el on, 81. 
 
 Tread way, Work on, 80 ; Garrison retreats over, 
 157. 
 
 TREMAIN, Corporal, in Assault. 205. 
 
 Trenches, work in, at Spanish Fort, 78 ; com 
 menced at Blakely, 128 ; Length of, at Spanish 
 Fort, 148 ; how should be built, 166 ; Extent 
 of Besiegers at Blakely, 190. 
 
 Triou, Skirmish at, 260. 
 
 TRULL, Cuj.t., Battery of, 78, 189. 
 
 TURNER, Col. Charles, 53,155. 
 
 TUTT, Capt., withdraws from Greenwood, 45 ; De 
 spatches from, 98 (uote). 
 
 Twelfth Iowa. 55. 
 
 Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, 244. 
 
 Twentieth Iowa before Blakely, 126 ; in Assault, 
 209, 210. 
 
 Twentieth Wisconsin in Siege of Fort Morgan, 16 ; 
 at Spanish Fort, 57. 
 
 Twenty-eighth Wisconsin moves from Arkansas, 
 25 ; at Spanish Fort, 56 ; Casualties in, 64. 
 
 Twenty -first Alabama at Minetto Bri Ige, 51. 
 
 Twenty-first Iowa in Skirmish, 42,43 ; at Spanish 
 Fort, 65. 
 
 Twenty-first Missouri, 218, 219. 
 
 Twenty-first New York Battery, 56. 
 
 Twenty-fourth Indiana moves from Kenner to 
 Birranc-is, 22 ; destroys Railroad at Pollard, 
 112 ; at Hall s, 120 ; at Blakely. 127 ; in As 
 sault, 206. 
 
 Twenty-ninth Illinois, Less in, 79. 
 
 Twonty-ninth IOWD moves from Arkansas, 25 ; at 
 Spanish Fort, 65, 79. 
 
 Twenty-second Louisiana (Confed.), 70. 
 
 Twenty-seventh Iowa in Assault on Blakely. 216, 
 218. 
 
 Twenty-seventh Wisconsin attached to" the Thir 
 teenth Corps , 25. 
 
 Twenty -sixth Indiana, 54. 
 
 Twenty-sixth New York, Battery hauled through 
 Swamp, 34 ; at Spanish Fort, 58. 
 
 Twenty-third Iowa, 144, 156. 
 
 Twenty-third Wisconsin, Loss in, 181. 
 
 TYSON, Lieut, commands Naval Battery, 18. 
 
 UPTON, Gen. , Cavalry Division of, 243 ; Skirmish 
 near Montevallo, 246 ; Scouts capture De 
 spatches, 248 ; in Bittle of Etenezer Church, 
 251 ; at Selma, 253-255. 
 
 VAN ANDA, Lieut.-Col., 42, 
 VAN LIEU w, Capt.. 82. 
 VEACH, Lieut. J. J., 261. 
 
276 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 VEATCH, Gen., Division marches to Fish River. 33 ; 
 at Spanish Fort, 79 ; moves with Supplies, 
 120 ; before B.akely, 170, 172 ; notified to Ad 
 vance, 192 ; in Assault, 211-213. 
 
 Vermont (seo Number of Regiment). 
 
 Victories, Influence of Industry and Instruction in 
 Securing, 243. 
 
 VITQUAIN, Lieut.-Col. Victor, 24, 169, 182 ; in As 
 sault, 202, 203. 
 
 VINEYARD, Lieut. Henrv, Gallant Conduct of. 152, 
 153, 154. 
 
 W 
 
 WAKD, Col., Brigade of, 51, 159. 
 
 WARNER. Lieut., 205. 
 
 Washington, Artillery at Spanish Fort, 131. 
 
 Waterloo (Tenn ), Cavalry Camp at, 243. 
 
 WATS-N, Cipt. C., leads Sortie, 85. 
 
 WATTS, Lieut., 113. 
 
 WEBBER, Co!. , at Blakely, 169. 
 
 WELSCE, J.. Expertness as Gunuer, 228. 
 
 WERE, Capt., 79. 
 
 Western Shore (Mobile Bay), Demonstration 
 
 on, 36. 
 
 Wharf, Repair of, at Pensacola, 96, 97. 
 WHBATON, Liaut.-Col. L.. in Assault, 212. 
 WHEELEK, Corporal J., killed at Blakely, 215. 
 WHITE, Lieut -Col. F., Charge at Ebenezer 
 
 Church, 250. 
 WHITNEY, Lieut. , 180. 
 
 EY, Lieut.-Col., at Blakely, 173. 
 
 Plantation, Skirmish at, 118. 
 
 WILLIAMS, Lieut. -Col. J. M , 51, 89, 148. 
 
 WILLIAMS, Lieut., 130. 
 
 WILLMMS, Mr., 106. 
 
 WILSON, Capt. S. R., killed at Blakely, 201. 
 
 WILSON, Gen. J. H., Cavalry Operations of, 241 ; 
 Organization of Column, 243 : Marches, 244 ; 
 at Elyton, detaches Croxtou s Brigade, 246 ; 
 Victory at Ebenezer Church, 250, 151 ; cap 
 tures Selma, 253-255 ; Interview with Forrest 
 at Cahawba, 257 ; Column leaves Selma, 258. 
 259 ; Observations on his Raid, 266, 267. 
 
 WIMMER, Capt. W. P., 81, 131 ; moves to Blakely, 
 144 ; Effective Fire on Gunboats, 187. 
 
 Winnebago (Gunboat) , 67. 
 
 WINSLOW, Gen. E. F.. Brigade of, 247 ; at Ehene- 
 zer Church, 251 ; commands Selma. 256. 
 
 WINTER, Maj., at Blakely, 175, 218. 
 
 Wisconsin, (see Number of Regiment). 
 
 WISNER, Capt., 202. 
 
 WOOD, Capt., 217. 
 
 WOODS, Maj. W. W., 247. 
 
 Works, Regiments to cover Front with, 30. 
 
 YANCEY, his Visit to Mobile, 9. 
 YOUNG, Col. J. M., at Monte vallo, 247. 
 
 ZACHARIE, Col., covers Retreat, 147. 
 
SECOND EDITION, WITH NEW MATTER IN PREFACE. 
 F>RIGB. $2.SO. 
 
 Sent free by mail, post-paid, on receipt of price. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE, 
 
 Including the Co-operative Operations of General 
 Wilson s Cavalry in Alabama. 
 
 BY BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL C. C. ANDREWS, 
 
 Late Commanding the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, U. S. Vols. 
 One Vol. 8vo, cloth, pp. 284. 
 
 Contains a fine portrait of Major-General Edward R. S. 
 
 Canby, five military maps elegantly engraved on 
 
 copperplate, and five beautiful sketches 
 
 showing the ground at Spanish 
 
 Fort and Blakely. 
 
 " General Andrews has given us one of the few careful and really valuable 
 narratives of military operations which have been published since the war." 
 Boston Dnily Advertiser. 
 
 " Its charm lies in its very simplicity and clearness. Here and there little 
 quiet touches of camp life, a brief description of scenery, and a spicy anecdote 
 enliven the daily report of siege operations, skirmishes, and battles." Chicago 
 Daily Tribune. 
 
 " We will enter with a lighter heart on the pleasant task of paying to 
 Major-General Andrews our sincere compliments for his candor, sincerity, and 
 impartiality. 1 " Mobile Daily Times. 
 
 " General Andrews has evidently aimed to give an impartial account of the 
 operations in which he was engaged, and instead of a self-glorifying narrative 
 he has executed his task with a modesty and personal reticence which arc 
 almost culpable. . . . The maps and illustrations are beautifully ex 
 ecuted." Daily Advertiser, Mobile. 
 
 " A campaign which Stanton pronounced to be one of the most important 
 brilliant of the war. . . . 
 in the movement, is a trustworthy 
 
 " Instructive and agreeable to the general reader." Washington Chronicle- 
 
 "A careful, minute, conscientious, and modest study of one of the neatest 
 and most important single operations of the war." Army and Navy Journal. 
 
 and brilliant of the war. . . . And General Andrews, as a division genera^ 
 orth historian of the events. N< ic York World 
 
 B. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY, Publishers, 
 23 Murray and 27 Warren Sts., New York. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
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