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Official Army Records
1865-2
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Sioux City, Iowa, June 6, 1865.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, DEPT. OF THE NORTHWEST:
SIR: I have just received a very important communication, dated May 22, from Fort Rice,
which I report. The general will recollect I reported that there were some 3,000 lodges of Sioux
Indians on the Heart River, and sent word they would come into Fort Rice. Some of them have
come in and report that the Platte Valley Indians, Cheyennes and others, have joined this camp.
They have learned that troops are after them and they are trying to get all the Sioux to join them.
Large numbers have; how many is not known. Several of the friendly ones have come and
encamped near Fort Rice. The intention of the Platte Indians and other hostile ones is to abandon
the country south of the Big Cheyenne River, but intend to hold the upper country, which is well
filled with buffalo and other game, and in order to do this they are going to commence to clean
out all posts, commencing with Rice. It is also said they are well armed and supplied with
ammunition by the English half-breeds, who urge them to make war. If these Indians would only
remain in the country north of the Cheyenne and let the posts and passing boats alone it would be
a blessing to all, for I do not think a sane white man will ever want to go into that country.
Indians still continue to annoy Fort Rice; they are Cheyennes and others. A sentinel was badly
wounded on the night of the 10th, and on the evening of the 22d a large force drove the men
from the saw-mill into the block-house. The saw-mill is located on a creek half a mile from the
fort. I caused to be built, on a hill close by a blockhouse to protect this mill and the stables, in
which is stationed a small guard. The block-house is commanded by the guns of the fort. The
communication also states that a Yanktonnais Indian came in from Wadsworth; left there
fourteen days before. This Indian reports about 400 lodges of Santees at the Corn-Stalk Butte.
This is not far from the Maison du Chien Butte. (See Government map.) My troops commence
their march to-morrow. I start them before they are altogether ready, as I know the importance of
getting up the country as soon as possible, and I will do the best I can with the means I have. I
have sent a copy of this letter to Major-General Pope's headquarters, as I thought he would like
to communicate it to General Dodge.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brevet Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No.. 134.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock Ark., June 7, 1865.
2. Brig. Gen. George F. McGinnis, U.S. Volunteers, having reported to these headquarters in
obedience to orders, is assigned to command of the post of Camden, Ark., and its dependencies,
and will proceed to that place without delay.
4. The Fortieth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, Col. John A. Garrett commanding, will proceed
without delay to Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, for duty at that post. The quartermaster's
department will furnish necessary transportation.
5. Paragraph 8, Special Orders, No. 105, dated May 2, ultimo, from these headquarters, is
hereby revoked. The troops in the District of South Kansas will be reported as apart of the Third
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Division, Seventh Army Corps, through Brig. Gen. C. Bussey, commanding division,
headquarters at Fort Smith.
By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds:
JOHN LEVERING,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
NEW ORLEANS, June 8, 1865.
(Received 1.30 p.m. 9th.)
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. A. RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff:
I have to request that I be authorized to order the following-named regiments, now serving
near Memphis, Tenn., to Shreveport, La.: Seventh Indiana Cavalry, First Iowa Cavalry, Twelfth
Illinois Cavalry, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Fifth Illinois Cavalry. My instructions do not
authorize me to give the necessary order in these cases. I need these regiments here and they can
be taken from Memphis and will then have a sufficient cavalry force in the country. Please
answer without delay by telegraph.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN DIVISION OF LOUISIANA,
Shreveport, La., June 8, 1865.
Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS,
Commanding Department of the Gulf:
GENERAL: We reached Grand Ecore on the 5th instant, leaving the Twenty-first Iowa
Infantry and two squadrons of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry as garrison at that place. Maj. Gen. H.
T. Hays made that point the headquarters of his district, and bad with him about 600 men. At
least 2,000 will be paroled there, many of them stragglers from the other commands. Twenty-one
pieces of artillery and 500 stand of small-arms were turned over to the ordnance officer at that
point. Late on the evening of the 6th we reached Shreveport, the troops, however, not getting
here until the evening of the 7th instant. Brigadier-General Dennis has been assigned to
command of the post, the remnant of his division being camped one mile from town. There will
be but little public property turned over aside from artillery and ordnance stores, although
Generals Buckner, Fagan, and the other officers show every disposition and make every effort to
have the property pass into the hands of our officers. When it was known here that
commissioners had gone to New Orleans to negotiate there was a general breaking up of the
organizations, the troops scattering in every direction and carrying with them everything, public
and private, they could lay hands upon. The single exception to this was in the case of the
Missouri troops, who retained entire their organization and protected all the public property we
have received. Their conduct has been very good. They have acted in good faith, and have turned
over everything, and immediately upon receiving their paroles took the oath of allegiance as
provided in Special Orders, No. 215, Headquarters of the Army. At least 5,000 Missouri and
Kentucky troops will take the oath here. Just after reaching Grand Ecore five boats came down
with one brigade of Missouri men that General Fagan had started to Alexandria, he not having
rations to feed them. I directed them to land at Alexandria, procure paroles, and take the oath
(that being their desire), and from that point proceed to Baton Rouge, where transportation will
be furnished them home.
All of the Missouri and Northern Arkansas troops I will send to Baton Rouge, where they can
be cared for until boats are sent up. Owing to the great scarcity of provisions, I have been
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compelled to send them away from here as rapidly as possible. There will be paroled at this point
about 15,000 in all. The artillery and ordnance stores will be sent to New Orleans without delay.
The Treasury agents sent up by Mr. Flanders have arrived and are collecting the Government
cotton. We will get quite a large amount on the Red and Washita Rivers, but much has been run
off by the soldiers and other persons, so that it will require a little time to collect it. With the
approval of the Treasury agent I have passed several boats loaded with private cotton out of Red
River and to New Orleans. There is an immense amount of private property, cotton, &c., along
this river waiting an opportunity to get down, and I believe it should be pushed through while the
river is up. The country is badly off for supplies, and I hope all parties will be permitted to bring
them up. It will do much toward restoring good feeling. Captain Fitzhugh, of the Navy,
accompanied me to this point, and leaves to-day for the Mississippi. He received from the rebel
naval officer the iron-clad gun-boat Missouri and a supply steamer, the Cotton. We found in the
quartermaster's department but two boats, the Champion and Beauregard. As soon as supplies
arrive I will send a regiment of infantry to Marshall, where there is a large amount of
ammunition and other property. A messenger reached me to-day from Col. W. H. Dickey,
announcing his arrival at Monroe, and also the arrival of the garrison at Camden. The stage
routes are mostly operating, and in a few days the telegraph will be at work to Galveston,
Camden, and other points. I have written Colonel Beckwith about supplies, and would specially
request that a good quartermaster be sent here. The work is too great for a green hand. Will
report by every mail.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. J. HERRON,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS,
South Loup Fork, Nebr. Ter., June 8, 1865.
Lieut. F. A. McDONALD.
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fort Kearny, Nebr. Ter.:
LIEUTENANT: I immediately started in pursuit of the Indians who killed one of my men,
according to instructions I received from you. Struck their trail due west, followed them to Cedar
Creek, and found they had left suddenly. One of their party lay there dead, and I think killed by
one of my men. Found portion of mail matter, Grubb's horse, belonging to the soldier they killed,
stabbed and left. Most of their provisions left on the ground. They then took due course north.
We followed on and found ourselves within two miles of my camp, west. Here we captured a
pony and saddle. They still kept due north. Camped for night and pursued them early. Rained
quite hard during night. We could not trace them beyond the stream north of my camp, about
fifteen miles, should judge. I was obliged to abandon the trip and returned to camp. Their course
was directly northwest from my camp. Some of the men belonging to the command think them
Yanktonnais Sioux. Party consisted of about thirty. They took a course through the most
unbroken country I ever traveled.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
JAS. B. DAVID,
Captain Company E, Seventh Iowa Cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Sioux City, Iowa, June 8, 1865.
ASST. ADJT. GEN. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI:
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SIR: I have received the letter of the agent for the Blackfeet which the general directed to be
sent to me. I agree with the writer that the movements of troops will have the tendency to drive
the hostile Indians to the vicinity of friendly tribes. It has already done so. I, however, don't think
there is much danger for the Blackfeet yet. There is much more for the Crows, who are also
friendly. The section of country now occupied by Cheyennes and other hostile Indians is of such
a nature it will take a long time and some trouble to completely drive them out. It is, besides, a
good country for game, berries, and wild fruit. Eventually it will be well to have troops stationed
at Fort Benton, or near there, but it will be next to an impossibility to get the necessary supplies
there this year, for they already report the river falling above.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brevet Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS SOUTHERN DIVISION OF LOUISIANA,
New Orleans, June 9, 1865.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this day of General Orders Nos. 81 and 81 from
your headquarters. The troops of this command now west the Mississippi River are as follows:
First Louisiana Infantry, at Donaldsonville and on La Fourche; Seventy-eighth Colored
Infantry, at Donaldsonville and on La Fourche; Fourth Iowa Light Battery, on La Fourche;
Sixteenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry, on La Fourche and Plaquemine; Third Rhode Island
Cavalry, on La Fourche; Ninety-eighth Colored Infantry, Brashear and New Iberia; Seventy-fifth
Colored Infantry, on railroad and at Washington, La.; one company Louisiana cavalry, at
Washington, La.; Twenty-fifth New York Battery, at Brashear; one company Wisconsin heavy
artillery, at Brashear; one company Missouri light artillery (dismounted), at Brashear; one
battalion (four companies), Eleventh Colored Heavy Artillery, at Brashear; one battalion (four
companies), Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, at Algiers; one battalion (four companies), Eleventh
Colored Heavy Artillery, at Plaquemine. I propose that the battalion of the Eleventh Colored
Heavy Artillery, the company of First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and the company of Tenth
Colored Heavy Artillery, now at Brashear, remain there in charge of the defenses. That six
companies of the First Louisiana Infantry remain in charge of the defenses at Donaldsonville;
four companies of the same regiment, the Fourth Iowa Light Battery, and four companies
Sixteenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry be stationed for the present at Thibodeaux. That the four
companies Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteers remain at Algiers. That the battalion of Eleventh U.S.
Colored Heavy Artillery now at Plaquemine remain in charge of those defenses until evacuated.
That the post of Plaquemine be evacuated at once, its armament removed, and the fortifications
razed. That the Sixteenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry remain on duty between the Mississippi and
Grand Rivers until its term expires, at which time the probability is that no mounted troops will
be longer required. This arrangement will render available for immediate duty in the front or
elsewhere the Seventy-eighth Colored Infantry, the balance of the Seventy-fifth and Ninetyeighth
Colored Infantry, the Third Rhode Island Cavalry, the Twenty-fifth New York Light
Battery, the Missouri Light Battery (dismounted), and after the evacuation of Plaque-mine one
battalion of the Eleventh Colored Heavy Artillery.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. W. SHERMAN,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
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Little Rock, Ark., June 9, 1865.
Brig. Gen. ALEXANDER SHALER,
Commanding Second Division:
The major-general commanding directs that you send one company, or if your judgment
directs, two companies, of the Ninth Kansas Cavalry to Brownsville, Ark., to relieve the
detachment of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry now stationed at that post. Please dispatch immediately.
By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds:
JOHN LEVERING,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS NO. 105.
HDQRS. 1ST DIV., 7TH ARMY CORPS,
AND POST OF LITTLE ROCK,
Little Rock, Ark., June 9, 1865.
Col. L. Gregg, Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, is hereby appointed to command the post Cavalry
Brigade, and will relieve Col. M. M. Trumbull, Ninth Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, immediately.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. F. Salomon:
A. S. KENDRICK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 10, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. JOHN A. RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff:
I have not received an answer to my dispatch of the 8th instant asking to have the following
regiments of cavalry placed under my orders, viz: Seventh Indiana Cavalry, First Iowa Cavalry,
Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, Second Wisconsin Cavalry. I am anxious to hear
from you, as the regiments are now scattered and will have to be concentrated.
P. H. SHERIDAN,
Major-general.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., June 10, 1865.
Brig. Gen. C. BUSSEY,
Fort Smith:
Fort Gibson will be held. The Fortieth Iowa is designed to replace the Second and Fourteenth
Kansas until troops can be sent to relieve them in time.
By command of Major-General Reynolds:
JOHN LEVERING,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 15.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV.,
SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Devall's Bluff, Ark., June 11, 1865.
The undersigned hereby assumes command of the First Brigade, Second Division, Seventh
Army Corps. Existing orders will remain in force as heretofore. Lieut. J. M. Thompson, Thirtysixth
Iowa Infantry, is announced as acting assistant adjutant-general at these headquarters, and
will report at once.
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F. M. DRAKE,
Lieut. Col. Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, Bvt. Brig. Gen., Comdg
SIOUX CITY, June 14, 1865.
Major-General POPE,
Saint Louis:
GENERAL: I have received your telegram and your letter in regard to the transfer of the
Winnebagoes to Crow Creek, one among the hundred swindles the poor red devils have been
subjected to. I have no officer I can send to give testimony in this business, except my old staff,
Captain King, Captain Pell, and Lieutenant Levering. I can trust them, and they know. The
officers on my staff at present are willing, but know little. General, you know an officer who
attends to his duties strictly has to depend on himself. You are old soldier enough to know what I
mean. There are plenty of officers in the command who are my friends, would like to serve me,
but could not testify to any facts in the case. They have not held positions high enough to know.
Major Brackett's Minnesota battalion I would place on that duty, but he cannot be spared. Capt.
M. Norton, assistant adjutant-general, is the only member of my personal staff, and of course he
knows nothing about it. I expected to take with me Major Cram, acting assistant adjutantgeneral,
now at Dubuque. Two officers were detailed at headquarters army to relieve Cram, and
these two were relieved again by orders from headquarters army. I suppose they did not like
living on alkali and hard tack. King, lieutenant-colonel Second U.S. Volunteers, is now at Fort
Riley, and knows all about it, but so does Representative Hubbard, of Iowa. Levering is dead,
and Pell a lawyer in New York. The surveyor arrived here to-night, and wants a company of
cavalry to take care of him while he finds the meridian, twenty miles south of Fort Randall, but
of course he won't get any such force. I am not in fear of traveling with my servants, a driver,
and my quartermaster to Fort Pierre, but he says General Connor told him it would not be safe. I
don't believe this. Several bands of Sioux have sent word to me they want to see me and talk.
Governor Edmunds, who I suppose has heard this, wants to go with me. I'll try to eucher him, for
I don't want him to get the credit of our work. I wish I had 500 more good cavalry. I think I could
head off the Platte Indians. I don't think the troops marching up the Platte will be able to overtake
them. I don't know this to be so. I have only Indian reports--unreliable, as you know. I will only
have 800 or 900 men with me. I don't include about 100 teamsters and quartermasters and
commissary of subsistence men, but they are men who have been with me two years. I can
depend on them; and although I may not be able to make a big fight and accomplish all, as I have
heretofore, yet I can hold my own against any number of Indians.
With respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brevet Major-General.
JULESBURG, June 15, 1865.
(Received 9.50 p.m.)
Major-General DODGE:
I ordered the Indians who surrendered at Laramie to be sent to Kearny. Colonel Moonlight
sent them without first dismounting them, under charge of two companies of Seventh Iowa
Cavalry. They revolted sixty miles this side of Laramie, killing Captain Fouts, who was in
command, and four soldiers, and wounding seven; also killed four of their own chiefs who
refused to join them; fifteen Indians were killed. Indians fled north with their ponies, women,
and children, leaving all their camp equipage. Troops are in pursuit. Mail stages have stopped
west of Camp Collins. Everything appears to work unfavorably owing to failure of corn
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contractors and incompetency of some of my subordinates. I will overcome all obstacles,
however, in a short time. Have you sent me any cavalry yet? J. D. Doty, Governor of Utah, was
buried at Camp Douglas Cemetery this morning. Died of heart disease.
P. E. CONNOR,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, June 15, 1865.
Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE, Commanding Division, Saint Louis, Mo.:
GENERAL: Dispatches of the 6th, 7th, and 9th are received from General Sully. He had
commenced the movement of his troops toward Fort Rice, which place he expects to reach in
about one month. He takes about 1,000 men and four pieces of light artillery. In response to an
inquiry made pursuant to telegraph orders received by me from Washington, asking the number
of troops that would be mustered out under the order directing muster out of all troops whose
term of service expires on the 31st of September next, General Sully reported "approximately
400," which number as directed and reported to Washington as ordered on the 3d instant with a
further statement, "but they are under orders to move against hostile Indians, and I respectfully
request that this order be suspended as to this Northwest Department." This request has not been
granted, so that General Sully's forces, as he thinks, will be much reduced in the course of his fall
campaign by reason of this muster out, and the expiration of the term of service of the Sixth Iowa
in December, and the term of many of the Seventh Iowa expiring this year. I desire the attention
of the general to be called to these facts at this early period so that troops campaigning elsewhere
during the summer may be sent to the Iowa District in time to supply these probable and
inevitable depletions. The general also expresses some apprehensions that grasshoppers will
annoy his troops and possibly destroy vegetation, as they seem to devour even tents and wagon
covers and attack the men's persons when sleeping. It seems, also, a fourth steam-boat loaded
with supplies has been lost. This, he thinks, is owing to the employment of boats not suited to the
river and officers who do not understand it. Such a multitude of disasters seem to render the cost
of supplies on the Upper Missouri almost too great to justify operations on that line. I
respectfully request that the quartermaster's special attention be called to this matter of expense;
and if, as I fear, it is too great by boats on the Missouri, some more economical arrangement of
transportation must be adopted. The Third Illinois Cavalry will as soon as possible after it arrives
at Saint Paul move in two separate columns, one up the Mississippi and the other up the
Minnesota, uniting at some convenient point between these streams as circumstances may seem
to require. These movements being thus fairly projected, and probably needing no direction for
some time, I respectfully desire that the general's memory be refreshed in relation to my request
to avail myself of any apparent leisure for ten days to go and meet my wife somewhere east and
accompany her to my headquarters. It is not likely I should now desire to go farther than Ohio.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
S. R. CURTIS,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF LA FOURCHE,
Brashear City, La., June 16, 1865.
Capt. C. H. DYER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Gulf:
SIR: Pursuant to orders in paragraph III, General Orders, No. 81, current series, from your
headquarters, I have the honor to report that there are at this time at Washington five companies
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of the Seventy-fifth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 225; Company K, First Louisiana Cavalry,
aggregate 61. At New Iberia five companies Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 299.
At Brashear five companies Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 305; First Battalion,
Eleventh U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery (four companies), aggregate 438; Battery D, First
Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, aggregate 163; Battery G, Tenth U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery,
aggregate 136; Battery A, Second Illinois Light Artillery, aggregate 182, no guns or horses;
Twenty-fifth New York Light Battery, aggregate 146, six guns, fifty-tone horses. At Bayou
Boeuf one company Seventy-fifth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 51. At Tigerville one
company Seventy-fifth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 55. At Terre Bonne one company
Seventy-fifth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 59. At Boutte one company Seventy-fifth U.S.
Colored Infantry, aggregate 49. At La Fourche Crossing and Bayou Des Allemands, each half of
a company of the Seventy-fifth U.S. Colored Infantry, with headquarters at La Fourche Crossing,
aggregate 53. At Thibodeaux six companies Seventy-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate
361; Fourth Iowa Battery, aggregate 132. At Napoleonville the Third Rhode Island Cavalry
(twelve companies), aggregate 679, ordered to be ready to take the field. At Donaldsonville four
companies Seventy-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, aggregate 220; the First Louisiana Infantry,
aggregate 557, whose time expires in August, and who I learn, though not officially, have been
ordered to New Orleans to be mustered out. At Plaquemine Second Battalion, Eleventh U.S.
Colored Heavy Artillery (four companies), aggregate 525, ordered to New Orleans. There is a
line of telegraph running from New Orleans to Brashear, and a branch line running from Terre
Bonne Station, on the railroad, through Thibodeaux and Napoleonville to Donaldsonville. The
poles are old, and from Terre Bonne to Donaldsonville very rotten, breaking often by the force of
the wind. Otherwise the line is in good condition. The railroad from New Orleans to Terre Bonne
is in fine condition, but from Terre Bonne to Brashear it has been under water, which is now
receding, leaving the road for this part of the route, twenty-eight miles, useless without repairs.
In my humble opinion there are more troops in this district than are needed. I would respectfully
recommend a distribution of forces as follows, and that the remaining forces be held in reserve,
subject to the orders of the brevet major-general commanding the District of Louisiana: At
Washington, three companies Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry; at Opelousas, two companies
Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry and Company K, First Louisiana Cavalry, who can be
supplied from New Orleans via the Atchafalaya and Bayou Courtableau for six weeks, when the
water will fall and the only communication will be by land for some six months, consequently
for these posts a six-months' supply is recommended; at Vermillionville, one company Third
Rhode Island Cavalry and one of the Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, who would be
supplied from New Iberia; at New Iberia, one company Third Rhode Island Cavalry and two
companies Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, which can be supplied by the Teche at all
seasons of the year; at Franklin, two companies Ninety-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry; at
Brashear, the First Battalion, Eleventh U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery; at Bayou Boeuf and
Tigerville, to protect the railroad, one company Seventy-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, divided; at
Bayou Des Allemands and Boutte, on the railroad, one company of the Seventy-eighth U.S.
Colored Infantry, divided; at Terre Bonne and La Fourche Crossing, on the railroad, one
company Seventy-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, divided; two companies Seventy-eighth U.S.
Colored Infantry and one company Third Rhode Island Cavalry at Thibodeaux, and the four
remaining companies of the Seventy-eighth not disposed of to be held as a reserve at
Thibodeaux, and the Fourth Iowa Battery, which has more than one year and a half to serve,
reduced to a four-gun battery and held at Thibodeaux as a reserve. Thibodeaux is supplied from
Terre Bonne Station, on the railroad. At Donaldsonville, Company G, Tenth U.S. Colored Heavy
Artillery; one company Seventy-eighth U.S. Colored Infantry, and one company Third Rhode
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Island Cavalry. Donaldsonville and Plaquemine are supplied by the river. This disposition I
believe is necessary for the quiet of the country, the protection of the well disposed, and the
enforcement of the laws for a time at least, but I do not believe more will be needed. It will leave
for disposal the Seventy-fifth U.S. Colored Infantry, whose time expires in November; the
Twenty-fifth New York Battery, whose time expires in December; Company A, Second Illinois
Light Artillery, Company D, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and eight companies of the Third
Rhode Island Cavalry.
The condition of the country is one of great distress and destitution. The ravages of the
caterpillar upon the cotton crop, the merciless seizing of forage and subsistence by the rebels,
with the present overflow, leaves many without food, and nearly all in circumstances of distress.
The paroled rebel soldiers appear inclined to be quiet, and man) are asking to take the oath. The
only thing I find in any way embarrassing is the prejudice against colored soldiers, and a
lingering hope still manifest among a few of the wealthy and educated, and consequently
influential, for the return of slavery. There are some jayhawkers or guerrillas, but with a proper
disposition of our forces, which I have suggested, and especially of the cavalry companies, we
can soon hunt them down. There are no supplies which can be procured in the country at a less
cost to the Government than from depot, except fresh beef and sugar, both of which I believe can
be procured at Washington or New Iberia much cheaper than at New Orleans. Parties tell me that
they think beef can be contracted for at 7 or 8 cents net. With the railroad repaired to Brashear,
and Washington supplied for six months, all the steam transportation needed would be one or at
most two small steamboats to run from Brashear to New Iberia, from which point
communication can be kept up with Washington via Vermillionville and Opelousas. This boat
can be dispensed with as soon as the regular packet line from Brashear to New Iberia is
established.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. A. CAMERON,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers: Commanding District.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, BENTON'S DIVISION,
Clarksville, Tex., June 16, 1865.
Brig. Gen. J. R. SLACK,
Commanding U.S. Forces:
GENERAL: In obedience to the instructions of the major-general commanding U.S. forces
on the Rio Grande I have the honor to report to you with my command for duty.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS H. BENTON, JR.,
Colonel Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, Comdg. Second Brigade.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 115.
HDQRS. NORTHERN DIV. OF LOUISIANA,
Shreveport, La., June 17, 1865.
I. The Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry and the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry Volunteers,
coming within the provisions of General Orders, No. 64, headquarters Military Division of West
Mississippi, will be mustered out of the service at this place and put en route for their respective
States. Brigadier-General Dennis, commanding First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, to which
these regiments are attached, will be charged with the execution of this order.
II. The Forty-sixth Illinois Veteran Infantry will be forwarded without delay to Natchitoches,
La., and relieve the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, now doing duty at that point. The Twenty-first
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Iowa Infantry, on being relieved, will proceed to Baton Rouge, La., for the purpose of being
mustered out of the service in accordance with General Orders, No. 64, headquarters Military
Division of West Mississippi. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary
transportation.
By command of Major-General Herron:
WM. H. CLAPP,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS NO. 13.
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE SOUTHWEST,
New Orleans, La., June 18, 1865.
2. Maj. Gen. George A. Custer, U.S. Volunteers, will assume command of the followingnamed
regiments, and the commanding officers of said regiments will report their respective
commands to him on their arrival at Alexandria, La.: Seventh Indiana Cavalry, First Iowa
Cavalry, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, Second Wisconsin Cavalry.
3. The commanding officer of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry will at once report with his
command to Major-General Merritt, chief of cavalry of this division, at Shreveport, La.
4. So much of Special Orders, No. 8, current series, from these headquarters, as directs the
Second New Jersey Cavalry, to report to Major-General Merritt, chief of cavalry, is hereby
revoked.
By command of Major-General Sheridan:
E. B. PARSONS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
e for the reason that the assistant commissary of musters of the First Division, Thirteenth
Corps, could not be spared to muster them out at the posts where stationed. In addition to this the
Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry and the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry have been directed to
prepare their rolls, and will be mustered out here in a few days. Each of the four regiments above
named comes under the provisions of General Orders, No. 64, current series, from headquarters
Military Division of West Mississippi. I have sent the Eighth Illinois Infantry to Marshall, Tex.,
to garrison that place. These dispositions leave me the Forty-seventh Indiana Veteran Infantry at
this post, besides the cavalry. The country, however, is quiet, and small garrisons, especially of
infantry, are preferable to large. Col. W. H. Dickey, Eighty-fourth U.S. Colored Infantry,
stationed at Monroe, La., reports the arrival of a regiment from Major-General Reynolds'
command at Camden, Ark., and I have directed him to withdraw the detachment of his regiment
stationed at the latter place to Monroe. This will give a stronger garrison at that point and will
enable Colonel Dickey to keep the country in his vicinity quiet. I am using the cavalry through
the country to quiet the negroes and disperse guerrillas. The people are generally disposed to be
peaceable and to submit quietly to the new order of things.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
F. J. HERRON,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS,
Galveston, Tex., June 19, 1865.
Col. F. W. MOORE,
Commanding Third Brigade, Second Division:
11
Colonel; By direction of the major-general commanding, you will have the One hundred and
fourteenth Ohio Volunteers and Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteers, under command of the senior
officer, sent to Houston to-morrow. It is desirable that the troops leave as early as 6 o'clock tomorrow
morning. Captain Atwood, assistant quartermaster, will place at your disposal the
steamer Island City for transportation of wagons, animals, forage, the rations the men cannot
carry on their persons, and such troops as she can carry in addition. He will also place at your
disposal a railroad train capable of taking the required number of troops properly. Ten days'
subsistence for men and animals, six wagons and teams, and forty rounds of ammunition to the
man will be carried. The officers to command the expedition will report at these headquarters for
further instructions.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. W. EMERY,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., June 19, 1865.
Maj. Gen. JOHN POPE
Commanding Military Division of the Missouri, Saint Louis:
I have no mounted force at Gibson or Smith. Second and Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry
(dismounted)are being mustered out Ninth Kansas Cavalry, now at Devall's Bluff, will be fully
mounted and the Sixth consolidated with it. Fourteenth Iowa Infantry is at Gibson as garrison,
but will also be mustered out as soon as relieved by troops en route to this department. The force
reported in yours of 15th as en route will, I think, be sufficient, with what will remain in service.
I have no intimation of any movement of Indians.
J. J. REYNOLDS,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., June 21, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. SULLY,
Sioux City, Iowa:
GENERAL: Your two letters of June 10 are received. In relation to Colonel Dimon you can
act as you think best. Peace should, if possible, be made with the Cheyennes and Sioux. I have
several times urged this upon you. Make what arrangements with them as seem judicious to you
(except the payment of money or goods), and I will see that your terms are approved. If all the
Sioux and Cheyennes would agree to remain in the region of country north of the Platte, I am
sure the Government would sanction the arrangement and adopt measures to keep whites entirely
out of their country. We want peace with the Indians, if we can get a peace which has any
element of permanency. You know very well that such treaties as are made by Indian agents,
giving the Indians money and goods, only lead surely to more hostilities, in the hope of getting
more treaties and more money and goods. Such treaties are not to be thought of. Use all your
energy to settle matters satisfactorily with the Indians as speedily as possible. No troops
stationed at frontier posts or engaged in Indian campaign are to be mustered out. Act on this.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 2.
12
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS,
Galveston, Tex., June 22, 1865.
3. The Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers will proceed as early to-morrow morning as practicable
by boat or rail to Houston; thence by first train to Alleyton; from Alleyton the regiment will
march to Columbus and there take post, preserve order, and protect public and private property.
Major Avery, aide-de-camp to the major-general commanding, will give the commanding officer
special instructions.
4. The One hundred and fourteenth Ohio Volunteers will be moved to Millican by railroad as
soon as possible, there to take post, preserve order, and protect public and private property.
Major Avery, aide-de-camp to the major-general commanding, will give the commanding officer
special instructions.
By order of Major-General Granger:
F. W. EMERY,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE PLAINS,
Julesburg, Colo. Ter., June 22, 1865.
Col. R. R. LIVINGSTON,
Commanding East Sub-District, Port Kearny, Nebr. Ter.:
COLONEL: The general commanding directs me to inform you that a small party of Sioux
Indians will arrive at your post in a few days, under charge of Capt. John Wilcox, Seventh Iowa
Cavalry, or such other escort as he may in his judgment detail. You will receive the Indians,
continue them disarmed, feed them as cheaply as possible, treat them kindly, and hang any who
try to escape; and until otherwise ordered you will not permit them to leave the limits of your
post. The males of the party will be required to work for their subsistence.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. F. PRICE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EAST LOUISIANA,
Baton Rouge, La., June 23, 1865.
Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General, New Orleans:
The Eleventh Illinois Infantry Volunteers and Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers arrived
here this morning from Shreveport with orders from General Herron to remain here and wait
muster out.
Very respectfully,
M. K. LAWLER,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
Brazos Santiago, Tex., June 23, 1865.
Capt. J. F. LACEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: The First Division of my corps will commence moving to White's Ranch at 4 o'clock
this p.m. There will be four brigades to encamp there, and there being a scarcity of room I would
respectfully request that the Twenty-ninth Iowa and Seventh United States be moved to some
other point.
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I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WEITZEL,
Major-General of Volunteers.
SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DIST. OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI,
No. 42. Springfield, Mo., June 23, 1865.
In compliance with Special Orders, No. 164, current series, from headquarters Department of
the Missouri, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the District of Southwest Missouri.
The district staff will remain as at present constituted, with the addition of First Lieut. G. G.
Bennett, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers, aide-de-camp and acting assistant adjutant-general.
THOMAS J. McKEAN,
Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 22.
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE SOUTHWEST,
New Orleans, La., June 30, 1865.
3. Col. William McE. Dye, Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, having reported to these
headquarters in compliance with orders from the headquarters of the Department of the Gulf,
will report in person without delay to the major-general commanding for instructions.
By command of Major-General Sheridan:
E. B. PARSONS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE UPPER ARKANSAS,
Fort Riley, July 3, 1865.
Maj. Gen. G. M. DODGE,
Commanding Department of the Missouri:
I have the honor to report for the information of the general commanding the following as
regards the state of my district: The Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry,
Second Colorado Cavalry, two companies of Third Wisconsin Cavalry, one company of Seventh
Iowa Cavalry, and the greater portion of the Second and Fifth Regiments U.S. Volunteer Infantry
are stationed along the Santa Fe road from Little Arkansas River on the east to Fort Dodge and
Cimarron Crossing on the west. I can at any time send one or two expeditions south of the river
(500 or 600 men each), but do not deem it best to send any south until Colonel Leavenworth can
be heard again. He writes from the mouth of the Little Arkansas on the 27th ultimo that the
hostile Indians held a great council near Fort Cobb, at which a Texan officer was present, who
told them that the whites had made peace among themselves, and advised them to make peace
with the whites. The Southern Indians, Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches, all gave in at once,
and said they would send out no more war parties north. The Cheyennes and Arapahoes,
however, did not decide. He further reports that most of the Indians have gone to the Wichita
Mountains and Red River, which corresponds with what I can learn from my scouts. Colonel
Leavenworth expects to meet the Indians by the 15th instant about eighty miles below the mouth
of the Little Arkansas, and will inform me of the result of his council immediately. The Indians
had all heard of the Senatorial committee and their desire to make peace with them, and know
that there has been a large increase of the troops along the roads, making it impossible for them
to make anything by continued hostilities, as trains and coaches are too well guarded for them to
capture them. I therefore think that Colonel Leavenworth will succeed in making peace with the
Indians. All trains, coaches, &c., are now passing safely through the district. Five hundred teams
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left Fort Larned on the 1st instant for Fort Lyon and New Mexico, escorted by one company of
New Mexico cavalry and one company Second U.S. Volunteer Infantry, under command of
Captain Cowgill, Second U.S. [Volunteer] Infantry. The troops are now so stationed along the
entire Santa Fe route that it will be impossible to capture any trains or coaches unless it be from
the carelessness of post or escort commanders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. H. FORD,
Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 28.
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE SOUTHWEST,
New Orleans, La., July 6, 1865.
5. The Thirty-third Iowa Volunteers is hereby transferred from the Thirteenth Army Corps to
the Department of the Gulf. The commanding officer will report without delay to Major-General
Canby for orders.
By command of Major-General Sheridan:
E. B. PARSONS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HOUSTON, July 10, 1865.
Maj. F. W. EMERY.
Assistant Adjutant-General, Galveston:
The Thirtieth Missouri goes to Columbus by rail today, and will relieve Twenty-third Iowa,
which I will send to Galveston. Expect to-morrow to send Twenty-ninth Illinois to Millican to
relieve One hundred and fourteenth Ohio.
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brevet Major-General.
OFFICE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE, DISTRICT OF TEXAS,
Galveston, July 10, 1865.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that immediately after my arrival (June 25), in
compliance with Special Orders, No. 1, I obtained an interview with the Confederate States
commissioners to ascertain what property, it any, pertaining to my department they were
prepared to turn over. I was informed by Major Von Harten, commissioner, Major Willke, late
chief of ordnance, and other gentlemen connected with the department, that owing to the
desertion of the Confederate troops and the pillage and destruction of Government property by
them just after the surrender, it was impossible for the property to be regularly transferred as
stipulated in the terms of surrender, and that they were unable to collect it or give any
information regarding the present locality of the stores. Of the condition of the department at that
time you are sufficiently well informed. I immediately took steps to have competent officers
appointed at sub-district and post headquarters as acting assistant ordnance officers to facilitate
the collection of the stores, and forwarded to you June 30 a request to that effect; to which you
replied that it was not practicable to make such appointments at present, but that officers would
be appointed at each post to receive all Government property, including ordnance. Owing to the
unsettled condition of the troops and limited means of communication, I have been unable as yet
to obtain reports from these officers except from the post of Houston, and the line of the Texas
15
Central Railroad as far as Navasota, where every effort is being made to bring in the stores. I
have secured the appointment of an efficient officer, Lieut. R. E. Martin, Thirty-fourth Iowa, as
depot ordnance officer, who has in charge all the defenses of Galveston, and is rapidly collecting
the stores. In addition, he has, under my instructions, made requisitions for such stores as will
probably be needed by the troops during the present quarter. I would respectfully call your
attention to the fact that requisitions on the depot at New Orleans for stores for this district are
revised by some chief of ordnance at that point, whether of Department of the Gulf or Military
Division of the Southwest I am unable to ascertain, and if deemed too extravagant by them are
cut down to much less than the originals, which under my direction have been carefully prepared
in accordance with the probable requirements of the service. Having ascertained that much of the
light artillery and ordnance was in the vicinity of Shreveport, La., although within the limits of
Texas, I forwarded July 7 to the depot ordnance officer at that place a request to render all
assistance in his power to secure the property. No communications have yet been received with
regard to amount or condition of stores on the Gulf coast. The small arms collected up to this
time are mostly in the hands of provost-marshals, and cannot, therefore, be reported on. I
respectfully suggest that the ownership of a large quantity of cannon powder, amounting to about
100 barrels, now in the city magazine at Houston, and claimed by the mayor of that place to
belong to private parties, be investigated by the provost-marshal's department and the legality of
such claim reported on.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SEYMOUR HOWELL,
Captain and Chief of Ordnance.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTHWEST,
Milwaukee, Wis., July 12, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. SULLY,
In the Field:
DEAR GENERAL: My last news from you is dated at Fort Sully on the 1st instant. I hardly
know how this will reach you, but will send through by General Sibley's lines. I have nothing
important to say. You seem to be moving all right, and I hope your progress may not be
impeded. I see General Sibley has started the Third Illinois Cavalry to join you if they can, but I
hope you are in advance and may arrive at Devil's Lake before they reach you. They left Saint
Paul about the 6th instant. I do not think the hostile bands will make any stand, and only hope
you may scare them still farther from the settlements; but I especially want you to select a site for
a fort at or near Devil's Lake. General Pope has sent a large force out on the plains from Omaha
and Leavenworth, and I trust he will fill up the void created by muster-out in your rear. The Sixth
and Seventh Iowa will probably go out; also the rebel recruits. Such are recent orders. Colonel
Pollock will, of course, go out with his regiment. I recommend you to release him for the
purpose of mustering out. I cannot send a court to try him; besides, the witnesses must be with
your command. No further troubles have been reported of Indian assaults on the Minnesota
settlements, and I concur with you in the belief that the report from Abercrombie of great
gatherings of all tribes west of the Missouri is a mere marvel, excited by some arrivals from the
west. The buffalo followers cannot take great numbers far away from their game. Small parties
will and may make considerable ventures to steal horses and take scalps, but great Indian
combinations cannot be made and should not be anticipated. It is only small bands that may take
the offensive and annoy the settlements. To prevent this such columns as you are now leading
must press them back, and if possible follow their war parties, so as to prevent their success. I am
recovering from wounded arms received by a fall. It gives me some pain to write, but I am far
16
better than I was, and will be entirely well in a few days more, so my surgeon thinks. I hope you
will continue to write often, giving me incidents by the way. Nothing of importance is
transpiring, and matters seem to be settling down on a peace basis.
I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. R. CURTIS,
Major-General.
HOUSTON, July 14, 1865.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
The Twenty-third Iowa is at Harrisburg, and the One hundred and fourteenth Ohio at this
place waiting to be mustered out. The Thirtieth Missouri relieved the Twenty-third Iowa at
Columbus. Seven companies of the Twenty-ninth Illinois are at Millican and two at Brenham. I
have ordered one company of the Thirty-fourth Iowa to go to Liberty for ten days. Major, with
the approval of the general commanding the District of Texas, I will send troops to those
accessible points where their presence for a few days promises a benefit to the cause of loyalty,
safety, and industry.
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brevet Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 22.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS,
Galveston, Tex., July 15, 1865.
1. Fifty thousand rations will be forwarded from each Columbus and Indianola to San
Antonio as soon as possible. The salt-meat ration will be reduced to one-fourth, and the ration of
salt will be doubled. The chief commissary of subsistence of this district will see that the stores
are in readiness, and the chief quartermaster will provide the necessary transportation. Bvt. Maj.
Gen. C. C. Andrews, commanding District of Houston, will furnish all guards required to protect
the train from Columbus, and the senior officer of the U.S. forces at and near Indianola will
furnish all guards for the train from Indianola upon the application of the quartermaster's
department.
2. Lieut. Col. R. F. Patterson, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, is assigned to duty at these
headquarters as acting assistant inspector-general. He will report without delay. The enlisted man
now serving with Lieutenant-Colonel Patterson as clerk will accompany him for duty at these
headquarters.
By order of Major-General Granger:
F. W. EMERY,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HOUSTON, July 18, 1865.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
Have just returned from Columbus. The people appear well disposed, but there as not much
cordiality. About 800 have taken the amnesty oath at that place. A detachment of the Twentythird
Iowa had been out fifty miles from Columbus and taken seven men, alleged jayhawkers,
and recovered about $3,000 worth of private property that had been stolen between here and
Columbus. I saw 15,000 head of cattle on the prairie.
C. C. ANDREWS,
17
Brevet Major-General
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE PLAINS,
Fort Laramie, Dak. Ter July 28, 1865.
Maj. J. W. BARNES,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. U.S. Forces, Kansas and the Territories:
MAJOR: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of letters of instructions to the
commanding officers of the right and center columns of the Powder River Indian expedition,
together with a map showing the routes of the different columns. I will accompany the left and
west columns to the place designated for them to separate, and will not issue instructions to
them until there, not knowing what may transpire to change present plans of operation. As a
large band of Indians have recently come down on telegraph line, it may be found profitable and
advantageous to pursue them. The strength of the columns is as follows: Right column,
commanded by Col. N. Cole, Second Missouri Light Artillery, composed of Second Missouri
Light Artillery, 797 officers and men; Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, 311 officers and men; total,
1,108 officers and men. Center column, commanded by Lieut. Col. Samuel Walker, Sixteenth
Kansas Cavalry, composed of Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, 600 officers and men. Left column,
commanded by Col. J. H. Kidd, Sixth Michigan Cavalry, composed of Seventh Iowa Cavalry, 90
officers and men; Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, 90 officers and men; Sixth Michigan Cavalry, 200
officers and men, and Pawnee Scouts, 95 officers and men; total, 475 officers and men. West
column, commanded by Capt. Albert Brown, Second California Cavalry, composed of Second
California Cavalry, 116 officers and men, and Omaha Scouts, 84 officers and men; total, 200
officers and men. Each of these columns is supplied with artillery. The center column takes forty
days' supplies on pack-mules. All the supplies by wagon transportation go with left column,
which I will accompany. I expect to establish a post on headwaters of either Tongue or Powder
River near present road to Virginia City, M T. I will proceed down Tongue River to the general
rendezvous of the columns on Rosebud River; expect to direct movements of the different
columns by means of fire signals. If I do not succeed in finding and punishing Indians before
arriving at general rendezvous, and can there ascertain their whereabouts, I intend to go after
them, even if it is to Heart River. Should Indians show no disposition to take risk of a general
engagement I will again distribute the columns, carrying rations on horses, and scour the country
thoroughly. Circumstances may, however, arise when I arrive on the ground which will cause me
to change my plans somewhat. The right, left, and west columns are now en route. I start tomorrow
and will overtake column before it arrives at La Bonte. I have left instructions with my
adjutant-general in reference to the disposition of troops coming into the district, and expect to
be able to communicate with him frequently by means of express and vedettes.
I have the honor to remain, with much respect, you obedient servant,
P. EDW. CONNOR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., August 3, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. SULLY,
Commanding Northwest Indian Expedition:
GENERAL: I transmit inclosed a copy of a letter to Major-General Dodge for your
information. The First U.S. Volunteers and all the cavalry at your command whose terms of
service expire this winter will be mustered out of service as soon as you return from your
expedition. I have ordered General Dodge, as you will see from the inclosed letter to him, to send
18
you 600 infantry to garrison the posts in your command. You will also have the three companies
of Seventh Iowa Cavalry and the battalion of Fourth U.S. Volunteers. I wish you to reduce both
troops and expenditures to the lowest possible limit, contenting yourself with retaining force
sufficient for defensive purposes. The Sixth Regiment of Iowa Cavalry to be sent for muster out
to Davenport; the First U.S. Volunteers to this place. Report as soon as you return. Acknowledge
receipt of this letter.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 187.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., August 9, 1865.
3. The Third Iowa Battery will proceed without delay to Fort Smith, Ark., and be reported to
the commanding officer of that post for duty.
By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds:
GUSTAV WAGENFUEHR,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA, August [12], 1865.
Capt. GEORGE F. PRICE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Fort Laramie:
Send no troops to Utah until I get up there. War Department has stopped the brigade of
infantry en route, and I shall have to get another regiment of infantry from Fort Riley. I leave
here Saturday night for Kearny.
G. M. DODGE,
Major-general.
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Fort Berthold, August 13, 1865.
ASST. ADJT. GEN., DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI:
SIR: In my last report, dated August 8, and directed to the Department of the Northwest, I
stated that I had heard that a large war party had left the hostile camp across the river for Fort
Rice. Since then I have heard of them through the commanding officer at Fort Rice and through
Indians from the camp. The commanding officer states they approached the herding party, and
that there was quite a skirmish with the troops sent out to attack them. Two soldiers were killed,
and it is thought quite a number of Indians were killed or wounded. It is also stated that Captain
Moreland, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, with part of his company, behaved very handsomely. It is also
said that some of them were dressed in soldiers' clothes, which they must have got from the
Platte; also new patent fire-arms, and Indian scouts say the Cheyennes have large numbers of
American horses. The Indian report is very much the same. Some 300 warriors went to Rice.
They stole some twelve horses, and that about nine of their number were badly wounded, and of
course they say they killed a great many whites. About the time this war party returned to the
camp they got the news. I was only a few days' march from Berthold (how they got this news I
can't tell). The whole camp then fled south, the friendly Indians feeling sure I would never make
peace with them after the Rice affair. A trusty Indian, half Arickaree and half Uricpapa, followed
their trail across the Bad Lands, the Little Missouri, to Beaver Creek, which empties into the
Little Missouri, and found their trail still going southwest toward Powder River. I telegraphed
19
this to you, and also telegraphed to Fort Laramie for the information of General Connor, who I
suppose is marching down the Powder. Of course I could not follow, for there are no means here
of my crossing the river. It would take me over a week to build rafts and do so. On my arrival
here I learned that a party of Cut-Heads and North Yanktonnais and some Santees, about 300 to
500 lodges, were somewhere up the country between the White Earth and Little Muddy Rivers.
Where they exactly are I could not learn, but fear they are near the British line, which of course
will prevent all hopes of my reaching them. And here I beg leave again to repeat what I have
before stated. It is perfectly impossible for any Indian to be captured north of this part of the
Missouri until the English Government grant us permission to cross their line in pursuit. The
orders I have received from the President forbid the crossing of troops into the British
Possessions under any circumstances, and the Indians know this as well as I do. I found three
Assinniboine Indians in the Arickaree camp, and without telling them or anybody why I sent
them, I hired them to carry a letter from me to Fort Union. These Sioux Indians (I above
mentioned) are in the Assinniboine country and are on peaceable terms with them. I expect these
three Indians to return with their answer and to get their pay in two days. I will then make them
tell me of the whereabouts of the Sioux camp, and if it is possible for me to head them off I will
do so. It is for this reason I am waiting here. Medicine Bear, chief of the Northern Yanktonnais,
came in here before I reached here to give himself up. Heretofore he has been most bitter in his
enmity to the whites, and has been a leader in all the fights against me. He is said to be the
smartest chief in the Sioux Nation. I had a very long private talk with him. He brought some of
his people with him, and it is hard to tell if he is sincere in his wish for peace, but I am inclined
to believe so. He told me that against the wishes of all his tribe he remained here to see me. That
they told him I would hang him; that the greater part of the Sioux Indians would be glad to make
peace, but they feared me, and, as he stated, "their heart felt bad against me; the prairies were not
yet dried from the blood I spilt." He also said that out of the Yanktonnais tribe alone of all that
died, killed, died of wounds and privations, men, women, and children--there were many
hundreds--their tribe suffered the most; that in the last year's fight he commanded 100 picked
men, and thirty of them were killed or died afterward. The rest were in the camp north of me
near the British line, and he pledges himself he will bring them in to surrender as soon as I leave
this section of country. I tried every way to find out exactly where they were but he did not
know, was his answer. In two or three days I will decide what I think I can best do. I fear it is
impossible for me to move without its being known; and if so, I shall see no Indians south of the
line.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brevet Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 192.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, Ark., August 15, 1865.
11. The Ninth Iowa Cavalry is assigned to duty as follows: Headquarters and three
companies at Fort Smith, Ark.; one field officer and two companies at Lewisburg, Ark.; one
company at Dardanelle, Ark.; one company at Fayetteville, Ark.; one company at Clarksville,
Ark.; one field officer and two companies at Camden, Ark.; one company at Washington, Ark.;
one company at Pine Bluff, Ark.
By command of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds:
GUSTAV WAGENFUEHR,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
20
GENERAL ORDERS No. 20.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., August 22, 1865
The District of the Plains is hereby abolished, and the following districts established:
I. District of Wisconsin--to include the State of Wisconsin; headquarters, Milwaukee, Wis.
Maj Gen. A. Pleasonton, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
II. District of Minnesota--to include the State of Minnesota and that portion of Dakota lying
east of a line drawn from the head of Pembina River to the western extremity of Devil's Lake;
thence to the head of James River; thence, following the course of James River southerly, to the
forty-fourth parallel of latitude; thence east along that parallel to the Big Sioux River; thence
along the line of that river to the northern boundary of the State of Iowa. Brig. and Bvt. Maj.
Gen. J. M. Corse, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
III. District of Iowa-to include the State of Iowa, except the counties of Buncombe, Sioux,
Plymouth, Osceola, Woodbury, Inson, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard,
Winneshiek, and Allamakee; headquarters at Clinton, Iowa.
IV. The District of Missouri to include the State of Missouri; headquarters at Saint Louis,
Mo. Brig. Gen. T. C. H. Smith, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
V. The District of Kansas--to include the State of Kansas and the Upper Arkansas Valley as
far as to include Fort Lyon; headquarters at Fort Leavenworth. Brig. and Bvt. Maj. Gen. W. L.
Elliott, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
Vi. The District of Nebraska--to include the Territories of Nebraska and Montana, and that
portion of Dakota lying west of the western boundary of the first-named Territory; headquarters
at Laramie. Brig. and Bvt. Maj. Gen. F. Wheaton, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
VII. The District of Colorado--to include the Territory of Colorado, except that portion of the
valley of the Upper Arkansas included in the District of Kansas; headquarters at Denver City.
Brig. and Bvt. Maj. Gen. E. Upton, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
VIII. The District of Utah--to include the Territory of Utah; headquarters at Salt Lake City.
Brig. Gen. P. E. Connor to command.
IX. District of Dakota--to include the counties of Buncombe, Sioux, Plymouth, Osceola,
Inson, Emmet, Kossuth, Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek, Woodbury, and
Allamakee, in Iowa, and the Territory of Dakota, except that portion of the Territory included in
the Districts of Minnesota and Nebraska; headquarters at Sioux City. Brig. and Bvt. Maj. Gen. A.
Sully, U.S. Volunteers, to command.
The forces to be assigned to these several districts will be communicated to the commanders
in letters of instructions.
The officers designated to command the foregoing districts will proceed without delay to
their respective headquarters and enter upon the discharge of their duties.
By command of Major-General Pope:
JOS. McC BELL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., August 25, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. SULLY,
Comdg. Northwest Indian Expedition, Port Rice, Dak. Ter. :
GENERAL: Upon the conclusion of the operations of this season you will please reduce the
forces in your district to one infantry regiment and six companies of cavalry. The infantry
21
regiment I send you from Fort Leavenworth, the cavalry companies you select from your new
command. I suppose Brackett's battalion of cavalry and the Iowa and Dakota companies will
give you the mounted force specified. As soon as the infantry regiment arrives relieve the six
companies First U.S. Infantry Volunteers and send them by the same steamer to Fort
Leavenworth, and send to their respective States for muster out of service all troops in excess of
what are herein designated for your command. You had best keep at Rice, Sully, and Randall, as
also at Sioux City, thirty or forty horses for express and herding purposes. I do not undertake to
designate posts or their garrisons in your district. You have been long in command and know
perfectly the necessities of the case. I only mean to specify distinctly to you the entire force
which you are to retain, leaving the distribution of it to your own judgment. The Government
demands the reduction of forces in this department to absolute necessities, which I presume
means that no troops are to be kept in the department except such as are absolutely needed for
the protection of the frontier. The force designated for your district seems to be sufficient for the
winter, and upon that force you must rely. I need not impress upon you, general, the necessity of
reducing expenditures in your command to the lowest possible point. Your familiarity with the
economical system which obtained on the frontier before the rebellion will enable you readily to
come down to the scale of expenditures now required by the Government. I rely upon you to do
so at the earliest practicable moment.
I am, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Camp No. 43, Fort Rice, Dak. Ter., August 26, 1865.
ASST. ADJT. GEN., DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI:
In my last report, dated August 13, I spoke of the Assinniboine Indians I sent to Union. They
returned, and report that from what they could learn the Indians (Minnesota Sioux) were west of
the Little Muddy, and were moving toward Union, but north of it, and that buffalo were very
thick there. I then sent for Medicine Bear (as I knew I could not overtake these Indians) and told
him that I had come to the conclusion to take his advice and not go after his people. He appeared
to be much pleased at this, and said he would go out to his camp and would surely bring them in.
I also got the report of two Indians from the camp on the other side of the river, who were sent in
by the Sans-Are and Minneconjou Sioux, disclaiming having had anything to do with the late
raid on Rice, and wishing to make peace. They said as soon as they got through with their hunt
and dried their meat they would come to me. As their country is near Fort Pierre, I told them I
would meet them there. I feel perfectly sure that during this fall and winter the greater part of the
Indians will come in to make peace, and I shall issue instructions to the commanders of posts as
regards terms, &c. I cannot issue such instructions to the commanders of Forts Rice and Randall,
as General Dodge has assumed command over these posts. There is one matter of great trouble in
regard to peace. The Indians have got a large amount of animals stolen down on the Platte, and
are afraid they will have to give them up. The question was put to me in council. I evaded it as
well as I could, telling them if I did not see the animals I could not know that they had them. As
a matter of policy I thought it best to waive the question for the present. It can be better attended
to hereafter. In fact, I think it better to compromise than make war any longer for the present.
The idea that these Indians had a few years ago, that united they were more than a match for all
the whites in our country, has been taken out of them. They will never try a combination again to
resist our troops, for they frankly admit it is useless for them to fight us, for we are better
mounted and armed. If a war is kept up it will be a sort of guerrilla war, whereby citizens who
22
live on the borders or are traveling unconscious of danger will be the sufferers more than the
troops. By keeping up the present garrisons, letting the Indians know they will be well treated if
they behave themselves, and that the Government has no idea of taking from them their land, I
think there will be no more serious troubles. I do not predict perfect peace immediately, for
should the war be continued against the Indians, or should a treaty be made, or should they be let
alone, it will be the same. There will be for some time small war parties of young bucks, who
have nothing to lose by war, who will continue to rob when they get a good chance; but in time
this can also be stopped if peace is made with the major portion of the Indians, and particularly if
the posts in the Indian country are commanded by officers of sound judgment and some little
knowledge of the Indian character. I have received several orders in regard to mustering out
troops in my command. I am informed that the Sixth and Seventh Iowa Cavalry, the First and
Fourth U.S. Volunteers, are ordered to be mustered out. This will leave me without any troops
except about 300 of Brackett's (Minnesota) battalion. It will be impossible for me to take the
garrison from Fort Rice. There are no means of transporting the stores down the river, and the
amount of property here is immense--more than I can place under cover at present--for it was the
intention to keep here a very large force this winter. I shall therefore leave these troops up here
till further orders. The time of the Sixth Iowa has already commenced to expire, and I am fast
losing the services of that regiment. I shall, therefore, have to hurry down what few troops I have
left to garrison the posts vacated and protect public property there. I am waiting the return of a
messenger to the Indian camp, and expect to move to Fort Pierre in about five days.
I am, with much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brevet Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE UPPER ARKANSAS,
Fort Riley, Kans., August 28, 1865.
Maj. Gen. G. M. DODGE,
Commanding U. S. Forces at Fort Laramie:
My estimate of forces necessary for the line of the Arkansas River, now that we have peace
with the Indians along the route, is as follows. Cow Creek Station, one squadron of cavalry; Fort
Zarah, Fort Larned, Fort Lyon, and Cimarron Crossing, one company of cavalry and one of
infantry each. If the mail for Colorado and a large or considerable portion of the freight for that
country is to pass over the Smoky Hill route, which now seems probable, I would recommend
that a battalion of cavalry and four companies of infantry be stationed along that route. In
addition to the above, a small force will be required at Riley and some troops for special service
to prevent stealing from reserve Indians. If the Smoky Hill route is to be as important as
anticipated, it is certain that the Government should not expect or attempt to maintain peace
along the two lines with a less force than one regiment of infantry and one of cavalry. The chiefs
while in council admitted that they could not control their bad men without the presence or aid of
our military forces to terrify them. Under orders from General Elliott I have directed the
Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, Second Colorado Cavalry, Fourteenth Missouri Cavalry, and all the
Wisconsin and Iowa troops to proceed to Leavenworth. This leaves the Thirteenth Missouri
Cavalry, Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry, Second U.S. Infantry Volunteers, and two companies of the
First Colorado Veteran Battalion. Five hundred of the cavalry are to go to Denver City with
General Upton, and the term of service of the Second U.S. Volunteers expires in about one
month.
JOHN B. SANBORN,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
23
HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST INDIAN EXPEDITION,
Fort Sully, Dak. Ter., September 14, 1865.
ASST. ADJT. GEN., DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI:
SIR: I reached this point yesterday. I could not camp near the fort for the want of grass.
Nothing worth mentioning occurred on my march down from Rice. When I reached Swan Lake I
found Indians encamped, and there are camps of them all the way down the river on both sides.
These are the Indians who have made peace with me. Some of the chiefs visited my camp and
promised to send word to all the camps when I sent them word the commissioners were coming.
Some of the men whose term of service has expired, or will expire in a few days, about 150 in
number, I send to Sioux City to be mustered out. I shall send all of the Sixth Iowa I have with me
in a few days, and shall send the three companies of the Seventh Iowa and the part of the Dakota
cavalry I have with me also below to relieve posts occupied by the Sixth Iowa, so that all the
regiment will be at Sioux City in about two weeks ready to be mustered out. I telegraphed to
know where I should send it. My first order directed them to go to Davenport, but a telegraphic
order directs all troops to Leavenworth. I cannot think it is the wish to march the regiment all the
way down to Leavenworth and then pay their transportation back again to Iowa. I would
respectfully ask what disposition I shall make with the horses and mules I have. Most of these
animals are superior to what are generally met with in the service and if sold at Sioux City will
bring nothing in comparison to their value. If they must be sold I would recommend they be
divided up into gangs and sent to different towns in the interior of the State of Iowa, where many
can be found able and willing to pay something like a decent price for them, but I would above
all recommend I be allowed to select the very best horses and mules out of the lot and keep them
till they may be wanted at some other point. I can keep them very cheap at Webster City. Last
winter it cost me about $5 per head per mouth to keep my stock and keep them well. I purchased
from the farmers around in open market and hauled my forage sometimes twenty miles. This
leaves me Brackett's (Minnesota) battalion, over 300 strong, which I shall keep here a short time
and will myself remain to see what the Indians intend to do. A few days will decide. I received
the letter of instructions in regard to the force I shall have, and also about reducing expenditures.
I shall attend to this matter and see that our expenses are reduced as low as possible. I am glad
the general has ordered troops up here to relieve the First U.S. Volunteers. Though I would be
sorry to part with the regiment on account of their being well-disciplined troops, yet I would do
all I could to relieve them from their present position. The grave-yard at Fort Rice tells a fearful
tale of sickness and death, and already scurvy is again beginning to show itself. The men are so
disheartened and have such a perfect fear of staying up here another winter I verily believe
many of them would die of fear alone should sickness break out among them again as it did last
winter.
With much respect, your obedient servant,
ALF. SULLY,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
HORSE SHOE,
September 15, 1865.
HEADQUARTERS EAST SUB-DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA,
Fort Kearny, Nebr. Ter., October 31, 1865.
Lieut. JOHN Q. LEWIS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dist. of Nebraska, Fort Laramie, Dak. Ter. :
24
LIEUTENANT: In compliance with Special Field Orders, No. 12, headquarters U.S. Forces,
Kansas and the Territories, dated September 26, 1865, and received at these headquarters on the
7th instant, I have the honor to submit the following report of Indian depredations, &c., in the
sub-district since February 1, 1865. As I did not arrive in the district until July, my report must
necessarily be a compilation from the scanty records of this office, and the circumstances that
have existed since the receipt of the order have been very unfavorable even for a compilation.
The following extract from a report of Col. R. R. Livingston, then commanding the East Sub-
District of Nebraska, dated Fort Kearny, February 18, 1865, contains an account of the most
important outbreak of Indians during this year. February 15, the Pawnee Indians report having
seen three days before a large party of Sioux Indians sixty miles north of Fort Kearny, with
horses, without lodge poles, going east. February 18, no Indians seen recently within 100 miles
of Julesburg. Scouts, guides, and old Indian traders state positively that Indians are 200 miles
north of Laramie on Burnfish. February 27, scouts returning to Julesburg report no Indians in
that vicinity. March 6, a party of citizens were chased out of Box Elder Cañon, three miles west
of Post Cottonwood, by Indians. April 23, about 150 Indians, supposed to be Two Face's band of
Ogallalla Sioux, ran off 170 head of cattle (belonging to Mr. Ward, sutler, at Fort Laramie) on
the north side of the Platte River, opposite Alkali. Capt. E. B. Murphy, Company A, Seventh
Iowa Cavalry, followed them thirty miles into the sand-hills on the north, recapturing all the
cattle and one pony, chasing the Indians so closely that they abandoned their plunder, which
Captain Murphy burned. He could not overtake and engage the Indians. No one hurt. May 1, a
party of Indians seen north of Alkali, also lights. Forty-seven head of cattle driven off near
Alkali. May 3, two Pawnees killed and two wounded by Sioux on Loup Fork, west of Pawnee
Indian Agency; also hostile Indians appeared on Wood River, fifteen miles northeast of Fort
Kearny, in the afternoon, killing a Mr. Story and stealing his team. Scouts afterward report that
the hostile party consisted of only seven Indians, and that they were probably of the Pawnees,
avenging the killing of one of their tribe by some unknown citizen about two weeks before. May
5, 150 Indians attacked a train of twenty-six wagons three miles east of Mullaley's Station,
twelve miles west of Plum Creek, at 2 p.m., killing one man and driving off 150 head of stock.
Captain Weatherwax, Company G, First Nebraska Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, started in pursuit
with twenty-five men, who succeeded in retaking two of the stolen horses. His poor mounts
(ponies) prevented his overtaking the Indians. May 12, about thirty Indians attacked three or four
soldiers with a team just west of Smith's Station (which is twenty-five miles east of Cottonwood)
this morning, killing Sergeant Creighton, Company A, First Battalion Nebraska Veteran Cavalry,
and wounding one other. They drove off some thirty head of cattle, crossing the Platte River and
going north. Mounted troops followed them about forty miles, but could not overtake them in
that distance. The stealing party was heavily re-enforced before they had gone twenty-five miles.
One soldier wounded in afternoon and one Indian certainly killed or mortally wounded. May 19,
Indians attacked stage station between Buffalo and Elm Creek on the Little Blue; were repulsed.
Attacked and captured a train, with which were fifteen unarmed men of the Third U.S. Volunteer
Infantry, sent from Fort Leavenworth, killing four and wounding seven. Troops sent from Fort
Kearny could not overtake the Indians. The Pawnees were doubtfully charged with making this
attack. May 21, Indians have recently been seen on Wood River, north of Plum Creek and
Smith's Station, on the Republican and on the Little Blue. September 31, at 10 p.m., a party of
Indians (number unknown, but supposed to be fifteen or twenty) attacked a party of eight men
and one woman, quartermaster's employés, with two wagons, who were encamped on the right
bank of the Platte River, seven miles west of the station at O'Fallon's Bluff', killing one of the
party, J. H. Temple, and wounding three others (Anthony Shilling, Jones Ireland, and Alfred
Acres). All of the mules (twelve) were stampeded and run off. The party attacked were en route
25
to the quartermaster at Junction, Colo. Ter.; had been organized into a train at O'Fallon's Bluff in
compliance with existing orders, but had separated from the train and were encamped alone. A
detachment of cavalry reached the place of attack in a short time, and as it was impossible to
follow the trail in the darkness the dead and wounded were conveyed to the nearest ranch and
properly cared for. On following the trail next morning it was found that the Indians had first
gone south, then doubled round, crossing the North Platte. The arrows, &c., scattered around the
attacked train indicated that the attacking party belonged to Little Thunder's and Spotted Tail's
bands. Since October I attacks have been made on the road, but no detailed reports have been
received. Although repairs of the telegraph line have undoubtedly been made, no data can be
found in this office regarding the amount, &c., nor can any definite information be obtained as to
what assistance has been rendered the overland stage line in recapturing stolen stock, &c.
Regretting my inability to make a more full report,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. R. BOWEN,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
(In absence of General Heath.)
GENERAL ORDERS No. 42.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., November 2, 1865.
I. The Military District of Iowa and the Military District of Dakota are hereby consolidated.
The district thus formed will be designated and known as the District of the Upper Missouri.
II. Bvt. Maj. Gen. Alfred Sully, U.S. Volunteers, is assigned to the command of the District
of the Upper Missouri. The headquarters of the district will be designated hereafter.
By command of Major-General Pope:
D. G. SWAIM,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 4.
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., January 4, 1865.
1. The following-named officers are hereby assigned to duty with Brig. Gen. J. W. Davidson,
commanding District of Natchez: Capt. B. F. Morey, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers;
Capt. C. H. Thompson, commissary of subsistence of volunteers; Lieut. E. A. Denicke, Signal
Corps, U.S. Army; Lieut. T. D. Johnson, Third Iowa Cavalry.
By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby:
C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Gravelly Springs, Ala., January 26, 1865.
Brevet Major General UPTON,
Commanding Fourth Division:
GENERAL: Your letters of the 13th and 16th instant are received. I am very glad to know
you have at last got all your detachments together, and that you will experience so little difficulty
in getting them ready for the field. Major Chambliss writes me he is ready to furnish everything
you need. Turn over your transportation at Louisville, except five good wagons and teams to
each regiment. You need not even bring those unless you can get them above the average of first
26
class. Bring your ambulances and 470 horses for Garrard's brigade, of your division. Of the 470
horses, 302 are required by the Fifth Iowa and Seventh Ohio, the balance by the Nineteenth
Pennsylvania. I wrote you fully in regard to everything a few days ago; sent you orders in regard
to means and mode by which to get here. Captain Van Antwerp, of my staff, will give you all the
information you may desire in regard to the command. Send the detachments of the Fourth
Missouri and Seventh Indiana to Memphis to report to their regiments. The Tenth Missouri will
doubtless be filled up. A. J. Alexander is already its colonel, but has never been mustered. I have
requested a special muster in his case and recommended him for a brevet, in order that he may be
assigned to a brigade. I prefer him to O. D. Greene, though I would be glad to see the latter in
command of a regiment or brigade. Anything you can do for him will meet with my approval. I
will do anything in my power to carry out your views in the case of the Fourth Missouri,
provided you get the proper papers on foot in regard thereto; but General Dana will doubtless be
able to secure the Second New Jersey, Seventh Indiana, and Fourth Missouri to his department in
spite of all we can do. The order transferring Memphis to his command directed that all troops
then at that place should be transferred to General Canby's division. The headquarters of those
regiments were then at that place. I wish you would send any of Hatch's detachments that may be
with you, or may join, by steamer to report to him at this place. I am glad to hear of your rapid
recovery, and hope to see you here soon; lose no time. Company I, Fourth U.S. Artillery, has
been assigned to your division. It is now here and in good hands. Please send by Captain Van
Antwerp a complete statement of your command, and when you will be here. Generals Long and
McCook arrived here only two days ago. When you arrive here we will have a splendid force
with which to begin the next campaign.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
POST HEADQUARTERS,
Louisville, Ky., January 26, 1865.
Capt. E. B. HARLAN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Div., Military District of Kentucky:
CAPTAIN: In reply to your communication of present date I have the honor to state that I
made arrangements last evening for men to start early this morning, taking with them Captain
Rolfe, acting commissary of subsistence, who was in charge at the time of the attack, and collect
the cattle and drive them to this place. This force had started several hours before your
communication reached me. I have also ordered fifteen men from the Fourth Missouri Cavalry to
go as guard to the ambulances, which will probably start within an hour. I understand that the
only line officer in charge of the negroes was a second lieutenant, who was back some distance
in the town away from his command at the time of the butchery. I have not as yet been able to
learn his name, but will if possible have him arrested.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. COYL,
Lieutenant-Colonel Ninth Iowa Infantry, Commanding Post.
HDQRS. DIST. OF SOUTH ALABAMA AND WEST FLORIDA,
January 26, 1865.
Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN, Assistant Adjutant-General:
COLONEL: Agreeably to instructions from headquarters Military Division of West
Mississippi, I have the honor to make the following designation of troops for the minimum
27
permanent garrison in Pensacola and Mobile Bays, viz: Fort Pickens, three companies Twentyfifth
Colored Infantry; Fort Barrancas, two companies Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery; Redoubt,
one company Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery; for the garrison, guarding supplies, &c., on the
mainland at Barrancas, eight companies Twenty-fifth Colored Infantry and the dismounted men
of the Second Maine and First Florida Cavalry; Fort Morgan, live companies Sixth Michigan
Heavy Artillery; Fort Gaines, two companies Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery. The engineer and
quartermaster's employés at the above stations to be organized, armed, &c., to be used for
defense if required. The balance of the troops (white), after giving to General Andrews the Sixtyninth
Indiana and Ninety-seventh Illinois, consisting of the Twentieth Wisconsin, Nineteenth
Iowa, Ninety-fourth Illinois, Third Maryland, composed of six companies, Sixtieth Indiana, four
companies, I recommend be constituted a brigade with Battery G, First Michigan Artillery, and
given to Col. Henry Bertram, Twentieth Wisconsin. This leaves in this district: Twentieth
Colored Infantry, Ninety-sixth Colored Infantry, at East Pascagoula; Ninety-seventh Colored
Infantry, Eighty-second Colored Infantry, Eighty-sixth Colored Infantry, at Barrancas; Second
Maine and First Florida Cavalry. The Warrior and Swaim have arrived and gone directly to
Barrancas with portions of Andrews' command. The Saint Charles is hourly expected with the
remainder. The Alabama is due from Barrancas and by it I shall send the Sixth Missouri and
Fourteenth New York Cavalry to Lakeport. The moment transportation reaches here I shall be
off to Mobile Point and Dauphin Island with this command.
Very respectfully,
G. GRANGER,
Major-General, Commanding.
P. S.--I am fearful that some accident has happened to the Saint Charles. I sent to Ship Island
to give her orders to proceed direct to Barrancas, but she had not made her appearance; probably
has run aground. If so, the troops must suffer, as the weather is very cold. I have no boats here to
release her.
G. GRANGER.
JANUARY 27, 1865--9 p.m.
P. S. No. 2.--The Saint Charles passed here at 10 p.m. and proceeded direct to Barrancas. The
Clyde and Alabama arrived to-day. The latter leaves at once for Lakeport with the Fourteenth
New York Cavalry, and the Clyde for Fort Morgan with the Ninety-sixth Colored Infantry.
G. GRANGER,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, RESERVE CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Barrancas, near Pensacola, Fla, January 27, 1865--12 m.
Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Assistant Adjutant-General, New Orleans, La. :
COLONEL: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place on the steamer Warrior at I
o'clock last night. The Warrior brought eight companies of the Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry and
the principal part of the transportation and stock of that regiment and of the One hundred and
fourteenth Ohio Infantry. The Corinthian arrived some time previous to 1 o'clock yesterday with
a part of the Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry. The Saint Mary's, with the balance of the regiment,
arrived here at 1 o'clock yesterday and is just about ready to go out. The Swaim, having on board
detachments of the Thirty-fourth Iowa and One hundred and fourteenth Ohio and the
ambulances, also stores of the commissary, arrived at 10 p.m. yesterday. Everything is off of the
Swaim and she has been ordered to start back immediately to East Pascagoula. The Saint
28
Charles, having on board the principal part of the One hundred and fourteenth Ohio, got aground
in Lake Pontchartrain and has not yet arrived.
My last to you was written at the Lake Pontchartrain depot, New Orleans, at 9 p.m. Tuesday
evening, January 24. I, in a few minutes afterward, proceeded to Lakeport, arriving there at 10
p.m. The steamer Adriatic, which brought down the One hundred and fourteenth Ohio from
Kenner, had to land a quarter of a mile below the railroad depot. Owing to this fact and the
limited amount of transportation furnished by the railroad, we did not get the troops, equipage,
and transportation (the latter going by the public road) till 2 o'clock the next morning. On
arriving at Lakeport I found the wharf so narrow and so much obstructed by coal, lumber, and
other public property as to very much impede our getting aboard the transports. It was also
necessary to lead the animals over a narrow and rather defective platform 400 yards in length a
few at a time or move them the same distance on platform-cars. I also found that the capacity of
the transports had not been ascertained, and had to wait till the captain of each was consulted
before I could determine how to distribute the troops on board. The wagons, of course, had to be
taken apart. It was also dark, cold, and windy, and the quartermaster, Captain Bradshaw, advised
that nothing could be gained by undertaking to load at night. I determined, however, to make as
much progress as possible during the night, and the work proceeded with considerable activity,
Lieutenant Champlin, aide-de-camp, remaining up all night personally superintending the matter.
Everything was ready for the men of the Thirty-fourth Iowa to embark on the Warrior a little
before 11 o'clock the next day (the 25th). After the greater part of the regiment had got aboard,
the boiler deck began to give way, and we had to take off two companies and put them aboard
the Swaim, a steamer which had been selected to carry 150 men of the One hundred and
fourteenth Ohio, the ambulances, &c. The Warrior, however, got off by noon, at which time it
was reported the Saint Charles would start in an hour. The Swaim was out of repair and also
required coal, and it was reported to me she would not start till 3 o'clock, which would be some
two hours after everything belonging to the troops was aboard. The Warrior, being heavily
loaded with lumber, made slow time. She reached East Pascagoula a little before daylight
yesterday, but, owing to the shallow stage of water, was not able to get up to the wharf. I
immediately in person reported to Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, according to your instructions. He
directed that I should proceed to Barrancas, Fla, but was of the opinion the Warrior was not
suitable for the passage, but would determine on seeing her captain. To hasten matters I at once
returned to the Warrior and sent the captain (Rowe) up to General Granger's, it being half a mile
from where she was lying, having promised to call back and get instructions from General
Granger in an hour. This I did, and after getting written instructions returned on board. It was
now 8 a.m. and I was sorry to find that the Warrior was unable to move, the tide having gone out
and left her aground. We did not, therefore, get off from Pascagoula till 11 a.m. yesterday. I have
already selected a camp-ground for the brigade.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
Barrancas, February 1, 1865.
Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Mil. Div. of West Mississippi, New Orleans, La.:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report the arrival in this district of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews,
commanding Third Brigade, Reserve Corps, with the following-named regiments, viz.: Twentyfourth
Indiana Infantry, on the 27th ultimo; One hundred and fourteenth Ohio Infantry, on the
29
27th ultimo; Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, on the 27th ultimo; Eighty-third Ohio Infantry, on the
1st instant.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THO. J. McKEAN,
Brigadier-General, U.S. Volunteers, Commanding District.
HEADQUARTERS U.S. FORCES,
Kenner, La., February 3, 1865.
Col. SAMUEL L. GLASGOW,
Commanding Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers:
(Through Col. Charles Black, commanding Fourth Brigade.)
COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that you will hold your
command in readiness to embark at a moment's notice for Mobile Point, Ala. Your regiment is to
be assigned to a brigade now serving there. You will embark on the same steamers that carry the
First Brigade and you will be subject to General Lawler's orders until you receive notice of your
permanent assignment.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN F. LACEY,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 6, 1865.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D. C.:
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following recommendations: Brig. Gen. Edward Hatch,
commanding Fifth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, to be brevet
major-general for gallant and meritorious conduct in turning the enemy's left flank during the
battles of Nashville December 15 and 16, and for skill in commanding his division during the
pursuit of the rebels under Hood. Col. Datus E. Coon, Second Iowa Cavalry, commanding the
Second Brigade, Fifth Division, to be brevet brigadier-general for gallant conduct in assaulting
the enemy's works in front of Nashville, December 15, 1864. Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. H. Hammond,
commanding First Brigade, Seventh Division, for distinguished bravery and skill in the
command of his brigade during the pursuit of the rebel army under General Hood from
Tennessee, to be assigned to duty according to his brevet rank from November 25, 1864. Lieut.
Col. A. J. Alexander, assistant adjutant-general, Seventeenth Army Corps, acting chief of staff
Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, for gallant and distinguished service during
the battles of Nashville and the pursuit of Hood from Tennessee, to be specially mustered under
his commission as colonel of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, it not having at present the requisite
number of enlisted men to entitle it to a colonel.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
HDQRS. 4TH DlV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 10, 1865.
II. Until further orders the following-named officers are hereby announced as the staff of the
general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly, viz: Maj. George W. Carter,
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Third Iowa Cavalry, surgeon in chief; Maj. M. H. Williams, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, acting
assistant inspector-general; Capt. Tom C. Gilpin, Third Iowa Cavalry, acting assistant adjutantgeneral;
First Lieut. T. H. Brown, Third Iowa Cavalry, acting commissary of subsistence; Lieut.
F. W. Morse, One hundred and twenty-first New York Infantry, aide-de-camp; Lieut. P. R. Keck,
Fourth Iowa Cavalry, acting ordnance officer. Subject to the approval of the corps commander,
Capt. A. Rodgers, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, will act as provost-marshal while his company is on
duty as escort.
By order of Brevet Major-General Upton, commanding:
TOM C. GILPIN,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 2.
HDQRS. 4TH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 10, 1865.
I. The organization of this division will be as follows:
II. The First Brigade, Col. E. F. Winslow, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, commanding, to consist of
Fourth Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, Third Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, Tenth Missouri Cavalry
Volunteers.
III. The Second Brigade, Col. I. Garrard, Seventh Ohio' Cavalry, commanding, to consist of
Seventh Ohio Cavalry Volunteers, First Ohio Cavalry Volunteers, Fifth Iowa Cavalry
Volunteers.
IV. Battery I, commanded by Lieut. G. B. Rodney, Fourth U.S. Artillery.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. E. Upton, commanding:
TOM C. GILPIN,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS No. 38.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, Tenn., February 13, 1865.
XIX. By virtue of permission received from the honorable Secretary of War, the followingnamed
officers and enlisted men, captors of rebel battle-flags at the battle of Franklin, November
30, 1864, and the battle before Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864, will proceed with the
trophies to Washington, D. C., where they will report to the honorable Secretary of War, turning
over to him the flags now in their possession, after which they will as speedily as possible rejoin
their various commands in the field. The detachment will be in charge of First Lieut. and Adjt.
Thomas P. Gere, Fifth Regiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, who will be accountable
for their good conduct while en route. The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary
transportation. First Lieut. and Adjt. Thomas P. Gere, Fifth Minnesota Veteran Volunteer
Infantry; First Lieut. Oliver Colwell, Company G, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry; First Lieut.
Charles H. McCleary, Company C, Seventy-second Ohio Infantry; First Lieut. William T.
Simmons, Company C, Eleventh Missouri Infantry; Sergt. Alfred Ransbottom, Company K,
Ninety-seventh Ohio Infantry; Sergt. William Garrett, Forty-first Ohio Infantry; Corpl. J. W.
Parks, Company F, Eleventh Missouri Infantry; Corpl. Luther Kaltenbach, Company F, Twelfth
Iowa Infantry; Corpl. G. W. Welch, Company A, Eleventh Missouri Infantry; Corpl. Franklin
Carr, Company D, One hundred and twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry; Private Otis W. Smith,
Company G, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry; Private William May,Company H, Thirty-second Iowa
Infantry; Private George Stokes. Company C, One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Infantry;
Private Andrew J. Sloan, Company H, Twelfth Iowa Infantry; Private Wilbur F. Moore,
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Company C, One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Infantry; Private Daniel I. Holcomb,
Company A, Forty-first Ohio Infantry; Corpl. Harrison Collins, First Tennessee Cavalry.
By command of Major-General Thomas:
[HENRY M. CIST,]
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 17, 1865.
Maj. WILLIAM P. CHAMBLISS,
Special Inspector of Cavalry:
MAJOR: I have the honor to forward herewith requisitions for Spencer carbines and Blakely
patent cartridge-boxes. I wish the First Division supplied first, and in the following order: Eighth
Iowa, First Wisconsin, Fourth Kentucky (mounted) Infantry, Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, Sixth
Kentucky Cavalry, Fourth Indiana, Second Michigan, Seventh Kentucky, Second Indiana. Next,
the Fifth Division in the following order: Third Illinois, Seventh Illinois, Twelfth Missouri,
Twelfth Tennessee, and Eleventh Indiana Cavalry. I send herewith also a copy of the letter to the
chief ordnance officer in regard to the Blakely cartridge box. Please do what you can to have
them furnished. It is with this box as it is with the Spencer carbine, all bad by comparison. I have
not yet heard the decision of the Ordnance Bureau in regard to the Stewart saber attachment. I
am very anxious to have my command supplied with them, and have no hesitancy in saying
enough sabers will be saved thereby in the first general engagement in which this corps
participates to pay for the entire cost of all attachments issued to it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 1.
HDQRS. U.S. FORCES AT MOBILE POINT,
Fort Morgan, Ala., February 21, 1865.
1. In obedience to Special Orders, No. 33, extract 1, headquarters District of West Florida
and South Alabama, the undersigned hereby assumes temporary command of the U.S. forces at
Mobile Point, Ala. All general and special orders heretofore issued to troops at this point will
remain in full force until countermanded from these headquarters.
2. The following-named staff officers are hereby announced: Capt. Frank Adams, U.S.
Volunteers, assistant adjutant-general; First Lieut. Frederick E. Starck, Twentieth Iowa Infantry
Volunteers, aide-de-camp.
WM. P. BENTON,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers
GENERAL ORDERS No. 3.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
Louisville, Ky., February 22, 1865.
The following-named officers are assigned to duty and announced as members of the
department staff: Lieut. Col. F. F. Flint, Seventh U.S. Infantry, chief commissary of musters;
Lieut. Col. W. H. Coyl, Ninth Iowa Infantry, acting judge-advocate; Surg. A. J. Phelps, U.S.
Volunteers, medical director; Capt. J. P. Watson, One hundred and tenth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, aide-de-camp; they will be respected accordingly.
By command of Major-General Palmer:
32
G. M. BASCOM,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 38.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA
AND SOUTH ALABAMA,
Fort Gaines, February 25, 1865.
I. The commanding officer U.S. forces at Dauphin Island will have the Nineteenth Iowa
Volunteers sent as soon as possible to Navy Cove, Ala., to report to the commanding officer First
Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
By order of Major-General Granger:
F. W. EMERY,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 2.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE,
THIRD DIVISION, RESERVE CORPS,
Mobile Point, Ala., February 26, 1865.
I. The following named officers having been assigned to duty at these headquarters are
hereby announced as the staff of the colonel commanding: First Lieut. Charles H. Sheldon,
Seventh Vermont Veteran Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant-general; First Lieut. R. R.
Kirkpatrick, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant quartermaster; Second Lieut. A. W.
Paul, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general and ordnance officer.
By order of H. M. Day, colonel, commanding brigade:
CHARLES H. SHELDON,
First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 2.
HDQRS. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Gaines, Ala., February 28, 1865.
3. Upon the recommendation of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews, commanding the division, Lieut.
Col. Warren S. Dungan, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, is assigned to duty as acting
assistant inspector-general Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
By order of Major-General Granger:
F. W. EMERY,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 9.
HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
New Orleans, La., March 3, 1865.
I. The One hundred and eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, having reported for
duty with this corps, is hereby assigned to the Third Division, and will forthwith report to Col. J.
B. Moore, commanding, for orders.
II. The Eighth Regiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers, having reported for duty with this corps,
is hereby assigned to the Third Division, and will forthwith report to Col. J. B. Moore,
commanding, for orders.
III. So much of Special Orders, No. 5, current series, from these headquarters, as assigned the
Thirty-third Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers and Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Infantry
33
Volunteers to the Third Division, is hereby revoked and the above named regiments are hereby
assigned to the First Division and will report to Brig. Gen. J. McArthur, commanding, for orders.
IV. So much of Special Orders, No. 5, extract 2, current series, from these headquarters, as
assigns the One hundred and twenty-fourth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers to the First
Division, is hereby revoked, and the above-named regiment is hereby assigned to the Third
Division and will forthwith report to Col. J. B. Moore, commanding, for orders.
By command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 1.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION,
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Barrancas, Fla., March 4, 1865.
In pursuance of Special Orders, No. 1, dated headquarters U.S. Forces, Barrancas, March 4,
1865, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Second Division, Thirteenth Army
Corps. The following officers are announced on the staff of the brigadier-general commanding:
Surg. Victor H. Coffman, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteers, surgeon in charge; Capt. George
Monroe, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Arden R. Smith, commissary of subsistence; Lieut.
Ezra T. Champlin, Third Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Lieut. Heman D.
Pettibone, Third Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Lieut. John McAndrew, Thirtyfourth
Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant quartermaster; Lieut. John Macy, Sixty-ninth Indiana
Volunteers, acting ordnance officer.
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brigadier-General
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., March 4, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. B. H. GRIERSON,
Comdg. Cavalry Forces, Military Division of West Mississippi:
GENERAL: I am instructed by the major-general commanding to inform you that the
following-named regiments have been ordered to be relieved from their present duties and
directed to report to you, with a view of being equipped for service in the field: Third Michigan
Cavalry and Tenth Illinois Cavalry, now in Department of Arkansas; Fourth Illinois Cavalry,
Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, First Iowa Cavalry, Second Wisconsin
Cavalry, Eleventh New York Cavalry, Second New Jersey Cavalry, now in Department of the
Mississippi; Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry and First Texas Cavalry, now in Department of the Gulf.
These regiments number in all about 7,000 effective men. All officers and enlisted men on
detached service have been ordered to join their respective commands, and their present
department commanders have been ordered, so far as practicable, to mount every effective man
by drawing horses from the cavalry left behind and replacing the animals so taken from the
supplies expected from Saint Louis. The commanding officers of these regiments will stop at
Morganza on their way down the river and telegraph to you, care of these headquarters, for
instructions. The Fourth Wisconsin and First Texas Regiments will remain at Baton Rouge,
subject to your orders, until a good camping ground has been selected in the vicinity of this city.
With these regiments, General Lucas' brigade, and the best portion of General Knipe's command,
you will have fully 12,000 effective men for service in the field.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
34
C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 43.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Gravelly Springs, Ala., March 5, 1865.
I. Maj. J. Morris Young, Fifth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, is hereby relieved from duty as
provost-marshal of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, and will return to
duty with his regiment.
1I. Maj. M. H. Williams, Tenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, is assigned to duty as provostmarshal
of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, and will be obeyed and
respected accordingly.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near New Orleans, La., March 5, 1865.
Maj. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Sixteenth Army Corps:
MAJOR: I have the honor to request that the Second Brigade of my division may consist of
the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-second Iowa, the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois, the Sixth
Minnesota, and the Tenth Kansas; and the Third Brigade of the Fifty-second Indiana, One
hundred and seventy-eighth New York, Thirty-fourth New Jersey, Eleventh Wisconsin, and the
Fifty-eighth Illinois. This differs a little from the assignment made from headquarters Military
Division of West Mississippi, but is rendered necessary in order to have the senior colonels
second in command of my brigades, and to have in two brigades five regiments, instead of six in
one and four in the other two. The numerical strength of the brigades is not materially affected
by this transfer.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
K. GARRARD,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 5.
HDQRS. U.S. FORCES AT MOBILE POINT,
THIRD DIVISION, 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Morgan, Ala., March 9, 1865.
The following named officers are hereby announced as comprising the staff of the brigadiergeneral
commanding the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps: Lieut. Col. Charles A. Smith,
Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general and chief of staff;
Capt. Frank Adams, U.S. Volunteers, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. D. K. Hall, U.S.
Volunteers, commissary of subsistence; First Lieut. William H. York, Twentieth Wisconsin
Infantry, acting assistant quartermaster; Surg. Ben. Durham, U.S. Volunteers, surgeon in charge;
Capt. Arnout Cannon, Ninety-seventh U.S. Colored Infantry, acting engineer; Capt. John D.
Rouse, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry Volunteers, provost-marshal; First Lieut. John M.
Shields, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry Volunteers, acting ordnance officer; First Lieut. Fred.
35
E. Starck, Twentieth Iowa Infantry, aide-de-camp; First Lieut. John A. Prindle, Seventh Vermont
Infantry, aide-de-camp.
By command of Brig. Gen. W. P. Benton:
FRANK ADAMS,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 6.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV.
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, March 9, 1865.
1. In accordance with General Orders, No. 20, issued at headquarters Military Division of
West Mississippi, and subject to the approval of the major-general commanding Thirteenth
Army Corps, the following-named officers are announced as the staff of this brigade, and will be
obeyed and respected accordingly: First Lieut. A. J. Rockwell, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteers,
acting assistant adjutant-general; Surg. Oren Peabody, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers, senior
surgeon; Capt. Howard Vandagrift, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteers, provost marshal; First
Lieut. F. A. Bird, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteers, acting assistant quartermaster; First Lieut. J.
E. Phillips, Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers, acting commissary of subsistence; First Lieut. N.
C. Ridenour, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general; Second Lieut. A.
Scott Jordan, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers, acting ordnance officer; Second Lieut. M. E. Eversz,
Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteers, aide-de-camp.
2. The above-named staff officers will at once enter upon their duties, and see that their
respective departments are supplied in accordance with the requirements of existing orders from
department and corps headquarters, and in perfect order for active and immediate service in the
field.
HENRY BERTRAM,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 7.
HDQRS. SECOND DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Pensacola, Fla., March 12, 1865.
X. Lieut. Col. W. S. Dungan, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteers, having been assigned to duty as
acting assistant inspector-general of the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, by order of
Major-General Granger, commanding Thirteenth Army Corps, extract 4 of Special Orders, No.
1, from these headquarters, is hereby revoked.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 5.
HDQRS. SECOND DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Pensacola, Fla., March 13, 1865.
The following officers are hereby announced as composing the staff of the brigadier-general
commanding Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps: Lieut. Col. W. S. Dungan, Thirty-fourth
Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general; Surg. P. A. Willis, Eighty-third Ohio
Volunteers, surgeon in charge; Capt. Arden R. Smith, U.S. Volunteers, commissary of
subsistence; Capt. C. A. Garcelon, U.S. Volunteers, assistant quartermaster; Capt. George
Monroe, U.S. Volunteers, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. George C. Garretson, Sixty-ninth
36
Indiana Volunteers, provost marshal; Capt. W. R. McComas, Eighty-third Ohio Volunteers,
acting engineer; Lieut. John Macy, Sixty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, acting ordnance officer;
Lieut. E. T. Champlin, Third Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Lieut. H. D.
Pettibone, Third Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, aide-de-camp.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. TWENTY-THIRD IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
Mobile Point, Ala., March 15, 1865.
Lieut. A. J. ROCKWELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade:
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that in obedience to Special Orders, No. 20,
headquarters First Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, I moved from the camp of
this brigade with the Twenty-third Iowa and Twentieth Wisconsin and a detachment of scouts,
on the 13th instant, at 8 a.m., and arrived at Mr. Childers' farm, twelve miles distant, at 12 m. the
same day, where I halted the infantry and sent the scouts forward to Bon Secours River. From
Mr. Childers' farm I moved back down the bay to Shell Bank and camped during the night.
Steamers even of light draft cannot be landed at Shell Bank or any place between there and Bon
Secours River, without building a pier from 400 to 600 yards in length, and there is no material
in the neighborhood to build a pier with. The country from here to Mr. Childers' farm is thickly
interspersed with lagoons. There are no good roads--nothing but narrow and crooked paths. I met
no enemy; neither could I obtain any reliable information concerning the enemy or his
movements. I returned to camp on the evening of the 14th instant.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. L. GLASGOW,
Colonel, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 19.
HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dauphin Island, Ala., March 15, 1865.
V. The organization of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, as announced in Special
Orders, No. 60, current series, from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, is
hereby modified as follows: First Brigade, Col. J. B. Moore, Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry, commanding--Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Forty-fourth Missouri
Volunteer Infantry, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry. Second Brigade, Col. L. M. Ward, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
commanding--Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Fortieth Missouri Volunteer Infantry,
Forty-ninth Missouri Volunteer Infantry. Third Brigade, Col. J. L. Geddes, Eighth Iowa Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, commanding--Eighth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Eighty-first Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and
twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
By command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION,
February 9, 1865.
37
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the escort having charge of the wood train from
this brigade was attacked this morning at 8 o'clock about the time it arrived in the wood-yard one
and one-quarter miles outside the pickets by a party of rebels believed to be seventy-five in
number. The escort comprised seventeen mounted Second Arkansas Cavalry, twelve dismounted
Second Missouri Cavalry, and eleven dismounted First Iowa Cavalry, making forty men,
commanded by Second Lieut. Laban N. Garrett, Company A, Second Arkansas Cavalry. At 8.30
o'clock I received information by messenger that the escort had been driven back and the train
captured. I at once sent messengers to division headquarters with the information and for orders
and immediately ordered out all the cavalry of the brigade. My messengers, returning, met me
near the Carr avenue picket about 9 o'clock, bringing orders for me to pursue the rebels some
distance beyond where the train was captured. I pushed forward as fast as possible ten miles on
the rebel trail, but did not overtake any of the party. Had my men been mounted on serviceable
horses I might have overtaken and severely chastised them. The trail was through the woods in
the direction of Hernando, as far as I followed it. Doctor Raines, living about one mile west of
the Hernando road and ten miles from the city of Memphis, informed me that the rebel force
passed his house on the way to the wood-yard at 4 a.m. and returned with the captured mules at
9.15 a.m. in a hurry; that they divided just before they reached his place, thirty-five or forty
passing his house, and the remainder turning to the right and making for a skirt of timber
southwest of his house, through which the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad passes.
I abandoned pursuit, satisfied that I could accomplish nothing with my broken-down horses,
and determined to return. Dividing my detachment of sixty-six men, I ordered Captain O'Brien
back over the road we came with thirty-three men, and with the remainder I returned by the
Hernando road. On reaching the Hernando road I captured Doctor Gabbert, who said he lived in
the vicinity of Hernando, and supposing that he might give important information I brought him
along. I have turned him and the property captured with him over to the provost-marshal. A
negro moving his family to Memphis told me that he passed a rebel force having a large number
of mules with them about twelve miles from Hernando; he supposed about 11 o'clock. In the
encounter at the wood-yard our casualties were 1 sergeant, Second Arkansas Cavalry, killed; I
man, Second Missouri Cavalry, mortally wounded, and 3 slightly; I man, of the First Iowa
Cavalry, severely wounded; I man, of the Second Missouri Cavalry, prisoner; also 5 teamsters,
Second Arkansas Cavalry, prisoners. Loss of property, 111 U.S. mules in harness. Rebel
casualties, as far as ascertained, 1 man killed, from whose person was taken, it is reported, a
cotton pass dated February 8, 1865, and a letter containing valuable information. I have delayed
this report, expecting to be able to get said cotton pass and letter and forward them with it, but
have failed. I have placed the lieutenant commanding the escort in arrest for neglecting to take
possession of said papers, and have no doubt that he deserves to be punished for carelessness and
inefficiency; for the result of his operations in the wood-yard, it seems to me, proves him to be
both careless and inefficient.
I have the honor to be, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,
HUGH CAMERON,
Lieut. Col. Second Arkansas Cavalry, Comdg. Fourth Brigade.
Col. JOHN E. PHELPS,
Second Arkansas Cavalry, Comdg. Cavalry Division.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Eastport, Miss., February 24, 1865.
38
MAJOR: I have the honor herewith to transmit report of Maj. Gustavus Schnitzer, Second
Iowa Cavalry, who had command of the reconnaissance sent from these headquarters February
19, and which returned yesterday evening. I would most respectfully call your attention to the
statement of Major Schnitzer in regard to the ability of 500 well-mounted men passing over the
country hereabouts without risk. I would also call your attention to the papers captured with the
rebel Lieutenant-Colonel Windes, and especially to those contained in the envelope marked
"important." If Major George is to muster his men near Iuka on the 28th of February I believe the
whole party could be captured, and I would respectfully request permission to act in regard to
him as circumstances may direct. The probability is that no paymaster will venture near Iuka
with $75,000 Confederate money since Lieutenant-Colonel Windes deserted, leaving this
information in our hands. My scouts will be directed to watch this fellow George, and I desire to
prevent any muster on the 28th of February near our lines. By the boats just arrived I learn that
Charleston, S. C., is in our hands. I have learned no details of the capture.
With highest respect, I am, your obedient servant,
R. R. STEWART,
Colonel, Commanding Division.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.
(Through Brigadier-General Croxton, commanding First Division, Cavalry Corps, Military
Division of the Mississippi.)
HDQRS. SECOND IOWA CAVALRY VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
Eastport, Miss., February 24, 1865.
LIEUTENANT: In compliance with orders from division headquarters I started on the
morning of the 19th of February, in command of 425 men and eight wagons (300 men of Second
Iowa and 125 men of Ninth Illinois Cavalry), with three days' rations for men and horses. The
road for the first ten miles was rough and hilly; one wagon broke down and was sent to camp.
Arrived first evening at Oates' plantation, fifteen miles from Eastport and one mile from
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and camped for the night. Started next day, February 20, at
daybreak, following the railroad, and found the same, lately repaired by Roddey's men, in good
running condition to within one mile of Tuscumbia, but no train had passed over the road since
last December. Three miles from Tuscumbia my advance struck about fifteen of the enemy, who
rapidly retreated through town. At this place I found two caissons of 12-pounder gums in good
condition, which I destroyed Arrived at Tuscumbia at 2 p.m.; drove about twenty rebels from
town Here I learned that General Roddey was at Mount Hope, or near Moulton, with about
1,900 men, and Captain Warren at Russellville with about 100 men. The road to the latter place
was reported as very bad, through mountains. I concluded to camp for the night at Tuscumbia. I
sent patrols out on all roads, who learned as above stated. The patrol to Tennessee River
destroyed three small ferry-boats and one pontoon. Next morning I started with 300 of my best
mounted men for Russellville, leaving the rest of the command and wagons with Captain Bandy
in town. I struck the mountains four miles from Tuscumbia; the roads very hilly and stony, and
for teams impassable. Here my flankers picked up fourteen of Roddey's men, who were very
glad to get into our hands, all reporting Roddey at or near Mount Hope, collecting his men
together to go with them to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he is ordered to report by General Forrest.
Three miles from Russellville I sent Major McManis, of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, with his
command on the trot to get possession of the roads leading into the town. He found no enemy
there. Here we captured and burned a large mail, and received information that Roddey had left
Mount Hope the day before, February 20. He had information of my coming, and had been
39
informed that my command was 5,000 strong. Having complied with my orders, I returned to
Tuscumbia same day, having made thirty-six miles, Captain Bandy meantime having captured
Lieutenant-Colonel Windes, of the Fourth Alabama (rebel) Cavalry, whose papers I herewith
transmit. I would here mention that Private Thomas Pierson, Second Iowa Cavalry, orderly for
Major Moore, by himself and with no arms but his saber, captured on my flank three armed
rebels that were watching our movements, and brought them safely into camp. Next morning,
February 22, started back at 10 a.m., marching fifteen rodes, and camped for the night. Here
Lieutenant Colonel Windes escaped from his guard of three men at the risk of his life. The night
was very dark and rainy. Broke camp February 23 at daybreak, marching to Eastport, arriving at
3 p.m. without loss of man or horse on the expedition. The result of the expedition is as follows:
Penetrated the enemy's country 50 miles; captured 31 of General Roddey's men; burned 2
caissons; destroyed 3 ferries and 1 pontoon, also a rebel mail, and brought in 19 able-bodied
negroes and 35 horses and mules; ascertaining that the railroad is in running order to within one
mile of Tuscumbia; the rebel forces are all moving southward; two corps of Hood's army, under
Dick Taylor, have gone to South Carolina; Johnston is not reinstated, and Hood with the rest of
his command is on his way to Mobile; Forrest's command is scattered over the country, and he is
trying to concentrate his force at Tuscaloosa; Major George with 100 men is posted along the
valley from Tuscumbia to Iuka, with his headquarters at or near Iuka, to watch our movements. I
am convinced that 500 well-mounted cavalry could march without much hindrance 100 miles
south, and pick up thousands of prisoners. Colonel Stewart's chief of staff, Major Kidd,
accompanied the expedition to comply with that part of my order in regard to diagram and maps
of the country.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GUSTAVUS SCHNITZER,
Major, Second Iowa Cavalry, Commanding Expedition
Lieut. R. B. AVERY,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 5th Div., Cav. Corps, Mil. Div. of the Miss.
GRAVELLY SPRINGS, ALA., March 6, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of my expedition in obedience to
your orders of March 1:
Starting from camp just before dark that evening, I marched to Rawhide and camped for the
night. I found the roads very bad, night dark and rainy, and had some trouble in finding the place.
On the 2d I started early, during a heavy rain, and followed your instructions until I arrived at
Shoal Creek, which could not be forded, and I followed down on this side, arriving in Florence at
dark, where I found the different detachments waiting, and that we had picked up about fifty
prisoners during the day, and heard that a party calling themselves Federal soldiers had passed
through Florence that day, robbing and plundering. I soon learned that some of the men we
wanted were with that party, but it was then too late, dark, and rainy to follow. I received your
orders to bring all prisoners to camp next day. Quartered in deserted building in Florence that
night, and called on the citizens to feed the prisoners, which they did willingly. Next morning
(the 3d) I started a detachment after Thrasher's party, and started for camp with the rest of my
command and the prisoners, but could not cross Cypress Creek and sent them back to Florence. I
worked all that (lay in the rain trying to send a messenger to headquarters. Succeeded in the
evening by sending a little flat-boat down the river. Being out of rations and forage, that evening
I called on the citizens to divide, which they did willingly, with a few exceptions. I arrested a
soldier straggling about, on the 2d, named John Agnes, belonging to Ninth Indiana Cavalry. He
said he had been up there sick for three weeks and wanted to return with us to camp to find his
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regiment. He broke away from the guards that night, and I learned since that he had been
engaged in robbing, &c. Several citizens told me they believed most of the robbing had been
done by men who were with Lieutenant Thrasher, or men from about Clifton. They all say
Thrasher is an honorable man, but blame him for having such men with him. Tom and Bishop
Clark, Tom Dennis, Paul Ketty, Bill Bridges, and Pete Grimes are the names of some of his
party. A man calling himself Phillips seemed to be the worst character. I received supplies of
forage and rations by the steamer Rosa Sunday, the 5th instant, and returned to camp, arriving at
3 o'clock this p.m.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LOT ABRAHAM,
Captain Company D, Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., CAV. DIV., DIST. OF WEST TENN.,
Camp Shanks, Memphis, Tenn., March 15, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the following as my action while in command of the
recent expedition into North Mississippi:
In pursuance of orders from division headquarters I marched with the serviceable part of the
First Brigade at 6 a.m. of the 3d instant, with two days' rations in haversacks and 100 rounds
carbine and twenty-five rounds pistol ammunition, and one mule and parader for each twenty
men to carry five days' rations from point on railroad thereafter to be designated. At 9 a.m. I was
ordered by Col. E. D. Osband, commanding division, to take command of detachments from
First, Second, and Third Brigades and move them to Germantown, with orders to leave 100 men
from Second Wisconsin at White's Station, and during march to watch all movements in vicinity
of Memphis and Charleston Railroad. These orders obeyed, I camped at Germantown at 3 p.m.,
First Brigade on south, Second Brigade on north, Third Brigade on west of town; posted guards
at all the houses inhabited. This and the two days previous it rained without ceasing. Distance
marched, fifteen miles. At 4 p.m. Colonel Osband arrived on train with forage.
March 4, called camp at 5 a.m.; remained in camp until 5 p.m., when train arrived with
rations and additional forage. At 5 p.m. Lieutenant-Colonel Funke, commanding Third Brigade,
was ordered to return to Memphis with detachments Eleventh Illinois and Third U.S. Colored
Cavalry. At 6 p.m., one day's forage and ten days' rations having been issued, five of which were
in packs and five in haversacks, I marched from Germantown on the Collierville road in
command of the expedition. My command consisted of the following detachments: First Brigade,
commanded by Lieut. Col. Hugh Cameron, Second Arkansas Cavalry--Second Arkansas,
Captain O'Brien commanding, 300 men; Fifth Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Seley commanding,
348 men; Seventh Indiana, Major Simonson commanding, 370 men. Total, 37 officers and 1,018
men. Second Brigade, Col. H. Davis, Twelfth Illinois, commanding--Twelfth Illinois Cavalry,
228 men; First Iowa Cavalry, Colonel Thompson commanding, 471 men; Eleventh New York
Cavalry, 295 men. Total, 38 officers and 994 men. Third Brigade, Maj. N. De Forest, Second
Wisconsin Cavalry, commanding--Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Maj. M. W. Wood commanding,
393 men; Fourth Illinois Cavalry, Capt. A. T. Search commanding, 267 men. Total, 660 men.
My command consisted of -- officers and 2,672 men armed and equipped. I camped one mile
southeast of Collierville at 9 p.m. on the Widow Brown's farm. Distance traveled, nine miles.
Second Brigade in advance this day.
March 5, called camp at 5 a.m.; marched at 7, Third Brigade in advance, Second Wisconsin
in advance of brigade. Advance and provost guards from this regiment. Fine country, but no
41
farming being done. Detached squads on roads right and left. Forage scarce, but secured enough.
Heard of the enemy in our advance giving notice of our approach. At Mount Pleasant their
number increased to ten. Soon after passing this place the advance drove this squad hurriedly
across Coldwater, swimming their horses after them. Major De Forest led this movement and
relieved the command of these advertisers. Camped one mile southeast Lamar Station, on
Mississippi Central Raft-road, at 6 p.m., on farm of A. C. Treadwell. Distance marched, twentyfour
miles.
March 6, called camp at 4 a.m. and marched at 6. Order of march: First Brigade, Second
Brigade, Third Brigade, Second Arkansas being in advance, and the advance and provost guard
furnished by this regiment. This day bridges gone. Roads continue rough, much washed, and
streams and low ground muddy. Reached Salem at 10 a.m. No information of our approach. I
here learned that Colonel Crossland, in command of troops from Kentucky on their way to West
Point to join Forrest, had reached Ripley two days previous, and with a possibility that they had
not moved on, as they were looking for re-enforcements. This command was variously estimated
at from 500 to 2,000. I moved promptly to intercept him, and was entering the town of Ripley
with my column before noticed by the few soldiers found there. The advance, thrown forward
[into] the town, led by Captain Moore, acting aide, caught most of the soldiers there, who were
only a conscripting band. Colonel Crossland had marched southward thirty-six hours before my
arrival, his command consisting of 300 cavalry. The latter portion of this day's march was
through a pine country. Forage very scarce. I camped the First and Second Brigades in an
excellent position on southwest side of town, the Third Brigade on northwest, controlling roads
on which troops would enter from Kentucky or Tennessee. Command got forage except a portion
of the Third Brigade. I distributed the country for scouting and foraging among the several
brigades. To the Third Brigade I assigned Salem, Saulsbury, Nubbin Ridge, or Pocahontas, and
Ruckersville roads, with territory included; to the First Brigade (reduced by sending Fifth Illinois
to railroad) the Booneville, Guntown, and Baldwyn roads; to the Second Brigade the Cotton Gin
(or Kelley's), New Albany, Oxford, and lower Salem roads. I sent scouts on all the roads above
mentioned from fifteen to twenty-five miles. On the Oxford road to Holly Springs Crossing,
fourteen miles. On Albany road to New Albany--a portion of this scout swam the Tallahatchie at
New Albany in pursuit of a squad of rebels. On Cotton Gin road to Kelley's Mills and across and
right and left along the banks twelve miles. On Guntown road to junction of Baldwyn road,
eighteen miles. On road north of town from eight to ten miles. I had a guard placed at every
house in the town. Marched by twos. Traveled forty miles.
March 7, at 5 a.m. I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Seley with his command, and fifty men under
Captain Wardlaw, Fourth Illinois, on road leading east to Booneville, on Mobile and Ohio Road,
with orders to destroy that road from Booneville to Baldwyn as effectually as possible, and reach
camp at Ripley on the 9th at noon; with further instructions that if he found to his satisfaction
that that portion of the road included within his former instructions was being run under a truce
between Major-General Thomas and General Forrest--conditioned, as I had learned it was, that
the road should not be used for military purposes--then he should not destroy it. He found it
under this regulation, and returned to camp on the evening of the 8th at 5 p.m. A copy of his
report I herewith inclose and make part of this report. There were a number of cars loaded with
corn for citizens carried under this arrangement. Colonel Seley deserves credit for the
promptness with which he moved under these orders through the worst of roads with a scarcity
of forage, the distance and return being near eighty miles.
March 8, I sent Major Simonson with 200 men on Guntown road to junction with Baldwyn
road to support Lieutenant-Colonel Seley, and on Colonel Seley's return I ordered Major
Simonson to return. He reached camp at 10 p.m. this day. I kept all approaches thoroughly
42
scouted, turning the scouting party into a return forage detail whenever no enemy had been
discovered within the limits of their instructions. In this way I got forage and kept my camp
strong at the same time. No enemy was found in force.
March 9, finding no enemy north of the Tallahatchie, and the tenor of my orders, amount of
my rations, condition of streams, bridges, and roads, with the great scarcity of forage in my rear
and, in fact, north of that river, and the arrangement of neutrality upon the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad rendering it unsafe to destroy it, thus at once depriving me of the power to materially
injure the enemy, I judged it proper to return my command in as good condition as possible.
Called camp at 5 a.m. and marched at 7 a.m. on Saulsbury road. Road narrow, washed in places,
and streams and low ground very muddy. Order of march: Second Brigade, Third Brigade, First
Brigade, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry in front and forming advance guard and provost guard.
Weather bad. Captured Captain -- and Lieutenant Hammond, adjutant Fourteenth Tennessee.
Camped on Gray's farm, two miles southwest of Saulsbury. Distance marched, twenty-nine
miles. Found forage sufficient for command by scouring the country from noon.
March 10, called camp at 4 a.m.; marched at 6 a.m. Roads muddy; bridges gone. Compelled
to march by twos. Order of march: Third Brigade, First Brigade, Second Brigade, Second
Wisconsin Cavalry in advance. Advance and provost guards from this regiment. Reached Grand
Junction at 9 a.m.; La Grange at 10 a.m. Captured three men at this place. Crossed Wolf River;
crossing bad, bottom overflowed, and very miry. Marched to Soho's farm. Distance marched,
twenty-four miles.
March 11, called camp at 4.30 a.m.; marched at 7. Order of march: First Brigade, Second
Brigade, Third Brigade, Second Arkansas Cavalry in advance. Advance and provost guards from
this regiment. Issued stringent orders that no foraging be permitted. Having opened my left flank
to the only possible forces which could be between the Coldwater and Wolf Rivers, I guarded
that flank carefully, and learned from a citizen that Bill and Jesse Forrest were preparing to
ambush me at some point near Collierville with a force stated at 800 men. I ordered Colonel
Davis, with the effective force of his Second Brigade, over on the Holly Springs road, keeping
his pack train and unserviceable [animals] with me. I hoped by this means to hold any force the
enemy had between the Coldwater and Wolf, but found no enemy. My command reached
Memphis at 9, and were in their respective camps at 11 p.m. When within one mile of the
pickets the front of my command was fired on by guerrillas, two of whom we captured and sent
with charges to Irving Block Prison. Five escaped on horseback.
I used every endeavor to protect private property, and for this purpose issued stringent orders
against stealing. I directed each regimental commander to appoint a rear guard, with strict
instructions to permit no enlisted man to pass or repass unless under detail with a commissioned
officer. This, with the provost guard placed at every house and with the general diligence of
officers, reduced straggling to small numbers; but permit me to say that a most stringent rule
must be adopted to enforce compliance therewith, both with officers and men, before the
command will be thoroughly efficient. Every straggler destroys his horse and otherwise wastes
the public property intrusted to him. I found the citizens generally depressed. The poor simply
asked for peace, and seemed to comprehend that it was their more wealthy neighbors who caused
the war. The wealthy are as usual stealthy and corrupt, but their only question was, What is the
best the Government will do? There is an evident feeling of doubt amongst them. The best
information I could get was that Forrest was himself at West Point. His forces were variously
stated at from 10,000 to 30,000. Jackson was said to be at Verona with from 1,000 to 5,000, said
to be mounted, to be dismounted, and to be partially mounted, the last of which is probably true.
His orders were to move south to join Forrest. The waters were very high; almost all bridges
washed away. Roads muddy and much washed. The brigade and regimental commanders and
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Captains Reed and Moore and Lieutenant Koffman, of my staff, deserve mention for their
promptness in the performance of their various duties.
List of losses in men and material in the several regiments, as reported by their brigade
commanders preparatory to this report, showing losses in respective regiments except in Third
Brigade. Losses and gains of stock are not designated:
Counting on deduction of four men lost, and twenty-eight men must have been dismounted,
taking the reports as previously shown. This, however, is not true. In my opinion not one man
walked into Memphis, unless to rest his horse. I am impressed with the belief that company
officers cover deficiencies in horses by overestimates of losses on return from long scouts. This
subject needs examination, and I have commenced it in my command. This report has been
delayed on account of it, and is defective yet. Sixteen prisoners were delivered to provostmarshal.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN P. C. SHANKS,
Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Cavalry Division,
District of West Tennessee, and Comdg. late Expedition.
Capt. E. J. MEYERS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Division.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., CAV. DIV., DIST. OF WEST TENN.,
Memphis, Tenn., March 13, 1865.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the Second Brigade, forming part of your forces
on the recent expedition, moved out on March 3 with the following effective strength, viz:
We marched to Ripley, Miss., without any occurrence worthy of mention, except the loss of
two men between Germantown and Collierville on March 4. These men belonged to Company C,
Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, and, with another man from the same company, were, in violation of
orders, foraging for corn in a barn, where they were captured by a few rebels. One of them
escaped and reached Memphis in disguise, reporting that he saw the other two murdered. At
Ripley Lieutenant-Colonel McQueen, with 100 men from the First Iowa Cavalry, was sent to the
Tallahatchie, on the Cotton Plant road, where he remained till the division moved on the 9th
instant. On the 8th a party of the Twelfth Illinois, under Lieutenant Pratt, swam the Tallahatchie
and drove a party of twenty-five or thirty rebels out of New Albany without loss. The brigade
marched with the division on the 9th, was detached on the 11th by the Marshall Institute road,
and reached Memphis without accident on the evening of the same day at 11 p.m.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. DAVIS,
Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.
Col. J. P. C. SHANKS,
Commanding, &c.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, June 8, 1865.
Maj. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY,
Commanding Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La.:
SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith for delivery the medals of honor awarded by the
Secretary of War to the following-named officers and soldiers of your command for gallantry in
capturing rebel flags during the operations against the city of Mobile: Lieut. Col. Victor
Vifquain, Ninety-seventh Illinois Volunteers; Capt. Samuel McConnell, Company H, One
44
hundred and nineteenth Illinois Volunteers; Capt. Henry A. Miller, Company B, Eighth Illinois
Volunteers; First Sergt. Joseph Stickels, Company A, Eighty-third Ohio Volunteers; Sergt.
George F. Rebman, Company B, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Volunteers; First Sergt.
Edgar A. Bras, Company K, Eighth Iowa Volunteers; Private Thomas Riley, Company D, First
Louisiana Cavalry; Private John H. Callahan, Company B, One hundred and twenty-second
Illinois Volunteers; Private John Whitmore, Company F, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois
Volunteers.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS.
February 18.--Corps reorganized by General Orders, No. 20, Military Division of West
Mississippi. Troops forming the corps in part at Forts Gaines and Morgan, Ala., and at
Barrancas, Fla., at time of announcement of organization. Remainder reported at these points
since that time, with the exception of Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers. Troops in camp
preparing for the field.
March 17.---General Benton's (Third) division left Navy Cove, preceded on the 16th by
Colonel Bertram's (First) brigade, Second Division, and followed by General Veatch's (First)
division on the 19th.
March 20.--The Second and Third Brigades, Second Division, Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews
commanding, left with forces under command of Major-General Steele from Pensacola, Fla.,
marching in a northerly direction along the line of the Florida and Alabama Railroad.
March 26.--The whole command, consisting of the First and Third Divisions, and First
Brigade, Second Division, reached the vicinity of Spanish Fort, Ala.
March 27.--The right of the Thirteenth Corps connected with Major-General Smith's
Sixteenth Corps.
March 28.--Our skirmishers were within 400 yards of the enemy's works and approaches
were commenced. Major-General Granger commanded in person the portion of the corps
consisting of the First Division, First Brigade, Second, and Third Divisions.
April 1.--The Third Division and First Brigade, Second Division, in position before Spanish
Fort, Ala., the left resting on Mobile Bay and right connecting with Sixteenth Army Corps;
approaches constantly pushed forward under heavy fire.
April 8.--At 11 p.m. the enemy evacuated his works. Our saps had been pushed to within 237
yards of the main works. The First Brigade, Second Division, immediately occupied them upon
their evacuation.
April 9.--In the morning the Third Division marched to rear of Blakely to take part in the
assault on the works at that place, but did not get into position sufficiently early. The First
Division and Second and Third Brigades, Second Division, participated in the siege of Blakely.
The enemy's works were assaulted, these commands forming part of the assaulting line, reaching
the enemy's works without check, but with considerable loss.
April 11.--First and Third Divisions marched from rear of Blakely at sundown for Starke's
Landing.
April 12.--Embarked on transports by daylight; crossed Mobile Bay in the morning; landed
five miles below Mobile at 10.30 a.m. without meeting opposition, and marched toward the city.
It was ascertained the city had been evacuated by the enemy. General Granger and staff reached
the city by water on transport General Banks as the head of the column entered it.
45
April 30.--The Second and Third Brigades, Second Division, are with General Steele's
column at Selma; the Third Division on the Tombigbee River; the First Division forming
garrison of Mobile; First Brigade, Second Division, holding Spanish and Blakely Forts.
May 7.--The First Brigade, Second Division, withdrew [from] Blakely and Spanish Fort, and
encamped near [Mobile], the First Division supplying by detachment required garrison.
May 9.--The Third Division arrived from McIntosh Bluff, on the Tombigbee River, and
encamped near Mobile.
May 12 and 13.--The Second and Third Brigades, Second Division, arrived from Selma and
encamped near Mobile. The corps was thus assembled at Mobile, the only detachments being
guards on the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and garrisons at East Pascagoula, Fort
Blakely, Mount Vernon Arsenal, and Fort Tracy.
May 26 and 27.--First and Second Brigades, First Division, in accordance with orders from
Major-General Canby, embarked for New Orleans, there to report to the major-general
commanding the military division.
May 30.--In compliance with orders from Major-General Canby, commanding the military
division, Benton's (Third) division was directed to report to Maj. Gen. F. Steele for service in
Texas; change made in batteries to furnish required artillery.
During the month the Fiftieth Indiana and One hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers
have been withdrawn from the corps. The Thirty-first Massachusetts (mounted) Infantry and
Ninety-sixth and Ninety-seventh U.S. Colored Infantry have been attached to the corps, and are
consequently accounted for on this return. Corps headquarters have continued at Mobile during
the month.
June 14.--Corps headquarters left Mobile.
June 18.--Arrived at Galveston.
The First Division, from which no formal reports have been received, has been sent up Red
River and into Northeastern Texas. The Second Division has been transferred in part to Texas by
way of Galveston--regiments stationed at Galveston, Houston, Millican, and Columbus. All the
division except that part to be mustered out will come to Galveston, as well as the Third Brigade,
First Division. The Third Division is mainly at Brazos de Santiago, Tex., reporting to Major-
General Steele. Headquarters of the division and regiments awaiting muster out are still at
Mobile, Ala.
First Division.
February 12.--Division organized by Special Orders, No. 43, Military Division of West
Mississippi. Brigades and batteries reported at Dauphin Island, Ala., and General Veatch
assumed command. The division was formerly a portion of the Reserve Corps, Military Division
of West Mississippi.
March 17.--Left Dauphin Island, moving by transports to Navy Cove, a distance of five
miles.
March 18.--In the morning marched about four miles.
March 26.--Moved on to Spanish Fort; met enemy's pickets; invested the fort.
March 30.--Moved as guard to a supply train for General Steele; encamped at night at
Sibley's Mills. Loss--killed in action, 9; wounded, 4.
[April.]--Left Blakely, Ala., after the surrender and embarked at Spanish Fort for Mobile.
April 12.--Arrived at the latter place; division doing garrison duty; one brigade (First) at
Spring Hill, five miles from the city.
May 25.--The division received orders to march.
May 27.--Left Mobile.
May 28.--Arrived at New Orleans.
46
May 31.--Left New Orleans for Red River. The division has been in no engagement with the
enemy since last return.
First Brigade, First Division.
February 5.--Moved from Kenner, La., to Dauphin Island. Ala., by order of Major-General
Steele, commanding Reserve Corps.
[March.]--Since last report this brigade moved by water to Navy Cove, Ala., thence by land
to Spanish Fort, Ala., where an engagement with the enemy took place on March 26. After
remaining in front of the enemy until March 30 the command was ordered out to guard supplies
to Major-General Steele; on the 31st, in camp at Holyoke Mills, Ala.
April 1.--This brigade was at Holyoke Mills, northeast from Spanish Fort.
April 2.--From thence it moved to Blakely, Ala., and remained in the siege of Blakely until
its capture on April 9.
April 11.--We moved to Starke's Landing and embarked on steamers and crossed the bay to
Magnolia Race Course, and debarked on the 12th.
April 13.--We moved to Spring Hill, Ala., seven miles from Mobile, where the brigade is at
present [April 30].
May 1.--This brigade was encamped at Spring Hill, near Mobile, where it remained until the
26th of the month.
May 26.--It broke camp, and moving into Mobile embarked on steamers for New Orleans via
Lake Pontchartrain.
May 27.--Arrived at Hickox Landing at night and on the following morning disembarked and
went into camp at Metairie Ridge Race Course, two miles from New Orleans.
May 30.--Again embarked.
May 31.--At daylight started up the Mississippi :River for Shreveport, La.
June/.---This command was on board steam transports bound for Shreveport, La. The
Twenty-first Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel Van Ands commanding, was left to occupy Grand Ecore.
June 7.--The remainder of the brigade arrived at Shreveport at night; disembarked the
following morning and went into camp a quarter of a mile outside of the city, where it has since
remained.
Second Brigade, First Division.
February 4.--Left Kenner, La.
February 8.--Arrived at Dauphin Island, Ala. The command has been in camp since that time;
have been on no marches, nor participated in any battles.
March 17.--Left Dauphin Island; marched to Spanish Fort, about fifty miles, arriving on the
26th.
March 27.--Commenced the siege; skirmishing daily, but no regular action. Loss in
command light.
[April. ].--Brigade was encamped at Holyoke, Ala., on the date of the last report.
April 2.--Received marching orders and moved to Blakely, Ala., as escort to supply train and
to re-enforce Major-General Steele at that point. The investment having commenced, was
assigned a position in front of the works, which was held until April 9.
April 9.--The enemy's works were charged and carried by assault.
April 12.--Crossed the bay and landed at Catfish Point, a few miles below Mobile. This
brigade was given the advance and occupied the city at 12 m., and has formed a part of the
garrison since that time
Third Brigade, First Division.
[ March.]--Since last report the brigade has moved by water to Navy Cove, Ala.; thence by
land to Spanish Fort, Ala.
47
March 25.--The Thirtieth Missouri Infantry were left at Dannelly's Mills, on Fish River, Ala.,
to guard supplies and bridge at that place.
March 26.--Commenced an engagement with the enemy.
March 28.--The One hundred and sixty-first New York was detached, by order of Brigadier-
General Veatch, to build roads to Starke's Landing, Ala.; since been detailed to guard supplies
and post at that station.
March 30.--Moved out with the First Division and proceeded to Holyoke Mills, guarding
train of supplies for Major-General Steele.
Second Division.
March 4.--Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews assumed command of Second Division, Thirteenth
Army Corps, in pursuance of Special Orders, No. 1, dated headquarters U.S. Forces, Barrancas,
Fla., March 4. At this time the Second and Third Brigades, Second Connecticut and Fifteenth
Massachusetts Batteries were at Barrancas, the First Brigade being detached from the division
and at Navy Cove, Ala.
March 11.---The division marched to Pensacola, Fla., where they constructed about 500 feet
of wharf and about 600 yards of railroad track, connecting the commissary building with the
wharf.
March 20.--The command moved northward along the line of the Florida and Alabama
Railroad, arriving in the vicinity of Pollard on the 25th.
March 26.--The Second Brigade, with the division commander, entered Pollard, where about
600 yards of railroad track was torn up, several bridges destroyed, and the commissary and
quartermaster's buildings burned.
March 27.--The division moved westward along the line of the Mobile and Montgomery
Railroad, arriving at Stockton, Ala., on the Tensas River, on the 31st. The roads traveled over
were almost impassable; about twenty-five miles of corduroy had to be built. The division also
assisted in building a bridge over Pine Barren Creek, and built bridges over the Escambia and
Little Escambia Rivers. During this long and difficult march only one wagon of the division train
was lost.
During the time above referred to the First Brigade was engaged in operations before Spanish
Fort, Ala.
April 1.--The Second and Third Brigades, with the Second Connecticut and Fifteenth
Massachusetts Batteries, left camp near Stockton, Ala., taking the road down the Tensas River,
arriving in front of Blakely on the morning of the 2d.
April 2.--The place was invested, the Second Division forming on the left of Hawkins'
(colored) division, and holding a line two miles in length. From this time until the evening of the
9th were busily engaged in digging intrenchments and gradually advancing our lines.
April 9.--In the evening a charge was ordered upon the enemy's works, which proved entirely
successful, the entire garrison, with all of their artillery and small-arms being captured, the
Second Division capturing 1,300 prisoners and 12 pieces of artillery.
April 11.--In the evening the Second Brigade, with the division commander, was ordered to
Starke's Landing, on Mobile Bay, where it remained until the 14th.
April 14.--They were ordered to return to Blakely, where the Third Brigade was encamped.
The two brigades remained at Blakely until the 19th.
April 19.--Orders were received to embark on transports and proceed up the Alabama River.
April 20.--Left Blakely in the evening, arrived at Mobile same day; lay there until the
morning of the 22d.
April 22.--We moved slowly up the Alabama River, forming a part of Major-General Steele's
expeditionary forces.
48
April 27.--Arrived at Selma, Ala.
April 28.--Were ordered to occupy the place. Are now encamped here. The First Brigade of
this division took part in the operations against Spanish Fort and is now encamped at that place.
May 1 to 6.--The First Brigade was stationed at Blakely.
May 6.--It moved to its present position below the city of Mobile. The Second and Third
Brigades, with the Second Connecticut and Fifteenth Massachusetts Batteries, were at Selma,
Ala., until the 11th and 12th of May, when they embarked on board transports and moved down
the river to Mobile. Arriving at that place on the evenings of the 12th and 13th, they disembarked
and have remained in camp near and in the city since.
May 31.--The Twenty-first New York Battery joined the Second Division by order from
headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps.
June 1.--The division was camped in and around the city of Mobile, Ala. During the month it
has been embarking for Galveston, Tex., as fast as transportation was furnished.
June 30.--But three regiments and three batteries remain at Mobile.
First Brigade, Second Division.
February 12.--This brigade, organized under Special Orders, No. 43, extract III, dated
headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, New Orleans, La., is at present detached
from the Second Division and in camp at Mobile Point, Ala. The brigade is doing guard, picket,
and heavy fatigue duty.
March 4.--Col. Henry Bertram, Twentieth Wisconsin Volunteers, assumed command of the
brigade in accordance with Special Orders, No. 6, extract II, headquarters Thirteenth Army
Corps, March 4.
March 18.--Broke camp at Navy Cove, Mobile Bay, and marched up the peninsula, arriving
on the left bank of the Fish River on the evening of the 21st.
March 22.--Crossed that stream in the morning.
March 25.--Resumed the march up the bay, the brigade forming the left flank of the column,
and encamped on the south bank of D'Olive's Creek on the evening of the 27th.
March 28.--Assumed position on extreme left of forces investing Spanish Fort, since which
time the troops have been engaged in the duties incidental to a siege.
The casualties to date are shown on the face of the report.
April 1.--Retained position on extreme left of investing forces---Spanish Fort, Ala.
April 9.--Moved into and took possession of Spanish Fort immediately on its capture, the
brigade being assigned to the duty of garrisoning the fort and guarding prisoners of war captured
there and at Fort Blakely, Ala.
April 22.--Brigade headquarters removed to Blakely, Ala., in obedience to Special Orders,
No. 58, extract VI, headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, dated April 19. The
following troops of the brigade were left in garrison at Spanish Fort: The Ninety-fourth Illinois
Volunteers, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers, and Battery F, First Missouri Light Artillery.
June 22.--Left Mobile, Ala.
June 25.--Arrived at Galveston, Tex., since which time two regiments of the brigade have
been doing duty in this city; the Twenty-third Iowa Infantry doing duty at Columbus, Tex.;
Nineteenth Iowa Infantry left at Mobile, Ala., temporarily detached.
Second Brigade, Second Division.
March 11.--The troops comprising the Second Brigade left Barrancas, Fla., and proceeded by
land to Pensacola, at which place they remained in camp until March 20.
March 20.--They left Pensacola, arriving at the Escambia River on the evening of March 25.
March 26.--The brigade crossed the river and proceeded to Pollard. Destroyed a portion of
the railroad and Government buildings and returned the same day.
49
March 27.--The brigade again moved.
March 31.--Went into camp for the night at or near Stockton, Ala. The entire road over which
the brigade passed was in bad condition, almost impassable, and a great amount of labor was
expended in corduroying, in order to permit the artillery and train of the division to pass.
April 1.--In the morning the brigade left camp at Stockton, Ala.
April 2.--In the morning we arrived in front of the enemy's works at Blakely, from which
time to the 9th were engaged in digging intrenchments and gradually advancing our lines.
April 9.--In the evening a charge was made upon the enemy's works at Blakely, in which
successful assault the brigade participated.
April 11.--At night we received orders to proceed to Starke's Landing, and remained there
until the 14th; were ordered back to Blakely.
April 19.--Received orders to embark on transports and proceed up the Alabama River.
April 22.--Left Mobile Bay.
April 27.--Arrived at Selma, Ala., at which place the brigade is now [April 30] encamped.
May 1 to 11.--The brigade was stationed at Selma, Ala.
May 11.--At night received orders to proceed to Mobile.
May 12.--Arrived at that place, since which time the brigade has remained in and near the
city, attached, as heretofore, to the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, Bvt. Maj. Gen. C.
C. Andrews commanding.
June 1 to 25.--The brigade was stationed at Mobile.
June 12.--The Sixty-ninth Battalion Indiana Volunteers, forming a part of the brigade, was
detached for temporary duty by virtue of Special Orders, No. 73, headquarters Thirteenth Army
Corps.
June 25.--In pursuance to orders received, the Twenty-fourth Indiana and Ninety-seventh
Illinois embarked on transports for Galveston.
June 26.--The Seventy-sixth Illinois embarked for the same place.
June 29 and 30.--The three regiments arrived at Galveston.
Third Brigade, Second Division.
March 5.--The Third Brigade, of the Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, was
organized at Barrancas, Fla.
March 11.--The brigade marched to Pensacola, Fla., remaining there until the 20th.
March 20.--The command moved northward along the line of the Pensacola and Pollard
Railroad.
March 26.--Arrived in the vicinity of Pollard, Ala.; thence took a westerly course along a
branch of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
March 30.--Arrived at Stockton, Ala., on the Tensas River, the rounds traveled during this
expedition being almost impassable.
April 1.--The brigade left Stockton, Ala., taking the Blakely road down the Tensas River.
April 2.--Arrived in the vicinity of Blakely, Ala., about noon, and were placed in the center
of the line of investing forces of Blakely, which position it occupied until the capture of Blakely
with its garrison on the 9th.
April 9.--In the assault on the enemy's works each regiment of this brigade was engaged and
did its work nobly, the Eighty-third Ohio taking the advance as skirmishers. On the eve of the
10th the brigade was ordered to occupy the works of the enemy at Blakely, which it did until the
20th.
April 20.--It was embarked on transports and crossed to Mobile, Ala. Soon after its arrival at
Mobile the enemy was reported to be advancing on the place. The brigade was disembarked and
50
laid on their arms until the eve of the 21st, when they embarked again and started up the Mobile
River, forming a part of the column of Major General Steele's forces operating in Alabama.
April 27.--Arrived at Selma, Ala.; disembarked and went into camp at Selma on the 28th.
[May.]--The brigade remained at Selma, Ala., until the 12th.
May 12.--It embarked on board transports and moved down the river.
May 13.--Arrived at Mobile, Ala., in the evening.
May 14--Went into camp.
[June.]--The brigade remained at Mobile, Ala., until June 12.
June 12.--Orders were received to embark on transports. The One hundred and fourteenth
Ohio Volunteers embarked and sailed for Galveston, Tex., the same day.
June 13.--The Eighty-third Ohio embarked and sailed.
June 14.--The Thirty-fourth Iowa and brigade headquarters sailed. The remainder of the
brigade (Thirty-seventh Illinois and Twentieth Iowa) were detached at Mobile, Ala., by order of
the corps commander.
June 16.--The One hundred and fourteenth Ohio arrived at Galveston.
June 18.--Brigade headquarters, Thirty-fourth Iowa, and Eighty-third Ohio [arrived].
June 20.--The Thirty-fourth Iowa and One hundred and fourteenth Ohio went by railroad to
Houston, Tex., by order of General Granger, commanding District of Texas.
Third Division.
The entire Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, has rendezvoused at Mobile Point, Ala.,
during the month of February. No military or field operations as yet.
March 1.--At Mobile Point, Ala.
March 17.--Marched from Mobile Point via Shell Bank and Bayou Portage to Dannelly's
Mills, on the North Branch of Fish River, forty miles, arriving there March 23, having to
corduroy the road several miles between Bayou Portage and Fish River.
March 25.--Marched north from Fish Rivet.
March 26.--Encamped near Spanish Fort, Ala.
March 27.--The Army of West Mississippi invested Spanish Fort, this division holding the
right of the Thirteenth Army Corps. Since then it has been engaged in the operations of the siege.
April 1 to 8.--Engaged in operations before Spanish Fort, Ala., which was occupied at
midnight of the 8th.
April 9.--Marched to Blakely.
April 11.--Returned to Starke's Landing; thence crossed Mobile Bay and encamped within
the defenses of Mobile April 12.
April 13.--Marched to Whistler Station, on Mobile and Ohio Railroad; had a sharp skirmish
with the retreating enemy's rear guard; captured valuable machine-shops, locomotives, and
rolling-stock and put the enemy to flight.
April 19.--Marched from Whistler on the telegraph road.
April 21.--Captured the Mount Vernon Arsenal, and arrived same day at Nannahubbah Bluff,
on the Tombigbee River.
April 26 and 27.--Occupied McIntosh Bluff, on Tombigbee River.
May 1.--In camp at Mcintosh Bluff, Ala.
May 9.--Embarked on fleet of steamers surrendered by the enemy and disembarked at Mobile
same day. Since then the division has been encamped near Mobile, Ala.
June 1.--Seven regiments embarked for Brazos de Santiago. Remainder of the division
stationed near Mobile, Ala., during the month.
Second Brigade, Third Division.
March 17.--The Second Brigade marched from Navy Cove, Mobile Point, Ala.
51
March 27.--It formed the center of the Third Division in the attack on Spanish Fort, the Third
Brigade being on its right and the First Brigade on its left, which relative position it still. [March
31] occupies.
March 27 to April 8.--This brigade was engaged in the siege of Spanish Fort; was present at
the storming of Blakely, but did not participate in the engagement, and were engaged in a
skirmish at Whistler. Ala., April 13. From Whistler marched to McIntosh Bluff, on the
Tombigbee River, sixty miles above Mobile.
May 9.--The brigade embarked on transports at McIntosh Bluff, Ala.; arrived at Mobile same
evening and went into present camp at Three Mile Creek.
SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS.
First Division.
February 1.--The division was in camp at Eastport.
February 5.--Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith ordered the command to embark on board transports and
proceed to Cairo, Ill., and await further orders. The command embarked.
February 7.--In the morning the division proceeded as directed on the following steamers:
Diadem, City of Memphis, Mississippi, Atlantic, and Magenta.
February 8.--The fleet of the division arrived in the morning at Cairo, Ill.
February 10.--In compliance with orders from Major-General Smith the fleet proceeded
down the river.
February 11.--Arrived at Memphis, Tenn. Applied to Major-General Dana and had a number
of officers and men belonging to the division and on duty in the city relieved and ordered to join
their command.
February 12.--Left Memphis and arrived at Vicksburg on the 13th, where the orders issued at
Cairo directed the division to await further orders.
February 15.--Debarked in compliance with instructions in a telegram received from Major-
General Canby, and went into camp five miles from the city ready to march on shortest notice.
February 19.--Re-embarked as directed by Major General Smith in the same order and on
same transports as before debarking, and moved down the river.
February 20.--Arrived in the morning at New Orleans, part of the fleet on the evening of the
21st, the remainder on the morning of the 22d. Debarked at Saint Bernard Parish and went into
camp at Chalmette, a low, wet, and very bad camping ground. The designation of the command
was changed to First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, by virtue of General Orders, No. 20,
headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, current series.
February 28.--First Brigade embarked on steam-ship Empire City, with orders to proceed to
Dauphin Island via the Gulf and report to Maj. Gen. G. Granger for orders, leaving transportation
behind. The One hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry was assigned to the division by
virtue of Special Orders, No. 5, extract II; headquarters Sixteenth Army Corps was transferred to
Third Division by virtue of Special Orders, No. 9, same headquarters. No monthly report was
received from the regiment before being transferred.
March 1.--The division was encamped at Chalmette, Saint Bernard Parish, La., excepting the
First Brigade, which had sailed for Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay.
March 4.--The Thirty-third Missouri Infantry embarked on steamer Belvidere with orders to
proceed via Gulf to Dauphin Island and report to Maj. Gen. G. Granger. The remainder of the
Third Brigade were ordered to proceed via Lake Pontchartrain to Dauphin Island.
March 5.--The Second Brigade embarked with headquarters of division on steam-ship
Guiding Star for Dauphin Island.
March 7.--Arrived at destination. The Third Brigade arrived the same day. The First Brigade
had arrived and were in camp.
52
March 19.--The division embarked on transports pursuant to General Orders, No. 8,
headquarters Sixteenth Army Corps. The Twenty-sixth Indiana and Thirty-third Illinois Infantry,
assigned to division pursuant to Special Orders, No. 60, headquarters Military Division of West
Mississippi, arrived from New Orleans, and part of the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry embarked
with the division. The remainder remained for want of transportation. The Second Iowa Battery
also remained behind.
March 21.--The fleet proceeded up the bay, entered Fish River, and debarked at Dannelly's
Mills. One man belonging to the Eleventh Missouri Infantry fell overboard while en route and
was drowned.
March 25.--The division marched with the remainder of the corps, the First Division
marching in the advance. A small force of the enemy remained in front of the advance all day,
skirmishing with them and annoying the march as much as possible. Colonel Marshall, Seventh
Minnesota Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, received a slight wound in the shoulder from a
flank shot of the enemy.
March 27.--In the morning Spanish Fort was invested, the Third Division on the right, the
First Division on the left of the Third, and Thirteenth Army Corps on the left of the First
Division. The fort being found too strong for an assault, a regular siege commenced.
April 8.--The division continued in the siege before Spanish Fort until midnight, when it was
ascertained that the enemy had evacuated the fort, spiked the guns, and left them in our
possession.
April 9.--The division marched to the siege of Blakely and took position in reserve of the
Second Division, Sixteenth Corps. The same day the fort was carried by assault.
April 13.--In obedience to orders from corps headquarters the division marched in the order
designated in orders in the corps toward Montgomery, Ala., arriving at the latter place after
thirteen days marching.
April 25.--Went into camp four miles from the city.
May 10.--The division remained in camp near Montgomery, Ala., when, in obedience to
orders from the major-general commanding Sixteenth Army Corps, it marched to Selma, Ala.
The First Brigade was sent by rail immediately to Meridian; the Ninety-third Indiana was sent to
Gainesville; also, the Ninety-fifth Ohio was sent to Enterprise. The Second Brigade was sent to
Demopolis; the Eighth Wisconsin, of the Second Brigade, was left at Uniontown, and the Ninth
Minnesota, of the same brigade, was sent to Marion. The Third Brigade is stationed at Selma.
[June.]--The military operations during the past month are concurrent with troops stationed at
posts.
First Brigade, First Division.
February 6.--This brigade broke camp at Eastport, Miss., and embarked on steamer City of
Memphis, the entire brigade, composed of the Seventy-second and Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry,
Ninety-third Indiana Infantry, and Tenth Minnesota Infantry, being transported on the one boat.
February 7.--The steamer left its mooring at Eastport and arrived at Vicksburg. Miss.,
February 14.
February 15.--In the morning the troops debarked and marched to Four-Mile Bridge, on the
Baldwin's Ferry road, where the brigade encamped until the morning of the 19th, when it
marched back to Vicksburg and again embarked on the steamer City of Memphis.
February 20.--The steamer moved from Vicksburg and arrived at Chalmette, La., near New
Orleans.
February 22.--The troops debarked and are now bivouacked.
53
February 28.--A part of this brigade embarked on steamer Empire City near New Orleans,
La., and proceeded down the river into the Gulf of Mexico to Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Ala.,
where the troops debarked and bivouacked.
March 3.--It was joined by the Thirty-third Illinois Veteran Infantry and Twenty-sixth
Indiana Veteran Infantry.
March 19.--The brigade embarked and proceeded up Mobile Bay and Fish River, debarking
and bivouacking, March 20, near Dannelly's Mills, Ala.
March 25.--Marched with the remainder of the division in the direction of Blakely, arriving
before Spanish Fort, Ala., the 27th, where it is now [March 31] taking an active part in the siege
going on against the fortifications at this point.
[April.]--This brigade was engaged in the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala., until it was evacuated
by the enemy on the night of April 8.
April 9.--The brigade joined that part of the army which was besieging Blakely, which place
was carried by assault on the afternoon of the same day.
April 13.--The brigade started with the corps on the road to Montgomery, Ala., arriving on
the 25th, a distance of 180 miles, where the brigade is now [April 30] encamped.
May 10.--This brigade, which had been encamped at Montgomery, marched to Selma, Ala., a
distance of about fifty miles, arriving on the 14th instant.
May 16.--Embarked for Meridian, Miss., except the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry
and the Tenth Minnesota Infantry, having been sent the previous day.
May 19.--The Ninety-third Indiana Infantry was sent north on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad
to Gainesville, Ala.
May 24.--The Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry was sent south on the same line of railroad to
Enterprise, Miss. The other regiments remained in camp at this place [Meridian].
[June.]--The brigade remained in camp at the posts occupied on May 31, except the Seventysecond
Ohio Veteran Infantry moved west on Southern Railroad, regimental headquarters at
Forest Station, Miss. The Twenty-sixth Indiana Veteran Infantry moved north on Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, regimental headquarters at Macon, Miss. Troops of Ninety-third Indiana
Volunteer Infantry withdrawn from Lauderdale and Gainesville Junction, Miss., and stationed in
State of Alabama.
Second Brigade, First Division.
February 7.--Brigade embarked on transports and proceeded to Vicksburg, Miss., arriving on
the 14th. Debarked and went into camp four miles from the city.
February 19.--Re-embarked on same steamers and proceeded to New Orleans, arriving on the
21st instant, and went into camp four miles below the city; distance traveled. 1,200 miles.
March 1.--The brigade was encamped at: Chalmette, La.
March 5.-.-Embarked on steam-ship Guiding Star for Dauphin Island, Ala., arriving on the
7th instant; disembarked and went into camp.
March 19.--Embarked on transports and ascended Fish River six miles.
March 20.--Disembarked and went into camp and remained until the 25th, when it joined in
the movement on Mobile.
March 27.--Arrived at or near Spanish Fort, Ala., and joined in the siege of the same, in
which it is engaged at this date [March 31].
April 1.--The brigade was engaged in the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala.
April 9.--Moved to Blakely, Ala., and remained in camp at that place.
April 13.--Took up the line of march for Montgomery, Ala., arriving 25th, at which place the
command is at present [April 30] encamped.
54
May 10.--The brigade left Montgomery and marched, via Prattville and Autaugaville, to
Selma, Ala., arriving on the 14th instant.
May 18.--Embarked on the cars and proceeded to Demopolis, Ala., the Ninth Minnesota
stopping at Marion, Ala., and the Eighth Wisconsin at Uniontown, and the remainder of the
brigade is stationed at Demopolis, Ala.
June 1.--The brigade was encamped at Demopolis, Uniontown, and Marion, Ala., at which
places it is at present [June 30] stationed.
Third Brigade, First Division.
February 7.--Moved from camp at Eastport, Miss., and embarked on steamer Magenta.
February 8.--Moved down the Tennessee River with fleet of the First Division.
February 9.--At Cairo coaling.
February 10.--Moved down the Mississippi River. February 11.--At Memphis coaling.
February 12.--Moved down the river.
February 13.--Landed at Vicksburg, Miss.
February 15.--Disembarked and marched five miles and went into camp on Jackson Railroad.
February 19.--Moved to Vicksburg and embarked on steamer Magenta.
February 21.--Landed at New Orleans.
February 22.--Disembarked and went into camp six miles below New Orleans at Chalmette.
February 25.--Moved into camp four miles below New Orleans.
February 28.--In camp as above preparing for a campaign in the field.
March 1.--In camp near New Orleans, La.
March 5.--Marched to Hickox Landing and embarked on transports.
March 7.--Debarked at Fort Gaines, Ala., Dauphin Island.
March 19.--Embarked on gun-boats.
March 20.--Debarked at Dannelly's Mills, Fish River.
March 25.--Marched with the army corps toward Mobile, Ala., eight miles, skirmishing with
the enemy. Commanding officer of the brigade wounded severely by a gunshot from the enemy.
March 26.--Marched nine miles, skirmishing with the enemy.
March 27.--Drove the enemy into their works and invested the place.
March 31.--Fifth day of the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala.
April 1.--Engaged before Spanish Fort, Mobile Bay, Ala., the sixth day of the siege; brigade
on hard duty at siege operations until the enemy evacuated on the night of the 8th.
April 9.--Moved across Minette River and encamped near Blakely.
April 13.--Marched with Sixteenth Army Corps toward Greenville, Ala.
April 21.--Encamped at Greenville, 135 miles from Blakely.
April 23--Marched toward Montgomery, Ala.
April 25.--Entered Montgomery and encamped three miles from the city.
April 30.--In camp near Montgomery, Ala.
May 1.--In camp at Montgomery since April 25.
May 10.--Moved aboard transports and started down the Alabama River.
May 11.--Disembarked at Selma, Ala., and encamped near the city.
May 12.--Relieved Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and entered upon post and
garrison duty.
May 31.--On duty at Selma, Ala.
[June. ]--Nothing of importance has transpired in this brigade since May 31. It has been
encamped near Selma, Ala., during the entire month of June doing post duty.
June 28.--Companies E and F, of the Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, were sent to Cahaba,
Ala., to form a garrison there under the command of Capt. John Kennedy; on the same day
55
Companies B and F, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, were ordered to Randolph, Ala., under the
command of Capt. A. N. Snyder, where they now [June 30] remain.
Second Division.
February 1 to 8.--The division remained in camp at Eastport, Miss.
February 8.--Embarked on transports and proceeded to New Orleans, La., arriving on the
20th, where it debarked on the 21st and remained in camp the remainder of the month.
Distance traveled on the transports, 1,350 miles.
March 6.--The division commenced embarking on steamers for Dauphin Island, where it
arrived on the 10th and 11th, disembarking.
March 19.--Embarked and moved to Dannelly's Mills, Ala., where it debarked on the 20th
and intrenched.
March 25.--Moved to Deer Park and intrenched.
March 26.--Moved northward till opposite Spanish Fort, and being in advance skirmished
with and drove the enemy throughout the day.
March 27.--The army advanced to the siege of Spanish Fort, leaving this division as rear
guard for corps train, where they still [March 31] remain.
April 3.--This division remained on duty in rear of the besieging army at Spanish Fort, when
it moved toward Blakely, and in connection with forces under General Steele, invested the rebel
fortifications at that place. For five consecutive days continued to advance by regular
approaches.
April 9.--Charged the works at 5.30 p.m., capturing in a few moments the entire garrison
with all munitions of war. During the siege and battle the casualties in the division were 47 killed
and 150 wounded.
April 13.--The command took up the line of march for Montgomery, Ala., where it arrived
on the 25th.
April 27.--The division marched through the town and encamped two miles north of the city,
where it now [April 30] remains.
First Brigade, Second Division.
February 8.--The brigade, with the command, embarked and proceeded down the Tennessee,
Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers to this place, traveling a distance of near 1,500 miles and landing at
this point [New Orleans, La.], on the 21st instant, where the brigade now is. Up to the 11th
instant the brigade was commanded by Col. David Moore, since which time it has been under
control of its present commander [Col. John 1. Rinaker].
March 6.--The brigade moved, in obedience to orders, on board transports, to Fort Gaines, on
Dauphin Island, Ala., disembarking on the 10th.
March 19.--Embarked and moved up Mobile Bay and through Weeks' Bay, up Fish River to
Dannelly's Mills, where we disembarked and threw up intrenchments.
March 25.--The brigade with the rest of the army moved some eight miles northward and
intrenched for the night.
March 26.--Moved seven miles and halted opposite Spanish Fort.
March 27.--The brigade with the rest of the Second Division formed as a rear guard for the
army corps train, while the balance of the army advanced to the siege. In this position the First
Brigade is now lying four miles east of Spanish Fort. No casualties.
During the month the brigade has remained continually under the control of its present
commander [Col. John I. Rinaker].
Until April 3 the brigade continued on duty near Spanish Fort, Ala., doing picket duty for the
rear of the besieging army.
56
April 3.--Moved four miles up the Mobile Bay, when, in connection with the forces under
General Steele, we invested the rebel fortification at Blakely, Ala. For five consecutive days we
continued to steadily advance our lines by regular approaches with but few casualties.
April 9.--We were ordered to move upon the enemy's works, which was done about 4 p.m.
After a gallant charge, which lasted but a few moments, we, in connection with the rest of the
army, succeeded in capturing the entire garrison with all their munitions of war. The casualties
during the siege were 16 men killed and 54 wounded.
April 13.--The command moved toward the north, arriving at Montgomery, Ala., on the 27th,
where the brigade now is.
During the entire month the brigade has been under control of the present commander [Col.
John I. Rinaker].
Distance marched during the month near 175 miles.
During the month of May the First Brigade has remained continuously in camp near
Montgomery, Ala., under control of its present commander [Col. John I. Rinaker]. It is now
[May 31] under orders to move.
June 1.--The brigade left Montgomery, Ala., with orders for Mobile. After marching a
distance of near seventy miles to Providence, on the Alabama River, the troops were embarked
on transports for the city of Mobile, at which place the last of the troops arrived on the 9th
instant. The brigade has been in the city doing provost duty since that to the present time [June
30], and has remained under control of its present commander [Col. John I. Rinaker].
Second Brigade, Second Division.
February 8.--The command broke camp at Eastport: Miss., and embarked on transports;
moved down the Tennessee River on the morning of the 9th.
February 11.--Arrived at Cairo; distance, 200 miles.
February 12.--Moved down the Mississippi River and arrived at Vicksburg, Miss., on the
15th; distance, 600 miles.
February 19.--Left Vicksburg for New Orleans, La., and moved before daylight on the
morning of the 20th, and arrived at Chalmette, La., on the 21st, where the command now lies in
camp.
Distance from Vicksburg 450 miles; whole distance traveled, 1,250 miles.
March 6.--This command moved from camp near New Orleans, La., and embarked on ocean
steamers; was transported to Dauphin Island, Ala., at the mouth of Mobile Bay, distance some
200 miles, where it arrived on the 8th instant and went into camp.
March 19.--Embarked on steamers and was transported some twenty-five miles up Fish River
to Dannelly's Landing, near which it was again encamped on the 20th.
March 26.--Moved some eight miles on the Blakely road.
March 27. Moved some eight miles to Sibley's Mills, this brigade holding the extreme
advance, skirmishing all the way, at which place the command still [March 31] remains, holding
the approaches to our army besieging Spanish Fort from the Blakely direction.
Whole distance traveled during the month 241 miles.
April 1 found this command at Sibley's Mills, Ala., guarding the approaches to the flank and
rear of our army besieging Spanish Fort.
April 2 it went out on a reconnaissance a few miles and opened communication with General
Steele's army moving against the rebel works at Blakely. While out a torpedo was exploded
directly under the brigade commander and staff, but caused no permanent injury excepting
killing two horses.
57
April 3.--The command moved six miles to support General Steele at Blakely, and was
assigned a part of the main line immediately on the left of his army, skirmishing with the enemy
at once. The advance skirmish line, intrenched as it was, pushed up hearer to the rebel work s.
This continued until April 9, during which time the skirmish line had been advanced some
500 yards. At 5.30 o'clock this command took active part in the gallant and successful charge of
the rebel works, carrying everything before them and capturing some eight pieces of artillery and
573 prisoners.
April 10.--This command was assigned to duty as garrison for Fort Blakely.
April 12.--Relieved to march with rest of the corps toward Montgomery.
April 13.--Marched eight miles.
April 14.--Marched eighteen miles.
April 15.--Marched ten miles.
April 16.--Marched seventeen miles.
April 17.--Marched eighteen miles.
April 18.--Marched twelve miles.
April 19.--Marched eighteen miles.
April 20.--Marched sixteen miles.
April 21.--Marched six miles.
April 22.--Marched seven miles to Greenville.
April 23.--Marched seventeen miles.
April 24.--Marched seventeen miles.
April 25.--Marched seven miles.
April 26.--Lay in camp.
April 27.--Marched seven miles, passing through Montgomery and encamping two miles
northeast of the city, where the command now [April 30] lies in camp.
Whole distance traveled during the month 184 miles.
Third Brigade, Second Division.
February 9.--In compliance with orders from division headquarters, brigade embarked on
transports at Eastport, Miss.
February 11.--Arrived at Cairo, Ill.
February 13.--Arrived at Memphis, Tenn.
February 15.--Arrived at Vicksburg, Miss. Disembarked and remained in camp until 19th,
when brigade embarked again and arrived at New Orleans, La., 21st, remaining in camp since
that date.
Distance traveled on transports during the month, 1,360 miles.
[March.]--The brigade left camp at Chalmette, near New Orleans, La., and proceeded by
water to Dauphin Island, Ala., where the last regiment of the brigade arrived on March 11. Here
the brigade remained in camp until the 19th instant, when it went on board boats and lay at
anchor in the bay until the morning of the 20th instant, when we proceeded to Fish River; moved
up the river a few miles and went into camp.
March 25.--In the morning we again broke camp and moved in the direction of Blakely, Ala.
March 27.--Went into camp near Spanish Fort, Ala., where we now [March 31] are.
April 1 to 3.--Brigade in camp near Spanish Fort.
April 3.--Moved to the vicinity of Blakely Ala.; engaged in the siege at this place until 9th,
when the brigade participated in the assault of the enemy's works.
April 13.--Broke camp and started on the march for Montgomery, Ala., where we arrived on
the 25th; distance, 174 miles.
[May.]--Brigade has been in camp near Montgomery, Ala., during the past month.
58
May 26.--The Fiftieth Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry was consolidated with the Fiftysecond
Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry in obedience to Special Field Orders, No. 67, extract
XVIII, headquarters Army and Division of West Mississippi, Mobile, Ala., May 19, 1865. Five
companies joined the Fifty-eighth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry in obedience to Special
Orders, No. 78, headquarters Volunteer Recruiting Service, Springfield, Ill.
Third Division.
February 6.--This division remained at Eastport, Miss., when, in accordance with orders, it
embarked on transports Adam Jacobs, Kate Kinney, Isabella, White Cloud, and McGill, and left
that place on the 7th.
February 8.--Arrived at Paducah Ky., and Cairo, Ill.
February 11.--Arrived at Memphis, Tenn.
February 13.--Arrived at Vicksburg, Miss., where we disembarked and went into camp font
miles in rear of the city.
February 19.--Division re-embarked on same transports.
February 20.--Left Vicksburg.
February 21 and 22.--Arrived at New Orleans; disembarked and went into camp on the old
battlefield, six miles below the city, where it has remained up to date of this return.
Detachment Army of the Tennessee changed to Sixteenth Army Corps per General Orders,
No. 20, from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, of date February 18, 1865.
April 1.--In front of Spanish Fort; remained here until the 8th, when the works were assaulted
on the right by the Third Brigade at 5 p.m., holding the position gained until 12 midnight, when
the division moved forward and occupied the whole works, capturing 540 prisoners, 46 pieces of
artillery, and 700 stand of small-arms.
April 9.--Received orders to move; marched three miles; went into camp near Blakely;
remained here until 13th, when orders were received to move; marched seven miles.
April 14.--Marched fifteen miles.
April 15.--Marched fourteen miles.
April 16.--Marched eleven miles.
April 17.--Marched fourteen miles.
April 18.--Marched fourteen miles.
April 19.--Marched fourteen miles.
April 20.--Marched fifteen miles.
April 21.--Marched thirteen miles; reached Greenville, Ala.
April 22.--Remained at Greenville all day.
April 23.--Marched sixteen miles.
April 24.--Marched seventeen miles.
April 25.--Marched eighteen miles; reached Montgomery, Ala., and went into camp three
miles northeast of the city.
April 30.--Still in camp at Montgomery.
May 1 to 31.--In camp, First Brigade occupying Tuskegee, Union Springs, and Opelika, Ala.,
from May 23 to 31.
[June.]--First Brigade still encamped at Tuskegee, Ala. Second Brigade still encamped at
Montgomery, Ala. Third Brigade still encamped at Montgomery, Ala. Colonel Geddes resigned;
Col. Charles Turner commanding brigade.
First Brigade, Third Division.
February 7.--Left Eastport on transports.
February 8.--Arrived at Cairo, Ill.
February 11.--Arrived at Memphis, Tenn.
59
February 14.--Arrived at Vicksburg, Miss.
February 19.--Left Vicksburg, Miss.
February 21.--Arrived at Chalmette, La.
March 15.--Brigade organized by Special Orders, No. 19, headquarters Sixteenth Army
Corps, Fort Gaines, Ala.
March 18.--Received orders to be in readiness to move; embarked upon transports for Cedar
Point, Ala.; arrived and debarked the infantry.
March 19.--Repaired the pier at the landing to admit of the artillery horses being taken
ashore; completed the debarkation of the brigade and moved forward in the direction of Fowl
River; skirmished with the enemy's cavalry until night-fall.
March 20.--Moved to Narrows, on Fowl River; skirmished with the enemy; drove them. This
being as far as expedition was ordered to proceed, halted until 3 p.m.; moved back and
encamped.
March 21.--In camp at Alabama Point awaiting orders.
March 22.--Embarked for Fish River.
March 23.--Rejoined the division.
March 24.--In camp.
March 25.--Moved at 8 a.m.; encamped at Deer Park.
March 26.--Moved at 6.30 a.m.; encamped within two miles and a half of Spanish Fort.
March 27.--Moved at 6.30 a.m., Third Division in advance; formed line of battle at 8 a.m.;
drove the enemy into his works and established our lines.
March 28.--At work upon approaches to the enemy's works and completing first parallel.
March 29.--Skirmishing lively with the enemy; employed upon approaches, erecting batteries
and second parallel.
March 30.--Actively employed in regular siege operations.
March 31.--Still sieging.
April 1 to 8.--Engaged in siege operations before Spanish Fort, Ala. Operations terminated
here upon the night of the 8th by the capture of the fort by the Third Division, Sixteenth Army
Corps, this brigade capturing 20 pieces of artillery, mortars, &c. and 130 prisoners.
April 9.--Marched from Spanish Fort at 1 p.m.; encamped near Blakely, Ala.
April 10, 11, and 12.--In camp near Blakely, Ala.
April 13.--Broke camp and marched in a northerly direction.
April 21.--Arrived at Greenville, Ala.
April 22.--In camp at Greenville, Ala.
April 23.--Marched at 1 p.m.
April 24.--Marched at 7 a.m.
April 25.--Marched at 6 a.m.; passed through Montgomery, Ala., at 11 a.m. in advance of the
Sixteenth Army Corps and encamped three miles east of the city. In camp at this time [April 30].
May 1 to 23.--In camp near Montgomery, Ala.
May 23.--In the morning marched the brigade toward Tuskegee, Ala.
May 25.--Arrived in the morning at Tuskegee. The Seventy-second Illinois, Lieutenant-
Colonel Stockton, marched to and occupied Union Springs, Ala. The Ninety-fifth Illinois,
Colonel Blanden, marched to and occupied Opelika, Ala. Engaged in keeping order and
endeavoring to find Government property the balance of the month.
[June. ]--The Thirty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer
Infantry doing garrison duty at Tuskegee, Ala.
The Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry doing garrison duty at Opelika, Ala.
60
The Seventy-second Illinois Infantry doing garrison duty at Union Springs, Ala., during the
month of June.
Second Brigade, Third Division.
February 6--This brigade remained at Eastport, Miss., when, in accordance with orders, it
embarked on transports Isabella, Adam Jacobs, and McGill, and left that place on the 7th.
February 8.--Arrived at Paducah, Ky., and Cairo, Ill.
February 11.--Arrived at Memphis, Tenn.
February 13.--Arrived at Vicksburg, Miss., where brigade disembarked and went into camp
four miles in rear of the city.
February 19.--Brigade re-embarked on same transports.
February 20.--Left Vicksburg.
February 21 and 22.--Arrived at New Orleans, La.; disembarked and went into camp on the
old battle-field six miles below the city, where it has remained up to the date of this return
[February 28].
The Forty-ninth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry was assigned to this brigade by
Special Orders, No. 1, extract III, date February 23, 1865, from headquarters Third Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps.
Detachment Army of the Tennessee changed to Sixteenth Army Corps per General Orders,
No. 20, from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi.
March 15.--Organized per Special Orders, No. 15, headquarters Sixteenth Army Corps, Fort
Gaines, Dauphin Island, Ala.
March 19.--Embarked on board transports for Fish River.
March 21.--Arrived and disembarked at Dannelly's Mills.
March 22.--Command engaged in fortifying our position.
March 25.--Took up line of march at 6 p.m.; arrived at Deer Park, Ala.; bivouacked for the
night.
March 26.--Arrived at Sibley's Mills, Ala.
March 27.--Invested the enemy's works around Spanish Fort, Ala.
April 1.--Brigade engaged in the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala.; some few casualties occurred
daily.
April 8.--Severe bombardment of the enemy's works at Spanish Fort. An assault on the
enemy's works by a part of this division proved successful in a capture of a part of their line of
works and the capture of upward of 200 prisoners, causing the enemy to evacuate.
April 9.--1 a.m. Third Division took possession of Spanish Fort and its defenses, capturing a
number of prisoners, arms, ammunition, &c. At 11 a.m. took up line of march for Blakely; went
into camp three miles east of this place.
April 11.--Received orders to be ready to march the 12th with twenty days' rations; orders
countermanded same day, with instructions to be ready.
April 13.--Took up line of march; marched eight miles and went into camp.
April 14.--Resumed the march, destination Montgomery, Ala.
April 21.--Arrived at Greenville, Ala.
April 22.--Remained in camp today.
April 23.--Resumed the march to Montgomery.
April 25.--Arrived at Montgomery, Ala., and went into camp.
April 30.--Camped at Pintlala Creek, near Montgomery, Ala.
Third Brigade, Third Division.
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March 1.--The brigade was organized by Special Orders, No. 60, headquarters Military
Division of West Mississippi, under which Col. Charles Turner, One hundred and eighth Illinois
Infantry, assumed command at Chalmette, La.
March 12.--The command embarked at Chalmette on board ocean steamer Guiding Star for
Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island; was detained on the bar at the mouth of the Mississippi River until
the 15th.
March 15.--Brigade was reorganized under command of Col. James L. Geddes, Eighth Iowa
Infantry Veteran Volunteers, by Special Orders, No. 19, headquarters Sixteenth Army Corps.
March 16.--Arrived at Fort Gaines and disembarked.
March 21.--Left Dauphin Island on board transports and moved up to the east side of Mobile
Bay, and up Fish River about seven miles from its mouth.
March 22.--Landed.
March 25 and 26.--Marched with the army in a northerly direction toward Blakely, Ala.,
about twenty-five miles.
March 27.--The army, with this command in advance, moved on Spanish Fort; met the
enemy at Minette Bayou at 8.30 a.m. Left one regiment to hold them in check and moved on the
fort about half a mile away; drove the enemy into their works at 9 a.m., and during the night
threw up strong works in our front; have since been constantly engaged with the enemy and at
work pushing forward our works.
April 1.--The command was actively engaged in the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala., and
continued to push forward and perfect their approaches and works until the evening of the 8th,
when the command assaulted and carried the enemy's left, compelling him to evacuate all his
works and leave in our possession forty-six pieces of cannon and a large quantity of small-arms,
ammunition, stores, &c. The command captured in the assault over 650 prisoners.
April 9.--Marched from Spanish Fort to near Blakely.
April 13.--Marched with the Sixteenth Army Corps for Montgomery, Ala.
April 25.--Arrived at Montgomery, and was detached from Third Division, Sixteenth Army
Corps, and ordered to duty as garrison and guard of the city of Montgomery, on which duty it
now [April 30] remains.
The command has been on duty as garrison and guard of the post of Montgomery during the
whole of the past month [May], and are still on that duty.
May 24.--The command was reviewed by Brigadier-General Carr, commanding division.
May 27.--It was again reviewed with the division by Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding
Sixteenth Army Corps.
Artillery Brigade.
March 5.--The brigade embarked at New Orleans, La.
March 17.--Arrived at Dauphin Island, Ala.
March 24.--A. gain embarked and arrived at landing on Fish River, Ala.
March 25.--Marched with Sixteenth Army Corps.
March 27.--Arrived in front of Spanish Fort, and have since been engaged in operations
against that place.
Forces operating from Pensacola Bay, Fla.
March 1.--The command was organized and put in preparation for the field.
March 20.--The line of march was taken up from Pensacola on the Pollard road, and the army
arrived near that place March 26. A detachment occupied the station, destroyed the railroad, and
then the army moved toward Blakely, near which place it was on the last day of the month.
62
A detachment of cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel Spurling went to Milton and Evergreen,
joining the main body near Pollard. The railroad was destroyed by Spurling near Evergreen, two
trains captured and 120 prisoners.
General Lucas met the enemy near Pollard, at Bluff Springs, under General Clanton; attacked
them and utterly routed them, capturing 1 battle-flag and 120 prisoners, including General
Clanton, who was mortally wounded.
On the last day of the month the army was at Stockton, on the Tensas River, en route to
Blakely, with orders to invest that place.
April 1.--This command arrived in front of Blakely, the cavalry (then attached to the
command, under Lieutenant-Colonel Spurling) going in advance. Four miles from Blakely
Spurling encountered a force of about 100 rebels on picket and charged them, capturing a battleflag
and 73 prisoners. The enemy was driven into his works, and on the morning of the 2d the
investment of the place commenced.
April 3.--Veatch's (First) division, Thirteenth Corps, was added to the force investing
Blakely.
April 4.--General Steele's column was further increased by the addition of Garrard's (Second)
division, Sixteenth Corps, which made the investment complete.
Regular approaches were made, and on the morning of the 9th, when the capture of Spanish
Fort was announced, the lines were about 600 yards from the enemy's works. An assault was
ordered to be made at 5 p.m., which was done in fine style, the entire line being captured in
about thirty minutes. The results of the assault were, in brief, the capture of 39 guns and 3,300
prisoners.
April 10.--Veatch's and Garrard's divisions returned to their respective commands.
April 20.--This column embarked on transports for an expedition up the Alabama River, and
arrived at Montgomery May 1 without any incident of importance.
First Division, U. S. Colored Troops.
April 1.--The division left Stockton, Ala., and arrived in front of Blakely, Ala., same evening.
April 2, a.m.--Advanced and drove the enemy inside their works, and assisted by Andrews'
division laid siege to the place.
April 9.--Assaulted the enemy's works and carried his line in our front.
April 20.--Left Blakely and proceeded up the Alabama River to Montgomery, Ala., arriving
at that place on the 30th instant.
June 11.--The division left Mobile, Ala., and proceeded by transports to New Orleans, La.
June 23.--The command embarked for Alexandria, La., where it arrived on the 30th instant.
First Brigade, First Division, U. S. Colored Troops.
June 11.--The brigade embarked on steamer White Cloud No. 2 at Mobile, Ala.
June 12.--Arrived at Hickox Landing, on Lake Pontchartrain; went into camp at Carrollton.
June 26.--Embarked on United States transports and proceeded up the Mississippi and Red
Rivers to Alexandria.
June 29.--Arrived there and went into camp on the opposite side of the river at Pineville.
Third Brigade, First Division, U. S. Colored Troops.
June 11.--The brigade left Mobile, Ala., by steamer for New Orleans, La., at which place it
arrived on the 12th; moved to and encamped at Greenville, La., same day.
June 25.--Left Greenville by transports for Alexandria, La., where it arrived on the 28th;
encamped opposite the city at Pineville, La., where it still [June 30] remains.
Separate Cavalry Brigade.
63
March 4 to 19.--Was occupied in transporting this brigade from Carrollton to Barrancas,
where, in obedience to orders from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, the
Separate Cavalry Brigade was constituted a part of Major-General Steele's command.
March 20.--Received marching orders and proceeded to Pensacola, from whence moved on
the following day in advance of the army in the direction of Pollard, Ala. Our progress for the
first week through the country was slow, in consequence of the almost impassable condition of
the roads.
March 25.--We met and defeated a brigade of Alabama mounted troops, under command of
Brigadier-General Clanton. The result of our victory was the capture of 118 prisoners, officers
and men, including Brigadier-General Clanton, who was severely wounded, I battle-flag, horses,
arms, &c., and the complete disorganization of the brigade opposed to us. Our loss was 1 officer
and 2 men killed, and 1 officer and 2 men severely wounded, all from First Louisiana Cavalry.
Reached the Escambia River the same day. The day following destroyed part of the bridge of the
Mobile and Great Northern Railroad over the Escambia River, and a portion of the railroad track.
Reached Pollard the same day.
March 27.--Left the Escambia, and taking up our line of march westward, reached
Weatherford's plantation, four miles from head of Perdido River, March 31. Our animals are
suffering for want of forage.
April 1.--Arrived at Blakely; found a force of rebel infantry outside the place, which my
advance charged, capturing 75 prisoners and 1 battle-flag. Drove the enemy inside his works,
where he opened fire with artillery. Encamped for the night two miles from the place.
April 2.--Assisted in the investment of Blakely, holding position on extreme right and left.
Withdrew my troops and encamped between Spanish Fort and Blakely. Lost several horses and
men by torpedoes in the road. Remained in this position until the 9th, scouting and guarding
communications in the rear, when, in accordance with orders, moved in the direction of
Claiborne.
April 11.--When ten miles from Claiborne met the Fifteenth Confederate Cavalry (regulars ;)
threw the First Louisiana Cavalry into line of battle, charged them after a short fight, broke their
line, and completely dispersed them. Captured 2 officers, 70 men, 2 battle-flags, arms, &c. Our
loss was slight. Occupied Claiborne same night. Remained there until the 15th instant, when we
marched in the direction of Blakely. Reaching Stockton, received orders to march to Greenville.
Received supplies at Stockton and marched same day in compliance with orders.
April 25.--Reached Greenville; received orders to proceed to Eufaula. Sent our train from
Greenville to Montgomery.
April 27.--Marched toward Eufaula.
April 30.--Reached Union Springs. Found in the place rebel wagon train, which was taken
possession of by me [and] held to await the disposition of Major-General Smith, commanding at
Montgomery.
My command has been for the past two months almost continually on the march. This, with
the short supply of forage we at times were able to obtain, has greatly reduced the condition of
my animals.
HEADQUARTERS ENGINEER BRIGADE,
ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Mobile, Ala., April 28, 1865.
MAJOR: I beg leave to submit the following report:
I assumed command of the Engineer Brigade, Army and Division of West Mississippi,
consisting of the Ninety-sixth U.S. Colored Infantry, Col. J. C. Cobb; Ninety-seventh U.S.
64
Colored Infantry, Col. George D. Robinson, and First Company of Pontoniers, Capt. J. J. Smith,
on March 16, at Navy Cove, Ala. I found the pontoon bridge in good condition and nearly
complete in equipments; mules only were lacking. The command left Navy Cove March 26,
landing at Starke's Landing, Ala., at which place it was thenceforward stationed until the
capitulation of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Starke's Landing was made the base of the army.
All supplies were landed there, and all shipments of sick and wounded and of prisoners of war
made from there, and it was made the business of the command to facilitate in every possible
way the landing of supplies, &c., and their transmission to the army. The One hundred and sixtyfirst
New York Regiment, Major Craig; 200 men from the Twenty-third Iowa, Captain ----; 200
from the Ninety-fourth Illinois, Captain Howell, and various other detachments of infantry and
cavalry were added to the command upon landing, with which the post was guarded and kept
patrolled. Until wharves could be built the bridges were used as such, and proved indispensable,
but six wharves from 300 to 500 feet in length were constructed in five days' time, and another
repaired for the use of the sick and wounded. Besides this all supplies, ordnance, commissary,
quartermaster's, &c., were handled, moved, and mostly loaded upon wagons by the command.
The roads from this point to the headquarters of the army were kept in repair by the brigade,
and various other duties were performed incidental to such a command. No troops during this
war have labored more severely or arduously, but those to whom most credit is due are the
Ninety-sixth and Ninety-seventh U.S. Colored Engineer Regiments. Night and day without
complaint those regiments worked, and it is difficult to comprehend how they endured through it.
The regiments manifest very great care and ability in their organization and discipline. The
officers of both, with two exceptions, now out of service, labored assiduously. Of none of them
can I do other than speak in the highest terms. The One hundred and sixty-first New York
Regiment deserves especial mention for its energy and laborious exertions. I have to commend
highly the organization known as the First Company of Pontoniers, Captain Smith commanding.
Under Captain Smith and his officers, all of whom are thorough in their duties, the bridges are
better handled and more quickly than I deem a regiment can do it.
To the officers of my staff, but to my aide-de-camp particularly, First, Lieut. Washington
Hill, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, I was indebted for a great deal of valuable and indispensable
assistance.
I am, major, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. BAILEY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Brigade.
Bvt. Maj. M. D. MCALESTER,
Chief Engineer, Army and Division of West Mississippi.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., April 12, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this command
in front of Spanish Fort:
On Sunday, March 26, 1865, the Twenty-first Iowa, of General Slack's brigade, being in
advance, they commenced skirmishing with the enemy about 2 p.m., one mile and a half from
Spanish Fort, which continued with occasional shots until 5 p.m., when, the lines being formed,
the skirmish line was advanced, the Second Brigade on the right, the First Brigade in the center,
and the Third Brigade on the left. At 6.30 p.m., the skirmish line of the First Brigade and Second
Brigade advancing, a sharp skirmish ensued between the skirmish line of the Twenty-first Iowa
and the enemy, which lasted but a few moments. It having become so dark that it was impossible
to advance farther during the night, the line was halted, the reserves throwing up rifle-pits, the
65
Twenty-first Iowa having lost 1 killed and 2 wounded. At 3 a.m. on the morning of the 27th the
enemy advanced a strong skirmish line, which was promptly driven back, the enemy retreating
within their fortifications. At 12 m. our lines were closed up, the division occupying the left
center between the Third Division, Brigadier-General Benton's command, and the First Brigade,
Second Division, Colonel Bertram commanding, the First Brigade occupying the right, the Third
Brigade the left, and the Second Brigade being held in reserve. Loss during the day, 2 killed and
16 wounded. Tuesday, March 28, the entire night the troops were engaged in throwing up riflepits
and making slow advances upon the lines of the enemy's works, the advance being made
under a heavy skirmish fire and rapid discharge of artillery from the enemy's lines. The Seventh
Massachusetts Battery was placed in position on the left of General Benton's division, which
resulted in the enemy's being forced to close the embrasures in their front. The fire of the
enemy's artillery was very heavy during the entire day, causing a great annoyance to the
command. The Second Brigade, General Dennis commanding, relieved First Brigade, General
Slack's, in the rifle-pits at 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 1865, heavy firing on skirmish line
and by the enemy's artillery, which was kept up during the entire day and night. Large details
from the command were kept on fatigue duty building batteries. The Twenty-ninth Illinois
Infantry lost 4 men killed and 9 wounded by the bursting of a shell from the enemy's guns. Total
loss during the day, 4 killed and 11 wounded. At 12.30 a.m. of Thursday, March 30, 1865, the
enemy made a sortie along my entire front, with the evident intention of capturing the skirmish
line, advancing even up to the skirmish pits, where they were handsomely repulsed, our
skirmishers following the enemy as they retired. Advanced nearly 100 yards, which ground they
held and intrenched themselves, the enemy keeping up a heavy fire of artillery and musketry.
During the forenoon Capt. J. T. Reed, of my staff, in transmitting some orders to the troops in
front, was struck upon the leg by a piece of shell, producing a slight bruise; 5 men wounded
during the day. At 3 p.m. I received an order to withdraw my division from the lines in front of
the enemy's works, which was accordingly done, the entire division, with the exception of the
Fourth and Seventh Massachusetts Batteries, being withdrawn by 8 p.m. The entire loss during
the siege was 9 killed and 41 wounded.
JAMES C. VEATCH,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Thirteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
April 13, 1865.
CAPTAIN: In compliance with instructions received from headquarters Thirteenth Army
Corps, I have the honor to submit the following report of the march and operations of this
command since leaving Navy Cove:
On the afternoon of March 18, 1865, marched four miles through deep sand of the Gulf
beach; course, east southeast; camped at 6 p.m. for the night. Sunday, March 19, 1865, reveille at
5 a.m.; marched at 6 a, m.; marched twelve miles; course, east-northeast; crossed Shell Bank Bay
about 11 a.m.; camped at 4 p.m. Monday, March 20, reveille at 5 a.m.; marched at 6 a.m.;
marched eight miles; found the road impassable; retraced the route for the distance of four miles;
camped for the night at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, reveille at 5 a.m., but owing to the roads
being impassable the command did not break camp, details of 1,200 men being sent forward to
build corduroy roads; raining all day. Wednesday, March 22, reveille at 4 a.m.; marched at 5
a.m.; crossed Mud Creek at 6.15 a, m., marching over three miles of corduroy made the
preceding day and night, making five miles, the rear of the column making only three miles and
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a haiti Thursday, March 23, struck tents at 5 a.m.; marched at 6 a.m.; made corduroy all day;
went into camp at 2 p.m.; details making corduroy all night; marched one mile. Friday, March
24, left camp at 5 am.; marched thirteen miles; course northwest; crossed East Branch of Fish
River at 10 a.m.; crossed the Main Branch of Fish River at 1.30 p.m. Command went into camp
one mile west of the crossing, on the road leading to Deer Park, at 2.45 p.m. General Slack,
commanding First Brigade, which was the rear guard, reported his train had been attacked by a
small party of rebel cavalry. Lost 8 men prisoners and 14 mules. Saturday, March 25 marched at
12.15 p.m.; course northwest; marched seven miles and a half; camped at 5 p.m. Sunday, March
26, marched at 6.30 a, m., crossing both branches of D'Olive's Creek, First Brigade, General
Slack commanding, in advance, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry being advance guard. About 12 m.
skirmish line advanced. At 2 p.m. met enemy about one mile and a half from Spanish Fort. Slight
skirmishing until 5 p.m., when the skirmish line was advanced. At 6.30 p.m. sharp and rapid
firing in front of Twenty-first Iowa, Enemy's line driven into the fort. Twenty-first Iowa lost 1
killed and 2 wounded, the skirmish line and reserves being halted until morning. At 3 a.m. on
Monday, March 27, the enemy advanced a strong skirmish line, which was promptly driven
back. The entire command under arms at daylight on the morning of the 27th. General Benton,
commanding Third Division, moved up on our right. The enemy skirmished into their
fortifications, and then closed up. Loss in First Division, 2 killed and 16 wounded. Tuesday,
March 28. The evening of yesterday the command engaged in throwing up rifle-pits, and making
slow advances upon the line of the enemy. Heavy skirmish firing all day. Seventh Massachusetts
Battery went into position on the left of General Benton's line. A great amount of artillery firing.
One man killed and 4 wounded. The command holding two brigades front in column of
regiments with strong skirmish line from each brigade. Second Brigade in reserve. Second
Brigade relieved the First Brigade during the night. Wednesday, March 29, heavy firing on
skirmish line and by enemy's artillery. Large details from the command building batteries during
the day and night. Four men killed and 9 men wounded in Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry by a
shell; 2 men wounded in Sec-end Brigade. At 12 midnight enemy made a sortie along the whole
front of my line, but were handsomely repulsed. An advance of the whole skirmish line was
made, upon the enemy retiring, of about 100 yards. Thursday, March 30, heavy skirmish firing
about daylight, and was continued until 8 a.m. Capt. James T. Reed, of my staff, slightly
wounded in leg by piece of spent shell. At 3 p.m. received orders to withdraw my command from
the line of investment and report to Major-General Canby for orders, who directed me to take
charge of a supply train of quartermaster's and commissary of subsistence stores, and proceed to
Holyoke, for the purpose of communicating with and supplying Major-General Steele's
command. Proceeded about two miles on the Holyoke road and camped for the night. Five men
wounded during the day. Friday, March 31, marched at 8 a.m., with train of seventy-five wagons
loaded with supplies. Arrived at Holyoke at 12 m.; intrenched, encamped to await General
Steele's arrival.
Saturday, April 1, Major McEntee, of General Steele's staff, came up from General Canby's
headquarters with dispatch and an escort of cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel Thornburgh, Fourth
Tennessee Cavalry, with a command of about 1,000 men, reported to me, by order of Major-
General Canby, who remained until 3 p.m., and then moved out for the purpose of attempting to
make a connection and to communicate with the forces of Major-General Steele. At 6 p.m. heard
firing in the direction of Blakely; sent forward a squadron of cavalry, which was in camp as an
advance guard; immediately followed it with two regiments of infantry and a section of artillery.
Marched about three miles, and everything becoming quiet, and the night becoming very dark, I
returned to camp, which point I reached at 9 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at 6 a.m. received information
of a party of rebel scouts. Sent out a party to capture them, who returned at 9 a.m. without being
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successful. The cavalry force of Colonel Thornburgh returned at 11 a.m. without hearing
anything of General Steele. One battalion was sent at once with wagon train to Starke's Landing
for supplies. The balance was sent by two different roads to meet General Steele's command. At
12 m. heard General Steele's command were investing Blakely. At 3 p.m. General Steele's train
came for the supplies. At the same time the train sent at 11 a.m. to Starke's Landing returned
empty, by order of Major-General Canby. Monday, April 3, at midnight received an order from
General Canby to immediately march to the support of General Steele at Blakely. At I o'clock the
entire column, with trains, &c., was in motion. Grossed the bridge at Sibley's Mills just before
daylight Reported to General Steele, and was ordered to take position to the left of General
Andrews' division in line of investment. At 3 p.m. was relieved by General Garrard's division.
Moved back from front and went into camp as a reserve. Tuesday, April 4, remained in camp
until 9 p.m., when the Second Brigade was sent to the front to occupy a vacancy in the line
between the line of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews and Brigadier-General Garrard. Wednesday, April
5, nothing of any importance transpired during the day. At 9 p.m. the Third Brigade moved up to
the support of General Hawkins' division. Thursday, April 6, the First Brigade relieved the
Second Brigade in the rifle pits; 1 man, Company C, Eighth Illinois, wounded. Friday, April 7,
the Second Brigade was engaged during the day in manufacturing gabions. The Thirtieth
Missouri, of the Third Brigade, was similarly engaged in manufacturing them for General
Hawkins' command. The Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry was engaged in building a battery in
front of General Hawkins' command. One man of the Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry wounded.
Twenty-third Wisconsin, 1 killed and 4 wounded. Two wounded in Ninety-ninth Illinois
Infantry. Saturday, April 8, no casualties. Considerable skirmishing along our entire front.
Sunday, April 9, skirmishing during the entire day. At 5.30 a charge was made along the entire
line, the charge being a complete success. The Second Brigade of this division was engaged, and
was among the first in the enemy's lines. They captured a large quantity of ordnance and
ordnance stores. Monday, April 10, received orders at 12.30 a.m. to withdraw forces from the
enemy's works, and prepare to move at daylight. Marched at 8 a.m., and marched two and a half
miles and camped. Remained in camp all day. Tuesday, April 11, remained in camp all day until
6 p.m.; marched to Starke's Landing, a distance of thirteen miles. Wednesday, April 12,
embarked on transports for Mobile. Made a landing five miles below the city at 10 a.m. Moved
into the city at once. Found the city evacuated, the enemy having left the night before.
JAMES C. VEATCH,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Capt. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Spring Hill, Ala., April 29, 1865.
SIR: In obedience to orders from headquarters First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, I have
the honor to report the part taken by the First Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, in
the battles at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, Ala., which resulted in the fall of Mobile on the 12th
instant, embracing a journal for each day's proceedings from the time we left Dauphin Island, on
Friday, the 17th of March:
My command consisted of four regiments, the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, commanded
by Lieut. Col. John A. McLaughlin; the Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col.
S. G. Van Anda; the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. B. Hancock,
and the Ninety-ninth Illinois Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. A. C. Matthews. The aggregate
effective force of these four regiments was 71 officers and 1,646 men.
68
Embarked on transports at Dauphin Island on the afternoon of March 17, and landed at Navy
Cove, from which point we marched out three miles and went into camp. On the 18th we
remained in camp. On the 19th struck camp and took up our line of march at 6 a.m., and traveled
twelve miles over a very heavy sand road; went into camp at 3.30 p.m. On the 20th left camp at 6
a.m.; traveled eight miles, when we encountered the rear of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army
Corps, stuck in the mud; went into camp and at once began the construction of corduroy roads
and bridges. Continued in camp on the 21st, with nearly all my effective force on duty repairing
roads, making new roads, and building bridges. Rained very hard during all forenoon.
Wednesday, the 22d, moved at daylight; traveled three miles and went into camp; employed the
balance of the day in making roads. Thursday, 23d, moved at daylight; traveled three miles,
when we again struck the rear of General Benton's column. Went into camp and spent the
balance of the day in drawing rations and repairing roads. Friday, 24th, left camp at 9 a.m.; took
the rear of the division; was much delayed by the Third Division's train; had to help them
through. About 3 p.m. of this day a squad of rebel cavalry made a dash at General Benton's train,
close to our advance, and captured 8 of the drivers and 14 mules. Crossed Fish River and came
up with the advance, and went into camp at 8 p.m., having made thirteen miles. Saturday, 25th,
struck camp at 12 m., and moved nine miles to Deer Park and went into camp just at dark.
Sunday, 26th, left camp at 7 o'clock in the morning and moved, with my brigade in the advance,
and with the Ninety-ninth Illinois Regiment thrown forward as skirmishers. About 11 a.m. the
Ninety-ninth Regiment was withdrawn because of its numerical strength being insufficient, and
the Twenty-first Iowa, under command of Colonel Van Anda, deployed as skirmishers. Soon
thereafter the advance opened the fight with the rebel pickets and pressed them to a point within
a mile of Spanish Fort, where we encamped and threw up a line of works, with the advance
protected by a skirmish line from the Twenty-first Iowa. Just at dusk this line was advanced
about half a mile, driving in the rebel pickets, with the loss of 3 men of the Twenty-first Iowa--1
killed and 2 wounded. During the night relieved the Twenty-first Iowa with three companies
from the Forty-seventh Indiana. At daylight this line was attacked by the rebel advance, and were
temporarily pressed back, but in a moment advanced and drove the rebel line close up to their
fortifications. The loss of the Forty-seventh Indiana in this skirmish was 2 killed and 5 wounded.
At 11 a.m. advanced the whole line to a point within 800 yards of the rebel fort, and began the
siege by way of throwing up fortifications and constructing rifle-pits. My command was relieved
from the rifle-pits by a regiment from General Dennis' command. Wednesday, 29th, siege
continued. Relieved General Dennis' command with the Forty-seventh Indiana. Thursday, 30th,
my brigade was withdrawn from the siege, and with the other brigades of the division moved out
two miles to escort a supply train and open communication with General Steele's column. Moved
two miles out and went into camp. Friday, 31st, struck camp at 6 a.m. and moved northeast six
miles to Holyoke. Went into camp at 1 p.m.; fortified our position and remained quiet.
Saturday, April 1, remained in camp until sunset, when firing was heard in the direction of
Fort Blakely. Immediately General Veatch ordered me to move out with two regiments, when I
detailed the Forty-seventh Indiana and Twenty-first Iowa, accompanied by one section of
artillery. After moving two miles on the Blakely road firing ceased, quiet was restored; could
learn nothing from the advance, and the command returned to camp. Sunday, April 2, formed
junction with General Steele's command, and his train came to camp after supplies. At dark
moved my whole brigade to Sibley's Mills, distance tour miles, and went into camp at 10 p.m.
Monday, 3d, roused camp at 3 a.m., and moved to the support of General Steele's line, and at
daylight formed on the left of General Andrews' division, expecting an attack from the rebel
forces at Fort Blakely. At 9 a.m. went into camp within supporting distance and remained during
the day. Tuesday, 4th, remained in camp. Reconnoitered the enemy's skirmish line with a small
69
force from the Forty-seventh Indiana and Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Regiments, and fixed upon
the line for the investment of Fort Blakely. Wednesday, 5th, remained in camp all day. Thursday,
6th, remained in camp until night, at which time I relieved the Second Brigade with two
regiments, the Forty-seventh Indiana and Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, from the rifle-pits in front
[of] the rebel fortifications, and during the night constructed saps and advanced the trenches.
Friday, 7th, relieved the two regiments of my command at night with the Twenty-first Iowa and
Ninety-ninth Illinois, and continued advancing our lines toward the rebel works until the night of
Saturday, the 8th, when my whole command was relieved from General Dennis' brigade, and
before the men had reached camp the whole brigade was ordered by General Veatch to the
support of General A. J. Smith's command, then investing Spanish Fort. At 10 p.m. moved out
and marched three miles, when I received orders to move back to camp, which we reached at 2
a.m., greatly used up for want of rest and sleep. Sunday, April 9th, remained in camp all day
recuperating from the effects of the forty-eight hours' excessive fatigue through which the
command had just passed. At 5.30 p.m. an assault was made upon the rebel fortifications by our
whole line and their works carried most gallantly, and the last work manned by the rebels for the
defense of Mobile taken possession of by the Federal army. In the afternoon of Monday, April
10, moved camp two miles north and remained there until Tuesday evening, April 11, when I
received an order from General Veatch to strike tents and move down the bay to Starke's
Landing, a distance of twelve miles, which we reached at 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning, and
immediately embarked on board steamers for the west bank of Mobile Bay. Weighed anchor at 7
o'clock and moved up the bay to a point five miles below the city of Mobile, where we
disembarked at 12 m. and marched up to the city, which point we reached at sunset and went into
camp. Soon after going into camp was ordered to move my command through the city and take
position on the north side, which was done, and went into camp at 10 p.m.
Thus terminated a very severe and highly successful campaign of twenty-six days, in which
time perhaps more was accomplished than in any one campaign that preceded it of no greater
length during a four years' war. During the whole time from leaving Navy Cove to the taking
possession of the city officers and men performed their severe tasks of labor and fatigue most
cheerfully, and for their gallantry and valor upon the several fields of battle are well entitled to
the thanks of a grateful country. To Brig. Gen. J. C. Veatch, the commander of our division, for
his bravery, cool and discriminative judgment, and his zeal in the work accomplished, the
country is specially indebted, and with one accord all must exclaim, "Well done, thou good and
faithful servant." To the several members of his staff I feel under special obligations for their
kind and gentlemanly deportment and the untiring energy thrown into every department of the
task set before us, and which was so successfully accomplished. To the officers and men of my
command I cannot say more than that every one did his whole duty without a murmur or
complaint--always ready, and at the word forward never hesitated. To Capt. M. D. Massie, my
acting assistant adjutant-general, and to Lieuts. D. W. Curtis, of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin,
and N. Henry Kinne, of the Ninety-ninth Illinois, aides-de-camp, I am under special obligations
for their zeal and untiring exertions in aiding me in the command of the brigade and discharging
the various duties required. Copies of the reports of regimental commanders, detailing the part
taken by their respective regiments, are herewith submitted. The whole number of casualties
during the campaign and investment was 23, as follows: Killed, 4; wounded, 12; missing, 7.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. R. SLACK,
Brigadier-General.
Capt. R. G. CURTIS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
70
HEADQUARTERS NINETY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY,
Spring Hill, Ala., April 21, 1865.
CAPTAIN: In obedience to the following instructions--
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE FIRST DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Spring Hill, Ala., April 19, 1865.
Lieut. Col. A. C. MATTHEWS,
Ninety-ninth Illinois:
COLONEL: You will please forward at once to these headquarters a detailed report of the
operations of your regiment at Spanish Fort and Blakely, together with a journal of the march
and operations from day to day, from the time of leaving Dauphin Island until you arrived at
Mobile.
By order of Brig. Gen. James R. Slack:
M. D. MASSIE,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
I have the honor to submit the following report:
This command left Dauphin Island on the 17th of March, 1865, crossed the bay to Navy
Cove, and marched about four miles up the peninsula to a camp formerly occupied by Colonel
Bertram's brigade. Here we remained until the 19th. On the morning of that day we broke camp
early, and marched, I suppose, a distance of about fifteen miles. During this day's march we
crossed a stream of considerable dimensions, called Oyster Bayou. The men got wet. We went
into camp early. March 20, started out early and missed the road; marched back, and during the
day marched a distance of not over four miles. March 21, during the most of this day it rained
very hard. The men were very wet, and had to work at constructing bridges all day. March 22,
marched about three miles and went into camp in line. Still at work making bridges. Came up
with the train of Brigadier-General Benton, commanding Third Division, Thirteenth Army
Corps. March 23, marched but about two miles to-day, and all hands went to work again. March
24, started early and got to Fish River and went into camp about 9 p.m. During the march the
train of the division was attacked by some fifteen cavalry, and I had one man captured by the
name of Bollman. March 25, we remained in camp at Fish River till about 11 a.m., when we
marched to the front, a distance of some seven or eight miles, and went into camp just at dark.
March 26, the army moved out of camp in three columns; our division had the center, and this
regiment had the advance of the division. We constructed bridges until about 2 p.m., when the
skirmishers of the enemy were found. The brigade was formed in line and we took position on
the left. During the night we threw up temporary fortifications in our front. I also supported the
skirmishers till about 11 p.m., when I was relieved by the One hundred and sixty-first New York
Infantry. March 27, we marched to the front quite early and threw up some temporary
fortifications, and remained there till the lines of the division and brigade were formed, when we
moved up and drove the enemy into his fortifications at Spanish Fort. I had a company of eighty
men in the skirmish line, and am sure that they, with the skirmishers of Twenty-first Iowa,
advanced farther and nearer the enemy's works than any on the entire line. I had one man,
Corporal Robinson, badly wounded during the day. March 28. This day was spent in making
fortifications and arranging camp for the siege. March 29, worked in the trenches most of the
day; was relieved by Second Brigade. March 30, owing to an alarm last night and some
confusion in camp in getting in line, I had the men construct in the forenoon a rifle-pit for their
own defense. Private Reuben Jones was killed about noon by a shell while in his tent writing to
his family. About 3 p.m. we were ordered to march in the direction of Holyoke's house for the
71
purpose of opening communication with General Steele and his command. We reached there
about noon of the 31st, and that day and the one succeeding was spent in camp.
On the evening of the 2d of April we marched to Sibley's Mills, and there joined General
Steele's command. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 3d we marched, with fifty rounds of
ammunition and without knapsacks, to the front. We remained in line in different places and
positions till about 10 o'clock, when we went into camp near Blakely. We did little but hold
ourselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice till the 7th instant, when we relieved the
Forty-seventh Indiana in the trenches. I had most of the men at work during the night, and
advanced our lines greatly to our advantage. About 3 o'clock on the morning of the 8th the
enemy made an advance against our lines, which was easily repulsed. The enemy was in small
force. This was the occasion of considerable shelling by the enemy, but no one was injured on
our side. During the 8th we kept up a continuous skirmish fire with the enemy, which was
interspersed with artillery, with but small loss. I had 2 men wounded in the head and 7 buried by
a shell, some of whom were injured. At 8 p.m. we were relieved by the Twenty-ninth Illinois
Infantry, marched to camp, and found orders awaiting us to join Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, at
Spanish Fort. Notwithstanding our tour of twenty-six hours in the trenches, the men at once
replenished their cartridge-boxes and marched without a word of complaint. We did not reach
Spanish Fort till we received orders that we were not wanted, and were consequently ordered
back to camp, which place we reached about 3 a.m. of the 9th. This day was mostly spent in
camp and in cleaning up arms, &c. At 6 p.m. I went out to see the assault on the enemy's lines.
They were assaulted at the precise time and carried in five minutes after the advance
commenced. Too much praise cannot be given to the assaulting column. On the 10th of April we
marched up to the right of our lines and went into camp, where we remained till the evening of
the 11th, when we were ordered to march against Mobile. We marched back to Spanish Fort, and
about three miles below that point we embarked on board Tin-clad No. 41, and together with
transports sufficient to carry two divisions of our corps (the Thirteenth), sailed for the city.
Before we got up to the obstructions in the bay the fleet was met by flag of truce, informing us
that the Confederates, after the evacuation of Spanish Fort and Blakely, had evacuated Mobile.
Our forces soon made a landing. In fact, my regiment was the second regiment to get ashore, and
about noon of the 12th of April the Eighth Illinois occupied the city. The part this regiment took
in the various movements that resulted in the evacuation of this place by the enemy and its
occupation by our forces was not as prominent as I would have been pleased to have had it, but I
am happy to state that in every instance we have performed the part assigned to us cheerfully and
willingly, and I think promptly. The spirit of the men during the whole campaign has been
splendid, and I have noticed with pleasure that when danger was supposed to be nearest at hand
the men were all present and well closed up, ready for any emergency.
With assurances of consideration, I have the honor to be, captain, respectfully, your obedient
servant,
A. C. MATTHEWS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Capt. M. D. MASSIE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.. First Brig., First Div., 13th Army Corps
HDQRS. TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT IOWA VOLUNTEERS,
Near Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the position of my regiment during the siege and
capture of Spanish Fort and Blakely, Ala.:
72
On the 26th of March, under orders from Brigadier-General Slack, my regiment was ordered
to the advance of our division and four companies thrown forward as skirmishers, the remaining
companies in reserve. We moved rapidly forward for about three miles to the creeks, over very
broken and difficult ground, when observing indications of the presence of the enemy our line
was halted to allow the column to close up. About 10 o'clock I withdrew the four companies of
skirmishers and sent out two others in their place, formed my regiment in line of battle, and
again moved forward. My skirmish line almost immediately fell in with the enemy's advance and
was engaged until dark. Two of my men were slightly wounded. About 8 p.m. I was again
ordered forward and advanced in line of battle, preceded by two companies as skirmishers under
command of Major Boardman. About 9 o'clock we drew the fire of the enemy in our front, which
was vigorously returned by my skirmishers. In this advance I lost one man killed, Under orders
from Major-General Granger I remained in position on the field and was relieved at midnight by
the Forty-seventh Indiana. On the 27th we moved to our position on the left of First Brigade in
the siege operations against Spanish Fort, having closed upon the enemy and our skirmishers,
under command of Captain Voorhees, driven him into his fortifications. On the night of the 28th
the enemy made an assault on our lines. Capt. J. L. Noble was near the line with a working party,
when with great bravery and presence of mind he rallied his men and supported the skirmish
line, driving back the enemy in great disorder. We remained in position, taking an active part in
the siege operations, until the 30th, when we were withdrawn with our division to escort a supply
train for Major-General Steele. I proceeded to Holyoke Mills and remained in camp there until
the 2d of April, when we were ordered forward to Blakely. I moved at 7 p.m.; marched five
miles and bivouacked near Bay Minette, and at daylight on the morning of the 3d took up
position in the rear of Blakely immediately on the right of General Garrard's forces.
During the operations against Blakely my regiment entered the rifle-pits, on the night of the
7th at dark, but met with no casualties, although our skirmishers and working parties were very
much exposed during the night, when the enemy advanced upon our lines and my whole
regiment was under a severe fire from his artillery, which for two hours threw shells incessantly
along our rifle-pits. My regiment was relieved at dark and almost immediately ordered to the
support of Major-General Smith's forces in the contemplated assault on Spanish Fort. I
proceeded to Bay Minette, and was then ordered back to my position behind Blakely, which I
regained at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 9th instant. My regiment, having been on duty nearly
forty-eight hours, took no part in the successful assault on Blakely that day. I am under many
obligations to the officers and men of my regiment for their soldierly conduct during the
campaign. Surg. D. W. Chase, Actg. Maj. E. Boardman, Adjt. George Crooke, Sergt. Maj. J.
Dubois, and commanding officers of companies have behaved with much coolness and
judgment in every engagement. To the commanding general of the brigade and his staff officers,
Captain Massie and Lieutenants Curtis and Kinne, I am under many obligations for their uniform
kindness and courtesy.
I have the honor to remain, captain, your obedient servant,
S. G. VAN ANDA,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. M. D. MASSIE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST IOWA INFANTRY,
Spring Hill, Ala., April 20, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the operations of my regiment from March 17 to April
12 [13], 1865:
73
On the morning of March 17 we crossed Mobile Bay from Dauphin Island on the transport
N. G. Brown; landed at Navy Cove; marched one mile and a half up the peninsula and
encamped. We remained in camp on the 18th, and at 6.30 a.m. of the 19th commenced the march
toward Blakely. We found the roads dry, but marching heavy on account of the sand. At noon we
waded an arm of the bay, having an average depth of about thirty inches, and encamped at 4
p.m., having marched fifteen miles. At 6 a.m. of the 20th we resumed the march, and moved
rapidly about five miles, but returned upon our route four miles and took the road followed by
the Third Division. At this point the country become of a very difficult character for
transportation and artillery, being exceedingly wet and marshy. The division preceding us had
here commenced laying corduroy roads at intervals, which, however, already needed a great deal
of repairing. We encamped at 3.30 p.m., and immediately sent out heavy fatigue parties to repair
the roads previously laid and continue them through the swamps. During the night and morning
of the 21st there was heavy rain and we remained in camp, our fatigue men in considerable
numbers being engaged on the roads. On the 22d we marched slowly from 7 a.m. until noon, the
land being of the same wet character. Our fatigue men were frequently called upon along the
route to make roads which were otherwise impassable for train and artillery. During the day we
made about six miles. On the 23d we were engaged in the same labors, and found more than
ordinary difficulty in moving, having marched only one mile, but carried our corduroy to the
farther verge of the swamp. On the 24th we broke camp at 5.30 a.m. and moved easily across the
low land to the more elevated country bordering on Fish River. Here we found good dry roads
and made rapid progress. We were detained one hour by a dash made upon the train by a small
force of mounted men under Lieutenant Sibley, of the rebel army, in which one of my men was
captured. I detached one company to assist in guarding and moving the train. We crossed Fish
River on pontoons about dark, and encamped one mile and a half beyond it at 9 p.m. On the
25th, at 11 a.m., we continued our march toward Blakely without interruption six miles, and
encamped near the point of divergence of the various roads leading to the Tensas River. On the
26th we commenced our march on the center road, and about 10 o'clock (my regiment being in
the advance and two companies deployed as skirmishers) we fell in with the enemy's pickets. We
moved rapidly forward for about three miles to the creek over very broken and difficult ground,
when, observing indications of the enemy in force, our line was halted to allow the columns to
close up. About 10 a.m. I withdrew the four companies of skirmishers and sent out two others in
their place, formed my regiment in line of battle, and again moved forward. My skirmish line
almost immediately fell in with the enemy's advance and was engaged until dark. Two of my
men were slightly wounded. About 8 p.m. I was again ordered forward and advanced in line of
battle, preceded by two companies as skirmishers, under command of Major Boardman. About 9
o'clock we drew the fire of the enemy in our front, which was vigorously returned by my
skirmishers. In the advance I lost one man killed. Under orders from Major-General Granger I
remained in position on the field, and was relieved at midnight by the Forty-seventh Indiana. On
the 27th we moved to our position on the left of the First Brigade in the siege operations against
Spanish Fort, having closed upon the enemy, and our skirmishers, under command of Captain
Voorhees, driving him into his fortifications. On the night of the 28th the enemy made an assault
on our lines. Capt. J. L. Noble was near the line with a working party, when with great bravery
and presence of mind he rallied his men and supported the skirmish line, driving back the enemy
in great disorder. We remained in position taking an active part in the siege operations until the
30th, when we were withdrawn with our division to escort a supply train for Major-General
Steele. I proceeded to Holyoke Mills, and remained in camp there until the 2d day of April, when
we were ordered forward to Blakely. I moved at 7 p.m.; marched five miles and bivouacked near
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Bay Minette, and at daylight on the morning of the 3d took up position in the rear of Blakely
immediately on the right of General Garrard's forces.
During the operations against Blakely my regiment entered the rifle-pits on the night of the
7th at dark, but met with no casualties, although our skirmishers and working parties were very
much exposed during the night when the enemy advanced upon our lines, and my whole
regiment was under a severe fire from his artillery, which for two hours threw shells incessantly
along our rifle-pits. My regiment was relieved at dark, and almost immediately ordered to the
support of Major-General Smith's forces in the contemplated assault on Spanish Fort. I
proceeded to Bay Minette and was there ordered back to my position behind Blakely, which I
regained at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 9th instant. My regiment, having been on duty nearly
forty-eight hours, took no part in the successful assault of Blakely on that day. On the 10th of
April we moved in the rear of Blakely and toward the right of our lines about four miles, where
we encamped until the evening of the 11th, when we broke camp and returned to Starke's
Landing, on the bay below Spanish Fort, where we arrived about 2 a.m. of the 12th, and
immediately embarked on the steamer Warrior. At noon we landed at Race-Track Landing, about
eight miles below Mobile, and marched to the city, where my regiment was put upon picket duty
for the night. On the morning of the 13th we went into camp, and at 5 p.m. again broke camp and
marched eight miles to Spring Hill, where we arrived about 10 o'clock and bivouacked. I am
under many obligations to the officers and men of my regiment for their soldierly conduct during
the campaign. Surg. D. W. Chase, Actg. Maj. E. Boardman, Adjt. George Crooke, Sergt. Maj. J.
Dubois, and commanding officers of companies have behaved with much coolness and judgment
in every engagement. To the commanding general of the brigade and his staff officers, Captain
Massie and Lieutenants Curtis and Kinne, I am under many obligations for their uniform
kindness and courtesy.
I have the honor to remain, captain, your obedient servant,
S. G. VAN ANDA,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. M. D. MASSIE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. TWENTY-NINTH WISCONSIN INFANTRY VOLS.,
Mobile, Ala., April 20, 1865.
SIR: On the afternoon of the 17th of March loaded on steamer Iberville and crossed over to
Fort Morgan. Marched out four miles and encamped. March 18, remained in camp. March 19,
started at 5.30 a.m.; marched about eight miles, forded bayou, and marched seven miles farther;
camped at 4 p.m. March 20, started at 5 a.m.; marched about five miles, when it was found that
we were on the wrong road; turned back; marched about three miles; struck the corduroy and
went into camp. Remained here about two hours; again struck camp; moved two miles and
encamped. Had a detail to work on the roads this evening. March 21, heavy rain all day; did not
move camp; worked on roads all day. March 22, broke camp and commenced march at 6 a.m.;
marched nearly four miles and encamped; worked on roads the balance of the day. March 23,
started at daylight; marched about two miles and encamped; corduroyed the remainder of the
day. March 24, started at 7 a.m.; made slow progress until 2 p.m., when the train was attacked by
rebel cavalry. Two men of regiment were taken prisoners. Crossed Fish River at 6 p.m., and
camped about two miles on western side. March 25, commenced march at 2 p.m.; marched about
six miles and encamped. March 26, started at 7 a.m., our regiment in rear of train. About 1
o'clock ordered to the front and formed line of battle one mile distant from Spanish Fort. About
all the regiment was on picket duty this evening. March 27, the picket-line was attacked early
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this morning. About 12 m. moved up and invested Spanish Fort, losing 1 man killed and I
wounded on the picket-line in the evening. March 28, had fatigue party from the regiment at
work building fortifications all day. March 29, lay still in camp. March 30, about noon left the
front; marched to the rear four miles and encamped. March 31, started at 8 a.m.; marched about
seven miles to Holyoke farm as guard to supply train for General Steele, and went into camp.
April 1, remained in camp all day, doing nothing but picket duty. April 2, ordered to move at
noon; had not fairly got started before the orders were countermanded. At dark ordered out again
and moved about four miles toward Blakely; halted at 12 o'clock for the night. April 3, at 3.30
a.m. started in light marching order to support General Steele, whose forces were investing
Blakely. Marched three miles and encamped at 8 a.m. April 4, remained in camp. April 5, alarm
on picket-line this morning. Remained in camp all day. April 6, at 7 p.m. relieved the Eleventh
Illinois Volunteers in rifle-pits; worked all night advancing the lines. April 7, relieved from duty
in the pits at 7, p.m. by Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers and returned to camp. April 8, at 9 p.m. the
First Brigade ordered to report to General Smith at Spanish Fort; marched about three miles and
then returned to camp. Received information of the evacuation of the place. April 9, the works at
Blakely were charged and captured at 5 p.m. The First Brigade did not participate. Received
orders this evening to have five days' cooked rations on hand and be in readiness to move at a
moment's notice. April 10, at 9 a.m. moved to the right and rear of lines about four miles and
encamped. April 11, at 7 p.m. commenced march; reached Starke's Landing at 2 a.m., and
immediately embarked on Gun-boat No. 41. April 12, at 10 a.m. moved across the bay, and at 12
m. landed at Magnolia Race-Course Landing, a distance of five miles below Mobile. At 3 p.m.
the regiment received orders to report to the provost-marshal, and since that time has been doing
duty in the city.
H. C. HADLEY,
Adjutant Twenty-ninth Wisconsin.
Capt. M. D. MASSIE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., First Div., 13th Army Corps.
MOBILE, ALA., April 13, 1865.
March 17.--In accordance with orders received at 5 p.m. from Brig. Gen. James C. Veatch,
commanding First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, the Third Brigade broke camp and
immediately embarked upon transports for Navy Cove.
March 18.--At 2 o'clock this morning the brigade landed at Navy Cove and bivouacked on
the beach. At 9 a.m. the brigade was formed into line, marched out four miles on the Gulf shore
road, and went into camp on the sand hills near the Gulf. The Thirtieth Missouri Regiment,
which had been left on fatigue duty at the pier, rejoined the brigade in the afternoon.
March 19.--Reveille at 4 a.m.; line formed at 7 a.m., and marched in an easterly direction on
the telegraph road leading to Dannelly's Mills. At 12 m. the brigade forded the Little Lagoon and
halted for one hour until the wagon train had crossed. Bivouacked at night twelve miles from the
bivouac of the night previous. One company of the Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers was sent out
on picket duty.
March 20.--The brigade resumed its march at 6 a.m., and after proceeding seven miles the
head of the column came to a swamp through which the road was impassable for the trains and
artillery. Here I received orders to bivouac and send forward a fatigue party of 200 men with the
proper tools to repair the road and bridges. A heavy rain began to fall soon after going into camp.
March 21.--The rain continues. Fatigue parties still at work on the road. At 3 p.m. the rain
ceased.
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March 22.--The brigade struck tents and moved at sunrise. After marching two miles the
roads were found to be impassable for the heavily loaded train, and I received orders from Brig.
Gen. James C. Veatch to detail a sufficient number of men to help it through. Arms were stacked
and the brigade deployed out along the road for a distance of two miles building corduroy roads,
lifting wagons out of the quicksand, and pushing them forward. At 8 p.m. went into bivouac four
miles from the point of starting in the morning.
March 23.--At 6 a.m. my brigade moved forward two miles and halted. At this point rations
were issued to the command, and as soon as this was done it moved forward two miles more
over a very bad road. Here I encamped, and the entire brigade was detailed for fatigue duty to
corduroy the road, so as to enable the trains to pass over it. By 12 p.m. this work was
accomplished.
March 24.--The brigade marched at 5.30 a.m. along the North Branch of Fish River in the
direction of Dannelly's Mills and found the roads very good. At 12 m. we crossed Fish River by
means of a pontoon bridge and encamped two miles north of the point of crossing. Had good
camping ground on a high, dry ridge. Weather very fine.
March 25.--At 1 p.m. I received orders to prepare to move, also orders to send the Thirtieth
Missouri Volunteers to report to Major-General Granger, to remain at the Fish Rivet' on guard
duty. Marched at 2 p.m. in the rear of the Second Brigade, First Division, in a northerly
direction, and after proceeding four miles went into bivouac at 6 p.m.
March 26.--I received orders to be ready to move at daylight, but did not march until 8 a.m.,
and then in the rear of the Second Brigade. The march was very slow and irregular, but the road
was good except at the crossing of two streams, the banks of which were very high and caused
much delay in getting the trains across. Marched eight miles. At 3 p.m. I came up with the First
and Second Brigades, First Division, and found them in line of battle with a skirmish line
covering the front, which was engaged with the enemy. I was ordered into position in the rear of
the above-mentioned brigades as a reserve or supporting line, parallel with and 100 paces in rear
of the front line. The brigade remained in this position until 6 p.m., when I received orders from
Brig. Gen. James C. Veatch to send out 200 men to the left of the skirmish line of the First
Brigade to extend the line to D'Olive's Bridge and connect with Colonel Bertram's line. Six
companies of the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers were accordingly sent. I soon afterward
was ordered to send a regiment to the front to relieve the Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteers, which
was on duty supporting the skirmish line of the First Brigade, and the One hundred and sixtyfirst
New York Volunteers were sent forward. At 10 p.m-five companies of the Twenty-ninth
Illinois Volunteers were ordered out to the extreme right of the line of the First Division to
connect it with the line of Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
March 27.--I received orders to be ready to move at daybreak, as an advance was
contemplated. In compliance with these orders I collected the different detachments of the
brigade and formed in line, the left of the brigade resting near and :in front of the Wadsworth
house, on the ridge near D'Olive's Bridge. A line of skirmishers was deployed in front, the right
of the line connecting with the left of a line which had been deployed from the First Brigade,
First Division, and my left resting on D'Olive's Creek. These dispositions having been made,
Brig. Gen. J. C. Veatch ordered me to move my command forward, which I accordingly did,
over very rough and broken ground. After moving half a mile to the front the skirmish line came
out to the clearing in front of the works of Spanish Fort, and were warmly engaged with the
enemy's skirmishers. I pushed forward the skirmish line and moved the command forward to a
position under cover of a ravine, 1,200 yards from the main rebel works. I here halted and
reported to the general commanding that the right of my brigade was up with and connecting
with the left of the line of battle of the First Brigade, First Division, and my left in close
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proximity to and connecting with the right of Colonel Bertram's brigade, which filled up the
interval between the left of the Third Brigade and the Bay of Mobile. I received orders to remain
in this position. The skirmish line of my brigade was withdrawn at dark, as they and the'
skirmishers of Colonel Bertram's brigade were occupying the same line. Two men of the One
hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers were wounded in line, and two of the Twentyninth
Illinois Volunteers by a shell while in camp. At 10 p.m. a fatigue party of 150 men was
sent to the front line to throw up rifle-pits.
March 28.--In obedience to orders from headquarters First Division to send a regiment to
report to Colonel Wilson to repair the road and bridges leading to Starke's Landing, the One
hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers, Maj. Willis E. Craig commanding, was ordered to
report for said duty. At 7 p.m. the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers was sent out to the front
on skirmish duty to relieve the Twenty-third Iowa, of Colonel Bertram's brigade. The Twentyninth
Illinois Volunteers was moved forward 200 yards, and a line of strong works thrown up
sufficient to cover their front, the left connecting with a line of works previously constructed by
Colonel Bertram's brigade. One man of the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers was slightly
wounded to-day by a piece of shell.
March 29.--The Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers was relieved at daybreak by a regiment
of Colonel Bertram's brigade. The Twenty.-third Wisconsin, on returning from the front line, was
placed in position on the right of and in line with the Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers and works
constructed to cover their front. At 7 p.m. the Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers was detailed and
sent to the front as skirmishers. At 10 p.m. the enemy made an attack upon the skirmish line, but
were repulsed. The casualties of the day in the brigade were 4 killed and 14 wounded.
March 30.--The command suffered considerably to-day from the explosion of shells thrown
by the enemy over and into the camp and front line of rifle-pits. Three men of the Twenty-ninth
Illinois Volunteers were seriously wounded while in the front line of works by shells. At 6 p.m.
orders were received to withdraw the Third Brigade from the works, and at 7 p.m. the brigade
was relieved by a brigade from the Sixteenth Army Corps. Four days' rations were issued, and
the command then marched three miles to the rear and right and bivouacked with the First and
Second Brigades, which had moved out from the works at an earlier hour of the day.
March 31.--Reveille at daybreak. The command marched at 7 a.m. in the rear of and
guarding a train loaded with supplies for Major-General Steele's command. After marching six
miles went into bivouac and threw up works at Holyoke.
April 1 and 2.--Remained in same camp.
April 3.--At I a.m. I formed the line and marched in the direction of Blakely; crossed Bayou
Minette near Sibley's Mills, and reached a point one mile from Blakely at 5 a.m. Here I halted on
the road and remained there until 9 a.m., when I was ordered by Brigadier-General Veatch to
move the brigade to the front and left and take up a position with my right connecting with the
left of the Second Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, my left to rest on or near
Bayou Minette. By my orders two companies of the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers were
deployed as skirmishers to examine the ground, but before the brigade was placed in position
selected I received orders to move to the rear and bivouac as a reserve, the Second Division of
the Sixteenth Army Corps, Brigadier-General Garrard commanding, having been ordered into
the position previously assigned to the First Division. The Third Brigade camped on the road
near Sibley's house, one mile from the rebel works.
April 4.--Remained in camp. The Thirtieth Missouri Volunteers reported for duty with the
brigade.
April 5.--At 9 p.m., in compliance with orders from headquarters First Division, Thirteenth
Army Corps, the brigade, in light marching order, reported to General Hawkins, commanding a
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division of colored troops, which was posted on the extreme right of the line. The brigade was
placed in position in the rear of Brigadier-General Hawkins' line to support his command in case
of an attack, but none was made.
April 6.--The brigade was relieved at daylight and marched back to camp, where we arrived
at 6 a.m.
April 7.--A wet, cold morning. The Thirtieth Missouri Volunteers was detailed to make
gabions. Two hundred and fifty men of the Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers were sent to the
right of the line to construct a battery, and 100 of the Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers were sent
to work in the trenches occupied by the First Brigade, First Division.
April 8.--The detail sent out on fatigue duty last evening returned to camp this morning. The
Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteers lost 1 killed and 4 wounded by shells while at work
yesterday. At 6 p.m. the Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers was detailed and sent out to the front
line as skirmishers.
April 9.--At 5 p.m., in compliance with orders, the Third Brigade moved from bivouac to the
front and were placed in position in the rear of the Second Brigade, First Division, 800 yards
from the enemy's front line, with orders to support the Second Brigade if necessary. At 6 p.m. a
charge was ordered, which resulted in the capture of the works at Blakely. The brigade was soon
afterward ordered to the camp previously occupied. The Twenty-ninth Illinois lost while on
skirmish line 1 killed and 2 wounded.
April 10.--The command marched three miles in an easterly direction and went into camp.
The One hundred and sixty-first New York Volunteers, which had been on duty at Starke's
Landing since the 28th of March, reported for duty with the brigade at 12 m. to-day.
April 11.--At 7 p.m., in accordance with orders front Brig. Gen. J. C. Veatch, my command
struck tents and marched in the rear of the First Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps,
in the direction of Starke's Landing via the pontoon bridge over Bayou Minette.
April 12.--My command arrived at Starke's Landing at 5 a.m., and in compliance with orders
was at once embarked on the transports Alabama, Colonel Cowles, and Landis. The train
belonging to the brigade was left on shore from want of the necessary transportation, and as soon
as the boats were loaded they were moved out a short distance in the bay and anchored. At 8 a.m.
orders were received to weigh anchor and move across the bay to Magnolia Point and there
disembark. It was not, however, until 4 p.m. that the last of the brigade left the boats. I then
formed a line and marched up the shell road to the city of Mobile, and through the city to a
position on the west of and bivouacked in the rear of the first line of works.
W. B. KINSEY,
Lieut. Col., Commanding Third Brig., First Div., 13th Army Corps.
HDQRS. TWENTY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLS.,
Mobile, Ala., April 20, 1865.
SIR: In compliance with instructions received from headquarters Third Brigade, First
Division, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the
siege and capture of Blakely, Ala.:
The Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry Veteran Volunteers arrived in front of Fort Blakely the
morning of the 3d of April, 1865. After changing positions twice during the day, the regiment
finally camped on the reserve line near Sibley's dwelling house, then occupied by General Steele
as headquarters. On the night of the 5th the regiment moved with the brigade to the extreme right
of our line, and remained in line of battle during the night. On the morning of the 6th the
regiment returned to camp and furnished details to work on redoubts; also furnished heavy
details on the 7th. The entire regiment was sent forward on the night of the 8th to cover the front
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of the division as skirmishers, relieving part of the Ninety-ninth Illinois and Twenty-first Iowa. It
became necessary to dig new rifle-pits on the left of the skirmish line, advancing that part of the
line 100 yards or more. The companies on the left wing of the regiment were deployed for that
purpose, and by working diligently the pits were completed and occupied by daylight. On the
evening of the 9th (having remained in the trenches all day) I received orders to hold my
command in readiness to advance the lines. I detailed Companies C and K, by directions
previously received, and instructed them that in case the line should advance they would deploy
and advance as skirmishers in front of the main line of the brigade, covering its front. Later in the
evening I received an order from Colonel Sheetz, Eighth Illinois Infantry, who was then in
command of the advance line, to withdraw my command and allow the Eleventh Illinois to move
in advance. I obeyed the order, and in obedience to instructions received through Lieutenant
Schoemaker, aide-de camp, moved to the position assigned me in the brigade then supporting the
Second Brigade of our division. The regiment lost during the day 3 men, 1 killed and 2 wounded.
At dusk I moved back with the brigade to camp and remained in camp during the night, the men
being very much fatigued by the arduous duties of the day and night previous. I would further
report that no trophies were captured during the siege. I cannot refrain from tendering my thanks
to the officers and men of my command, all of whom displayed a becoming zeal and energy, and
to Major Curtis and Adjutant Bozman are they especially due for their coolness and gallantry in
time of danger and the invaluable assistance rendered me throughout the campaign.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. CALLICOTT,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Capt. S. A. WALLING,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. TWENTY-THIRD REGT. WISCONSIN VOL. INFTY.,
Mobile, Ala., April 19, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this regiment
in the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala.:
On the morning of the 27th of March the line was advanced to within a few hundred yards of
the fort. That part of it to which this regiment belonged took cover in a ravine near the extreme
left, one-quarter of a mile from the bay. The line at this place was much exposed to artillery fire
from the enemy. The regiment this day sustained a casualty of one man slightly wounded by a
fragment of shell. On the morning of the 28th I was ordered to change position farther to the
right, for the purpose of securing better protection from the fire of the enemy. On the afternoon
of this day the casualties amounted to three enlisted men wounded, two by musket shots
severely, and one by a fragment of a shell slightly. At night the regiment was sent to the front to
relieve the Twenty-third Iowa, on picket. During the night completed advanced pits commenced
the night previous. At 4 a.m. of the 29th was relieved by the Twentieth Wisconsin. At 11 o'clock
on the night of this day an alarm was given, and the regiment formed in line behind earth-works
to meet an expected attack. But the enemy making no demonstrations the line was soon
withdrawn. On the p.m. of the 30th I was ordered to move with four days' rations. The brigade
was withdrawn from before the works at this place, which terminated the part taken by this
regiment in the siege.
Respectfully submitted.
JOS. E. GREENE,
Major, Commanding.
Capt. S. A. WALLING,
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Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., 13th Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS
Near Blakely, Ala., April 10, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Second and Third Brigades of my
division in the assault yesterday on the enemy's works in front of Blakely Landing:
My division having formed at short notice in my advanced parallel, 500 yards from the
enemy's fortifications, moved forward at 5.45 p.m. Precisely at that time Lieutenant-Colonel
Vifquain, commanding Ninety-seventh Illinois Infantry, gave the command, "Forward, Ninetyseventh!"
at which his regiment sprang with him over the parapet, and with a loud cheer charged
in line as skirmishers upon the enemy. This was in front of the Second (Spicely's) Brigade. Upon
this the Eighty-third Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Baldwin commanding, advanced with a shout in
front of the Third (Moore's)Brigade. Each brigade followed its line of skirmishers after an
interval had been gained of about 150 paces, charging in line of battle, the Twenty-fourth
Indiana, Seventy-sixth Illinois, and Sixty-ninth Indiana, of Spicely's brigade, following the
Ninety-seventh Illinois on the right, and on the left the Thirty-fourth Iowa, One hundred and
fourteenth Ohio, Twentieth Iowa, and Thirty-seventh Illinois following the Eighty-third Ohio.
The line of skirmishers met a sharp fire from the enemy's rifle-pits as soon as the movement
commenced, but pressed on at double-quick. Their bold and steady front was such a warning as
made the enemy hasten from his rifle-pits to the inside of his breast-works. Hundreds of the
enemy could be seen hurrying thus over their own obstructions to their redoubts and breastworks.
My line was such that the center of my right (Spicely's) brigade moved along the
Stockton road, but it was known to be perilous on account of torpedoes. The ground along my
whole front to the enemy's works is quite uneven and covered with fallen trees. Beside this
obstruction there were two formidable lines of abatis, one being within twenty yards of the
enemy's guns. The right of Moorers brigade had also to pass three ravines. Numerous rifle-pits
and detached breast-works also served to increase the obstruction, which has been remarked to
be almost insurmountable. Over this rough ground and these elaborately constructed obstacles, in
face of heavy musketry fire from the enemy's breast-works and terrible artillery fire from his
redoubts, these gallant regiments that I have named, cheered on by their commanders, pressed
forward without wavering. It was a spectacle, indeed, that inspired the most exulting emotions,
for no one who saw the troops and knew them could doubt of their triumph. It required from five
to ten minutes for the Eighty-third Ohio to remove enough of the abatis, referred to as being so
close to the enemy's guns at the Stockton road redoubt, to effect a passage. Their colors were
planted there, and they removed the abatis before a fearful fire. When room was made for a
passage, they rushed triumphantly upon the parapet of the redoubt Capt. John D. Gary and
Private William M. Rooke, of that regiment, being the first who stepped upon the parapet. The
Ninety-seventh Illinois and Eighty-third Ohio placed their colors upon the redoubt almost
simultaneously. The redoubt opposite my right was taken after a severe fight, in which the
Seventy-sixth Illinois bore the severest part. My division took the enemy's works opposite its
front, extending three quarters of a mile, and including three redoubts. This was done in about
twenty minutes. It captured between 1,300 and 1,400 prisoners including a general officer
commanding a division and 71 commissioned officers, 12 guns of different caliber and of more
than ordinary value, with considerable ammunition, several hundred stand of small-arms, a
number of battle-flags, and a considerable amount of commissary and quartermaster's stores. The
troops that my division confronted were veteran soldiers of the Confederate army, who had been
in all the principal battles of the West. I invite attention to the fact that the ground in my front
had been extensively mined with torpedoes. Some fatal casualties occurred to my command in
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consequence of them. Explosions took place and injuries were inflicted after the assault was
completed. It required great care in withdrawing the prisoners from the fort to avoid loss of life
on account of these torpedoes. I sent out a detail of prisoners last night, with a Confederate
officer, who knew the whereabouts of the torpedoes, to take them up. The detail was also at work
to-day, and some seventy have been taken up or exploded. In regard to this system of warfare I
cannot omit here to observe that it seems inhuman on this account, that after a battle is over it
may be out of the enemy's power to prevent the disaster which they are calculated to produce, as
in this instance, non-combatants searching for the wounded and the dead were liable to
destruction. And it sounded hideous indeed last night, hours after the battle had ceased, to hear
these explosions and to feel that those were being torn to pieces who were searching for the dead
and wounded. I inclose herewith a list of the casualties, with the names of all the killed and
wounded of my division. The aggregate is 33 enlisted men killed, 14 commissioned officers and
188 enlisted men wounded; total, 235. Several of the wounded have since died. The enemy's loss
in my immediate front in killed and wounded must have been nearly half as large. It is enough
now to say that the two brigades engaged in this brilliant and memorable assault evinced not only
most exemplary valor, but cool and splendid soldiership in every respect. It will hereafter be a
grateful duty to commemorate as fully as words can express the noble gallantry of those who
have lost their lives as well as those among the living whose daring and services were
conspicuous. The Second Connecticut Battery of Light Artillery, Captain Hotchkiss
commanding, and the Fifteenth Massachusetts Battery of Light Artillery, Lieut. A. Rowse
commanding, rendered very efficient service up to the time they were ordered to cease firing.
The officers on my staff have performed most laborious service during the operations before
Blakely, and displayed gallantry and coolness equal to every demand upon them. Much also is
due to the medical officers of the division, on duty at the hospital, for their humane and
painstaking efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Capt. JOHN F. LACEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Spanish Fort, Ala., April 11, 1865.
MAJOR: In obedience to orders I have the honor to submit the following report of the part
taken by this command in the late siege and subsequent capture of Spanish Fort, Ala.:
On the morning of the 25th ultimo, in obedience to orders from the major-general
commanding, I moved out with my command, consisting of the Twentieth Wisconsin, Ninetyfourth
Illinois, Twenty-third and Nineteenth Iowa Regiments of Volunteer Infantry, and Battery
F, First Missouri Light Artillery, from camp at Fish River, on the bay road, encamping at
Montrose that night, and reaching D'Olive's Creek on the evening of the 26th. On the 27th ultimo
I crossed D'Olive's Creek, taking position on the extreme left of the investing line, my left resting
on the extremity of the high ground near the bay shore. The extent of my front was such as to be
fully covered by two regiments, who were ordered to occupy this line and drive the enemy back
to his rifle-pits, which was successfully executed. Battery F, First Missouri Light Artillery,
commanded by Capt. Joseph Foust, was placed in the center of the line at a distance of 1,300
yards from the rebel fort, and opened on the enemy at 5.30 p.m. The enemy replied from two
guns, wounding several meal. The regiments occupying the front were immediately set to work
intrenching their position. On the night of the 27th breast-works were constructed on the same
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line for the battery, and on the following morning I advanced my main line 300 yards under the
fire of the enemy, with but few casualties. The new position was immediately intrenched for
infantry and artillery. After dark one regiment was thrown 200 yards in advance, and there
constructed a line of rifle-pits. Breast-works were immediately constructed in the rear of this line
and one section of Foust's battery placed in position. Meantime General Veatch, commanding
First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, had extended his left so as to bring one regiment in rear
of my right. On the morning of the 29th the enemy's artillery fire was so vigorous as to give
evidence that he had increased the number and caliber of guns in my immediate front. The fire of
Captain Foust's guns was so well directed as to silence the enemy at intervals and weaken his fire
toward the afternoon. On the night of the 30th I advanced my skirmish line 100 yards, extending
it to the left as far as the nature of the ground permitted, occupying a spur of high ground 300
yards from the parapet of Fort Alexis. On the 30th [31st] the trenches and saps were widened so
as to admit of the movement of infantry in a column, covered from the fire of small-arms.
On the 1st of April works were commenced on a position for a siege battery. From the 1st to
the 8th instant the skirmish line was gradually advanced on the brow of the spur, within a
distance of 250 yards of the parapet of Fort Alexis, and 100 yards from the enemy's main line of
rifle-pits. Throughout the siege heavy details from the regiments not actually in front were
employed in widening and strengthening the parallels, and connecting them with approaches so
as to admit the concentration of a heavy infantry fire on any part of the front. Up to the 4th
instant two regiments were constantly in line in the front, and from that time until the occupation
of the fort one regiment was on the advance parallel, supported by another in the next parallel in
rear. After a severe bombardment, and about 11.30 p.m. on the 8th instant, the regiments in the
advance pits, on account of the silence of the enemy's fire from the rifle-pits, surmised that they
were evacuating, and a reconnoitering party sent out meeting with no opposition, I immediately
moved forward my whole command and at 12.30 a.m. the 9th instant took possession of Fort
Alexis and Spanish Fort. I take great pleasure in recording my appreciation of the efficient
service rendered by Captain Foust's battery, and the zeal and ability displayed by the officers and
men of my command.
Respectfully submitted.
HENRY BERTRAM,
Colonel, Commanding.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Thirteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. NINETEENTH REGIMENT IOWA INFTY. VOLS.,
Spanish Fort, Ala., April 14, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the
attack upon and reduction of Spanish Fort and its defenses:
On the 27th of March, about noon, I was ordered forward; crossed the creek, deployed in line
of battle, advanced Companies A and D in skirmish line through the thick brush, holding my line
well out on my left to the bay. After ascending the hill and in view of the fort, the enemy opened
on my line with artillery, wounding a number of my men. Here we hastily threw up a line of
works, and in the meantime Foust's battery came up, opened on the enemy vigorously, and in a
short time he ceased to return the fire. I again advanced, under orders, to get a position as near as
possible to the enemy's works. The enemy, observing the movement, opened upon me with
musketry from his rifle-pits and from the front. He also opened with his artillery. In the advance
I had a number of men killed and wounded. Under cover of the fallen timber I protected my line
as well as I could, while the artillery in my rear was playing with a good effect on the rebel
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works. Darkness came on, and I was ordered to throw up a line of defenses where I then was,
which I did. After this the operations assumed the nature of a siege. We advanced our lines under
cover of the night by parallels, drove the enemy out of his pits, and occupied them. On the night
of the 8th of April the enemy abandoned his works, and we took possession of them. Annexed to
this report find a list of the killed and wounded of my regiment. My casualties were but few
after the advance of the first day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN BRUCE,
Lieut. Col. Nineteenth Iowa Infantry Vols., Comdg. Regime
Lieut. A. J. ROCKWELL,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., Second Div., 13th Army Corps.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., SECOND DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Blakely, Ala., April 10, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the operations of my command before defenses of
Blakely, Ala., as follows:
On the 2d day of April, 1865, under the instructions of Brig. Gen. O. C. Andrews,
commanding Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, I placed my command in position within
1,000 yards of the enemy's line of fortifications, my left resting on the Blakely and Pensacola
road, my right on the left of the Second Brigade, same division, regiments arranged as follows,
respectively, commencing on the right: The Eighty-third Ohio, One hundred and fourteenth
Ohio, Twentieth Iowa, and the Thirty-seventh Illinois, the Thirty-fourth Iowa being held in
reserve. In this position my command remained during the 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th days of
April, taking advantage of every available moment to construct rifle-pits in my immediate front.
Up to the 9th instant three parallels were constructed, covering the entire length of my line, with
regular approaches connecting the first with the third. The first grid second lines measure in
length 1,555 yards, ranging from four to six feet in width, the third and last line being about 500
yards from the enemy's works, measuring in length 563 feet and eight feet in width. Two
approaches were commenced from the third parallel, and had reached a distance of seventy-five
yards to the front at 4.30 p.m. of the 9th instant, when I received instructions from Brig. Gen. C.
C. Andrews to hold my command in readiness to [move] upon the enemy's works. In one-half
hour my command was disposed as follows: The Thirty-fourth Iowa, One hundred and
fourteenth Ohio, Twentieth Iowa, and the Thirty-seventh Illinois were placed in line in the third
parallel, the Eighty-third Ohio deployed as skirmishers at intervals of three paces, covering the
entire front of the four above-mentioned regiments, advanced one pace. At about 5.45 o'clock,
through previous instructions, I discovered the signal from the right to advance. I immediately
ordered my line of skirmishers forward. But a moment elapsed before this line cleared the
parapet and swept forward under a destructive fire of artillery and musketry, and continued to
advance without the slightest pause. When they reached the distance of about 300 yards from the
starting point I commanded the main line to move forward, which command they obeyed with
eagerness, struggling through an abatis covering the whole front, subject to a vigorous fire, and
close in the footsteps of the skirmish line, mounted the enemy's works, which at this moment
were surrendered without further struggle. To the Eighty-third Ohio too much praise cannot be
awarded for the manner in which they advanced over the abatis, preserving a magnificent and
perfect line, and being the first to enter the enemy's works. Their commanding officer, Lieut.
Col. W. H. Baldwin, has proven himself, by his unflinching courage and remarkable coolness on
this occasion, to be every inch a soldier and a man. To my regimental commanders--Colonel
Clark, of the Thirty-fourth Iowa; Colonel Kelly, One hundred and fourteenth Ohio; Colonel
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Black, Thirty-seventh Illinois, and Lieutenant-Colonel Leake, Twentieth Iowa--I am indebted for
the splendid manner in which they led their commands, which so materially assisted in the fall of
Blakely. To my staff officers is due the reward of soldiers. Hereto attached is a list of casualties
in the command from the date of the commencement of this report.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. W. MOORE,
Colonel Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Comdg. Brigade.
Capt. GEORGE MONROE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., April 12, 1865.
MAJOR: Pursuant to the direction of the major-general commanding Thirteenth Army Corps,
I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the forces under my
command since leaving Fort Morgan, Ala., to the date hereof:
On the 17th of March my command, consisting of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army
Corps, to which was temporarily attached the First Brigade, Second Division (same corps),
commanded by Col. Henry Bertram, marched at daylight from Fort Morgan and Navy Cove, and
led the advance of the Thirteenth Army Corps to the North Fork of Fish River, a distance of forty
miles. Our route was up the peninsular to Bayou Portage, thence northerly to Dannelly's Mills,
on the river above named. Until we reached Bayou Portage the command encountered no
obstacles to its progress, but here it entered upon a treacherous crust, beneath which no bottom
was discoverable. Here began a toilsome march, in which the command was compelled to
corduroy the road the greater part of the way. Animals found no firm footing but the corduroy,
and wagons and artillery elsewhere moved not over the roads, but through them, if they moved at
all which was often only when the animals were taken off and men substituted. In the midst of
this, an incessant and deluging rain, commencing when the command was duly mired and lasting
eighteen hours, would have made the roads impassable but for the indomitable perseverance of
all, officers and men, and their unconquerable determination to open the way for those coming
after them. Admitting no impossibilities, the command continued slowly to move forward, some
corduroying in advance, others relieving the animals and bringing up the wagons and artillery,
and all cheerfully doing what was allotted to facilitate our progress or render our advance
possible. Such united effort, such herculean tasks so effectually performed, and such cheerful
endurance of incessant toil, fatigue, and exposure has rarely been equaled and never excelled.
Nor was the work suspended by darkness. On either side of the road is a pitch-pine forest, or
turpentine orchard, which had been duly tapped, and the trees being lighted furnished long lines
of illumination, by the light of which the work was continued during the night by a portion of the
command. Having extended the command several miles along the road, corduroying and
bridging, Colonel Bertram's brigade, being in advance, at length reached the East Fork of Fish
River. I ordered him to push on to Dannelly's Mills with his brigade, and there communicate
with Major-General Canby, which he did; and I closely followed, with the Third Division,
arriving at the latter place on the 23d of March. Two brigades crossed the river and encamped in
line of battle on the right of the Sixteenth Army Corps. My First Brigade encamped on the south
side of the river. At this point Colonel Bertram, pursuant to orders from the corps commander,
ceased to report to me. March 25, at 3 p.m., my division moved with the army toward Spanish
Fort, and encamped the evening of the 26th near the enemy's works, in line of battle, and threw
up temporary defenses.
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On the morning of the 27th, pursuant to orders from the corps commander, I moved my
division forward in column of brigades, right in front, the brigades being in column of regiments.
I held the right of the Thirteenth Army Corps, connecting with Brigadier-General Veatch, First
Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, on my left, and with the Sixteenth Army Corps on my right.
Arriving near the enemy's works I found Brigadier-General Slack's brigade, of the First Division,
fortifying their line in a portion of my front. I moved my division forward through Brigadier-
General Slack's brigade, and passing his works, deployed my division in plain view and within
half a mile of the enemy's works. Colonel Grier, commanding First Brigade, by my direction
deployed a regiment as skirmishers, who found the enemy's skirmishers immediately in my front,
and promptly drove them to the cover of their rifle-pits, near their works. My batteries were
advanced to commanding positions upon spurs extending toward the enemy, and were, I believe,
the first to open fire upon him. By my orders they kept up a steady and well-directed fire during
the day, and at 2 p.m. were advanced to the positions they afterward held during the entire siege.
My division was also advanced to within a few hundred yards of the works to the position held
by its main line until the evacuation, and nearer, I believe, than any other troops approached that
day, and with comparatively very few casualties. My line as finally established was by inversion
of brigades. My division promptly covered its front by works of considerable strength, my
skirmish line was advanced during the night, and my batteries strengthened.
The history of the operations of my command from this time until the evacuation of the
enemy shows a sleepless vigilance, a routine of incessant toil in the trenches night and day, a
gradual and sure approach to the enemy's works by means of the pick and spade, the digging of
saps and parallels, the construction of batteries, making of gabions and fascines, bringing up and
mounting of siege guns, and all the labor incident to the operations of a siege. The First Division,
Thirteenth Army Corps, on my left, having been ordered to Blakely, that portion of the line was
temporary occupied by a brigade from the Sixteenth Army Corps, but on the 5th of April that
brigade was also relieved from that part of the line, and by direction of the corps commander my
line was extended so as to cover the former front of both the First and my own division. This was
done by transferring my Third' Brigade to my left. In addition to this two regiments were
detached for engineer duty, one regiment was placed on duty at the rear by order of the corps
commander, and another reported to Brigadier-General Bailey, at Starke's Landing, and
remained detached until the evacuation. This extension of my line and consequent increase of the
engineer operations and guard duty of my division, together with the aforesaid reduction in the
numbers for that duty, rendered the duty of the officers and men incessant night and day. The
saps and parallels in my front were, however, vigorously pressed forward. The pick and the
spade always accompanied the picket, and the skirmish line was nightly contracted by its nearer
approach to the enemy's works, until at the time of the evacuation but a few steps intervened
between his rifle-pits and those of my pickets. The most difficult ground for engineer operations
on any part of the enemy's line was in front of my division, and my working parties were less
protected from the enemy's fire. Yet, notwithstanding all the obstacles to overcome, and the want
of sufficient tools at the commencement, my works were as far advanced and as near completion,
I believe, as upon any part of our line. In addition to the ordinary engineer operations of my
division and the protection of my own batteries, a four-gun battery for the Seventh
Massachusetts Battery, a two-gun battery for a 30-pounder Parrotts, and a ten-gun battery of 30-
pounder Parrotts, siege howitzers, and mortars were constructed by the labor of my division.
Late in the afternoon of the 31st of March the enemy, covered by the smoke of the burning brush
in front of our lines, made a sortie and succeeded in capturing 1 officer and 22 enlisted men of
the Seventh Regiment Vermont Veteran Volunteers, and occupied for a short time one of my
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advanced rifle-pits, but soon after dark the line was retaken at the point of the bayonet, and
afterward held by our men.
The night of the 8th of April, anticipating some good results from the severe bombardment of
the enemy's works for two hours before dark, I ordered the number of my skirmishers doubled,
and about 12 midnight Colonel Day, commanding Second Brigade, sent information that the
works were being evacuated. I immediately sent Lieutenant Starck, of my staff, to notify the
corps commander, and myself repaired to the front, where information met me that Captain
Shepherd, Company F, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers, had entered Fort Alexis with a portion of
his skirmishers, which information was also sent to the corps commander. Pursuant to orders I
established my headquarters in Fort Alexis until morning and placed guards over the guns and
magazines. Colonel Day fixes the time at which Captain Shepherd entered Fort Aexis at 11.45
p.m. of the 8th instant. Major Boydston, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteers, in charge of my skirmish
line in front of Spanish Fort, at about the same time entered it and placed a guard over the
magazines and reported his occupation to the commander of the Third Brigade, who reports that
half an hour after he had possession of the fort he allowed his tired guards to be relieved by
guards from the command of Colonel Bertram. Having received orders on the morning of the
9th to withdraw my artillery and move to Blakely, it was promptly done, and the command
marched via O. Sibley's Mills, a distance of eight miles, to Blakely, where, while forming in
support of the right of Major-General Steele's lines, the successful assault of his troops relieved
my command of all their anticipated operations thereat. After a rest of two days, at dusk of the
11th instant my division was, pursuant to orders, on the road, and at midnight arrived at Starke's
Landing. Colonel Grier's brigade had moved to Spanish Fort in the afternoon and here rejoined
the division. As rapidly as possible the division embarked on transports and landed about 10
o'clock next morning at Magnolia Race-Course, west side of Mobile Bay, five miles from
Mobile, and together with Brigadier-General Veatch's division marched to the outer works of
Mobile and there encamped. Having thus, within less than a month after taking at Fort Morgan
the advance of the army operating against Mobile, participated in all the labor and all the
glorious successes of that army, which have resulted in the peaceful occupation of its objective
point, a city which fell not until Richmond itself had fallen, and the great armies of Lee and
Johnston surrendered, we quietly encamped within its defenses.
The reports of my brigade commanders are herewith respectfully forwarded. The casualties
which have occurred in my division during the time covered by this report are as follows: Killed,
16; wounded, 116; captured, 27; missing in action, 1. Total, 160. When all did so well it almost
seems invidious to particularize, still I cannot close this report without recommending the
promotion of Bvt. Brig. Gen. D. P. Grief, Col. H. M. Day, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers, and
Col. Conrad Krez, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteers, commanding First, Second, and Third
Brigades, respectively. To my entire staff I am gratefully indebted for prompt and valuable
assistance. They all did well. Lieut. Col. Robert F. Patterson, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers,
inspector-general and chief of staff, won the admiration of the entire command by his sleepless
vigilance and soldierly bearing. I respectfully recommend his promotion to the rank of brigadiergeneral.
He has fully earned it, and it is an appointment fit to be made. Lieut. Col. C. A. Smith,
Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, provost-marshal; Surg. Benjamin Durham, chief medical
officer; Capt. John I). Rouse, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteers, acting assistant adjutantgeneral;
Lieut. W. H. York, Twentieth Wisconsin, acting assistant quartermaster; Capt. D. K.
Hall, commissary of subsistence; Lieut. J. M. Shields, acting ordnance officer, and Lieut. F. E.
Starck, Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, and Lieut. John A. Prindle, Seventh Vermont Veteran
Volunteers, aides-de-camp, have my thanks; and I respectfully recommend Capt. John D. Rouse,
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acting assistant adjutant-general, and Capt. Armpit Cannon, Ninety-seventh U.S. Colored
Infantry, acting engineer, for promotion, for rare efficiency and gallant bearing under fire.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant,
W. P. BENTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Thirteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Blakely, Ala., April 10, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade
since leaving Navy Cove, Ala.:
In compliance with orders from division headquarters the brigade left Navy Cove on the
morning of the 17th of March, 1865, and, after a march rendered slow and toilsome by the bad
condition of the roads, went into camp on the 23d on the right bank of the North Branch of Fish
River, where it remained until the First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and the supply train
came up. The brigade broke camp and moved forward again on the 25th, and, having marched a
distance of about fifteen miles, went into camp about a mile and a half from Spanish Fort, Ala.,
on the evening of the 26th. On the morning of the 27th, the order of battle being formed, the
brigade in column of battalions occupied the center of division. The formation of the brigade was
as follows: In advance the Ninety-first Illinois, followed by the Twenty-ninth Iowa, after which
the Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers, and in the rear the Seventh Vermont Veteran Volunteers. The
brigade moved forward to within about 600 yards of Fort Alexis, where in easy range of the rebel
batteries it maintained its position during the whole day under a heavy fire. The skirmish line
advanced to within 350 yards of the rebel works. In the course of the afternoon a detail from the
brigade constructed a temporary breast-work in front of the Twenty-first New York Battery,
which occupied a position on the right. Immediately after dark the Fiftieth Indiana and the
Seventh Vermont having been moved to the rear about 200 yards, the Ninety-first Illinois and
Twenty-ninth Iowa began to dig trenches and construct breast-works a little in advance of the
ground occupied during the day, and before morning formed a sufficient protection from the
enemy's sharpshooters, who had greatly annoyed us. Early in the morning of the 28th they were
relieved by the Seventh and Twenty-ninth, who strengthened the works during the day. On the
night of the 28th our skirmishers advanced to within 250 yards of the rebel works and dug riflepits.
From this time until the 30th of March the trenches were occupied alternately by the
regiments of the brigade, and the skirmish line was advanced to within 100 yards of the fort. On
the 30th the Twenty-ninth Iowa was temporarily detached and placed on picket duty, and on the
1st of April the Seventh Vermont was also detached and placed on engineer duty, thus leaving
only two regiments under my immediate command.
On the afternoon of the 1st of April the enemy made a charge on our rifle-pits occupied by
the skirmishers and succeeded in capturing Capt. R. B. Stearns, Company K, Seventh Vermont,
and 21 of his men. The enemy lost a number in killed and wounded. At night the rifle.pits lost
during the day were retaken and held by our men. The time between this and the 8th of April was
chiefly spent in strengthening works already begun, and building others not immediately
connected with the brigade. On the evening of the 8th, in obedience to orders from division
headquarters, the advance and reserve skirmishers were doubled, and at about 11.45 o'clock
Captain Shepherd, Company F, Ninety-first Illinois, hearing a shouting toward the right, and our
guns cease firing, pushed forward over the rebel works with a portion of the skirmishers from the
Ninety-first Illinois and Fiftieth Indiana and found that the enemy had evacuated. The works in
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front of our lines were shortly after occupied by the Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers. The works
contained two 64-pounder columbiads, two 12-pounder and one 10-pounder rifled guns, which,
in obedience to orders, were turned over on the morning of the 9th to a detachment of the First
Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. At about 1 o'clock on the 9th, the Twentyninth
Iowa and Seventh Vermont having rejoined the command, the brigade left Spanish Fort,
and, arriving at its present camp in the evening, formed on the right of General Hawkins'
division, but a successful assault made by the troops of Major-General Steele's command
rendered it unnecessary to go into action. Annexed to this report is a list of casualties which have
occurred in the brigade, and which I respectfully submit as a part of the same. I take pleasure in
testifying to the prompt and cheerful manner in which both officers and men of my command
discharged their duties, and am proud to say that I have no instance of misbehavior on the part of
either to record.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. DAY,
Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.
Capt. J. D. ROUSE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Eight-Mile Station, Ala., April 16, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade
from the 10th day of April, 1865, to the 15th day of April, 1865, inclusive:
At sunset on the evening of the 11th, the brigade being in camp near Blakely, Ala., orders
were received from division headquarters to march at once. The brigade was immediately formed
and marched in advance of the division to Starke's Landing, a distance of nine miles, and
embarked on board transports. At an early hour next morning the fleet crossed Mobile Bay,
landed during the day, and marched to within one mile and a half of the city without
encountering any opposing force; the enemy having evacuated the city and defenses during the
previous day and night. On the morning of the 13th the march was resumed pursuant to orders;
the brigade marched through Mobile to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. To comply with orders
from General Benton, commanding division, I took the Ninety-first Illinois and Twenty-ninth
Iowa on the railroad track and pushed on to Whistler; the Seventh Vermont and Twenty-ninth
Iowa marched with the main column. The two regiments on the railroad track were pushed on to
the village as rapidly as possible. Shortly before reaching the place four companies of the
Ninety-first Illinois, that had been sent out as advance guard and flankers, were deployed as
skirmishers, with orders to push on through the town. When about 150 yards beyond and to the
left of the railroad they came in contact with a force of rebel cavalry. The Ninety-first Illinois
were immediately ordered up on double-quick, and pushed forward to support the skirmish line
which was closely engaged. Colonel Benton, coming up with the Twenty-ninth Iowa, formed his
regiment, on the left of the Ninety-first Illinois. This movement was scarcely executed when
Colonel Holbrook came up with the Seventh Vermont and Fiftieth Indiana. These last regiments
were immediately formed as a support for those in front. The skirmishers had by this time
advanced to within a few yards of Eight-Mile Creek bridge, where the enemy had posted about
300 men to burn the bridge, upon which several fires were already lighted. Quite a sharp fire was
kept up here for four or five minutes, when I ordered Capt. Augustus P. Stover, Ninety-first
Illinois Volunteers, with twenty men of the skirmish line, to charge over the bridge, which he
did, driving the enemy from his position. The pursuit was kept up for about a mile and a half, but
the enemy being mounted and scattered in confusion, a farther advance was deemed useless. In
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this affair the Ninety-first Illinois lost 1 mortally and 2 seriously wounded. The enemy's loss, as
near as can be ascertained, was 4 killed and 2 wounded. In closing this report I desire to make
special mention of the prompt manner in which Col. W. C. Holbrook, commanding Seventh
Vermont Veteran Volunteers, brought up his regiment and the Fiftieth Indiana to support the two
regiments in advance. The brigade is now encamped at Eight-Mile Station, where I have put a
grist-mill and saw-mill into operation. Yesterday (15th) a detachment of the brigade under
Colonel Benton, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, while out scouting, captured two rebel
prisoners.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. M. DAY,
Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.
Capt. J. D. ROUSE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., THIRD DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Whistler, Ala., April 15, 1865.
CAPTAIN: Pursuant to orders from headquarters of the division I have the honor to report
that on the 17th day of March last my command broke up camp near Fort Morgan, Ala., and
marched with the rest of the division to Fish Creek, Ala., where it arrived in the afternoon of the
23d day of last month, after a most fatiguing march through quicksand, swamps, and over the
bottomless roads of South Alabama, that afforded no foothold to horses or mules. With the few
tools in the command my brigade was engaged In making corduroys over the worst part of the
roads and dragging the artillery and trains over it by hand. On the 25th of same month the
command left Fish Creek and arrived in the immediate neighborhood of Spanish Fort in the
evening of the 26th, same month. On the 27th I was ordered to detail one regiment for train
guard, to which duty the Seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry was assigned. The whole
division then marched out, right in front, in column by battalion, my brigade in the rear. When
the enemy's works came in sight the brigade was deployed, and two regiments, the Thirty-third
Iowa and Twenty-seventh Wisconsin, were ordered to support the Twenty-sixth New York
Battery, holding the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin in reserve. After the battery had taken position
opposite the enemy's works on their left, the brigade took position in front of the artillery on the
extreme right of the line of the division, connecting with the left of General A. J. Smith's line. By
that time the enemy had opened his fire, and kept it up until dark without inflicting any loss on
the brigade. On the 28th I was ordered to relieve part of the skirmishers of the Second Brigade in
my front and to push the line as near as possible to the enemy's works. Four companies, under
charge of Capt. James Gunn, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, brigade officer of
the day, were ordered out for that purpose, who pushed the line within 200 yards of the middle
fort, driving the rebel sharpshooters out of their rifle-pits. This was done in a most gallant
manner in open daylight under a heavy musketry fire that commanded the ravine which had to be
crossed by my men. The loss in so advancing the line consisted in 8 wounded in the Thirty-third
Iowa, amongst whom were Capt. William S. Parmley and Capt. George R. Ledyard; 6 wounded
in the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin; 1 killed and 4 wounded in the Twenty-seventh Wisconsin,
making a total of 1 killed and 18 wounded. In maintaining that line, which was by far nearer to
the enemy's works than any other part of the line, and making the necessary connections I
further lost 4 wounded in the Thirty-third Iowa, I killed and 6 wounded in the Twenty-seventh
Wisconsin, and 2 killed and 6 wounded in the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin, up to the 4th day of
April, instant, making a total loss from the 27th day of March to the last-mentioned day of 4
killed and 34 wounded.
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On the 2d of April my position was changed from the extreme right of the division to its
extreme left, connecting with the right of Colonel Bertram's brigade, opposite Spanish Fort. It is
well known to the commanding general how incessantly and how faithfully my men worked
night and day in digging rifle-pits, parallels, and approaches in front of the rebel works. In the
evening of the 8th instant at about 10 o'clock it became apparent that the enemy was evacuating
the fort, and notice to that effect having been sent to me by Maj. C. B. Boydston, Thirty-third
Iowa, in charge of the skirmish line, I sent orders to him to take possession of the fort, which he
did, placing guards over the magazines and artillery. Having sent to headquarters of the division
for instructions, I was ordered not to send any troops in but the skirmishers. Half an hour after I
had possession of the fort and all its contents. Part of Colonel Bertram's command on my left
entered the fort, and Major Boydston, not considering it a special claim to honor to keep
possession of an evacuated place, allowed his tired guards to be relieved by guards from the
command of Colonel Bertram.- The day next following the brigade was ordered to Blakely,
where I arrived the same day in the evening and encamped until the evening of the 11th instant,
resting and recuperating, when I was ordered back to Spanish Fort to embark for Mobile. After a
most fatiguing night march the brigade arrived at Starke's Landing on the morning of the 12th
instant, and after considerable delay, orders and counter orders to embark, I succeeded at last,
shipping the Thirty-third Iowa aboard of the General Banks; the Seventy-seventh Ohio, which
had rejoined the brigade at Blakely, and the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin aboard the Tin-clad, No.
46. Although the last to embark, the first troops of the Third Division landed below Mobile on
the west side of the bay did belong to my brigade. No transportation was furnished for the
Twenty-seventh Wisconsin, and the same was left at Starke's Landing and has not yet rejoined
the command. On the 19th instant the brigade reached Mobile and encamped in the outskirts of
the city, having done its full share in closing the last campaign of any magnitude in the present
rebellion, should the last news of our victories in other quarters prove to be correct.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C0NRAD KREZ,
Colonel Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Infty. Vols., Comdg. Brigade.
Capt. J. D. ROUSE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Montgomery, Ala., May 13, 1865.
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the operations
around Mobile, which resulted in the capture of Spanish Fort and Blakely:
The corps having been concentrated at Dannelly's Mills, the head of navigation on the North
Branch of Fish River, on the morning of the 25th of March, the command moved forward
northwest by north, menacing both Spanish Fort and Blakely. Continuing the march on the 25th
with some slight skirmishing we reached Sibley's Mills, a point on Minette Creek four miles
from Spanish Fort and about seven miles from Blakely. On the morning of the 27th, in obedience
to instructions from Major-General Canby, the Second Division of my command, Brig. Gen. K.
Garrard commanding, was left at this point in an intrenched camp covering the Blakely road
where it crosses Minette Creek, in charge of the supply trains of the corps. With the First and
Third Divisions of the corps, I moved southwest of Spanish Fort, driving the enemy's skirmishers
and pickets inside their works. The divisions were placed in position as follows: The Third
Division, Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr, on the right, with his right resting on Minette Bay, the First
Division, Brig. Gen. J. McArthur commanding, on the left, connecting with the Thirteenth Corps
on the left and the Third Division on the right, with their lines advanced to within about 400
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yards of the enemy's works, at which distance the first parallel was made. From this parallel saps
were worked forward by each brigade, and these again connected by trenches at a distance of
about 200 yards from the enemy's works. From the second parallel saps were again worked
forward by each brigade to distances varying from twenty-five to seventy-five yards, depending
upon the nature of the ground. The saps of the First Division were the nearest to the works of the
enemy at the time of the capture of the forts. During the time occupied in making these
approaches, siege artillery was brought forward and placed in every available position along the
line. Two forts of the enemy, Forts Huger and Tracy, situated on islands above Spanish Fort,
enfiladed the right of my line, and, with the assistance of two gun-boats, killed and wounded
many men in the Third Division. They so completely enfiladed my right flank that it became
necessary to build traverses on the right of every exposed company. Every man in my command
was on duty once in twenty-four hours, and at one time in the Third Division the officers and
non-commissioned officers held the trenches while the men slept. Two 30-pounder batteries of
the First Indiana Heavy Artillery arriving, were placed on the bay in rear of the right of my line,
and by them the gun-boats were driven away and the two forts nearly silenced. Siege mortars
were placed along the first parallel and the pioneer corps of both divisions instructed to
manufacture wooden mortars of 4.62 for use in the saps. Six were made by each division and
rendered excellent service. Everything being prepared, on the 8th of April orders were received
to open at 5.30 p.m., with every piece that could throw iron into the fort, and continue until dark.
Both divisions were ordered into the trenches to be ready for any emergency. Just before dark,
pushing forward two companies of skirmishers on the extreme right of the Third Division,
supported by the remainder of the regiment, they succeeded in gaining a foothold on the left of
the enemy's works, enfilading the left of their line with musketry. The other' regiments of the
brigade (Third Brigade, Third Division, Col. J. L. Geddes, Eighth Iowa Infantry, commanding)
following immediately, they took about 300 yards of the enemy's main line of works, capturing
many prisoners in them. As soon as support could be withdrawn from other parts of the line and
sent them, they continued advancing slowly, meeting with but little resistance, and by midnight
the whole fort was in our possession. About two-thirds of the garrison escaped by crossing the
river on a foot bridge to the island on which Fort Huger was situated, and from thence by
steamers to Blakely. The captures amounted to 540 prisoners, 46 pieces of artillery, including
three 7-inch Brooke in the water battery, and two 8-inch columbiads in front, and 4 stand of
Colors. Our entire loss during the siege is 26 killed, 319 wounded, and 3 captured; total, 348.
The fort and its contents were turned over to Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger on the morning of the
9th of April, and my forces withdrawn and sent to the support of General Garrard at Blakely,
where he had been ordered to co-operate with General Steele and complete the line of investment
on the 3d of April. On the morning of the 9th of April I directed General Garrard to assault Fort
Blakely at 5.30 that night, and also directed Generals McArthur and Carr to move within
supporting distance and assist him, if necessary. General Garrard made the assault at the time
indicated by advancing a double line of skirmishers, followed by a second line of the same kind,
with directions to his main line to occupy their places in the advanced pits as soon as they left
them, and charge as soon as the advanced line reached the works. By this happy arrangement but
few men were exposed to the enemy's fire until the advance skirmish line was near enough to
silence the enemy's artillery, although all were in easy musket-range. The first line advancing
under a heavy fire of musketry and canister, covered by a sharp fire from the main line, soon
reached the main works, and a cheer was given as a signal to charge. The charge was made
successfully and taken up by the Thirteenth Corps and General Steele's command on the right. I
am certain that the advance line of General Garrard was on the parapet with their colors at the
time the other commands started. He captured in his immediate front 1,624 prisoners, including 2
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brigadier-generals and 98 officers, 4 stand of colors, 21 pieces of artillery, and 4 mortars. His
loss was 42 killed, 142 wounded, and 4 missing; total 188. This makes the results of the two days
at Spanish Fort and Blakely as follows: 2,164 prisoners, 71 pieces of artillery, 8 stand of colors,
and nearly 3,000 stand of small-arms. The loss of the command at both places is, killed 68,
wounded 461, captured 5, missing 2; total 536. I transmit herewith the reports of division and
brigade commanders and a full list of casualties, with a schedule of the artillery captured. My
division and brigade commanders behaved nobly throughout, and to their energy, skill and
endurance is due the main credit of the success. I would especially mention Col. James L.
Geddes, Eighth Iowa Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, Third Division, for his gallantry and
grit in the charge on Spanish Fort. Although suffering with a severe chill at the time, yet he
remained upon the field and superintended the movements. Also Lieutenant-Colonel Lackland,
One hundred and eighth Illinois Volunteers, serving upon the staff of General Carr, who took a
musket and led personally the two skirmishing companies that first gained a foothold within the
enemy's works. Capt. Bluford Wilson, assistant adjutant-general, Third Division, particularly
distinguished himself during the siege and acted as aide to Colonel Geddes during the assault.
Capt. H. L. Wheeler, Ninety-sixth U.S. Colored Infantry, acting engineer officer, Third Division,
performed his work with great skill, energy, and industry. In the Second Division, Col. T. J.
Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry, and Lieut. Col. Charles S. Hills, Tenth
Kansas Infantry, led the advance skirmish line in front of their respective brigades and have more
than earned promotion. First Lieut. and Bvt. Capt. Charles J. Allen, U.S. Army, chief engineer,
performed his duty excellently well and rendered efficient help both at Spanish Fort and Blakely
by his judgment, ability, and industry. To my staff is due much credit for their intelligent
appreciation and prompt execution of the duties pertaining to their several departments.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. SMITH,
Major-General.
Brig. Gen. P. J. OSTERHAUS,
Chief of Staff, Military Division of West Mississippi.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Ala., April 12, 1865.
Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Army and Division of West Mississippi:
COLONEL: I have the honor to forward herewith eight Confederate flags captured by the
troops of this corps at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Five of them were captured in the charge
under circumstances which entitle the captors to medals of honor, to wit: Capt. Samuel
McConnell, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry; Sergt. George F. Rebman, One
hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry; Private John Whitmore, One hundred and nineteenth
Illinois Infantry; Private John H. Callahan, One hundred and twenty-second [Illinois Infantry],
each of whom captured a flag at Fort Blakely, Ala., in the charge on enemy's works, April 9,
1865; First Sergt. Edgar A. Bras, Company K, Eighth Iowa Veteran Volunteers, who captured a
flag from the hands of the color-bearer, in the charge on Spanish Fort, April 8, 1865. I have had
the names of the above men written in ink on the flag captured by them. The other three were
found in Spanish Fort after it had been taken, and no special credit attaches to the capture.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. SMITH,
Major-general.
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HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report the duty performed by my command during the
campaign against Mobile, Ala., resulting in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely:
The division embarked on board transports, part going by sea and part by way of Lake
Pontchartrain, the whole command arriving at Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Ala., on the 7th
ultimo. On the 19th again embarked on steamers and proceeded to the head of navigation on Fish
River, where they debarked and intrenched their camp. On the morning of the 25th again moved
forward in advance of the army, skirmishing and driving the enemy easily. Intrenched again for
the night; moved again next day and encamped within three miles of Spanish Fort. On the
morning of the 27th advanced on the fort, skirmishing with the enemy and driving them into
their works, taking a position about 400 yards from the fort, and constructed the first parallel of
works, behind which the men encamped during the continuance of the siege. The Second Iowa
Battery was put in position in a strong work constructed for it 400 yards from what was called
the Red Fort; the Third Indiana Battery of Rodman guns in a work about 1,000 yards distant, and
to the left of the Second Iowa. The brigades were in line according to their number from right to
left, each commencing a sap toward the enemy's works, which were again united by a second
parallel, from which a harassing fire was kept up on the enemy's works. The sap was again
continued and pushed to within seventy-five yards of the fort, when an attack by the right
brigade of General Carr's division on the night of the 8th of April, followed up by the other
troops, resulted in the capture of the fort with its contents, the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry of
my command being the first to enter and take possession of Fort Alexis, turning the same over to
the troops of the Thirteenth Army Corps on their arrival, in whose front it was situated and to
whom it properly belonged.
On the morning of the 9th, in obedience to orders, the division moved to Blakely, with
instructions to support the Second Division in its attack on Fort Blakely the same day, but
fortunately were not required, with the exception of the Third Indiana Battery, Captain Ginn
commanding, which took part with the Second Division, who performed the work in gallant
style. About 2,035 yards of sap were dug and about 3,975 yards of parallels, besides two
additional works for heavy guns. About 340,000 rounds of musketry ammunition were
expended, and about 200 rounds of 12-pounder shell thrown from a battery of wooden mortars
constructed by the pioneer corps, and which rendered excellent service in covering the working
parties. The number of guns and prisoners, with the exception of 49 prisoners of war and 1
commissioned officer, were taken by the Third Division, who were the first to enter, and who are
entitled to the credit of the same, with the exception of Fort Alexis with its guns, eleven in
number, which were turned over by the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, as before mentioned, to
the Thirteenth Army Corps. The skirmishers of the Second Brigade, under command of Captain
French, of the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, also captured one light 12-pounder gun with a few
prisoners near the steamboat landing, who were left in the fort with the others captured. The
Third Brigade, Col. W. R. Marshall commanding, were detailed a portion of the time to supply
the place of General Veatch's division. For account of these operations while on such duty I
respectfully refer you to the report of Colonel Marshall, accompanying this. Please find also
report of the list of casualties of the division, together with a map of the portion of the works
occupied by the division during the siege, prepared by Capt. D. W. Wellman, Ninth Minnesota
Infantry, on duty as engineer of the division, to whom my thanks are especially due for efficient
and skillful services rendered, and would earnestly recommend him for promotion or transfer to
the Engineer Corps of the Regular Army. My thanks are also due to the other officers of my staff
for earnest and untiring assistance during these operations. The wounded were promptly taken
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off the field and attended to under the careful supervision of Dr. M. W. Fish, of the Eleventh
Missouri, senior surgeon, afterward by Doctor Hunt, surgeon of volunteers and medical director
of division, to whom my thanks are due. The total casualties during these operations were, killed
16, wounded 152. The troops behaved with their usual spirit and gallantry, officers and men
vieing with each other in the energetic discharge of their duty. This is attributable in an especial
manner to the conduct and skillful management of the brigade commanders, Colonels McMillen,
Hubbard, and Marshall. The neglect on the part of the Government to give them their well
merited promotion is felt keenly by the command. Accompanying this please find special
recommendations by brigade commanders approved by me.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McARTHUR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Lieut. Col. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Sixteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. PIONEER CORPS, FIRST DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Ala, April 13, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the proceedings of the pioneer corps
during the siege of Spanish Fort, Ala.:
On the 27th ultimo I built a fortification of four embrasures in front of the right wing of the
Second Brigade of this division for Reed's Second Iowa Battery. This work was done in open
day on a hill about 400 yards from the enemy. During the work we were under a constant fire of
musketry. A. Rogers, of the colored company, received a severe flesh wound in the left shoulder.
The afternoon and night of the 30th ultimo were occupied in erecting a fortification of two
embrasures in the rear of the First Brigade for a section of the First Indiana Heavy Artillery. The
next day we built a magazine for this battery; also one for the small-arms ammunition of the
division, and began a lot of hoods to protect the skirmishers. The time up to the 6th instant was
occupied in the construction of hoods and wooden mortars. On the 6th instant I began a
fortification of four embrasures on the left of the Third Brigade. This night we were exposed to a
constant fire of shell from the enemy's mortars, they doing no damage, however. On the night of
the 7th this work was continued, and again resumed on the night of the 8th and continued until
midnight, when the announcement that the enemy had evacuated his lines rendered further work
unnecessary. Up to the present date I have completed 11 wooden mortars and 400 hoods. My
command throughout has evinced the utmost alacrity and patience in their work, and,
notwithstanding they were often in great danger, they did their work bravely.
H. A. McKELVEY,
Captain, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers,
Comdg. Pioneer Corps, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
Capt. W. H. F. RANDALL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
Near Port Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my
regiment before Spanish Fort, Ala.:
My command left Fish River March 25, 1865, with the rest of the brigade. On the morning of
the 27th, having passed somewhat beyond or to the north of Spanish Fort, on the road to Blakely,
I was ordered to form in line of battle upon the left of the Ninety-third Indiana Infantry, facing
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the west, to cover my front with a strong skirmish line, and conform to the movements of the
regiment on my right. We were then advanced about half a mile, when it was found that by the
convergence of our lines of advance we were lapping the brigade on our right. We were moved
to the left, and then forward until I came to the position occupied by Reed's Second Iowa
Battery. I halted in rear of this battery and reported the fact to the colonel commanding brigade,
who directed me then to remain. Later in the day, when it became apparent that the enemy would
not accept battle outside of his works, I was directed to move forward and intrench myself on the
right of the Second Brigade. I went to my assigned position about 4 p.m., procured axes and
spades, and commenced to throw up works in plain view of the enemy and within 500 yards of
their northeast bastion. Part of my front was claimed to plant the Second Iowa Battery. I
therefore placed four companies in the front line and intrenched the other companies in rear of
the battery. This position we occupied as our camp for twelve days, within which my command
threw up a breast-work which resisted the penetrative power of an 8-inch columbiad at pointblank
range, covered themselves against splinters of the enemy's shell, assisted to drive forward
a sap within seventy-five yards of the enemy's work, built a second parallel and nearly completed
a third, constructed substantial works for sixteen siege guns and for lighter pieces, felled the
heavy pine timber to give range to artillery upon about forty acres, and expended 23,000 rounds
of cartridges in skirmishing. I was present in the advanced parallel with six companies of my
regiment the night of the evacuation of the fort by the enemy, and observed the advance of a
brigade of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, which was made at midnight on the 8th
instant. Although that advance met no resistance whatever, and I might from my advanced
position have preceded all the troops into the fort, I thought best not to experiment without
orders, and accordingly remained until directed by the colonel commanding to advance into the
fort. Of the duty peculiar to a siege I think no equal number of men ever did more, or better, or
more willingly than the regiment I have the honor to command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. JENNISON,
Lieut. Col., Comdg Tenth Minnesota Infantry Volunteers.
Lieut. THEODORE LIVINGS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., First Div., 16th Army Corps.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Camp near Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this brigade
in the operations against Mobile:
On the 20th of March the brigade debarked from transports at Dannelly's Mills, Fish River.
On the 25th marched with the division toward Spanish Fort. During this day's march a small
party of the enemy on our left flank fired a volley into the head of the brigade, only one shot
taking effect. (I received a severe flesh wound on the left side of the back of my neck, not,
however, disabling me or taking me off duty.) On the 27th of March, as we approached within a
mile of Spanish Fort, the brigade was formed in line of battle, and moving on the left of General
Hubbard's brigade advanced to within 1,200 yards of the fort. Our skirmishers advanced to
within 300 yards of the enemy's works. The right of the Thirteenth Corps closed in on my left,
and I was ordered to break regiments to the rear to uncover the Thirteenth Corps. This was done
until I had but one regiment in the front line, the others being ployed in the rear. This position
was intrenched and sheltered as well as possible from the fire of the enemy, which continually
poured upon us both from musketry and artillery. A large detail was set at work on a fort for the
Third Indiana Battery, and a sap toward enemy's works begun. This work was continued until the
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30th, when I was ordered to report the brigade to General Granger, commanding the Thirteenth
Corps. General Granger directed me to occupy the part of his line directly in front of the high
fort (Fort Alexis, I believe). This line had just been vacated by General Veatch's division of
Thirteenth Corps. I completed work begun by General Veatch's division, furnished heavy details
for work on batteries, and advanced the parallels 150 yards, and almost to the rifle-pits of
enemy's sharpshooters outside of the fort.
On the 4th of April I received orders to report back to my division commander, and took
position on the left of Second Brigade. I immediately opened a trench from General Hubbard's
most advanced parallel to the left, connecting with the works of the Thirteenth Corps, and dug
saps leading from our main line out to the advanced trenches. On the 8th I had extended a sap,
preparatory to opening a new parallel, so near the enemy's works that stones could be thrown to
their rifle-pits, when on the night of the 8th instant the enemy evacuated the works. The pickets
of the Third Brigade entered the fort with those of the Second Brigade. On the 9th instant the
brigade marched toward Blakely, going into camp in line on left of General Hubbard's brigade.
That evening the capture of Blakely ended the siege. From the 27th of March to the 8th of April,
inclusive, the brigade was constantly under fire. Officers and men throughout the siege were
faithful and met every requirement of duty. My acknowledgments are specially due to the
commanding officers of regiments--Lieut. Col. William H. Heath, Thirty-third Missouri
Volunteers; Lieut. Col. William B. Keeler, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers; Lieut. Col. George
Bradley, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, and Maj. Samuel G. Knee. Twelfth Iowa Veteran
Volunteers. Also to the members of my staff--Lieut. Henry Hoover, acting assistant adjutantgeneral;
Capt. W. A. Clark, provost-marshal (and acting engineer); Lieut. L. W. Collins, picket
officer, and Lieut. W. M. Wetherill, aide-de-camp. A list of casualties accompanies this report.
The total casualties in the brigade during the siege were: Killed--enlisted men, 2; wounded--
officers, 2; enlisted men, 19.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
W. R. MARSHALL,
Colonel Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, Commanding the Brigade.
Capt. W. H. F. RANDALL,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
ADDENDA.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Camp near Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
Capt. W. H. F. RANDALL,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps:
CAPTAIN: In submitting a report of the operations of this brigade in the late siege of the
defenses of Mobile, I beg leave to recommend the promotion of the following officers for gallant
and meritorious con duct, viz: Lieut. Col. W. H. Heath, commanding Thirty-third Missouri
Volunteers First Lieut. Henry Hoover, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant adjutantgeneral
of the brigade, and First Lieut. Loren W. Collins, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, aidedecamp.
Lieutenant-Colonel Heath has long since earned promotion. He has served since the
beginning of the war and been in many of the most important battles of the West--Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, the Red River campaign, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, &c. (He has
held a commission as colonel of his regiment since December, 1863, but the regiment, being
below the minimum, could not be mustered in.) He has had brigade commands, and is a most
capable and deserving officer. Lieutenant Hoover is an officer of long and faithful service,
excellent capacity, and great gallantry. Lieutenant Collins has performed the arduous and
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responsible duties of picket officer for the brigade for nearly a year, and is an officer of unusual
intelligence, activity, and gallantry.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. R. MARSHALL,
Colonel Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, Commanding the Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-FIFTH IOWA INFANTRY,
Near Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this command in the
operations at Spanish Fort and vicinity:
In obedience to orders the command broke camp at Fish River, marching and intrenching
upon the 25th and 26th. Near noon of the 27th the regiment was formed in line of battle upon the
left of the Thirty-third Missouri, with Company B, Capt. William M. Stewart commanding,
deployed as skirmishers, and moved forward till ordered to halt and intrench. At 4 p.m.
Company B having exhausted their ammunition, Company C, Lieutenant Koehler commanding,
was ordered to relieve them. The casualties of the day were light and as per report rendered. The
regiment, in accordance with orders received, proceeded to strengthen their position and protect
themselves from the fire of the enemy, remaining in that position till March 30, when they were
ordered to move to the left and occupy the work before occupied by a portion of the Thirteenth
Corps, remaining there until April 4, when they reoccupied their former position to the left of
and in rear of the Second Brigade.
March [April] 9 the command moved to camp below Blakely and their present position.
During the action and through the entire siege the conduct of both officers and men has been
extremely satisfactory, they having performed all duties assigned them with promptness and
bravery. I append herewith list of casualties during the siege.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. B. KEELER,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Col. WILLIAM R. MARSHALL,
Commanding Third Brigade, First Division, 16th Army Corps.
HDQRS. SEVENTH REGIMENT MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
In the Field, April 12, 1865.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my
regiment in the operations at Spanish Fort:
On the morning of the 27th of March the regiment was formed in order of battle on the left of
the brigade, which was on the extreme left of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and advanced toward
the works of the enemy. Company C, Captain Thomas, was advanced and ordered to deploy as
skirmishers in front of the regiment. During the afternoon this company was relieved by
Company K, Captain Carter, in consequence of having expended their ammunition. The
skirmishing during this day was heavy, and our skirmishers drove the enemy back a considerable
distance and established our advanced line about 200 yards from the enemy's main line of works.
The ground over which the skirmishers advanced was very much broken and covered with fallen
trees, rendering the advance quite difficult. Our casualties this day were as follows: First Lieut.
H. F. Folsom, Company C, struck in the fleshy part of the thigh by a fragment of a shell, making
a severe bruise, but not sufficient to put him off duty; Private Andrew Agren, Company C,
wounded in right leg, suffered amputation above knee joint; Corpl. John Diller, contused wound
in thigh, slight, has since returned to duty; Sergt. Omar H. Case, Company E, flesh wound in left
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shoulder, slight; Private Charles H. Fadden, Company I, shot through the body, injuring the
spine, since died. On the evening of the 27th the regiment went into Camp in the rear of the
Thirty-fifth Iowa, the brigade then being in column of regiments. From this time till the 30th we
occupied this camp, furnishing heavy picket details and fatigue parties to push forward lines of
intrenchments, erect forts, and do the various work incidental to siege operations. On March 30
we moved with our brigade to the left, occupying a space left vacant by the removal of General
Veatch's division, of the Thirteenth Corps. We remained here until the 4th of April, working
incessantly night and day. On the night of the 3d our pickets, in connection with those of the
other regiments in the brigade, under the direction of Major Burt, of my regiment, advanced the
front line of our works from 150 to 200 yards. On the 4th of April we returned to our first place
in the line and reoccupied it. On the 6th we commenced intrenchments in an advanced position,
with a view to its occupation. The work, however, could be prosecuted only in the night, the
ground being open and within short rifle range from the fort, and the works were scarcely
completed when the enemy evacuated and our forces took possession of Spanish Fort and the
works adjacent, which occurred on the night of the 8th instant. On the 9th we moved with our
command toward Blakely, going into camp about two miles from the works of the enemy, which
were captured that day by a portion of our army. Throughout the entire siege the conduct of
officers and men was all that could be desired. They were always ready and willing to brave any
exposure or undergo any fatigue which promised to advance the objects of the campaign.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
GEO. BRADLEY,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Lieut. H. HOOVER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. Third Brig., First Div., 16th Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND IOWA BATTERY,
Near Fort Blakely, Ala., April 12, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this command in the
recent operations against the enemy:
On the 24th of March I disembarked from steamer at Fish River, and by direction of Capt. J.
W. Lowell, chief of artillery, Sixteenth Army Corps, reported to the general commanding First
Division, and was assigned my position in the line and column of march. On the 29th ultimo,
when the division arrived in front of Spanish Fort, my position was between the First and Second
Brigades. In this position I formed in battery in front of the enemy's works, and was engaged
during the day in firing at what is now known as the Red Bastion. At 3 o'clock next morning I
moved forward and occupied a work constructed for me by the pioneer corps of the division. I
occupied this work until the evacuation of Spanish Fort by the enemy, and was engaged daily
with his batteries, firing in the aggregate 1,200 rounds. My loss during the siege was but a single
man, Private George W. Stephenson, who was wounded by a minie-ball in the foot during the
first day.
I am, captain, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. R. REED,
Captain, Commanding Second Iowa Battery.
Capt. W. H. F. RANDALL,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Blakely, April 11, 1865.
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COLONEL: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my division in
the siege and capture of Fort Blakely:
On the 3d instant, in obedience to orders from General Canby's headquarters, I moved to this
point and took position on the left of General Steele's command, with a view to commence the
siege and to complete the investment. Owing to the nature of the ground and want of information
it was several days before my line was extended to Bay Minette. My orders were to co-operate,
advising and consulting with General Steele. On the 9th instant, the morning after the capture of
Spanish Fort, General A. J. Smith, commanding corps, visited my headquarters and instructed
me to assault :Fort Blakely at the earliest practicable moment, and for that purpose he would
order up to my assistance McArthur and Carr, and all the artillery I wanted. I would here express
my thanks to him for his generous conduct, though I was fortunate enough not to be compelled to
avail myself of his kind offer of more troops. During the morning I placed in position on my
extreme left, to guard my lines from the fire of gunboats, Hendricks' and Cox's batteries, of the
First Indiana Heavy Artillery, consisting each of four 30 pounders. Three of these pieces were
turned on the enemy's line until 5 p.m., when they ceased by my orders. At 3 p.m. on my extreme
right I placed in position behind my rifle-pits Mack's Black Horse Battery of six 20-pounders,
with orders not to fire except when the enemy opened, and then to silence his guns; that I did not
wish a bombardment, but wanted my lines in their advance protected. Similar orders were given
to the other batteries under my command, viz, Rice's Seventeenth Ohio Battery (four
Napoleons), Lowell's Second Illinois Battery (four 10-pounder Parrotts), and Ginn's Third
Indiana Battery (four 10-pounder Parrotts). At 2 p.m. I sent for my brigade commanders--Brig.
Gen. J. I. Gilbert, commanding Second Brigade; Col. C. L. Harris, Eleventh Wisconsin
Volunteers, commanding Third Brigade, and Col. J. I. Rinaker, One hundred and twenty-second
Illinois Volunteers, commanding First Brigade--and gave them the following orders. Brigadier-
General Veatch, commanding First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, was present at the
interview. I directed them to move their commands into the trenches, placing one-half in the
rifle-pits of the skirmishers and one-half in those of the reserves. That at 5.30 p.m. a single line
of skirmishers should advance, and as soon as it appeared that they were advancing with success
that a second line of skirmishers should follow, and when the first line reached the enemy's
works then the main line should charge. I was induced to adopt this plan owing to the terrible
obstructions in my front and to avoid loss of life, and hoped to silence the enemy's guns and
drive off their sharpshooters before I exposed a large mass of my men to the enemy's fire. My
brigades were in line from right to left in the following order: Gilbert, Harris, and Rinaker. As
the right of Rinaker's and left of Harris' lines were the most advanced, I ordered that at this point
the attack should commence and be taken up to the right and left as rapidly as possible. Rinaker's
advance was the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois, Col. T. J. Kinney commanding; Harris',
part of the Eleventh Wisconsin, One hundred and seventy-eighth New York, and Fifty-eighth
Illinois; and Gilbert's was the Tenth Kansas, Lieut. Col. Charles S. Hills commanding, and one
company of the Twenty-seventh Iowa. At the appointed time under a brisk fire from all of the
artillery, the first line moved, then the second, then the artillery ceased firing, and I saw our men
on the enemy's works. I immediately ordered a cheer and a charge. This cheer was taken up on
the right of my division, and as I advanced in the charge I looked to the right and saw our whole
army in front of Blakely, most gallantly taking up my movement. My division carried the
enemy's works, capturing 100 officers, including 2 brigadier generals, and 1,524 enlisted men,
and 4 sets of colors, 21 pieces of artillery, and 4 mortars. My loss, I am most happy to report,
owing to my plan of attack, was very small, only 2 commissioned officers killed and 7 wounded;
39 enlisted men killed and 117 wounded.
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I am extremely gratified to be able to speak in the highest terms of praise of my whole
division, and am indeed proud to be the commander of so noble a body of soldiers. Among the
many who distinguished themselves I desire to invite special notice to my three brigade
commanders and to Col. T. J. Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Volunteers, and
Lieut. Col. Charles S. Hills, Tenth Kansas. The two last-mentioned officers had command of the
skirmishers in front of their brigades, and for their special gallantry and good conduct well merit
promotion. To my three brigade commanders--Brig. Gen. James I. Gilbert, Cols. Charles L.
Harris, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteers, and John L Rinaker, One hundred and twenty-second
Illinois Volunteers I am greatly indebted for their efficiency in the management their brigades
and for the prompt and cheerful execution of all my orders. I would earnestly recommend that
their good service be recognized by their promotion. First Lieut. Angus R. McDonald, Eleventh
Wisconsin,, especially distinguished himself at the parapet and received one gunshot wound and
two from the bayonet. To my staff I am under many obligations for their zealous, efficient, and
intelligent discharge of the duties intrusted to them and would be much gratified to see officers
of such merit and fine soldierly qualities encouraged and rewarded by being brevetted. The
following is a list of their names: Maj. James B Sample, assistant adjutant-general; Maj. Robert
W. Healy, Fifty-eighth Illinois, acting inspector general; First Lieut. Alexander H. McLeod, One
hundred and fortieth New York Volunteers, aide-de-camp; First Lieut. Sergeant McKnight, One
hundred and twenty-second Illinois, aide-de-camp; First Lieut. Richard Rees, Twenty-first
Missouri, acting assistant inspector-general, and First Lieut. George W. Fetterman, Fifteenth
U.S. Infantry, commissary of musters; also First Lieut. Thornton G. Capps, One hundred and
twenty-second Illinois Volunteers, provost-marshal. Inclosed I have the honor to transmit the
reports of my brigade commanders and a list of casualties, and also a report of guns captured.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
K. GARRARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Lieut. Col. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Sixteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Blakely, Ala., April 10, 1865.
I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my command in the siege,
charge, and capture of Fort Blakely, Ala.: My brigade consisted of the Sixth Minnesota Infantry,
Lieut. Col. H. P. Grant commanding; Tenth Kansas Veteran Infantry, Lieut. Col. Charles S. Hills
commanding; Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, Maj. G. W. Howard commanding; Thirty-second
Iowa Infantry, Lieut. Col. G. A. Eberhart commanding, and One hundred and seventeenth
Illinois Infantry, Col. R. M. Moore commanding. Aggregate effective force, 1,995. On the
afternoon of April 3 my command moved into position in front of the rebel works, holding the
center of General Garrard's division, which was upon the left of General Steele's command. I
immediately threw out a strong skirmish line, which advanced in gallant style under brisk fire
200 yards, driving in the rebel skirmishers, and then threw up a strong line of intrenchments,
with a loss of three men wounded. This line was held until the evening of the 6th, when my
skirmish line was again advanced 300 yards. Continued skirmishing occurred, with brisk artillery
fire from the enemy. On the evening of the 7th the enemy made a sortie upon the advance line,
but were handsomely repulsed without loss to us. My whole number of casualties up to the
afternoon of April 9 was 7 enlisted men, 2 mortally wounded, since dead, and 5 wounded. At 3
p.m. April 9, in obedience to orders from General Garrard, I moved my command to the reserve
intrenched lines preparatory to charging the enemy's works. The Tenth Kansas and Company B,
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Twenty-seventh Iowa, occupied the picket-line as skirmishers; the Twenty-seventh Iowa, One
hundred and seventeenth Illinois, and Companies D, H, and K, of the Thirty-second Iowa, in
order from right to left, formed the advance line; the Sixth Minnesota and the other seven
companies of the Thirty-second Iowa formed the reserve. At 5.39 p.m. a rapid and severe
artillery fire commenced, which was soon followed up by a general advance and charge. My
main line of battle was 1,100 yards distant from the rebel fortifications; the intervening ground
was covered with timber felled in every possible direction, torpedoes planted in front of the
works, wire stretched from stump to stump, a double line of abatis, and in rear of all a very
strong line of fortifications. At the command to advance the line raised a shout, pressed rapidly
forward, reached and carried the enemy's works, and pursued the disconcerted enemy to the
river-bank, capturing 9 pieces of artillery and 573 prisoners, and in fact every rebel in our front,
although the enemy's gun-boats lay in the Tensas River only a few rods in advance. Leaving a
picket of 300 men the command returned with its prisoners to camp. Officers and men
throughout the entire command did their duty and did it well. The Tenth Kansas, a little band of
heroes, rushed forward as into the jaws of death, with a determination to conquer or die.
Company B, Twenty-seventh Iowa, acted with the same valor. Too much praise cannot be
bestowed upon them. I am at a loss for words to express my admiration for them and their gallant
officers, and when I say that Lieutenant-Colonel Hills is worthy to command such men language
is exhausted in his praise. Major Hutchison, of the Thirty-second Iowa, also distinguished
himself both in the assault and in the capture of prisoners. My list of casualties is comparatively
light, being 27, of which are 8 enlisted men killed and 19 wounded (2 commissioned officers and
17 enlisted men).
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES I. GILBERT,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. J. B. SAMPLE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA INFANTRY,
Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the
Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry in the charge and capture of Blakely, Ala., April 9, 1865:
At 3.30 p.m. the regiment moved toward the enemy's works, taking position on the right of
the Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, in line of intrenchments 250 yards
in the rear of the line of skirmishers. Company B was immediately ordered to report to
Lieutenant-Colonel Hills as skirmishers. We remained in this position until 5:30 p.m., when the
entire line advanced. The regiment moved rapidly forward, not being able to preserve a good
line, however, because of fallen timber. When we reached the line of intrenchments from which
the skirmishers had advanced when the charge was ordered, a temporary halt was made. Resting
but a moment in these intrenchments, we again advanced with rapidity and carried the enemy's
works without serious resistance. When the works were carried we again formed line and rapidly
pursued the disconcerted foe to Blakely. Here was a large number of the enemy which we
assisted in capturing. The enemy's gun-boats were lying in the Tensas River immediately and
only a few rods in our advance. From this position we returned to camp without unnecessary
delay, Companies E, K, and G as guards of prisoners. Company B returned to camp during the
evening. The conduct of both officers and men on the occasion was, so far as my knowledge
extends, unexceptionable and commendable. The following is the list of casualties: Sergt. Robert
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T. Jackson, Company B, wounded severely in the face and neck; Private Albert Tennis,
Company C, wounded severely in right hand.
Very respectfully,
GEO. W. HOWARD,
Major, Commanding.
Lieut. W. G. DONNAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Second Div., 16th Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-SECOND IOWA INFANTRY,
Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865.
SIR: As to the part taken by my regiment in the action on the 9th instant, I have the honor to
report as follows:
My command moved to the reserve line of intrenchments at 4.30 p.m., and with the Sixth
Minnesota on our left formed the reserve line of the brigade. While in this position Companies
D, H, and K were detached under command of Maj. J. Hutchison, and formed on the left of the
One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Infantry as part of the first line. These companies
participated in the assault on the enemy's works at 5.30 p.m. and aided in the capture of a large
number of prisoners. The other portion of the regiment being in reserve did not take an active
part in the engagement. Too much praise cannot be given the officers and men participating in
the assault, and I beg leave to make special mention of Major Hutchison, who with eight men
checked 300 of the enemy who were endeavoring to get under cover of the guns of their fleet,
and held them in such a manner as to secure the safety of our own forces, preventing an artillery
fire from the gunboats of the enemy, they fearing to endanger the lives of their own men. I have
no casualties to report.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. A. EBERHART,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Lieut. W. G. DONNAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Second Div., 16th Army Corps.
HDQRS. BATTALION TENTH KANSAS VET. VOL. INFTY.,
Fort Blakely, Ala., April 11, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part in which the troops under my
command participated in the assault on the enemy's works in rear of Blakely, Ala., April 9, 1865:
At 10 a.m. on that day I received orders from Brigadier-General Gilbert, commanding
brigade, to hold my regiment in readiness to move at a moment's notice, which order was
immediately transmitted to company commanders. At 1 p.m. I received orders to move
immediately to the outer line of works and relieve the picket then occupying those works. A
detail of fifty men under Lieutenant Bryan were then already on the reserve skirmish line, and
twenty-five men of the command were absent from camp with a working party. At 2 p.m. I
occupied the outer picket-line, relieving the old picket, and at 3 p.m. Lieutenant Bryan reported
to me with the picket reserve of fifty men, and at 3.30 p.m. was strengthened by twenty-eight
men under command of Second Lieut. W. S. Sims, Company B, Twenty-seventh Iowa, which
completed the skirmish line in front of the entire brigade, consisting of 148 men, in the following
order: Right wing, detachment Company B, Twenty-seventh Iowa, and Company B, Tenth
Kansas, commanded by Capt. W. C. Jones, Tenth Kansas, With Lieut. W. S. Sims, Twentyseventh
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and Lieut. John Bryan, Tenth Kansas, subordinate; left,
Companies C and D, Tenth Kansas, commanded by Capt. George D. Brooke, with Lieut. George
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W. May subordinate; center, Company A, Tenth Kansas, commanded by Capt. R. W. Wood,
with Lieut. Porter M. Phillips subordinate. At 4 p.m. General Gilbert notified me that the
advance on the rebel works would be made at 5 p.m., commencing on the left and continued
through the line, each man immediately following the man on his left, my left following
immediately the right of the Third Brigade skirmishers; that I should advance my line with the
right retired and drive the enemy's pickets from their pits, draw the fire of his main line, and
ascertain his strength, as well as his weak point; and in the event that he should open on my line
with spirit and expose them to too hot a fire I should take advantage of what cover the fallen
timber and irregular ground offered, and lie down and await the arrival of the main line. At 5.30
p.m. the movement commenced as directed. The men, leaping over our intrenchments, advanced
on a run to the enemy's first line of rifle-pits, which were abandoned without much resistance, as
was also his second line. While descending the slope go the ravine which lay in my front, the
enemy opened with a galling fire of artillery and musketry, using shell, spherical case, canister,
and grape, which induced me to look for shelter in the ravine, in accordance with previous
orders, but which, on reaching, I found to be enfiladed, and afforded no shelter whatever. For
this reason no halt was ordered, our safety depending on breaking through the main works on my
left, if possible; if not at any point, take him on the flank and double him up.
On gaining the high ground past the ravine the firing became more rapid, and had it been
well directed would have been very destructive. No man in the line returned the fire, but each
one devoted his whole energy to reach the works as soon as possible, climbed over fallen trees
with scarce an effort, cleared each line of abatis at a single leap, and, scarcely noticing the ditch,
mounted the parapets or poured through the embrasures at the recoil of the guns that their last
discharge had opened for them, and their line was broken. Turning the left of my line (which
after entering the embrasures had become a column) to the right, and being joined by those who
had climbed the parapets, it swept down on their flank with fixed bayonets with scarcely any
opposition, the men throwing down their guns and surrendering, officers waving their white
handkerchiefs and delivering up their swords. Here for the first time I discovered the left of the
skirmishers of the division of the Thirteenth Corps did not connect with my right, but had made
an interval of some eighty yards and having a greater distance to pass over than my line had not
yet reached the works. Fearing that the enemy's line in their front might, with those who had
escaped from my column, discover our weakness and give us trouble, I pushed on down the line,
so that the enemy might not have time to recover from his panic, and found that my right had
already captured the men and guns at the center fort and the infantry support on its right, most of
the left having run down the ravine to the rear and for the time escaped capture. A portion of the
Thirteenth Corps having now arrived, and all resistance at an end and prisoners all secure, I
halted my command, reformed them, and rested the men till I received orders to join the brigade.
The distance from my right, where it left the picket-line to the point where it struck the enemy's
works, is 550 yards, and the length of works captured 560 yards. I am unable to give the exact
number or rank of prisoners captured by my command, as the success of the assault depended on
its being rapidly followed up after the line was broken and leaving the prisoners and trophies in
other hands, which was done. I cannot, however, do justice to my command in fixing the number
of prisoners captured by them at less than 800, being one entire brigade and two batteries, 800
stand of small-arms and accouterments, and 8 pieces of artillery, as follows, viz, one 30-pounder
Parrott, carriage and limber with chest; one 7-inch siege gun with carriage; six field pieces with
limbers. List of casualties. The conduct of both officers and men, during the assault and after the
works were carried, was unexceptionable. All seemed to know what was to be done, and vied
with each other in doing it first. Not a man faltered or deemed himself incompetent to
accomplish the task. To Lieut. John E. Thorpe, acting adjutant, Tenth Kansas Veteran Volunteer
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Infantry, I am indebted for the general direction of the colors and his efficient services in
conveying orders under the most difficult circumstances, and to each officer whose name appears
above, I wish to make special mention for the cool and systematic manner with which they
executed my orders and handled their men. To them I am greatly indebted. To each soldier I owe
much for the success of the assault, and, would space permit, I would mention each by name.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. S. HILLS,
Lieut. Col. Tenth Kansas, Comdg. Second Brigade Skirmishers.
Lieut. W. G. DONNAN,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Second Div., 16th Army Corps.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Spanish Fort, Ala., April 9, 1865.
COLONEL: In making, according to verbal instructions, a report of the operations before this
place, I have the honor to state that on the 27th of March, at 10 o'clock, we closed up on the rebel
works, and since that time have been incessantly occupied in making approaches, parallels, and
batteries till its final fall at 12 o'clock midnight last night. For the first two or three days we
suffered severely from the enfilading fire of Batteries Huger and Tracy and the rebel gun-boats,
but were relieved by the batteries we erected on the shore above our camp. Yesterday afternoon,
a bombardment having been ordered to commence at 5.30 p.m., I directed Col. J. L. Geddes,
Eighth Iowa (commanding my Third Brigade), to press with skirmishers on his right against the
rebel left, feel their strength, ascertain the nature of the ground, and take as much as he could
hold. Colonel Geddes was, while I was giving him his instructions, shaking with a chill, but
executed my orders and commanded his brigade with as much efficiency as a man in perfect
health. I also directed all the mortars and artillery bearing on the enemy's left to keep up a
continued fire, carrying it forward, so that the projectiles would take effect in front of our
advancing line; ordered the next brigade to keep up a hot skirmish fire, and at the proper moment
caused the brigade on my extreme left to raise a cheer to call the attention of the enemy and
make them expect an assault in front. The advance of Colonel Geddes succeeded admirably. He
took possession of about 300 yards of the rebel works, and we might have gone at once over the
whole interior, but I did not feel justified in risking too much on any own responsibility. As soon
as the rebels found that they were flanked they commenced to evacuate. My skirmishers, sent
forward to feel their position, met with little resistance, and at midnight the whole work was in
our possession. Our captures amount to 4 flags, 46 pieces of artillery, large and small, including
three 7-inch Brookes in the water battery, and two 8-inch columbiads in front, 700 small-arms,
and 540 prisoners, including 20 officers, and a large amount of ammunition. Twenty-six of the
enemy's dead were buried on the field by my men this morning.
I cannot commend too highly the conduct of the officers and soldiers of my division during
this trying, dangerous, and laborious siege. The men were all on duty at least once in twenty-four
hours. On one occasion the officers and non-commissioned officers of a brigade held the
trenches during the day while the men slept. It will not be improper for me to mention especially
my brigade commanders, Col. James L. Geddes, Eighth Iowa Infantry, commanding Third
Brigade; Col. Jonathan B. Moore, Thirty-third Wisconsin Infantry, commanding First Brigade;
Col. Lyman M. Ward, Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry, commanding Second Brigade. Colonel
Moore and his brigade were distinguished during the siege for the energy and intelligence which
they displayed in pushing the approaches, and for their promptness in supporting Colonel
Geddes' assault. Lieut. Henry Vineyard, Company G, Eighth Iowa Volunteers, was especially
distinguished as leading the charge of his regiment, and is dangerously wounded in the thigh and
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arm. My loss during the whole siege is 29 killed, 195 wounded, and 1 missing, including 7 killed
and 19 wounded in the assault. My staff officers all behaved with gallantry, and showed the
utmost energy and perseverance. Their names are Lieut. Col. W. R. Lackland, One hundred and
eighth Illinois Infantry, picket officer, distinguished for leading his regiment, musket in hand, on
the day of investment and on the day of the capture; Maj. C. B. Loop, acting assistant inspectorgeneral;
Capt. Bluford Wilson, assistant adjutant-general, who is a most gallant and energetic
officer, and acted as aide to Colonel Geddes during the assault; Capt. W. L. Scott, Thirty-third
Wisconsin Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. H. M. Bush, Ninety-fifth Illinois
Volunteers, assistant commissary of musters; Capt. E. Morgan, jr., Seventy-second Illinois
Volunteers, provost-marshal; Capt. A. Geddes, Eighth Iowa Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp;
Lieut. Charles A. Harms, Forty-third Illinois Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Lieut. W. B. Walker,
Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteers, aide-de-camp; Surg. E. Powell, Seventy-second Illinois
Volunteers, surgeon-in-chief; Capt. J. P. Reese, commanding pioneers. Capt. H. L. Wheeler,
Ninety-sixth U.S. Colored Infantry, acting engineer officer, displayed great energy, pertinacity,
and untiring industry. I would also mention Bvt. Capt. C. J. Allen, U.S. Engineers, on General
Smith's staff, acting chief engineer for the corps; Capt. J. G. Patton, acting engineer and acting
assistant inspector-general military division; Major Connelly and Captain Hendricks, First
Indiana Heavy Artillery; Captain Craig, Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery; Captain Blankenship,
First Indiana Heavy Artillery, commanding mortar batteries, and Captain Gillis, U.S. Navy, all
for rendering great assistance in constructing and working batteries in my front.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. A. CARR,
Brigadier-General.
Lieut. Col. JOHN HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Sixteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Montgomery, Ala., April 26, 1865.
COLONEL: In accordance with paragraph 1, General Field Orders, No. 19, current series,
headquarters Army and Division of West Mississippi, I have the honor to report that 4 battleflags
and 540 prisoners were captured by my division in the engagement at Spanish Fort, which
have been delivered to the commanding general of the Sixteenth Army Corps. Also 46 cannon
and 700 small-arms were captured by my command in connection with the other troops, of which
a list was made out by my ordnance officer and a receipt for which was signed by the officer
who was ordered to occupy the place, but this officer afterward tore his signature off, and has no
doubt made out a new list and properly accounted for the property. The battle-flags were
captured as follows: One by Sergt. E. A. Bras, Company K, Eighth Iowa Volunteers, who took it
from the rebel color-bearer; one by Eighth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment; one by
One hundred and eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment; one by One hundred and twentyfourth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The prisoners and ordnance were captured in the
general capture. The following-named individual officers and men distinguished themselves in
that engagement in the manner set forth below, viz: Col. James L. Geddes, Eighth Iowa,
commanding Third Brigade (although quite ill), for great bravery, endurance, and activity in
pressing the siege, and being the first to storm with his brigade a part of the enemy's works,
taking four colors and many prisoners, and causing the enemy to evacuate. Col. Jonathan B.
Moore, Thirty-third Wisconsin, commanding First Brigade, for great bravery, endurance,
activity, pertinacity, and skill in pressing the siege, and promptness on all occasions. He has
already been brevetted brigadier for Nashville, but official intelligence has not arrived. Col.
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Lyman M. Ward, Fourteenth Wisconsin, commanding Second Brigade, for bravery, energy, and
activity in pressing the siege. Col. Charles Turner, One hundred and eighth Illinois, for bravery,
energy, and activity in pressing the siege and efficiency in the assault. Lieut. Col. William R.
Lackland, One hundred and eighth Illinois, picket officer of the division, for bravery, energy,
activity, and perseverance in his especial duties, and generally as a staff officer in the siege, and
also in taking a musket and leading the men on two occasions, viz, when pressing up the
investment and when making the final assault. Sergt. E. A. Bras, Company K, Eighth Iowa, for
capturing flag from standard-bearer with his own hands. Capt. Bluford Wilson, assistant
adjutant-general, for great bravery, endurance, and activity in pressing the siege, acting
frequently as aide, and being particularly conspicuous in the assault, where he volunteered as
aide to Colonel Geddes. He has frequently distinguished himself heretofore and is well worthy of
promotion. Capt. Henry L. Wheeler, Ninety-sixth U.S. Colored, acting engineer officer, for great
industry, pertinacity, bravery, and untiring assiduity in conducting the works of the siege,
constructing batteries, providing materials, making maps, &c. First Lieut. Charles A. Harms,
Forty-third Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, my aide-decamp, for bravery, energy, and
activity, and I specially request his promotion. I inclose the reports of the commanders of the
three brigades of my division, marked A, B, and C; also special reports of the commanders of the
First and Third Brigades, marked D and E, giving credit to individuals, which I cordially indorse;
as also the mention by Colonel Ward, commanding Second Brigade (in his report of operations),
of Capt. M. S. Lake, Company G, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. I would
respectfully recommend that the officers and soldiers mentioned receive promotion or some
other appropriate acknowledgment of their services.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. A. CARR,
Brigadier-General, Comdg. Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Army and Division of West Mississippi.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., THIRD DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Spanish Fort, Ala., April 9, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with verbal instructions received from
Brigadier-General Carr, about 6 o'clock on the evening of the 8th instant I ordered the Eighth
Iowa Infantry, Lieut. Col. W. B. Bell commanding, to occupy my right gabion approach, and at
the same time to deploy about two companies as skirmishers, with directions to feel the enemy's
left flank. Previous to this movement I ordered the One hundred and eighth Illinois, Colonel
Turner commanding, and the One hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois, Brevet Colonel Howe
commanding, to man the rifle-pits on their front and open a continuous fire on the enemy,
obliquing the fire to their left as the skirmishers of the Eighth Iowa advanced along the left of the
rebel works. These instructions were carried out admirably. I also placed the Eighty-first Illinois,
Lieutenant-Colonel Rogers commanding, in supporting distance of the Eighth Iowa. Perceiving
that my skirmishers were advancing rapidly along the enemy's works from the left to their right,
and that the enemy's fire was mostly directed to his front, apparently unconscious of the danger
threatening his flank, I immediately ordered the remaining portion of the Eighth Iowa to advance
in support of the skirmishers. This order was promptly and nobly executed; the men, leaping
over the gabion approach, rushed through intervening obstructions and were on the enemy's
works in a moment. About this time over 200 prisoners were captured and hurried to the rear.
Being convinced that the enemy was taken by surprise, I ordered the Eighty-first Illinois,
Lieutenant-Colonel Rogers, up to support the Eighth Iowa, and finally the One hundred and
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eighth and One hundred and twenty-fourth Illinois, thus lodging my entire brigade on the rebel
works. As the enemy appeared to be firing along their line of works not yet taken, and the heavy
fire from our own left precluded my advance for the time being, with the concurrence of the
commanding general I commenced intrenching, running the line of defense from the enemy's
work and at right angles with it, thus enfilading his entire northern defenses. After remaining in
this position for some time and placing two guns captured from the enemy in position, I
advanced a line of skirmishers, from whom I received the information that the enemy were
evacuating their position and retreating in disgraceful haste to their landing on the bay. I
immediately ordered an advance, and sweeping with my command their northern front for about
half a mile captured a number of cannon and a large amount of small-arms, ammunition, &c. I
was ordered by the commanding general to proceed to the landing On reaching that place we
found that the remaining force of the enemy had retreated across the bay, having abandoned all
their guns. After ascertaining this, about 3 a.m. 9th instant I returned with my command to
quarters. I cannot conclude this report without mentioning the heroic conduct of Lieut. Henry
Vineyard, of the Eighth Iowa Infantry, while leading the skirmish line on the rebel works, and
who nobly and conspicuously stood on the rebel work encouraging his men as they advanced,
until he was severely, if not mortally, wounded. Lieut. Col. W. B. Bell, Eighth Iowa Infantry,
was throughout the advance cool, deliberate, and prompt, and deserves much credit for the
manner in which he handled his regiment during the assault. Success was insured undoubtedly
by the coolness and prompt compliance with all my orders on the part of the regimental
commanders mentioned above. Most of the movements having taken place on ground covered
with almost impenetrable obstructions, rendered it a very trying situation for my staff officers,
who were obliged to carry orders on foot from point to point, but the officers of my staff, Major
Cowens, Captain Henry, and Lieutenant Hall, rendered very efficient service. I am also under
many obligations to Capt. B. Wilson, assistant adjutant general, for his efficient aid during the
whole movement. I would also state that Captain Craig's mortar battery rendered almost
incalculable service in covering my advance. I claim for my brigade the honor of having driven
the enemy from nearly half a mile of his left line of works, capturing over 650 prisoners, the
Eighth Iowa alone capturing 450 of that number, 4 rebel battle-flags, a large number of cannon,
small-arms, ammunition, &c., compelling him to evacuate his entire position and abandon 46
pieces of artillery of various calibers. Hereto appended is a list of casualties sustained by the
brigade during the siege, including the losses sustained during the assault.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES L. GEDDES,
Colonel Eighth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Comdg. Brigade.
Capt. B. WILSON,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. EIGHTH IOWA VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
In Front of Spanish Fort, Ala., April 9, 1865.
CAPTAIN: In compliance with instructions I have the honor to make the following report of
the part taken by the Eighth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the action of Spanish Fort, April
8. 1865:
About 5 p.m. on said day, in compliance with the directions of Col. J. L. Geddes,
commanding brigade, I proceeded with my regiment from its position in line to the extreme right
of our line, with orders to deploy two companies and advance them well up the ridge or slope on
the enemy's extreme left and effect a lodgment on the crest of the hill, if practicable, and hold the
position if possible; to hold the remainder of my regiment in rear and under cover of the line of
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works partially completed across the swamp on our extreme right to the bay, but not to expose
the regiment, and to commence the deployment and advance of these skirmishers at 6.10 o'clock.
I formed my command in obedience to the above instructions, and at precisely 6.10 o'clock I
ordered Company A, Capt. Henry Muhs commanding, and Company G, Lieut. Henry Vineyard
commanding, to move around the right of the works in the swamp above referred to, and deploy
forward on the center, which order was promptly and gallantly executed by Captain Muhs, who
commanded the line of skirmishers. The line advanced through an almost impassable swamp,
thickly strewn with fallen trees and brush, and in which the water and mud were very deep, and
this under a heavy fire from the enemy. The left of the line gained the crest of the hill, attacking
the enemy on his flank; the right moved forward by a left turn, attacking the enemy in his rear. In
the meantime I ordered Lieutenant Ball, commanding Company H, to advance his company
around the right of the works and move forward in support at Companies A and G, then hotly
engaging the enemy. I had now executed all the orders that I had received from Colonel Geddes,
except holding the position if possible. I soon became convinced that the best way to secure that
end was to push forward my entire force, for the reason that the fire from our forces in the riflepits
would protect the left flank, and a swamp the right flank of my regiment, leaving us only
our front to contend with. I, however, dispatched Lieutenant Clark, of Company E, to report the
above facts to Colonel Geddes, and requested orders, which I awaited for some time. The
regiment was impatient to go to the assistance of their comrades, who were fighting in full view
and but a short distance off, and, believing that to wait longer for orders was dangerous, I
ordered the regiment forward over our works. The movement was executed with as much
regularity as could be expected considering the nature of the ground. As soon as the regiment
gained the crest of the hill where our skirmishers were the fight commenced in full force, but of
such a character that it is difficult to describe. The regiment moved by the right flank in rear of
the enemy's rifle-pits, and carried them for a distance of 500 yards, either killing, wounding, or
capturing the entire force of the enemy occupying the same. One thing that was very much in our
favor was that the enemy's works from their extreme left for a considerable distance up consisted
of a series of small pits without direct connection with each other. This enabled us to attack them
in detail, and we had carried a considerable portion of their works before their main force was
aware that we had turned their left. We here witnessed the spectacle of dying in the last ditch, as
quite a number of the rebels refused to surrender and were shot in their ditches, and on the other
hand quite a number of them who were taken prisoners ought, in justice to our men, to have been
killed, as they would first fire at our men after being ordered to surrender, then throw up both
hands and surrender. At the time we had carried some 500 yards of the enemy's works, and were
yet advancing in them by the right flank, Colonel Geddes came up and directed me to place my
command outside the enemy's works and facing toward them, using them for breast-works, and
to throw out a company as skirmishers to my right and front, which orders were promptly
complied with. After making some further disposition Colonel Geddes placed Colonel Turner, of
the One hundred and eighth Illinois (whose regiment had by this time come up to our support),
temporarily in command. Soon after this Captain Kettenring, of my command, reported the
enemy advancing in heavy column. They advanced until within thirty or forty yards of us, calling
out "we surrender," and then fired on us. When they got within twenty-five yards of us I ordered
my command to fire and fix bayonets, which was done with a will. The enemy broke and ran, but
soon after rallied and returned, and when within fifty yards of us halted. I ordered two companies
to give them a volley, which caused them to break, and we saw them no more. Soon after this
Colonel Geddes returned, formed his brigade, and marched it through the fort and to the bay
beyond, after which by his direction I moved my command to camp.
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I claim for my regiment the honor of making the attack, and of being the only regiment that
engaged the enemy inside of his works; also of capturing 3 stand of colors, 5 pieces of artillery,
and 450 prisoners, 7 of them commissioned officers. I have receipts for 350; the remainder were
turned over to the troops most convenient to our rear. My regiment might have had a greater
number of flags had they been less anxious to engage the enemy. Where all do their duty it is a
difficult and delicate matter to make any discrimination. The several companies of the regiment
were commanded by the following officers: Company A, Captain Muhs; Company B, Captain
Kettenring; Company E, Lieutenant Clark; Company F, Lieutenant Harper; Company G,
Lieutenant Vineyard; Company H, Lieutenant Ball; Company I, Sergeant Taylor; Company K,
Captain Weeks. I would respectfully present to the favorable notice of the colonel commanding
brigade the following-named officers: Capt. Henry Muhs, who was conspicuous for his coolness
while in command of the skirmish line; Lieut. Henry Vineyard, commanding Company G in
skirmish line, who was wounded in the arm early in the engagement, but continued in command
of his company until he received a wound which broke his leg and will probably prove fatal;
Captain Weeks, who was conspicuous for his bravery throughout the engagement; Captain
Kettenring, who was severely wounded while bravely leading his company; Lieutenant Gardner,
who took command of his company after Captain Kettenring was wounded and led it through the
engagement with ability; and Sergeant Betz, Company G, who took command of his company
after Lieutenant Vineyard was wounded and handled it well. I am under obligations to Adjutant
Marsden for valuable assistance rendered me in communicating instructions to the command. In
addition to the names above mentioned, many enlisted men deserve honorable mention, but they
are so numerous that it would make this report too voluminous. A full list of the casualties has
already been forwarded from these headquarters.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM B. BELL,
Lieut. Col. Eighth Iowa Veteran Vol. Infty., Comdg. Regiment.
Capt. W. F. HENRY,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., Third Div., 16th Army Corps.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., May 3, 1865.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the major-general
commanding, the following summary of operations since leaving the Tennessee River, March
22, 1865:
Upton's division marched by the way of Barton's Station, Russellville, Mount Hope, and
Jasper, crossing the two forks of the Black Warrior at dangerous fords on the road to Elyton.
Long's division marched by the way of Cherokee Station, Frankfort, Russellville, crossed Bear
Creek on the Tuscaloosa road, and thence by Thorn Hill and Jasper to Elyton. McCook pursued
the same route to the crossing of Bear Creek, and thence by Tuscaloosa road to Eldridge, Jasper,
and Elyton. Upton reached Elyton on the 29th, the other divisions on the next day. The march to
this place was extremely difficult and toilsome, country rough and barren, roads bad, streams
swollen, and approaches treacherous. At Jasper, having previously learned that Forrest was
moving toward Tuscaloosa, I gave orders to leave the trains in the forks of the Warrior River,
under charge of Capt. William E. Brown, acting chief quartermaster, and Major Archer, with a
guard of dismounted men, directed the troops to push forward with the greatest possible rapidity
to Montevallo. March 30, detached Croxton's brigade, of McCook's division, to march rapidly on
Tuscaloosa, with instructions to take the place, burn the military school, foundry, stores, and
bridges, and rejoin the command near Selma by the way of the Centerville road. March 31,
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crossed the Cahawba at Hillsborough on the railroad bridges; arrived at Montevallo. Upton's
division, having reached there the evening before, destroyed Red Mountain Iron-Works,
Cahawba Valley Mills, Bibb Iron-Works, Columbiana Works, and much valuable property. At 1
p.m., enemy having made his appearance, Upton moved out and attacked, driving him in great
confusion, taking nearly 100 prisoners from Roddey's command or Crossland's (Lyon's old)
Kentucky brigade. Camped on Six-Mile Creek, ten miles south of Montevallo. April 1, moved at
daylight. Upton, in advance, struck the rebels again at Randolph; drove them rapidly back. At 9
a.m. captured couriers with dispatches from Colonel Anderson, of Forrest's staff, to General
Jackson, by which I learned that Jackson's division had camped at Scottsville, on the Tuscaloosa
and Centerville road, the night before, and that Croxton had reached Trion. Chalmers at Marion,
Ala., but ordered to cross Cahawba and put his division between us and Selma. I immediately
ordered McCook, with La Grange's brigade, to march as rapidly as possible, seize the Centerville
bridge, push on, form a junction with Croxton, and, if possible, break up Jackson's force and
rejoin the corps by the Centerville and Selma road. The other two divisions pursued the rebels,
now known to be under Forrest in person; found them in position on the north bank of a creek at
Ebenezer Station, five miles from Plantersville. General Long's advance regiment, the
Seventeenth Indiana, of Miller's brigade, made a gallant charge, capturing 1 gun and some
prisoners, while Upton, with Alexander's brigade, struck them on the right flank, capturing 2
guns and about 300 prisoners. General Winslow's brigade followed up the advantage, pushing
the rebels, now re-enforced by Armstrong's brigade, of Chalmers' division, rapidly beyond
Plantersville. Detachments from the Fourth Cavalry destroyed railroad bridges from Montevallo
down. Camped at Plantersville, twenty miles from Selma. April 2, marched at daylight, Long's
division in advance. Approached city by Summerfield road, Upton's division on the Range Line
road. Drove in pickets and closed in upon the defenses by 3 p.m. Having previously obtained
detailed plans of the rebel works, made a hasty reconnaissance to ascertain the accuracy of the
drawings. Directed General Long to attack on the right of the Summerfield road, whilst General
Upton was to penetrate the swamps at a point regarded impassable by the enemy and attack just
after dark. Before General Upton could get into position, Chalmers attacked General Long's
picket posted on the creek to cover his rear. Long, without waiting for the signal, with admirable
judgment, immediately began the attack with two dismounted regiments from each brigade,
1,160 men in all, himself, Colonels Miller and Minty, gallantly leading their men. They charged
500 yards over an open and level field, leaping over and tearing up the stockade in front of the
works, pushed through the ditch over the parapet, and swept everything before them.
Armstrong's brigade, with nearly 1,500 men, defended that part of the line. General Long was
severely wounded in the scalp; Colonels Miller, Seventy-second Indiana, and McCormick,
Seventh Pennsylvania, through leg; Colonel Dobb, Fourth Ohio, was killed; Colonel Biggs was
shot through the chest. Total loss, 46 killed, 200 wounded. As soon as an order could be got to
General Upton, with his usual intrepidity he pushed his division forward, meeting but slight
resistance, taking many prisoners. The rebels rallied behind the inner line of works, not yet
finished. The Fourth U.S. Cavalry, Lieutenant O'Connell commanding, made a handsome
charge, but could not penetrate the works. Rallied and dismounted under a withering fire of
musketry; supported by the Seventeenth Indiana, Third Ohio, and Chicago Board of Trade
Battery, they carried the inner line in handsome style. By this time it was quite dark, and in the
confusion Generals Forrest, Adams, Buford, and Armstrong, with about half of their forces,
escaped by the road toward Burnsville; Lieutenant-General Taylor had left at 3 p.m. on the cars.
Two thousand seven hundred prisoners, including 150 officers, 26 field guns, and one 30-
pounder Parrott in position, about 70 heavy guns, besides large quantities of military stores in the
arsenal and foundry, fell into our hands and were destroyed; 25,000 bales of cotton were burned
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by the rebels. Remained at Selma from the 2d to the 10th of April, waiting for Croxton and the
train, resting and destroying the immense shops, arsenal, and foundries. On the 5th McCook
joined with the train, but Croxton not heard from. April 6, met General Forrest at Cahawba under
flag of truce. Learned that Croxton had burned Tuscaloosa and moved toward Eutaw. Pushed
forward construction of pontoon bridge across the Alabama under great difficulties; broken three
times by high water and drift wood, but crossed entire command by daylight of the 10th.
Destroyed bridges and resumed the march toward Montgomery, McCook in advance. April 12, 7
a.m., General McCook, with La Grange's brigade, reached Montgomery. Received its surrender.
The rebels, having destroyed 85,000 bales of cotton, evacuated the city, and moved toward
Columbus, Ga. Destroyed 5 steam-boats, several locomotives, I armory, and several foundries.
April 14, resumed the march, Upton's division moving by the road through Mount Meigs and
Tuskegee toward Columbus, Colonel La Grange, with three regiments of his brigade, along the
line of the railroad by Opelika to West Point. The Second Division, Colonel Minty commanding,
followed the direct road to Columbus.
April 16, late in the afternoon, Upton arrived in front of the defenses of Columbus, on the
west bank of the Chattahoochee; made reconnaissances, put his troops in position, and at 8.30
p.m., with 300 dismounted men from the Third Iowa, attacked the rebel works on the Salem
road; carried them in fine style, and with a part of the Tenth Missouri pushed the retreating rebels
so closely as to save the bridges across the river; captured 1,200 prisoners, 52 field guns in
position. April 17, General Winslow destroyed the ironclad ram Jackson, mounting six 7-inch
rifles nearly ready for sea; burned the navy-yard, arsenal, foundry, armory, sword and pistol
factory, accouterment shops, paper mills, four cotton factories, all the bridges on the river, 15
locomotives, and 200 cars, beside 100,000 bales of cotton and an immense quantity of artillery
ammunition. Received news of La Grange's success at West Point. On morning of the 16th he
assaulted Fort Tyler on three sides, bridged its ditches, and after a stubborn defense captured the
works with nearly 300 prisoners, 3 guns, and several flags; burned 19 locomotives, 200 cars, and
a large quantity of supplies. Marched toward La Grange Station. April 18, moved Minty's
division toward Macon; Colonel Minty's advance, with Captain Van Antwerp, of my staff, by a
forced march seized the Double Bridges across Flint River, fifty-four miles from Columbus,
compelled the enemy to abandon 5 field guns and 13 wagon loads of machinery, captured 40
prisoners and destroyed 2 cotton factories. April 20, at 6 p.m., Minty's advance, the Seventeenth
Indiana, Colonel White commanding, having marched 104 miles since 6 p.m. of the 18th,
reached Macon and received its surrender, General Cobb making no defense, and protesting that
under the terms of an alleged armistice between Generals Sherman and Johnston I should
withdraw my forces from the place to a point at which I was met by a flag of truce announcing
the armistice. I declined without questioning the authenticity of the armistice or its applicability
to my command, upon the ground that my subordinates were not authorized to act in such
matters; that I had hurried to the front with all dispatch, but not in time to prevent the capture. I
should therefore regard it legal and hold the garrison of 1,500 men, including Major-Generals
Cobb and G. W. Smith, Brigadier-Generals Mackall, Robertson, and Mercer as prisoners of war.
April 21, received telegram through General Johnston from General Sherman announcing a
general armistice with a view to final peace, and directing me to cease hostilities and
impressments and to contract for the supplies necessary for my command. April 23, made
arrangements with General Cobb for the parole of my prisoners. April 29, General Croxton
arrived at Forsyth with his command in excellent condition; had skirmished with Jackson on the
1st of April; swam Black Warrior River forty miles above Tuscaloosa; marched rapidly to
Northport, opposite Tuscaloosa, attacked and carried the defenses of the bridge. At midnight of
the 4th crossed into the town, dispersed the Alabama Cadets, took 3 guns and 60 prisoners, and
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destroyed the military school and a large quantity of supplies. Marched toward Eutaw; crossed
Sipsey and then turned north, marching toward Jasper. His rear guard had a slight skirmish with
Wirt Adams' division near Bridgeville, but sustaining no damages except the loss of a few
prisoners and two ambulances. He pursued his march leisurely and crossed the Mulberry Fork of
Black Warrior at Hanby's Mills. Hearing from Roddey's fugitives that the corps had captured
Selma and marched on toward Montgomery, he pushed through Northern Alabama to Talladega,
dispersed Brigadier-General Hill's force of conscripts and deserters, capturing one gun, destroyed
the Blue Mountain Iron Works, the last in the State, and continued his march via Carrollton,
Newnan, and Forsyth to this place. The skill, sagacity, and good management displayed by
General Croxton in this long and arduous march entitles him to great credit. I have recommended
him for the brevet of major-general. I have also recommended Generals Upton, Long, Winslow,
and Alexander, and Colonels Minty, Miller, and La Grange for the full commission appropriate
to their commands. General McCook for brevet of major-general. It is but simple justice to these
officers to say that they cannot be excelled for personal gallantry, discipline, zeal, and ability.
Their promotions would reflect credit upon the service and fittingly reward them for their
admirable devotion to duty and the cause of the country. I shall render a complete report of
operations as soon as sub-reports can be made out, in which I shall take occasion to recommend
many subordinate officers for brevet promotions.
Requesting the favorable indorsement of the major-general commanding, I have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Cumberland.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., June 29, 1865.
GENERAL: My last general report of operations, dated at Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 8
[1], 1865, completed the history of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, from
its organization to that date. In pursuance of instructions from General Thomas, I was authorized,
after the escape of Hood to the south side of the Tennessee River, to assemble the available force
of the corps in the vicinity of Eastport, at the head of steam-boat navigation on the Tennessee
River, for the purpose of completing the organization and putting the troops in the best possible
condition for early active operations. By his direction, after transferring the Seventh Ohio and
Fifth Iowa from the Sixth Division, it was ordered to Pulaski with a view to its remaining in
Tennessee for local operations. No reports have since been received of its services. On the 24th
of January La Grange's and Watkins' brigades, of the First Division, after a fatiguing march
arrived at Waterloo Landing, in the northwestern corner of Alabama. They had been detained in
Kentucky under General McCook for the purpose of ridding that State of a band of rebel cavalry
under Lyon. In pursuance of previous orders, the Third Brigade of this division was then
distributed between the First and Second Brigades. Brevet Brigadier-General Watkins, at his own
request, was ordered to Nashville to report to Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson, commanding the Sixth
Division, for assignment to the command of a brigade in that division. About the same time the
Second Division, Brig. Gen. Eli Long commanding, and newly mounted and equipped, arrived
from Louisville, having marched from that place, a distance of 385 miles, in midwinter over bad
roads, with scanty supplies of forage, in twenty-eight days. Soon after this Winslow's brigade, of
the Fourth Division, arrived by steam transports from the same place. The Second Brigade of this
division was then organized by joining the First Ohio (transferred from the Second Division)
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with the Fifth Iowa and the Seventh Ohio (transferred from the Sixth Division). Bvt. Brig. Gen.
A. J. Alexander, a young officer of courage and administrative ability, was assigned to the
command. Brig. Gen. B. H. Grierson had been originally assigned to the command of this
division, but failing to use due diligence in assembling and preparing it for the field, he was
replaced by Bvt. Maj. Gen.' E. Upton, an officer of rare merit and experience. The troops were
all cantoned on the north bank of the Tennessee River, Long's, Upton's, and Hatch's divisions
and Hammond's brigade, of Knipe's division, at Gravelly Springs, and McCook's division at
Waterloo. The aggregate force was about 22,000 men, 13,000 of whom were armed with Spencer
carbines and rifles, 16,000 were well mounted on horses, simply requiring a few weeks' rest,
feed, and attention to become fit for active service. The balance were poorly armed and
dismounted.
On the 3d of February I received instructions to send a division of 5,000 cavalry to General
Canby. After consultation with General Thomas it was decided to send Knipe's division; but in
order to furnish it with horses it was found necessary to dismount a part of the command
remaining behind. General Hatch's division, composed of most excellent troops, had under its
gallant commander won great distinction during the recent campaign, but having the largest
number of dismounted men, and having been constantly in service from the beginning of the
war, I thought it best to take the horses from it necessary to mount the troops about to leave. I
wished to give it an opportunity to rest, furnish it a remount of fresh horses, equipments, and
arms, and hoped thereby to make it a model in drill, discipline, and equipment, as it had already
made itself in dash, constancy, and the cheerful performance of duty. On the 3d of February the
mounted portion of the Seventh Division embarked at Waterloo on transports for Vicksburg. The
dismounted portion, with such horses as could be obtained, followed from Nashville under the
direct command of General Knipe as soon as transportation could be furnished. Bvt. Brig. Gen. J.
H. Hammond had been relieved by direction of the chief surgeon from the command of a brigade
in this division after having earned great credit with it in the battles about Nashville and the
pursuit of Hood from Tennessee. These changes left under my immediate command 17,000 men,
requiring about 5,000 horses to furnish a complete remount. As the troops arrived at Gravelly
Springs they were assigned to camps as close together as the circumstances of ground, water, and
contiguity to the landings would permit. The mild climate, rocky soil, and rolling surface of the
country rendered this altogether the best locality that could have been found for recuperating and
preparing both men and horses for an early spring campaign. The camps were laid out with
regularity; comfortable quarters for the men and shelters for the horses were constructed without
delay, roads were made to the landings, and supplies of forage, rations, clothing, equipments, and
ammunition were furnished in great abundance. A thorough system of instruction for men and
officers was instituted, and every necessary effort was made to bring the corps to the highest
state of efficiency. I transmit herewith a topographical sketch showing the situations of the
camps and their arrangements. The plan of that constructed by General Hammond, and afterward
occupied by a part of General Upton's division, I regard the best arrangement of a cavalry
cantonment yet devised. The influence of the system adopted on the subsequent career of the
corps cannot be overestimated. The final victory over Forrest and the rebel cavalry was won by
patient industry and instruction while in the cantonments of Gravelly Springs and Waterloo. The
great fault in our cavalry system had previously been overwork in detachments and the absence
of instruction, organization, and uniformity of equipment.
On the 23d of February General Thomas arrived at Eastport with instructions directing me to
fit out an expedition of 5,000 or 6,000 cavalry "for the purpose of making a demonstration upon
Tuscaloosa and Selma" in favor of General Canby's operations against Mobile and Central
Alabama. After consultation, in which I expressed a belief in the capacity of my command to
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capture those places and conduct from the latter most important operations, General Thomas
gave me permission to move with my entire available mounted force, and authorized me to
pursue such a course as 1 might see proper, keeping in view the general objects of the impending
campaign. The instructions of Lieutenant-General Grant, transmitted to me by General Thomas
after directing me to be ready to march as soon as General Canby's movement had begun,
allowed me the amplest discretion as an independent commander. It was at first intended that the
expedition should begin its movement by the 4th of March, but heavy rain-storms setting in, the
Tennessee River became very much swollen and the roads impassable. Lieutenant-General Grant
having directed all the surplus horses purchased in the West to be sent to General Canby, there
were no means left in the Cavalry Bureau to mount Hatch's division. I therefore directed him to
turn over his few remaining horses to General Upton and continue the instruction of his
command at Eastport. It was expected that the supply departments would soon be able to furnish
horses and Spencer carbines, so as to enable him to take the field and join the corps somewhere
in Alabama or Georgia. By a voluntary arrangement between Bvt. Brig. Gen. D. E. Coon,
commanding the Second Brigade of Hatch's division, and Brigadier-General Croxton, the former
also turned over to the latter all the Spencer carbines then in his brigade. By these means the
troops of the First, Second, and Fourth Divisions, with the exception of a few hundred, were
armed with the Spencer carbine, and all had arms using cartridges with metallic cases. The heavy
rains continued, in consequence of which the river overflowed its banks and destroyed a large
quantity of grain accumulated for the horses at Chickasaw Landing. The steam-boats could not
reach the highlands, except by working their way through the woods and fields, until the river
subsided to its natural banks. The crossing was therefore delayed till the 18th instant. 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 ammunition, and one pair of
extra shoes for his horse; that the pack animals were loaded with five days' of hard bread, ten of
sugar, coffee, and salt, and the wagons with forty-five days' coffee, twenty of sugar, fifteen of
salt, and eighty rounds of ammunition. These calculations were made upon a basis of a sixty
days' campaign, and under the supposition that the command would be able to supply itself from
the enemy's country with everything else in abundance. Only enough hard bread was taken to
last during the march through the sterile region of North Alabama. One light canvas pontoon
train of thirty boats, with the fixtures complete, transported by fifty six-mule wagons, and in
charge of a battalion of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, Maj. J. M. Hubbard commanding, was
also got ready to accompany the expedition. The entire train, in charge of Capt. W. E. Brown,
acting chief quartermaster, numbered not far from 250 wagons, escorted by 1,500 dismounted
men of the three divisions. These men were organized into battalions and commanded by Major
(now Colonel) Archer.
At daylight on the 22d of March, all the preliminary arrangements having been perfected and
the order of march having been designated, the movement began. The entire valley of the
Tennessee, having been devastated by two years of warfare, was quite as destitute of army
supplies as the hill country south of it. In all directions for 120 miles there was almost absolute
destitution. It was, therefore, necessary to scatter the troops over a wide extent of country and
march as rapidly as circumstances would permit. This was rendered safe by the fact that Forrest's
forces were at that time near West Point, Miss., 150 miles southwest of Eastport, while Roddey's
occupied Montevallo, on the Alabama and Tennessee River Railroad, nearly the same distance to
the southeast. By starting on diverging roads the enemy was left in doubt as to our real object,
and compelled to watch equally Columbus, Tuscaloosa, and Selma. Upton's division, followed
by his train, marched rapidly by the most easterly route, passing by Barton's Station,
Throckmorton's Mills, Russellville, Mount Hope, and Jasper, to Saunders' Ferry, on the West
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Fork of 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 Russellville. From
this place it marched directly south by the Tuscaloosa road till it crossed Upper Bear Creek,
thence turned to the eastward 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 lastmentioned
stream and the road for six miles beyond were as bad as could be, but by industry
everything was forced 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 different divisions arrived at and crossed the two forks
of 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 600 or 700 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. I had also heard at
Jasper on the 27th that a part of Forrest's force under Chalmers was marching by the way of
Bridgeville toward Tuscaloosa, and knew that if the true direction of our movement had been
discovered it would be but a short time till the balance of the rebel cavalry would push in the
same direction. I therefore directed my division commanders to replenish the haversacks, see that
the pack animals were fully laden, to leave all the wagons except the artillery, and march with
the greatest possible rapidity via Elyton to Montevallo. I felt confident that the enemy would not
relinquish his efforts to check the movements of the troops in the hopes of destroying our supply
train. I therefore left it between the two streams with the instructions to push on as far as Elyton,
where it would receive further orders. By great energy on the part of commanding officers the
two branches of the Warrior were crossed, each division losing a few horses but no men.
At Elyton on the evening of the 30th I directed General McCook to detach Croxton's brigade,
with orders to move on Tuscaloosa as rapidly as possible, burn the public stores, military school,
bridges, foundries, and factories at that place; return toward the main column by the way of the
Centerville road and rejoin it at, or in the vicinity of, Selma. Besides covering our trains and
inflicting a heavy blow upon the enemy, I hoped by this detachment to develop any movement
on his part intended to intercept my main column. General Upton's division encountered a few
rebel cavalry at Elyton, but pushed them rapidly across the Cahawba River to Montevallo. The
rebels having felled trees into the ford and otherwise obstructed it, the railroad bridge near
Hillsborough was floored over by General Winslow. General Upton crossed his division and
pushed on rapidly to Montevallo, where he arrived late on the evening of the 30th. Long and
McCook marched by the same route. In this region General Upton's division destroyed the Red
Mountain, Central, Bibb, and Colombian Iron Works, Cahawba Rolling Mills, five collieries, and
much valuable property. All of these establishments were of great extent and in full operation. I
arrived at Montevallo at 1 p.m. March 31, where I found Upton's division ready to resume the
march. Directly after the enemy made his appearance on the Selma road. By my direction
General Upton moved his division out at once, General Alexander's brigade in advance. After a
sharp fight and a handsome charge General Alexander drove the rebel cavalry, a part of
Crossland's (Kentucky) brigade and Roddey's division, rapidly and in great confusion, toward
Randolph. The enemy endeavoring to make a stand at a creek four or five miles south of
Montevallo, General Upton placed in position and opened Rodney's battery (I), Fourth U. S.
Artillery, and passing Winslow's brigade to the front they again beat a hasty retreat, closely
pursued and repeatedly charged by Winslow's advance. About fifty prisoners were taken with
their arms and accouterments, and much other loose materials were abandoned. The gallantry of
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men and officers had been most conspicuous throughout the day, and had resulted already in the
establishment of a moral supremacy for the corps. Upton's division bivouacked fourteen miles
south of Montevallo, and at dawn of the next day, April 1, pushed forward to Randolph. At this
point, in pursuance of the order of march for the day, General Upton turned to the east for the
purpose of going by the way of Old Maplesville, and thence by the old Selma road, while
General Long was instructed to push forward on the new road. At Randolph General Upton
captured a rebel courier, just from Centerville, and from his person took two dispatches, one
from Brig. Gen. W. H. Jackson, commanding one of Forrest's divisions, and the other from
Major Anderson, Forrest's chief of staff. From the first I learned that Forrest with a part of his
command was in my front. This had also been obtained from prisoners; that Jackson with his
division and all the wagons and artillery of the rebel cavalry, marching from Tuscaloosa by the
way of Trion toward Centerville, had encamped the night before at Hill's plantation, three miles
beyond Scottsborough; that Croxton with the brigade detached at Elyton had struck Jackson's
rear guard at Trion and interposed himself between it and the train; that Jackson had discovered
this and intended to attack Croxton at daylight April 1. I learned from the other dispatch that
Chalmers had also arrived at Marion, Ala., and had been ordered to cross to the east side of the
Cahawba near that place for the purpose of joining Forrest in my front, or in the works at Selma.
I also learned that a force of dismounted men were stationed at Centerville, with orders to hold
the bridge over the Cahawba at that place as long as possible, and in no event to let it fall into our
hands. Shortly after the interception of these dispatches I received a dispatch from Croxton,
written from Trion the night before, informing me that he had struck Jackson's rear, and instead
of pushing on toward Tuscaloosa as he was ordered, he would follow up and endeavor to bring
him to an engagement, hoping thereby to prevent his junction with Forrest. With this information
in my possession I directed McCook to strengthen the battalion previously ordered to Centerville
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 possible celerity, and after
seizing the Centerville bridge, and leaving it under protection of a sufficient guard, to cross the
Cahawba and continue his march by the Scottsborough 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 Centerville road to Selma. Although he did not leave
Randolph till nearly 11 a.m., and the distance to Scottsville was nearly forty rodes, I hoped by
this movement to do more than secure the Centerville bridge and prevent Jackson from joining
the forces in front of the main column. Having thus taken care of the right flank, and anticipated
Forrest in his intention to play his old game of getting upon the rear of his opponent, I gave
directions to Long and Upton to allow him no rest, but push him toward Selma with the utmost
spirit and rapidity. These officers, comprehending the situation, pressed forward with admirable
zeal and activity upon the roads which have been previously indicated. The advance of both
divisions encountered small parties of the enemy, 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 Maplesville road. He had under his
command in line Armstrong's brigade, of Chalmers' division, Roddey's division, Crossland's
(Kentucky) brigade, and a battalion of 300 infantry just arrived from Selma--in all, about 5,000
men. Part of his front was covered by a slashing of pine trees and rail barricades. As soon as
General Long discovered the enemy in strength close upon the main body, he re-enforced 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 road. Pushing it forward, the enemy
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was broken and driven back. At this juncture he ordered forward four companies of the
Seventeenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry, Lieut. Col. Frank White commanding. With drawn
sabers this gallant battalion drove the enemy in confusion into the main line, dashed against that,
broke through it, rode over the rebel guns, crushing the wheel of one piece, and finally turned to
the left and cut its way out, leaving 1 officer and 16 men in the enemy's hands either killed or
wounded. In this charge Captain Taylor, Seventeenth Indiana, lost his life, after having led his
men into the very midst of the enemy and engaged in a running fight of 200 yards with Forrest in
person. General Alexander's brigade had the advance of Upton's division, and when within three
miles of Ebenezer Church heard the firing and cheers of Long's men on the right, pushed forward
at the trot and soon came upon the enemy. General Alexander hastily deployed his brigade
mostly on the right of the road with the intention of connecting with Long's left, and as soon as
everything was in readiness pushed forward his line dismounted. In less than an hour, although
the resistance was determined, the position was carried by a gallant charge and the rebels
completely routed. Alexander's brigade captured 2 guns and about 200 prisoners, while I gun fell
into the hands of General Long's division. Winslow's brigade immediately passed to the front and
took up the pursuit, but could not again bring the rebels to a stand. The whole corps bivouacked
at sundown about Plantersville, nineteen miles from Selma. With almost constant fighting the
enemy had been driven since morning twenty-four miles.
At daylight of the 2d Long's division took the advance, closely followed by Upton's. Having
obtained a well-drawn sketch and complete description of the defenses of Selma, I directed
General Long, marching by the flanks of brigades, to approach the city and cross to the
Summerfield road without exposing his men, and to develop his line as soon as he should arrive
in front of the works. General Upton was directed to move on the Range Line road, sending a
squadron on the Burnsville road. Lieutenant Rendlebrock, with a battalion of the Fourth U.S.
Cavalry, was instructed to move down the railroad, burning stations, bridges, and trestle-works
as far as Burnsville. By rapid marching without opposition the troops were all in sight of town
and mostly in position by 4 p.m. As I approached the city I perceived that my information was
generally correct. I therefore made a reconnaissance of the works from left to right for the
purpose of satisfying myself entirely as to the true point of attack and the probable chances of
success. I directed General Long to assault the enemy's works by moving diagonally across the
road upon which his troops were posted, while General Upton at his own request with a picked
force of 300 men was directed to penetrate the swamp upon his left, break through the line
covered by it, and turn the enemy's right, the balance of his division to conform to the
movement. The signal for the advance 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. Before this plan
could be put into execution, and while waiting for the signal to advance, General Long was
informed that a strong force of rebel cavalry had begun skirmishing with his rear, and threatened
a general attack upon the pack train and led horses. He had left a force of six companies well
posted at the creek in anticipation of this movement, afterward ascertained 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 that this affair might compromise our
assault upon the main position, General Long (having already strengthened the rear by another
regiment), with admirable judgment, determined to make the assault at once, and without waiting
for the signal gave the order to advance. The troops dismounted, sprang forward with confident
alacrity, and in less than fifteen minutes, without ever stopping, wavering, or faltering, had swept
over the works and driven the rebels in confusion toward the city. I arrived on that part of the
field just after the works were carried, at once notified General Upton of the success, and ordered
him to push in as rapidly as possible; directed Colonel Minty (now in command of the Second
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Division) to gather his men for a new advance; ordered Colonel Vail, commanding the
Seventeenth Indiana, to place his own regiment and the Fourth Ohio in line inside the works;
hurried up the Fourth U.S. Cavalry, Lieutenant O'Connell, and Board of Trade Battery, Captain
Robinson commanding, and renewed the attack. The rebels had occupied a new line but partially
finished in the edge of the city. A most gallant charge by the Fourth U.S. Cavalry was repulsed,
but rapidly reformed 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. During the first part of the action the Chicago Board of Trade
Battery had occupied a commanding position and steadily replied to the enemy's guns. I regard
the capture of Selma the most remarkable achievement in the history of modern cavalry, and one
admirably illustrative of its new powers and tendencies. That it may be fully understood,
particular attention is invited to the following facts: The fortifications assaulted and carried
consisted of a bastioned line on a radius of nearly three miles, extending from the Alabama River
below to the same above the city. The part west of the city is covered by a miry, deep, and
almost impassable creek; that on the east side by a swamp extending from the river almost to the
Summerfield road, and entirely impracticable for mounted men at all times. General Upton
ascertained by a personal reconnaissance that dismounted men might with great difficulty work
through it on the left of the Range Line road. The profile of that part of the line assaulted is as
follows: Height of parapet, six to eight feet; thickness, eight feet; depth of ditch, five feet; width,
from tea to fifteen feet; height of stockade on the glacis, five feet; sunk into the earth, four feet.
The ground over which the troops advanced is an open field, generally level, sloping slightly
toward the works, but intersected by one ravine and marshy soil, which both the right and left of
Long's line experienced some difficulty in crossing. The distance which the troops charged,
exposed to the enemy's fire of artillery and musketry, was 600 yards. Particular attention is
invited to that part of General Long's report which describes the assault. He states that the
number actually engaged in the charge was 1,550 officers and men. The portion of the line
assaulted was manned by Armstrong's brigade, regarded as the best in Forrest's corps, and
reported by him at more than 1,500 men. The loss from Long's division was 40 killed, 260
wounded, and 7 missing. General Long was wounded in the head, Colonels Miller and
McCormick in the legs, and Colonel Biggs in the breast.
I doubt if the history of this or any other war will show another instance in which a line of
works as strongly constructed and as well defended as this by musketry and artillery has been
stormed and carried by a single line of men without support. Too much credit cannot be accorded
to General Long, Colonels Minty, Miller, or Vail, or to the gallant officers and men under their
command. I submit herewith a map of Selma and its defenses, surveyed and drawn by Capt. H.
E. Noyes, Second U.S. Cavalry, and aide-de-camp. The immediate fruits of our victory were 31
field guns and one 30-pounder Parrott which had been used against us, 2,700 prisoners, including
150 officers, a number of colors, and immense quantities of stores of every kind. Generals
Forrest, Armstrong, Roddey, and Adams escaped with a number of men under cover of darkness,
either by the Burnsville and river roads or by swimming the Alabama River. A portion of
Upton's division pursued on the Burnsville road until long after midnight, capturing four guns
and many prisoners. I estimate the entire garrison, including the militia of the city and
surrounding country, at 4,000 men. The entire force under my command engaged and in
supporting distance was 9,000 men and eight guns. As soon as the troops could be assembled and
got into camp I assigned Brevet Brigadier-General Winslow to the command of the city with
orders to destroy everything that could possibly benefit the rebel cause. I directed General Upton
to march at daylight with his division for the purpose of driving Chalmers to the west side of the
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Cahawba, to open communication with McCook, expected from Centerville, and in conjunction
with the latter to bring in the train. The capture of Selma having put us in possession of the
enemy's greatest depot in the Southwest was a vital blow to their cause and secured to us the
certainty of going in whatever direction might be found most advantageous. I gave directions to
Lieutenant Heywood, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, engineer officer on my 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 I could satisfy myself in
regard to General 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 Centerville, but on reaching Scottsborough he
found Jackson well posted with a force he thought too strong to attack. After a sharp skirmish he
retired to Centerville, burned the Scottsborough cotton factory and Cahawba bridge, and returned
toward Selma, satisfied that Croxton had taken care of himself and gone in a new direction. On
the 6th of April, having ordered Major Hubbard to lay a bridge over the Alabama with the utmost
dispatch, I went to Cahawba to see General Forrest, who had agreed to meet me there under flag
of truce for the purpose of arranging an exchange of prisoners. I was not long in discovering that
I need not expect liberality in this matter and that Forrest hoped to recapture the men of his
command in my possession. During our conversation he informed me that Croxton had had an
engagement with Wirt Adams near Bridgeville, forty miles southwest of Tuscaloosa, two days
before. Thus assured of Croxton's success and safety, I determined to lose no further time in
crossing to the south side of the Alabama. I had also satisfied myself in the meantime that Canby
had an ample force to take Mobile and march to Central Alabama. I therefore returned to Selma
and urged every one to the utmost exertions. The river was quite full and rising, the weather
unsettled and rainy, but by the greatest exertions night and day on the part of Major Hubbard and
his battalion, General Upton, General Alexander, and my own staff, the bridge, 870 feet long,
was constructed and the command all crossed by daylight of the 10th. So swift and deep was the
river that the bridge was swept away three times. General Alexander narrowly escaped with his
life; boats were capsized and men precipitated into the stream, but the operation was finally
terminated by complete success. The report of Maj. Hubbard, transmitted herewith, will give
additional details of interest. Before leaving the city General Winslow destroyed the arsenals,
foundries, arms, stores, and military munitions of every kind. The enemy had previously burned
25,000 bales of cotton. Having the entire corps except Croxton's brigade on the south side of the
river and being satisfied that the rebels could receive no advantage by attempting to again
occupy Selma, so thoroughly had everything in it been destroyed, I determined to move by the
way of Montgomery into Georgia, and after breaking up railroads and destroying stores and
army supplies in that State to march thence as rapidly as possible to the theater of operations in
North Carolina and Virginia. Enough horses were secured at Selma and on the march to that
place to mount all our dismounted men. In order to disencumber the column of every
unnecessary impediment I ordered the surplus wagons to be destroyed and all of the bridge train
except enough for twelve bays. The main object for which the latter was brought had been
secured by our passage of the Alabama. I also directed the column to be cleared of all contraband
negroes, and such of the able-bodied ones as were able to enlist to be organized into regiments,
one to each division. Efficient officers were assigned to these commands and great pains taken to
prevent their becoming burdensome. How well they succeeded can be understood from 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. In the march from Selma La
Grange's brigade, of McCook's division, was given the advance. The recent rains had rendered
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the roads quite muddy, and a small body of rebel cavalry in falling back before La Grange
destroyed several bridges, so that our progress was necessarily slow.
At 7 a.m. April 12 the advance guard reached Montgomery and received the surrender of the
city from the mayor and council. General Adams with a small force, after falling back before us
to the city, burned 90,000 bales of cotton stored there, and continued his retreat to Mount Meigs,
on the Columbus road. Five guns and large quantities of small arms, stores, &c., were left in our
hands and destroyed. General McCook assigned Colonel Cooper, Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, to
the command of the city, and immediately began the destruction of the public stores. Major
Weston, of the Fourth Kentucky, with a small detachment of his regiment made a rapid march
toward Wetumpka, swam the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, and captured five steam-boats and
their cargoes, which were taken to Montgomery and destroyed. Early on the 14th the march was
resumed. I instructed Brevet Major-General Upton to move with his own division directly upon
Columbus, and to order La Grange with his brigade to make a rapid movement upon West Point,
destroying the railroad bridges along the line of his march. I hoped to secure a crossing of the
Chattahoochee at one or the other of these places. Minty followed Upton by the way of
Tuskegee. McCook with a part of his division remained a few hours at Montgomery to complete
the destruction of the public stores. Shortly after leaving his camp near Montgomery, La Grange
struck a force of rebels under Buford and Clanton, but drove them in confusion, capturing about
150 prisoners. About 2 p.m. of the 16th General Upton's advance, a part of Alexander's brigade,
struck the enemy's pickets on the road and drove them rapidly through Girard to the lower bridge
over the Chattahoochee at Columbus. The rebels hastily set fire to it and thereby prevented its
capture. After securing a position on the lower Montgomery road General Upton detached a
force to push around to the bridge at the factors', three miles above the city. He then made a
reconnaissance in person and found the enemy strongly posted in a line of works covering all the
bridges, with a large number of guns in position on both sides of the river. He had already
determined to move Winslow's brigade to the Opelika or Summerville road and assault the works
on that side without waiting for the arrival of the Second Division. I reached the head of
Winslow's brigade, of the Fourth Division, at 4 o'clock, and found the troops marching to the
positions assigned them by General Upton. Through an accident Winslow did not arrive at his
position till after dark, but General Upton proposed to make the assault in the night, and
coinciding with him in judgment I ordered the attack. Three hundred men of the Third Iowa
Cavalry, Colonel Noble commanding, were dismounted, and after a slight skirmish moved
forward and formed across the road under a heavy fire of artillery. The Fourth Iowa and Tenth
Missouri were held in readiness to support the assaulting party. At 8 p.m., just as the troops were
ready, the enemy at a short distance opened a heavy fire of musketry, and with a four-gun battery
began throwing canister and grape. Generals Upton and Winslow in person directed the
movement. The troops dashed forward, opened a withering fire from their Spencers, pushed
through a slashing and abatis, and pressed the rebel line back to their out-works, supposed at first
to be the main line. During all this time the rebel guns threw out a perfect storm of canister and
grape, but without avail. General Upton sent two companies of the Tenth Missouri, Captain
McGlasson commanding, to follow up the success of the dismounted men and get possession of
the bridge. They passed through the inner line of works, and under cover of darkness, before the
rebels knew it, had reached the bridge leading into Columbus. As soon as everything could be
got up to the position occupied by the dismounted men General Upton pressed forward again,
swept away all opposition, took possession of the foot and railroad bridges, and stationed guards
throughout the city. Twelve hundred prisoners, 52 field guns in position for use against us, large
quantities of arms and stores fell into our hands. Our loss was only 24 killed and wounded. Col.
C. A. L. Lamar, of General Cobb's staff, formerly owner of the Wanderer, slave trader, was
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killed. The splendid gallantry and steadiness of General Upton, Brevet Brigadier-General
Winslow, and all the officers and men engaged in this night attack is worthy of the highest
commendation. The rebel force was over 3,000 men. They could not believe they had been
dislodged from their strong fortifications by an attack of 300 men. When it is remembered that
this operation gave to us the city of Columbus, the key to Georgia, 400 miles from our starting
point, and that it was conducted by cavalry, without any inspiration from the great events which
had transpired in Virginia, it will not be considered insignificant, although shorn of its
importance. General Winslow was assigned to the command of the city. His report will give
interesting details in regard to the stores, railroad transportation, gun-boats, armories, arsenals,
and workshops destroyed.
After much sharp skirmishing and hard marching, which resulted in the capture of fourteen
wagons and a number of prisoners, La Grange's advance reached the vicinity of West Point at 10
a.m. April 16. With Beck's Eighteenth Indiana Battery, the Second and Fourth Indiana Cavalry,
the enemy were kept occupied till the arrival of the balance of the brigade. Having thoroughly
reconnoitered the ground, detachments of First Wisconsin, Second Indiana, and Seventh
Kentucky Cavalry dismounted and prepared to assault Fort Tyler, covering the bridge. Colonel
La Grange described it as a remarkably strong bastioned earth-work, thirty-five yards square,
surrounded by a ditch twelve feet wide and ten feet deep, situated on a commanding eminence,
protected by an imperfect abatis, and mounting two 32-pounders and two field guns. At 1.30
p.m. the charge was sounded and the brave detachments on the three sides of the works rushed
forward to the assault, drove the rebel skirmishers into the fort, and followed under a withering
fire of musketry and grape to the edge of the ditch. This was found impassable, but without
falling back Colonel La Grange posted sharpshooters to keep down the enemy, and organized
parties to gather materials for bridges. As soon as this had been done he sounded the charge
again. The detachments sprang forward again, laid the bridges, and rushed forward over the
parapet into the work, capturing the entire garrison, in all 265 men. General Tyler, its
commanding officer, with 18 men and officers, were killed and 28 severely wounded. Three
guns and 500 stand of small-arms fell into our hands. Our loss was 7 killed and 29 wounded.
Simultaneously with the advance upon the fort the Fourth Indiana dashed through the town,
secured both bridges over the Chattahoochee, scattered a superior force of cavalry which had just
arrived, and burned five engines and trams. Colonel La Grange highly commends the accuracy
and steadiness of Captain Beck in the use of his artillery. I cannot speak too warmly of the
intrepidity, good management, and soldierly ability displayed by Colonel La Grange in this
affair, nor too strongly recommend the steadiness, dash, and courage of his officers and men.
Capt. Roswell S. Hill, commanding the Second Indiana, dangerously wounded in the assault and
previously wounded at Scottsborough, and Lieutenant-Colonel Harnden, commanding the First
Wisconsin, slightly wounded, were noticeably conspicuous, and I trust will receive the
promotions for which they have been recommended. Colonel La Grange destroyed at this place 2
bridges, 19 locomotives, and 245 cars loaded with quartermaster's commissary, and ordnance
stores. Before leaving he established a hospital for the wounded of both sides, and left with the
mayor an ample supply of stores to provide for all their wants. Early on the morning of the 17th
he resumed his march toward Macon, passing through La Grange, Griffin, and Forsyth, and
breaking the railroads at those places. He would have reached his destination by noon of the 20th
but for delay caused by an order to wait for the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, which had gone
through Columbus. The afternoon of the 17th I directed Colonel Minty to resume the march with
his division on the Thomaston road toward Macon, and to send a detachment forward that night
to seize the Double Bridges over Flint River. Captain Van Antwerp, of my staff, accompanied
this party. He speaks in the highest terms of the dash with which Captain Hudson, Fourth
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Michigan Cavalry, discharged the duties assigned him. By 7 a.m. next day he had reached the
bridges, fifty-five miles from Columbus, scattered the parties defending them, and took forty
prisoners. Before leaving Columbus General Winslow destroyed the rebel ram Jackson, nearly
ready for sea, mounting six 7-inch guns, burned 15 locomotives, 250 cars, the railroad bridge and
foot bridges, 115,000 bales of cotton, 4 cotton factories, the navy-yard, foundry, armory, sword
and pistol factory, accouterment shops, 3 paper-mills, over 100,000 rounds of artillery
ammunition, besides immense stores of which no account could be taken. The rebels abandoned
and burned the gun-boat Chattahoochee twelve miles below Columbus. On the morning of the
18th the whole command resumed the march on the route pursued by the Second Division. On
the evening of the 20th, when within twenty miles of Macon, the advanced guard, composed of
the Seventeenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry, Colonel White commanding, encountered about 200
rebel cavalry on the road, but drove them rapidly back toward the city and saved the Echeconnee
and Tobesofkee bridges. Colonel White deserves great credit for the boldness and skill with
which he conducted his command. When within thirteen miles of Macon he met a flag of truce in
charge of Brigadier-General Robertson, of the rebel army, bearing a written communication
addressed to the commanding officer U.S. forces. Colonel White halted the flag and his advance
and sent the communication to Colonel Minty, commanding the division. After reading it
Colonel Minty forwarded it to me, gave instructions to Colonel White to renew his advance, after
waiting five minutes for the flag of truce to get out of the way, and sent a note to General
Robertson informing him of his action. I received the communication at 6 p.m. nineteen miles
from Macon, and upon examination found that it was a letter from General Howell Cobb,
commanding the rebel forces at Macon. The following is a true copy of the original:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA,
Macon, April 20, 1865.
COMMANDING GENERAL U.S. FORCES:
GENERAL: I have just received from General G. T. Beauregard, my immediate commander,
a telegraphic dispatch of which the following is a copy:
"GREENSBOROUGH, April 19, 1865.
"(Via Columbia 19th, via Augusta 20th.)
"Maj. Gen. H. COBB:
"Inform general commanding enemy's forces in your front that a truce for the purpose of a
final settlement was agreed upon yesterday between Generals Johnston and Sherman, applicable
to all forces under their commands. A message to that effect from General Sherman will be sent
him as soon as practicable. The contending forces are to occupy their present position, fortyeight
hours' notice being given on the event of resumption of hostilities.
"G. T. BEAUREGARD,
"General, Second in Command."
My force being a portion of General Johnston's command, I proceed at once to execute the
terms of the armistice, and have accordingly issued orders for the carrying out of the same. I will
meet you at any intermediate point between our respective lines for the purpose of making the
necessary arrangements for a more perfect enforcement of the armistice. This communication
will be handed to you by Brig. Gen. F. H. Robertson.
I am, general, very respectfully, yours,
HOWELL COBB,
Major-General, Commanding, &c.
Without giving entire credence to the communication, I rode rapidly to the front,
accompanied by several officers of my staff, determined to halt the advance at the defenses of
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the city and see General Cobb, so as to satisfy myself entirely in regard to every point before
consenting to acknowledge the armistice, but before I could overtake the advance, or arrest it
through an order carried by a staff officer, Colonel White had dashed into the city and received
its surrender. The garrison made a slight show of resistance, but laid down their arms promptly at
the summons of Colonel White. General Cobb protested at what he professed to regard a
violation of the alleged armistice, forgetting that my subordinates could neither acknowledge
him as a channel of communication nor assume the responsibility of suspending their operations.
I arrived at Macon at 8.30 p.m., had an interview with General Cobb, during which he renewed
his protest, insisting that I should acknowledge the existence of the armistice and withdraw my
troops to the point at which they were met by the flag of truce. While I had no reason to doubt
that an arrangement had been entered into by General Johnston and Major-General Sherman in
the terms asserted, I could not acknowledge its application to my command or its obligations
upon me till notified to that effect by specific instructions from proper authority, authentically
transmitted. My forces, although known as the "Cavalry Corps of the Military Division of the
Mississippi," organized under General Sherman's orders, had not served under his direct
command since I separated from him at Gaylesville, Ala., in October, 1864. He at that time
directed me to report to Major-General Thomas with my troops for the purpose of completing the
reorganization and assisting in the operations against Hood and Forrest. From that time till my
arrival at this place all of my operations were conducted under instructions either directly from
General Thomas, or transmitted through him from Lieutenant-General Grant, but I fully expected
to join the armies operating in the Carolinas and Virginia, and therefore to be under and receive
my instructions from General Sherman whenever I should reestablish communication with him. I
therefore felt it to be my duty to obey whatever instructions General Sherman might send me
unless they would clearly injure the cause of our arms. No orders having yet been received by
me, I accordingly informed General Cobb, without questioning the existence of an armistice or
that it might be applicable to my forces, I could not acknowledge the justice of his protest, but
must regard all the acts of my command which had transpired that evening, or which might
transpire before the official propagation of the armistice, legitimate acts of warfare. I further
informed him, without any regard to the principle just asserted, that I had used all diligence in
endeavoring to halt the advance of my troops till I could obtain satisfactory information, and
should therefore not withdraw from the city, but continue to hold it and consider the garrison,
including the generals, prisoners of war till my conduct was disapproved by competent authority
after full investigation of the case. I was permitted to send to General Sherman by telegraph a
dispatch in the following terms:
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., April 20, 1865---9 p.m.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN:
(Through headquarters of General Beauregard, Greensborough, N. c.)
My advance received the surrender of this city this evening. General Cobb had previously
sent me under a flag of truce a copy of a telegram from General Beauregard declaring the
existence of an armistice between all the troops under your command and those under General
Johnston. Without questioning the authenticity of this dispatch or its application to my
command, I could not communicate orders to my advance in time to prevent the capture of the
place. I shall therefore hold its garrison, including Major-Generals G. W. Smith and Cobb and
Brigadier-General Mackall, prisoners of war. Please send me orders. I shall remain here a
reasonable length of time to hear from you.
Fearing that it might be tampered with by the rebel telegraph operators, I had it put in cipher,
in which shape I have reason to believe it reached its destination. The original was materially
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changed. I have seen in the newspapers what purported to be the reply of General Sherman,
directing me to withdraw from the city and release my prisoners. No such dispatch ever reached
me, and had it done so in the most unquestionable form I should have obeyed it with great
reluctance, and not until I had received every possible assurance that the case had been fully
understood. At 6 p.m. of the 21st I received the following dispatch from General Sherman, and
though not in reply to mine, I regarded it as convincing proof that an armistice had actually been
agreed upon:
HEADQUARTERS,
Greensborough, N. C., April 21, 1865--2 p.m.
Major-General WILSON,
Commanding Cavalry, Army of the United States:
(Through Major-General Cobb.)
The following is a copy of a communication just received, which will be sent you to-day by
an officer:
"HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
"Raleigh, April 20, 1865.
"Major-General WILSON,
"Commanding Cavalry, U. S. Army, in Georgia:
"General Joseph E. Johnston has agreed with me for a universal suspension of hostilities
looking to a peace over the whole surface of our country. I feel assured that it will be made
perfect in a few days. You will therefore desist from further acts of war and devastation until you
hear that hostilities are resumed. For the convenience of supplying your command you may
either contract for supplies down about Fort Valley or the old Chattahoochee Arsenal, or if you
are south of West Point, Ga., in the neighborhood of Rome and Kingston, opening up
communication and a route of supplies with Chattanooga and Cleveland. Report to me your
position through General Johnston, as also round by sea. You may also advise General Canby of
your position and the substance of this, which I have also sent round by sea.
"W. T. SHERMAN,
"Major-General, Commanding."
Please communicate above to the Federal commander.
J. E. JOHNSTON.
I therefore issued the necessary orders to carry it into effect, and determined to suspend
operations till I received orders to renew them, or till circumstances apparent to me should seem
to justify independent action. General Cobb gave me every assistance in his power in the
collection of supplies for my command. He directed his quartermasters and commissaries
throughout the State, especially in Southwestern Georgia, to ship their grain and provisions to
me, and this before any terms of capitulation had been made known to him or myself. I had about
17,000 men besides prisoners, and 22,000 animals to feed, and to have been compelled to forage
for them would have resulted in the devastation of the entire country in the vicinity of the city.
On the 30th of April General Croxton, with his brigade, last heard of through General Forrest,
arrived at Forsyth, and the next day marched to this place. After having skirmished with
Jackson's force, estimated correctly at 2,600 men, near Trion on the morning of April 2 [1] he
determined to effect by strategy what he could not expect to do by fighting, having with him only
1,100 men. He therefore marched rapidly toward Johnson's Ferry, on the Black Warrior River,
forty miles above Tuscaloosa, threw Jackson completely off his guard by a simulated flight,
crossed his brigade to the west side of the river, and turned toward North port, where he arrived
at 9 p.m. April 4 [3]. About midnight, fearing that his presence must become known, he
surprised the force stationed on the bridge and crossed into Tuscaloosa. He captured 3 guns, 150
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prisoners, and after daylight scattered the militia and State cadets, destroyed the military school,
the stores, and public works. He remained at that place until the 5th trying to communicate with
General McCook or to hear from me, but without success. Knowing that Jackson and Chalmers
were both on the west side of the Cahawba, he thought it too hazardous to attempt a march by the
way of Centerville, and therefore decided to move toward Eutaw, in the hope of crossing the
Warrior lower down and breaking the railroad between Selma and Demopolis. Accordingly, he
abandoned Tuscaloosa, burned the bridge across the Black Warrior, and struck off to the
southeast. When within seven miles of Eutaw he heard of the arrival at that place of Wirt Adams'
division of cavalry, numbering 2,600 men. Fearing to risk an engagement with a superior force,
backed by the militia, he countermarched and moved again in the direction of Tuscaloosa;
leaving it to the right, passed on through Jasper, recrossed the West Fork of the Warrior River at
Hanby's Mills, marched nearly due east by the way of Mount Pinson and Trussville, crossed the
Coosa at Truss' and Collins' Ferries, and marched to Talladega. Near this place he met and
scattered a force of rebels under General Hill, captured 150 prisoners and 1 gun, and moved on
toward Blue Mountain, the terminus of the Alabama and Tennessee Railroad. After destroying
all the ironworks and factories left by us in Northern Alabama and Georgia, he continued his
march by Carrollton, Newnan, and Forsyth to this place. He had no knowledge of any
movements except what he got from rumor, but fully expected to form a junction with me at this
place or at Augusta. The admirable judgment and sagacity displayed by General Croxton
throughout his march of over 650 miles in thirty days, as well as the good conduct and endurance
of his command, are worthy of the highest commendation. For the details of his operations I
respectfully refer to his report, herewith. On the 30th of April I received notice of the final
capitulation of the rebel forces east of the Chattahoochee, and the next day, by the hands of
Colonel Woodall, the order of the Secretary of War annulling the first armistice, directing the
resumption of hostilities and the capture of the rebel chiefs. I had been previously advised of
Davis' movements, and had given the necessary instructions to secure a clue to the route he
intended following, with the hope of finally effecting his capture. I directed General Upton to
proceed in person to Augusta, and ordered General Winslow with the Fourth Division to march
to Atlanta for the purpose of carrying out the terms of the convention, as well as to make such a
disposition of his forces covering the country northward from Forsyth to Marietta, so as to secure
the arrest of Jefferson Davis and party. I directed General Croxton, commanding the First
Division, to distribute it along the line of the Ocmulgee connecting with the Fourth Division and
extending southward to this place. Colonel Minty, commanding the Second Division, was
directed to extend his troops along the line of the Ocmulgee and Altamaha Rivers as far as
Jacksonville. General McCook with about 500 men of his division was sent to Tallahassee, Fla.,
with orders to receive the surrender of the rebels in that State and to watch the country to the
north and eastward. In addition to this, troops from the First and Second Divisions were directed
to watch the Flint River crossings, and small parties were stationed at the principal stations from
Atlanta to Eufaula, as well as at Columbus, West Point, and Talladega. By these means I
confidently expected to arrest all large bodies of fugitives and soldiers, and by a thorough system
of scouts hoped to obtain timely information of the movements of important personages. The
pursuit and capture of Jefferson Davis have already been reported. A. H. Stephens, Vice-
President, and Mr. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy to the rebel Government, and B. H. Hill,
Senator from Georgia, were arrested by General Upton's command and sent forward in
accordance with the instructions of the Secretary of War.
By reference to the reports herewith it will be seen that since leaving the Tennessee River the
troops under my command have marched an average of 525 miles in twenty-eight days, captured
5 fortified cities, 23 stand of colors, 288 pieces of artillery, and 6,820 prisoners, including 5
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generals; have captured and destroyed 2 gun-boats, 99,000 stand of small-arms, 7 iron-works, 7
foundries, 7 machine-shops, 2 rolling-mills, 5 collieries, 13 factories, 4 niter works, 1 military
university, 3 C. S. arsenals and contents, 1 navy-yard and contents, 1 powder magazine and
contents, 1 naval armory and contents, 5 steam boats, 35 locomotives, 565 cars, 3 railroad
bridges, and immense quantities of quartermaster's and commissary and ordnance stores, of
which no account could be taken, and have paroled 59,878 prisoners, including 6,134
commissioned officers. Our total loss was 13 officers and 86 men killed, 39 officers and 559 men
wounded, and 7 officers and 21 men missing. I cannot close this report without calling attention
to the remarkable discipline, endurance, and enthusiasm displayed throughout the campaign.
Men, officers, regiments, brigades, and divisions seemed to vie with each other in the
promptitude and cheerfulness with which they obeyed every order. The march from Montgomery
to this place, a distance of 215 miles, was made between the 14th and 20th of April, and,
involving the passage of the Chattahoochee River at two important points, both strongly fortified
and well defended, is especially worthy of notice. The destruction of iron-works, foundries,
arsenals, supplies, ammunition, and provisions in Alabama and Georgia, as well as the means of
transporting the same to both the armies under Taylor and Johnstown, was an irreparable blow to
the rebel cause. The railways converging at Atlanta, and particularly those by which the immense
supplies of grain and meat were drawn from Southwestern Georgia and Central Alabama, were
firmly under our control. The final collapse of the entire Southern Confederacy east of the
Mississippi became simply a question of time. Fully appreciating the damage already done, I had
determined to make a thorough destruction, not only of them but of everything else beneficial to
the rebels which might be encountered on the march to North Carolina and Virginia. It will be
remembered that my corps began the march from the Tennessee River with something more than
12,000 mounted men and 1,500 dismounted men. When it arrived here every man was well
mounted and the command supplied with all the surplus animals that could be desired. I have
already called attention in a previous communication to the good merits of Brevet Major-General
Upton and Brigadier-General Long, commanding divisions, and Brigadier-General Croxton,
Brevet Brigadier-Generals Winslow and Alexander, and Colonels Minty, Miller, and La Grange,
commanding brigades. I have seen these officers tested in every conceivable way, and regard
them worthy of the highest honor their country can bestow. For many interesting details and
special mention of subordinate officers, I respectfully refer to the reports herewith submitted.
The accompanying maps and plans were prepared under the direction of Lieutenant Heywood, of
my staff, and will materially assist in understanding the foregoing narrative of the campaign.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General,
Headquarters Department of the Cumberland.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., May 3, 1865.
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the major-general
commanding, the following summary of operations since leaving the Tennessee River, March
22, 1865:
Upton's division marched by the way of Barton's Station, Russellville, Mount Hope, and
Jasper, crossing the two forks of the Black Warrior at dangerous fords on the road to Elyton.
Long's division marched by the way of Cherokee Station, Frankfort, Russellville, crossed Bear
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Creek on the Tuscaloosa road, and thence by Thorn Hill and Jasper to Elyton. McCook pursued
the same route to the crossing of Bear Creek, and thence by Tuscaloosa road to Eldridge, Jasper,
and Elyton. Upton reached Elyton on the 29th, the other divisions on the next day. The march to
this place was extremely difficult and toilsome, country rough and barren, roads bad, streams
swollen, and approaches treacherous. At Jasper, having previously learned that Forrest was
moving toward Tuscaloosa, I gave orders to leave the trains in the forks of the Warrior River,
under charge of Capt. William E. Brown, acting chief quartermaster, and Major Archer, with a
guard of dismounted men, directed the troops to push forward with the greatest possible rapidity
to Montevallo. March 30, detached Croxton's brigade, of McCook's division, to march rapidly on
Tuscaloosa, with instructions to take the place, burn the military school, foundry, stores, and
bridges, and rejoin the command near Selma by the way of the Centerville road. March 31,
crossed the Cahawba at Hillsborough on the railroad bridges; arrived at Montevallo. Upton's
division, having reached there the evening before, destroyed Red Mountain Iron-Works,
Cahawba Valley Mills, Bibb Iron-Works, Columbiana Works, and much valuable property. At 1
p.m., enemy having made his appearance, Upton moved out and attacked, driving him in great
confusion, taking nearly 100 prisoners from Roddey's command or Crossland's (Lyon's old)
Kentucky brigade. Camped on Six-Mile Creek, ten miles south of Montevallo. April 1, moved at
daylight. Upton, in advance, struck the rebels again at Randolph; drove them rapidly back. At 9
a.m. captured couriers with dispatches from Colonel Anderson, of Forrest's staff, to General
Jackson, by which I learned that Jackson's division had camped at Scottsville, on the Tuscaloosa
and Centerville road, the night before, and that Croxton had reached Trion. Chalmers at Marion,
Ala., but ordered to cross Cahawba and put his division between us and Selma. I immediately
ordered McCook, with La Grange's brigade, to march as rapidly as possible, seize the Centerville
bridge, push on, form a junction with Croxton, and, if possible, break up Jackson's force and
rejoin the corps by the Centerville and Selma road. The other two divisions pursued the rebels,
now known to be under Forrest in person; found them in position on the north bank of a creek at
Ebenezer Station, five miles from Plantersville. General Long's advance regiment, the
Seventeenth Indiana, of Miller's brigade, made a gallant charge, capturing 1 gun and some
prisoners, while Upton, with Alexander's brigade, struck them on the right flank, capturing 2
guns and about 300 prisoners. General Winslow's brigade followed up the advantage, pushing
the rebels, now re-enforced by Armstrong's brigade, of Chalmers' division, rapidly beyond
Plantersville. Detachments from the Fourth Cavalry destroyed railroad bridges from Montevallo
down. Camped at Plantersville, twenty miles from Selma. April 2, marched at daylight, Long's
division in advance. Approached city by Summerfield road, Upton's division on the Range Line
road. Drove in pickets and closed in upon the defenses by 3 p.m. Having previously obtained
detailed plans of the rebel works, made a hasty reconnaissance to ascertain the accuracy of the
drawings. Directed General Long to attack on the right of the Summerfield road, whilst General
Upton was to penetrate the swamps at a point regarded impassable by the enemy and attack just
after dark. Before General Upton could get into position, Chalmers attacked General Long's
picket posted on the creek to cover his rear. Long, without waiting for the signal, with admirable
judgment, immediately began the attack with two dismounted regiments from each brigade,
1,160 men in all, himself, Colonels Miller and Minty, gallantly leading their men. They charged
500 yards over an open and level field, leaping over and tearing up the stockade in front of the
works, pushed through the ditch over the parapet, and swept everything before them.
Armstrong's brigade, with nearly 1,500 men, defended that part of the line. General Long was
severely wounded in the scalp; Colonels Miller, Seventy-second Indiana, and McCormick,
Seventh Pennsylvania, through leg; Colonel Dobb, Fourth Ohio, was killed; Colonel Biggs was
shot through the chest. Total loss, 46 killed, 200 wounded. As soon as an order could be got to
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General Upton, with his usual intrepidity he pushed his division forward, meeting but slight
resistance, taking many prisoners. The rebels rallied behind the inner line of works, not yet
finished. The Fourth U.S. Cavalry, Lieutenant O'Connell commanding, made a handsome
charge, but could not penetrate the works. Rallied and dismounted under a withering fire of
musketry; supported by the Seventeenth Indiana, Third Ohio, and Chicago Board of Trade
Battery, they carried the inner line in handsome style. By this time it was quite dark, and in the
confusion Generals Forrest, Adams, Buford, and Armstrong, with about half of their forces,
escaped by the road toward Burnsville; Lieutenant-General Taylor had left at 3 p.m. on the cars.
Two thousand seven hundred prisoners, including 150 officers, 26 field guns, and one 30-
pounder Parrott in position, about 70 heavy guns, besides large quantities of military stores in the
arsenal and foundry, fell into our hands and were destroyed; 25,000 bales of cotton were burned
by the rebels. Remained at Selma from the 2d to the 10th of April, waiting for Croxton and the
train, resting and destroying the immense shops, arsenal, and foundries. On the 5th McCook
joined with the train, but Croxton not heard from. April 6, met General Forrest at Cahawba under
flag of truce. Learned that Croxton had burned Tuscaloosa and moved toward Eutaw. Pushed
forward construction of pontoon bridge across the Alabama under great difficulties; broken three
times by high water and drift wood, but crossed entire command by daylight of the 10th.
Destroyed bridges and resumed the march toward Montgomery, McCook in advance. April 12, 7
a.m., General McCook, with La Grange's brigade, reached Montgomery. Received its surrender.
The rebels, having destroyed 85,000 bales of cotton, evacuated the city, and moved toward
Columbus, Ga. Destroyed 5 steam-boats, several locomotives, I armory, and several foundries.
April 14, resumed the march, Upton's division moving by the road through Mount Meigs and
Tuskegee toward Columbus, Colonel La Grange, with three regiments of his brigade, along the
line of the railroad by Opelika to West Point. The Second Division, Colonel Minty commanding,
followed the direct road to Columbus.
April 16, late in the afternoon, Upton arrived in front of the defenses of Columbus, on the
west bank of the Chattahoochee; made reconnaissances, put his troops in position, and at 8.30
p.m., with 300 dismounted men from the Third Iowa, attacked the rebel works on the Salem
road; carried them in fine style, and with a part of the Tenth Missouri pushed the retreating rebels
so closely as to save the bridges across the river; captured 1,200 prisoners, 52 field guns in
position. April 17, General Winslow destroyed the ironclad ram Jackson, mounting six 7-inch
rifles nearly ready for sea; burned the navy-yard, arsenal, foundry, armory, sword and pistol
factory, accouterment shops, paper mills, four cotton factories, all the bridges on the river, 15
locomotives, and 200 cars, beside 100,000 bales of cotton and an immense quantity of artillery
ammunition. Received news of La Grange's success at West Point. On morning of the 16th he
assaulted Fort Tyler on three sides, bridged its ditches, and after a stubborn defense captured the
works with nearly 300 prisoners, 3 guns, and several flags; burned 19 locomotives, 200 cars, and
a large quantity of supplies. Marched toward La Grange Station. April 18, moved Minty's
division toward Macon; Colonel Minty's advance, with Captain Van Antwerp, of my staff, by a
forced march seized the Double Bridges across Flint River, fifty-four miles from Columbus,
compelled the enemy to abandon 5 field guns and 13 wagon loads of machinery, captured 40
prisoners and destroyed 2 cotton factories. April 20, at 6 p.m., Minty's advance, the Seventeenth
Indiana, Colonel White commanding, having marched 104 miles since 6 p.m. of the 18th,
reached Macon and received its surrender, General Cobb making no defense, and protesting that
under the terms of an alleged armistice between Generals Sherman and Johnston I should
withdraw my forces from the place to a point at which I was met by a flag of truce announcing
the armistice. I declined without questioning the authenticity of the armistice or its applicability
to my command, upon the ground that my subordinates were not authorized to act in such
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matters; that I had hurried to the front with all dispatch, but not in time to prevent the capture. I
should therefore regard it legal and hold the garrison of 1,500 men, including Major-Generals
Cobb and G. W. Smith, Brigadier-Generals Mackall, Robertson, and Mercer as prisoners of war.
April 21, received telegram through General Johnston from General Sherman announcing a
general armistice with a view to final peace, and directing me to cease hostilities and
impressments and to contract for the supplies necessary for my command. April 23, made
arrangements with General Cobb for the parole of my prisoners. April 29, General Croxton
arrived at Forsyth with his command in excellent condition; had skirmished with Jackson on the
1st of April; swam Black Warrior River forty miles above Tuscaloosa; marched rapidly to
Northport, opposite Tuscaloosa, attacked and carried the defenses of the bridge. At midnight of
the 4th crossed into the town, dispersed the Alabama Cadets, took 3 guns and 60 prisoners, and
destroyed the military school and a large quantity of supplies. Marched toward Eutaw; crossed
Sipsey and then turned north, marching toward Jasper. His rear guard had a slight skirmish with
Wirt Adams' division near Bridgeville, but sustaining no damages except the loss of a few
prisoners and two ambulances. He pursued his march leisurely and crossed the Mulberry Fork of
Black Warrior at Hanby's Mills. Hearing from Roddey's fugitives that the corps had captured
Selma and marched on toward Montgomery, he pushed through Northern Alabama to Talladega,
dispersed Brigadier-General Hill's force of conscripts and deserters, capturing one gun, destroyed
the Blue Mountain Iron Works, the last in the State, and continued his march via Carrollton,
Newnan, and Forsyth to this place. The skill, sagacity, and good management displayed by
General Croxton in this long and arduous march entitles him to great credit. I have recommended
him for the brevet of major-general. I have also recommended Generals Upton, Long, Winslow,
and Alexander, and Colonels Minty, Miller, and La Grange for the full commission appropriate
to their commands. General McCook for brevet of major-general. It is but simple justice to these
officers to say that they cannot be excelled for personal gallantry, discipline, zeal, and ability.
Their promotions would reflect credit upon the service and fittingly reward them for their
admirable devotion to duty and the cause of the country. I shall render a complete report of
operations as soon as sub-reports can be made out, in which I shall take occasion to recommend
many subordinate officers for brevet promotions.
Requesting the favorable indorsement of the major-general commanding, I have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the Cumberland
CINCINNATI, November 10, 1866.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to make the following brief report of the operations of the
Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, during the pursuit and
capture of Jefferson Davis. Having at hand little data and no records, I cannot make the statement
as full as I would like, but, as the part taken by this division was auxiliary rather than successful,
perhaps it is not very important that every detail should be preserved:
About the 1st of May, 1865, 300 men, composed of about equal numbers of the Third and
Fourth Iowa Cavalry, were sent to Augusta, being accompanied by Bvt. Maj. Gen. Emory Upton,
commanding the Fourth Division. The horses of this body of men were left with their respective
regiments, and they went, via Atlanta, by railroad. They did not rejoin their commands until after
the capture of Mr. Davis had been reported. At or about the same time the First Ohio Cavalry,
Col. B. B. Eggleston commanding, moved also from Macon to Atlanta, marching there in four
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days. Meantime the colonel had preceded the regiment by railroad, having with him a portion of
his regiment. On arriving at Atlanta he, acting under orders from corps headquarters, assumed
command of that city, his regiment acting as provost guard. In obedience to orders received from
yourself in person, I removed the remaining portions of the division toward Atlanta, leaving
Macon on the morning of May 5, and marching that day five miles beyond Forsyth. Having your
instructions to keep a lookout for Davis, I wished to gain the neighborhood of Atlanta as early as
practicable (keeping also in view the condition of my horses); therefore moved the next day to
Griffin, where I received from you the information that the ex-President was trying to escape
across Georgia. Leaving Griffin early on the morning of the 7th, I moved through Jonesborough
and bivouacked four or five miles north. Being now near Atlanta and in constant communication
with Colonel Eggleston, who had scouts well out to the north and east, I had left one company,
Fourth Iowa, Captain Pray, at Griffin and one company, Third Iowa, at Jonesborough, with
instructions to thoroughly scour the whole neighboring country, particularly to the east, and to at
once communicate by couriers all credible information. The most reliable information obtained
to this time, and during the 8th instant, led me to believe that Davis had not yet approached the
line of the Ocmulgee River and the towns west of the same. I frequently talked with persons who
saw him at Washington, Ga. Rumors without number now came from every direction, and if I
had obeyed the impulses they gave rise to in almost every mind I should soon have sent out my
whole force by detail, and with the expectation that each squad or company would be on the right
trail. Believing, however, that I now held a central position to move either south, west, east, or
northwest, I remained at this camp on the line of the railroad and waited more definite
information, conveying to corps headquarters such as I deemed of moment or value. Becoming
convinced that Mr. Davis had not crossed my lines of communication and that he had dispensed
with any considerable escort, I moved on the 9th to Atlanta, and, after consultation with Colonel
Eggleston and General A. J. Alexander, decided to let the latter take 200 men of his brigade (the
Second) and move up to hold the mountain passes on the line of the Western and Atlantic
Railroad as far as Allatoona or Kingston. I now communicated again to the major-general
commanding corps my positive belief that Mr. Davis had not come west of the Ocmulgee north
of Macon, and my further belief that he would endeavor to escape by going south on the east of
that stream (using as heretofore the telegraph mainly). I found that Colonel Eggleston had sent a
force of the First Ohio Cavalry southwest to Alabama, acting in obedience to orders from his
superiors, and at once directed him to recall the same. I also communicated to Major-General
Upton the information I had, as well as my past and contemplated future action, receiving in
return his full approval of all. The entire country for several days' march from Atlanta was utterly
destitute of food for man or horse, therefore, rations for both must be taken for every movement.
Before reaching Atlanta I had had rations prepared in that place for any movement likely to take
place, and if there had been any real necessity I could have started with, say, 1,000 well-mounted
men in any direction at very short notice. The news of the capture of the great rebel soon reached
us, and the entire force was early thereafter reassembled at and near Atlanta. This, general, in
brief, constitutes the account of the part taken by the Fourth Division in this effort, and, though
no apparent success attended the movements, perhaps they were conducive to that of the parties
which did succeed. For my part I am quite willing that the entire credit of the operation shall rest
with the expeditions from Macon eastward, and really think, as a commanding officer, I am more
entitled to praise for withholding my force from dispersion and for keeping it in hand than for all
that was done toward the capture.
Regretting that I have not at hand more perfect information, yet trusting this story is long
enough, I am, your obedient servant,
E. F. WINSLOW,
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Late Brevet Brigadier-General.
Maj. Gen. JAMES H. WILSON.
History of the campaign of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, in
Alabama and Georgia from the 22d of March to April 20, 1865:
The First, Second, and Fourth Divisions, together with the Fourth U.S. Cavalry, all under
command of Brevet Major-General Wilson, composed the troops engaged in this campaign. The
First Division, under Brig. Gen. Ed. M. McCook, numbered 4,096 men; the Second Division
numbered 5,127 men, under command of Brig. Gen. Eli Long. Brevet Major-General Upton
commanded the Fourth Division, containing 3,923 men. The Fourth U.S. Cavalry were on duty
as headquarters guard and were 334 men in number. There were thus engaged in the expedition
in all 13,480. The chief medical officers of the command were Surg. Francis Salter, U.S.
Volunteers, medical director; Asst. Surg. William T. Okie, U.S. Army, medical inspector; Surgs.
Benjamin McCluer, Francis Greene, and Frederick Corfe, chief surgeons of the First, Fourth, and
Second Divisions. There were altogether fifty medical officers on duty with the command.
Orders were given to march early on the morning of March 22. The several divisions moved out
on parallel roads in a southeasterly direction, the First Division forming the right, the Second
Division the center, and the Fourth the left. The roads all led to the southeast, passing through
Russellville and Jasper. The weather was pleasant and the roads, though rough, were,
nevertheless, very firm and passable. Corps headquarters passed through Cherokee Station at 12
m., and at 5 p.m., after a march of eighteen miles, camped within a mile from Barton's Station.
March 23, march began at an early hour. Weather fine. Country similar in appearance to that
passed over on the day before, being hilly and rough. The soil is here sandy and barren, and the
population small. General Wilson and staff marched twenty-four miles, and at 12 m. arrived at
the dilapidated village of Russellville, county seat of Franklin county. It has been a place of some
local importance, with a population of 2,000 inhabitants. It has, however, suffered severely from
the ravages of war. Camped there for the night. March 24, weather pleasant. March began at 8
o'clock, but after reaching a point three miles distant corps headquarters went again into camp in
order to await the arrival of the pontoon and wagon trains, which had been delayed on the march.
General Long, with the Second Division, passed by in the morning at 9 o'clock. General McCook
and headquarters arrived in the evening at 6. March 25, reveille at 5 a.m.; marched at 6. Weather
very fine; roads good, though occasionally rough. Crossed Big Bear River at Bell's Factory at 3
p.m. Traveled twenty-one miles and camped on a branch of the Buttshatchie River. General
Upton, with the Fourth Division, was a considerable distance in advance. General McCook
guarded the rear. March 26, started at an early hour and marched twenty-five miles to
Blackwater Creek. Weather continued to be pleasant. The country, like all yet passed over, is
barren. The soil is sandy and supports a forest of pines. Water good. Forage found in sufficient
quantity for the necessities of the command. Camped for the night. During the night a bridge was
constructed over the Blackwater. March 27, reveille at 4 a.m. Marched at 5.30 a.m. on road to
Jasper. General Upton, on the left, led the advance; General Long held the center with the
Second Division, and General McCook, with the First Division, the rear. The weather was mild,
with indications of rain. Road to Jasper was found, except in one or two places, to be in good
condition. Arrived there, after a march of seventeen miles, at 11.30 a.m. We heard news to the
effect that Forrest was fortifying the road from Montevallo to Tuscaloosa with a force of 10,000
men. Orders were given to General Upton to push rapidly forward, leaving the wagon trains to
take care of themselves. Similar orders were also issued to Generals Long and McCook. General
McCook entered Jasper with the First Division at 2 p.m. At 5 p.m. General Wilson and staff
arrived on the banks of the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River, eight miles and a half
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distant from Jasper. The skies had shown symptoms of rain since noon, and now it began to fall.
It continued to rain during the whole night. Corps headquarters camped on the north bank of the
stream. Jasper, through which we passed at noon, is a large village of from 4,000 to 5,000
inhabitants; has a court-house and a jail. The road thence to Black Warrior was firm and good.
On arriving at that stream we found that General Upton had already crossed it at the ford with all
his troops and most of his wagons. This fork of the Black Warrior was at this point about oneeighth
of a mile wide, with a depth ranging from one to three or four feet, and a very rapid
current. The bottom was very rocky and uneven, and the banks on each side very precipitous.
March 28, the weather was very damp and disagreeable. The greater part of the day was
taken up in getting the troops and wagon trains over the river. Many horses lost their footing and
many men were dismounted, but none were drowned. We crossed the Locust Fork of the Black
Warrior at the ford at 4 p.m. This stream is deeper than the Mulberry Fork, but not so wide nor
so rapid. The distance between the two forks is eight miles and a half. The country between them
is barren and thinly settled. The people are very ignorant and poor, but of Union proclivities.
General Wilson camped at night on south bank of this fork. March 29, the day was occupied in
getting the First and Second Divisions over the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. General
Wilson remained in camp all day. Captain Brown, acting chief quartermaster, was ordered to
take charge of corps trains. Weather rainy. March 30, started on the road to Elyton at 6.30.
Weather cloudy, but cold; rain had ceased to fall. The main road was found to be very muddy.
We arrived at Elyton at 1 p.m., a distance of twenty miles, having crossed Black Creek on our
way at Lamson's Flour Mills. These mills were burned. The country had now began to assume a
more fertile and cultivated appearance. Elyton is a very pretty village of from 3,000 to 4,000
inhabitants. The route on which we had hitherto come since leaving Chickasaw had been
southeasterly. From Elyton until we arrived at Selma we now advanced due south. The First
Brigade, of the First Division, was detached from the command at this point and ordered to
proceed to Tuscaloosa and destroy the Government works there. Large iron-works six miles
south of Elyton were burned. We arrived at night on the banks of the Cahawba River, fifteen
miles from Elyton. The railroad bridge had fortunately been left uninjured and was easily fixed
to allow the crossing of trains. The last four miles of the road were very rough and muddy.
March 31, fine drizzly rain fell early in the morning. Weather cleared after sunrise. The railroad
bridge across the Cahawba was a quarter of a mile long and had been planked the day before by
General Upton. The Cahawba River is at this point an eighth of a mile broad and is quite deep.
The crossing would have been troublesome had the bridge been burned. Large iron-works half a
mile from the river were burned. Arrived at Montevallo at 11 a.m., distance fourteen miles from
Cahawba. Road was good. The country was wooded, but the forests now different in character
from those through which we had hitherto passed, there being some oaks mixed with the pines.
The soil, though still sandy, is more fertile than that north of Elyton. Montevallo is a village of
2,000 inhabitants, but was nearly deserted on our entrance. General Upton had his headquarters
there and was now waiting our approach. The rebels were now reported for the first time to be in
advance of us in some force. They were charged by the Third Iowa and dispersed with the loss of
twenty prisoners. Left Montevallo on road to Selma at 3 p.m. General Long advanced with the
Second Division on the road to Randolph to the right of the main road to Selma. General Upton
kept the main road. There was continued skirmishing with the rebels, but they were unable to
cheek our advance in the slightest degree. We went into camp twelve miles from Montevallo at
7.30 p.m. There had been during the day several men wounded and one or two killed.
April 1, marched at an early hour to Randolph, a small village, seventeen miles from
Montevallo. General McCook was ordered with the Second Brigade, of the First Division, to
take the road to Centerville and to co-operate with General Croxton against Jackson, who was
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reported to be on the Tuscaloosa and Centerville road with 4,000 men. General Long on the right
and Upton on the left had a brilliant fight with the rebels under Forrest in person, defeating them
with severe loss. There were captured from the enemy 3 pieces of artillery and 300 prisoners, and
there were besides quite a number killed. The loss on our side was 40 wounded and 12 killed.
Arrived at Plantersville after a march of twenty-six miles at 6 p.m.; headquarters of corps at
house of Mrs. Discoe. A quantity of rebel hard-tack and some forage bags were found in the
depot. April 2, a hospital was established in the village church for the reception of the sick and
wounded. Asst. Surg. T. A. McGraw, U.S. Volunteers, was ordered to remain in charge, with
Assistant Surgeon Dome, Seventeenth Indiana (mounted) Infantry, and Assistant Surgeon
Maxwell, of the Third Iowa Cavalry, as assistants. There were left in the hospital forty wounded
and eighteen sick, together with a sufficient number of nurses. The depot was burned, together
with a store-house containing cotton. The command then moved on toward Selma, twenty one
miles distant. The Fourth and Second Divisions arrived in front of Selma at 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, and at sundown a simultaneous attack was made along the whole line. Forrest was in
command of the rebels in person, and endeavored to defend the city, but without success. Our
troops took the breast-works by assault and entered the city, [pursuing] the flying rebels. In the
confusion resulting from the night attack a large number of stores were plundered and burned. In
the morning, however, order was again restored. Our loss was: Killed, 4 officers and 35 enlisted
men; wounded, 24 officers and 22 enlisted men. Among the killed was Colonel Dobb. Brigadier-
General Long was severely wounded in the head while leading the assault. We captured 2,300
prisoners, a large number of small-arms and cannon, and the workshops and arsenals which
supplied the armies of the West with ammunition of all kinds. Forrest escaped with his escort of
100 men and retreated toward Plantersville. On his way he came across a party of Federals
asleep in a neighboring field under command of Lieutenant Roys, of the Fourth U.S. Cavalry,
and Lieutenant Miller. He charged on them in their sleep, and refusing to listen to their cries of
surrender killed or wounded the entire party, numbering twenty-five men. April 3, the day was
spent in restoring order in Selma. The Second Brigade, of the First Division, which had been
unsuccessful in its attempts to unite with the First Brigade, was ordered back to protect the
wagon trains. Forrest arrived at Plantersville on his retreat and captured the hospital, which had
been left without a guard. He paroled all the nurses and slightly wounded men, and left the
surgeons and patients unmolested. A corps hospital was established in Selma for our wounded.
April 5, a party of the Second Division went to Cahawba and recaptured several of our prisoners
confined there. April 6, wagon train arrived at Selma. Arsenals and Government warehouses
destroyed by fire. April 7, negroes gathered together to be organized into three regiments, one for
each division. Sick and wounded were brought in ambulances from Plantersville and put in
corps hospital. General Wilson met Forrest on the Cahawba River under a flag of truce. It was
determined to take along on the march all the sick and wounded whose situation would permit of
it, and to leave only such as were very ill or badly wounded. Engineers were busily engaged in
building a pontoon bridge over the Alabama River. The Alabama River is at this point about 500
yards wide. It has a very rapid current, and a depth that admits of navigation by steam-boats of
considerable size. Selma is situated on its north bank. It is or was a beautiful city of 15,000
inhabitants, containing many fine residences and large Government workshops. Its loss to the
rebels can hardly be estimated. April 9, it has been determined to move to-day toward
Montgomery, but the pontoon bridge broke for the second time and prevented the whole
command from crossing until late in the night. Camped on the south side of the river. Left in
hospital at Selma sixty-eight patients, under charge of Surgeon Larkin [Seventeenth Indiana
(mounted) Infantry], and Assistant Surgeon Raley, Tenth Missouri Cavalry. Rations for forty
days were left with them, as also plenty of medicines and other supplies.
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April 10, began our march to Montgomery. Forrest had refused to acknowledge any paroles,
and General Wilson had accordingly ordered all prisoners to be brought along underguard. The
citizens, however, and some of the militia were paroled. Weather was good, although the roads
were muddy from recent rains. Surgeon Carter, Third Iowa Cavalry, was ordered to take charge
of the hospital train. This train was composed of the ambulances belonging to the corps, together
with a number of wagons properly fitted up with beds and blankets. We marched fifteen miles to
the village of Benton and camped there during the night. Benton is a small village of no
particular importance. April 11, began to march at 6 a.m. Skies cloudy and threatening rain. Our
route since leaving Selma has been due east on the road to Montgomery, south of the Alabama
River. One mile from Benton we passed through a swamp a mile long. The road was very bad
and almost impassable for wagons. After leaving the swamp, however, we found the roads to be
smooth and dry, leading over a rolling country. Thirteen miles from Benton the columns passed
through the village of Lowndesborough. This village is one of the most beautiful that we have
yet passed through. It is built up of large, elegant mansions, and is inhabited by rich planters. It
has a population of about 1,500. Smallpox was raging furiously, and in some families had
attacked all the members. We here received news of the fall of Richmond. Went into camp
eighteen miles from Montgomery after a march of eighteen miles. April 12, started from camp at
5 a.m. Weather very pleasant and roads good. General McCook with the First Division led the
advance. The city was capitulated to General McCook early in the morning, and a provost-guard
having been stationed in it, the troops marched through and camped outside. The inhabitants
received the troops, if without manifestations of joy, at least without any evidences of dislike.
Private property was everywhere respected. The rebel troops before our entrance had burned
85,000 bales of cotton, valued at $40,000,000 in gold. The citizens expressed a great deal of
anger at the occurrence. Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, is a beautiful city, and contains a
large number of elegant residences. It is situated on the south side of the Alabama River. This
river is navigable to the city by small steamers. April 13, hospital train came into the city at 5 p,
m. and was unloaded at Saint Mary's Hospital. The transportation of so many sick and wounded
had been found to be a serious incumbrance on the march, and it had, therefore, been determined
to leave them at this city. There were accordingly sufficient quantities of commissary stores and
medicines left in the hospital for the wants of the sick and wounded. There were left in
Montgomery 144 men, under charge of Assistant Surgeon Dome, Seventeenth Indiana (mounted)
Infantry. April 14, started for Columbus at 8 a.m. Weather pleasant and roads excellent. Marched
due east twenty miles and then camped. April 15, started at 7.30 a.m., Upton way ahead.
Weather cloudy and threatening rain. Arrived at Tuskegee, forty-two miles from Montgomery, at
2 p.m. Tuskegee is a village of 3,000 inhabitants, a county seat. It had a jail, court-house, and
young ladies' seminary. Left Tuskegee at 5 o'clock. It began to rain just as we left Tuskegee, and
continued to do so for two hours. Camped at last at 7 o'clock at a farm house, forty-eight miles
from Montgomery and thirty-six from Columbus. April 16, commenced our march at 7 o'clock.
The country passed over is not so fertile as in the immediate vicinity of Selma, and has been
worn out by the defective system of agriculture. We passed through Society Hill and two other
small villages on our route. General Upton again led the advance. Weather was fine and the
roads were in good order. We arrived opposite Columbus at 3 p.m. and found General Upton
preparing to attack the works. The attack began at 7 p.m., and notwithstanding the resistance of
the enemy, who were intrenched on the neighboring hills, our forces drove them from their
breast-works and captured the bridges leading over the Chattahoochee River to the city. The
attack was made exclusively by the Fourth Division. Our loss was but 28 wounded and 5 killed.
There were captured from the enemy nearly 2,000 prisoners, a large quantity of arms and
ammunition and all the Government stores, shops, and arsenals, and the city itself. Columbus
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was a city of nearly 20,000 inhabitants, and is situated on the east bank of the Chattahoochee
River. It was connected by the Alabama bank by three bridges at the time of its occupation by
our forces. It was a place of considerable importance as a manufacturing town, having a number
of mills and workshops of different kinds. While the main body of troops were thus engaged,
Colonel La Grange had been detached at Opelika and ordered to destroy the railroad and the
depots at West Point. Arriving there on April 16, he attacked and carried the fortifications built
to defend the place, though not until after a severe struggle, in which we lost in killed and
wounded thirty-nine men, of whom seven were killed.
April 17, the women and children who had been employed in the factories and arsenals
turned out with one accord to pillage the stores and the Government warehouses. The
Government buildings were burned with the exception of the hospitals. It was determined to
leave our sick and wounded, with a proper amount of stores of all kinds, in the hospitals of the
city. Assistant Surgeon Whitten, Third Iowa Cavalry, was detailed to take charge of them. In all
thirty-five patients were left at Columbus. April 18, bridges over the Chattahoochee were burned,
together with such public buildings as had escaped the day before. Commenced to move at 9
o'clock on the road to Macon via Thomaston; marched twenty-one miles and camped. The
weather was pleasant and the roads good. The character of the soil was different to that of
Alabama. It consisted of red clay; beneath which was a layer of limestone. Several cannon and a
large number of wagons deserted on the road showed that the enemy had fled in the greatest
confusion. April 19, the command marched at an early hour, the Second Division in the
advance. The weather was very windy and the roads dry and dusty. The forests presented a
somewhat different appearance to those by which we rode yesterday, having oak mixed with the
pines. Our advance, consisting of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, had captured by forced marches
the Double Bridges over the Flint River, forty-four miles from Columbus. We arrived there at 12
m. The Flint River here is very rapid and not easily fordable. A farther march of ten miles
brought us to Thomaston, a village of about 1,500 inhabitants. After having crossed at Big
Potatoe Creek, camped at 6 p.m. at Thomaston. April 20, corps headquarters began their march
at 6 a.m. Weather was good. The roads were very dry and dusty. Our course, which from
Columbus to Thomaston had been to the northeast, now directed to the southeast. Thomaston is
forty-seven miles from Macon. Our advance was met by a flag of truce, announcing that
Sherman had entered into an armistice with Johnston, and demanding that we should halt where
we were. The officer commanding the advance, however, had no authority to stop his march, and
by the time the letter had reached General Wilson the city of Macon had been already captured.
Thus imperfectly are the main incidents of the march of General Wilson's command from
Chickasaw, Ala., to Macon, Ga., recorded and reported for the information of the medical
director Army and Department of the Cumberland, Surg. George E. Cooper, U.S. Army. It had
been intended to render this report more complete and give the points of interest more in detail.
The reports, however, from surgeons in charge of subordinate commands are not so explicit as to
permit the execution of this intention. One or two points I desire to present to the medical
director Department of the Cumberland: First, that the ambulance corps organization operated as
successfully in the cavalry as in the infantry corps; second, no patients were left on the roadside
in the rear of the advancing forces, and all were provided for in regularly furnished hospitals.
Two accidents arose from the magazines of the Spencer carbine exploding from being half filled
while on "hot march" by concussion. In one instance the magazine was in the pouch, in the other
in the stock of the carbine. The tin tubes, or magazines which contain the fixed ammunition,
metallic cartridges, should be therefore kept filled. Four inches of play on a hot day may explode
them, as evidenced in these two cases. The greatest energy and assiduity on the part of all the
medical officers was observable throughout the campaign.
136
F. SALTER,
Surg., U. S. Vols., Med. Director, Cav. Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., May [--], 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that on the 22d of March my command of 65 officers and
1,734 enlisted men, mounted and equipped for line of battle, started from Chickasaw, Ala., on
the late campaign. By hard work in procuring horses from other commands, and by taking the
mules from my train, I had succeeded in increasing my effective force 216 men in three days
previous. The first day's march was a distance of sixteen miles, passing through Buzzard Roost
and camping near Barton's Station. March 23, had charge of the division train and toiled with it
from daylight to dark, using almost all of the brigade to carry it along. Made four miles. March
24, marched through Frankfort to the right of Russellville, camping two miles south. Distance,
thirty miles. March 25, starting at 4.30 a.m., marched to Haley's, on the Buttahatchie, a distance
of twenty-nine miles. After this hard day's march, during which we crossed Big Bear Creek and
other troublesome streams, went into camp without forage. March 26, marched to Kansas,
twenty-five miles, passing through Eldridge and crossing New River. Found plenty of forage and
quite a number of loyal people. March 27, marched to Saunders' Ferry, on the Mulberry Branch
of Black Warrior, a distance of twenty-eight miles, passing through Jasper. This was one of the
hardest day's marches in the campaign. The roads were in terrible condition, and I was compelled
to cut new roads, corduroy old ones, build bridges over swamps, and use my command to carry
wagons and ambulances along. March 28, crossed the river and camped seven miles beyond.
Ford very dangerous and uncertain; quite a number of men dismounted, several horses and mules
drowned, and some few arms lost. March 29, crossed Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River,
marching toward Elyton, and camping seven miles from there. Ford over river deep but not
dangerous. On the 30th, at 4 p.m., left Elyton under the following order, sending two staff
officers by different routes to order the Fourth Kentucky (mounted) Infantry, which was twenty
miles in the rear with the train, to strike directly south and join us, if possible, before we reached
Tuscaloosa. Two companies of this regiment, one of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, and forty
pioneers, in the aggregate 200 men, were left with the train, thus reducing my effective force to
about 1,500 men:
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Elyton, Ala., March 30, 1865.
General JOHN T. CROXTON,
Commanding First Brigade, First Division:
GENERAL: The following order has just been received by me from corps headquarters:
"HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
"Elyton, Ala., March 30, 1865--2 p.m.
"Brig. Gen. E. M. McCOOK,
"Commanding First Cavalry Division:
"GENERAL: Detach one brigade of your division, with orders to proceed rapidly by the most
direct route to Tuscaloosa to destroy the bridge, factories, mills, university (military school), and
whatever else may be of benefit to the rebel cause. As soon as this work is accomplished instruct
the commanding officer to join the corps by the Centerville road. Caution him to look out for
Lyon, who was expected at Tuscaloosa yesterday with a small force marching toward
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Montevallo. In case the bridge at Centerville is destroyed let him cross the Cahawba, wherever
he can do so best.
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"J. H. WILSON,
"Brevet Major-General, Commanding."
You will march with your brigade in compliance with the foregoing order, and report in
person to General Wilson for further instructions.
E. M. McCOOK,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers.
Reporting to the brevet major-general commanding in person for instructions, he directed me
in case I found it practicable after executing my mission at Tuscaloosa, to destroy the railroad
between Selma and Demopolis. From Judge Mudd, of Elyton, I learned that he had left
Tuscaloosa on the 28th; that Lyon's brigade was expected there; that there were no troops there
except cadets and militia, and none between that point and Elyton. Encamped on the night of the
30th eight miles south of Elyton, finding the roads wretched. March 31, moved at daylight,
sending a detachment to the right through Jonesborough to destroy the stores there, and three
companies of the Eighth Iowa, in charge of Captain Sutherland, my assistant adjutant-general, to
the left six miles to destroy Saunders' Iron-Works, which they accomplished, rejoining the
column five miles south of Burkville and ten from Trion. It was now 4 p.m., when I learned from
this detachment and from a prisoner that Forrest's whole command was passing Trion, marching
from Tuscaloosa to Montevallo via Centerville. I moved rapidly on and at sundown reached
Trion, striking the rear of Forrest's column. Here I learned that Lyon's brigade, under Crossland,
had passed the evening previous; that Forrest had passed at daybreak that morning, and Jackson's
division, with part of Chalmers', numbering in the aggregate 5,000 men, had passed during the
day, moving rapidly and expecting to march during the night. Here a state of case arose not
contemplated by my orders, and in view of the great importance of disposing of Forrest's
command, which would leave not only Tuscaloosa but every vital point open to us, I determined
to follow him during the night, hoping to be near enough to co-operate with the corps in an
attack on the following day. My advance guard was ordered in pursuit while the horses were fed,
intending, as I did, to follow forthwith. The information obtained was dispatched by three trusty
scouts to the brevet major-general commanding the corps, and also a verbal message of my
intention to follow Forrest, which I did not deem prudent to incorporate into my written dispatch.
While feeding, the officer in command of my advance reported the enemy holding against him
the Centerville road, two miles from my camp. Repeated attempts to circumvent them proved
failures until after midnight, when it became very evident that the enemy were in strong force
reconnoitering and moving to envelop my position preparatory to an attack at daylight. I had but
1,100 men. The Fourth Kentucky (mounted) Infantry had not been heard from. The enemy held
the road already in my rear and front. I determined, therefore, to avoid an engagement with a
force of unknown strength by moving directly west by a road leading from my camp to the Mud
Creek road, which runs from Jonesborough to Tuscaloosa, parallel to and ten miles west of the
road I had traveled. Two companies of the Sixth Kentucky Cavalry were left behind under
Captain Penn to determine and report the strength and movements of the enemy. All of which I
relied upon, knowing by the time I struck the Mud Creek road I could then determine upon the
course to be pursued. Scouts were sent to meet the Fourth Kentucky and bring it to that road. The
rear of my column had just left camp at dawn when the enemy in force attacked, driving in the
pickets, which had not been relieved. Captain Parrish, with one of the companies left with
Captain Penn, charged the enemy's column in a lane, and being deceived by a party of rebels,
whom in the early dawn he mistook for our troops, he went too far, was surrounded, and after a
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gallant attempt to extricate his command was wounded and captured with the most of his men, a
number of whom were killed and wounded. The enemy pressed rigorously on, driving the
pickets, with Captain Penn's detachment through our camp and after the column. Major Fidler,
commanding Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, was in rear, and promptly threw a battalion into line to
re-enforce the detachments, and when they came up relieved them, the enemy following several
miles, making several ineffectual attempts to break up this battalion, the whole command losing
in this affair 2 officers and 30 men. At this time, as I afterward learned, Forrest's entire train,
with his field artillery, was at Tuscaloosa, and in apprehension of my approach was ordered to
Northport. In view of this Jackson, instead of following directly, took a road striking the Mud
Creek road four miles nearer Tuscaloosa, and moving rapidly succeeded in throwing his force
there between me and that place upon the only road east of the Black Warrior. He had two
brigades, numbering as I then supposed and have since learned, 2,600 men. I could hardly hope
to run over this force and take Tuscaloosa with 1,500 men (400 of them the Fourth Kentucky, I
had not yet heard from), supported, as he was, by 400 militia and 350 cadets, who filled the
trenches around the city. I determined, therefore, to effect by stratagem what I could not hope to
accomplish directly. I therefore turned north, marching ten miles on the Elyton road, halted and
fed, while the Fourth Kentucky, from which I heard at this point, joined me. From this point we
moved directly west to Johnson's Ferry, forty miles above Tuscaloosa, which point we reached at
sundown, having traveled during the day over forty miles. I ordered the Eighth Iowa to begin
crossing at once, and at sundown on the next day (April 2) the whole command was west of the
Black Warrior, the men with their equipments crossing in a single flat-boat and the horses
swimming, losing only two or three.
April 3, moved at daylight toward Tuscaloosa, the advance guard capturing all the scouts and
citizens, thus preventing any knowledge of our approach. At 9 o'clock at night reached the
suburbs of North-port, massed the brigade in a cedar grove, and with 150 picked men of the
Second Michigan moved up near the bridge. I intended to put this picked force in ambush as near
the bridge as I could get it, quietly await daybreak, then seize the bridge by a dash, and throw the
whole brigade over mounted, and envelop the city before the cadets and militia could be
assembled. As I approached the bridge, however, I could distinctly hear the rebels removing the
flooring in the bridge, and apprehending they had received notice of our approach, and knowing
the difficulty of success should they have time to assemble their troops, I gave the order, and
Colonel Johnston dashed ahead on the guards, who fired and retreated into the bridge, in the
center of which the reserve was stationed behind cotton bales, in front of which twenty feet of
bridge had been torn up. The detachment of the Second Michigan, led by Colonel Johnston in
person, rushed into the bridge, halted for nothing until they had killed and captured the whole of
the guard and had possession of the bridge. They were moved ahead to cover the approaches to
the bridge, and fifty men sent double-quick to seize the two pieces of artillery, the location of
which I had learned, and which were soon in our possession. In the meantime the floor of the
bridge was relaid, so that footmen could pass, and the balance of the Second Michigan, the Sixth
Kentucky, and Eighth Iowa thrown across dismounted, and put in position to cover the bridge
against an attack from the militia and cadets which were assembling. They made several
unsuccessful attempts to dislodge us, but failed, and morning found us in peaceful possession of
the premises, with 60 prisoners and 3 pieces of artillery. April 4, destroyed the foundry, factory,
two niter-works, the military university, a quantity of stores, and supplied the command with all
the rations we could carry. Spent the day resting men and animals and reconnoitering and trying
to discover some safe exit by which to rejoin the corps. The bridges over Hurricane Creek had
been burned, making it necessary to move southeast in the direction of Marion, which would
bring me directly in contact with Jackson's division, supported by a brigade of Chalmers'
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division, at Greensborough. Seeing no possible means of getting east to join the corps, I
determined to recross the Black Warrior, and if possible to destroy the railroad between
Demopolis and Meridian, as I had been verbally instructed to destroy it west of Selma and about
Uniontown. At this time I could hear of no troops that could offer any resistance to my
movement, and I was assured the Tombigbee could be forded at Jones' Bluff. Reasoning upon
this, as on all occasions, that if Forrest detached a force inferior to my own to look after me, I
would smash it up and go whither I pleased, while if he sent a superior force it was my object to
draw it as far as possible from the theater in which the corps was operating, thus giving General
Wilson still greater advantage in point of numbers, which I would be careful should not be
counterbalanced by any disasters to my command. My only apprehension was that the general
commanding would be embarrassed by my delay in joining, and that it might seriously affect the
rapidity of his movements, on which I felt so much depended. Accordingly I dispatched a scout,
with a dispatch in cipher, informing him fully of my movements and designs. April 5, recrossed
the Black Warrior, burned the bridge, and took the Columbus road, encamping that night twentyfive
miles from Northport at King's Store, and sending a company of the Sixth Kentucky with
Captain Sutherland, my assistant adjutant-general, on the upper Columbus road, with directions
to cross the Sipsey, turn south, and join me. April 6, took the road to Pleasant Ridge, and after
marching twelve miles came to Lanier's Mills, on Sipsey, eight miles from Vienna, where I
learned that 3,000 men left by Forrest at West Point were marching down the Tombigbee, and
that owing to the late rains that stream could not be forded. Here also I learned that Selma had
been taken, and that Forrest was at Marion and Jackson in the neighborhood of Tuscaloosa. It
was plainly impossible to execute my designs, and I determined to return to Northport, by which
time I hoped to learn definitely the movements of the corps from Selma. Accordingly I crossed
Sipsey, burning the mills with a large amount of flour, meal, and meat, and took the road for
Tuscaloosa, and after marching several miles halted two hours to feed. We had just resumed the
march when Wirt Adams attacked my rear guard with two brigades, numbering 2,800 men,
drove in the rear regiment (Sixth Kentucky Cavalry) on the Second Michigan, which was thrown
across the road, and after repulsing several charges were not molested further. In this affair we
lost 2 officers and 32 men. Two ambulances broke down and were left, the wounded being
brought off. These troops of Adams had been at West Point, and had crossed the Tombigbee the
day previous at Pickensville. April 7, moved from Romulus to Northport, hearing nothing of the
corps. April 8, owing to scarcity of forage at Northport moved twelve miles north on the Byler
road, where we remained until the 11th, attempting by various methods to communicate with the
corps, or find out its movements from Selma, but without success. Finally I concluded that if the
corps had moved at all it was either south or east, as the movement west would have driven
Forrest to Demopolis, cleared the country between Tuscaloosa and Marion, and enabled me to
communicate beyond doubt. I determined, therefore, to recross the Warrior into Elyton Valley,
by which I should certainly learn whether Montgomery or Mobile was the destination. April 11,
moved to Wyndham's Springs, where I learned that all the boats on the river had been destroyed,
rendering it necessary for us to move farther north in order to effect a crossing of the Warrior,
which, as well as its tributaries, was greatly swollen. April 12, moved by the Jasper road to Wolf
Creek, finding it impassable. April 13, marched around the head of Wolf Creek. April 14,
crossed Lost Creek at Holly Grove and marched to Comack's Mills, on the Blackwater, finding
the stream swimming and half the bridge down. This we rebuilt in two hours, and that night
camped within four miles of Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior. April 15, began crossing Sipsey
Fork at Calloway's and Lindsey's Ferries, having no means of crossing men and equipments but
in canoes and the horses by swimming. April 17, all were over, and marching via Arkadelphia
we struck the Mulberry Fork at Hanby's Mills, finding a good ferry-boat and a good place for
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swimming horses. April 18, crossed Mulberry Fork and reached Little Warrior at Menter's Ferry,
finding no boats, but a few canoes with which we began crossing, and were over by sun-down
next day (19th), all the command except the Eighth Iowa encamping at Mount Pinson, fourteen
miles north of Elyton. Here I learned that the corps had taken Montgomery and gone east.
Destroyed the foundry and niter-works near Mount Pinson. April 20, moved via Trussville and
Cedar Grove; thence three miles on the Montevallo road, to make the impression that we were
going that way. April 21, moved toward Talladega, sending the Fourth Kentucky (mounted)
Infantry ahead before daybreak to seize the boats at Truss' and Collins' Ferries, on Coosa River,
which they did, driving the guard off, and by night that regiment had crossed. April 22, by noon
the command had crossed, and at sundown reached Talladega, driving out a force of about
seventy rebels and encamping at that place. April 23, learning that Hill's brigade was between
Talladega and Blue Mountain, I moved in that direction, finding him in position at Munford's
Station, ten miles from Talladega, with 500 men and one piece of artillery. Attacked and routed
him, capturing his artillery and a number of prisoners, and scattering the force in the woods.
Destroyed the Oxford and Blue Mountain Iron-Works, the railroad bridges and depots to Blue
Mountain, at which place we encamped, destroying the depots, rolling-stock, and a quantity of
ordnance stores. April 24, sent the Eighth Iowa via Jacksonville and moved via Oxford and
Daviston, where the Eighth Iowa rejoined us, burning a large cotton factory, and encamping at
Bell's Bridge, on the Tallapoosa. April 25, marched through Arbacoochee and Bowdon and
encamped near Carrollton, Ga. April 26, marched through Carrollton to the Chattahoochee at
Moore's and Reese's Ferries, and by 8 o'clock of the next morning had crossed the river. April
27, marched via Newnan to near Flat Shoals. At the Chattahoochee a flag of truce from the
commanding officer at Newnan informed me of the armistice and claimed protection under it. I
informed them I could not recognize the information as official, but presuming it was true, would
trouble nobody who kept out of my way, and would observe the armistice as far as foraging was
concerned, but could not consent to discontinue my march. April 28, crossed Flint River at Flat
Shoals and marched to near Barnesville. April 29, through Barnesville to Forsyth, sending
Lieutenant Prather and Captain Walden, of my staff, by railroad to inform the brevet majorgeneral
commanding of my whereabouts, this being the first information he had received since
my dispatch from Trion, March 31, which reached him at 9 a.m. on the following day, and about
the same time one from Jackson to Forrest, captured by General Lipton, informing Forrest
where I was, and that he (Jackson) was preparing to attack me at daylight on the 1st of April.
April 30, marched through Forsyth and camped near Crawford's Station.
May 1, rejoined the corps at Macon, having been absent just one month, during which time I
communicated with no Federal force, neither heard from any one nor (so far as heard) was heard
from. During this time we marched 653 miles, most of time through a mountainous country so
destitute of supplies that the command could be subsisted and foraged only by the greatest
efforts, swimming four rivers, destroying 5 large iron-works (the last in the cotton States), 3
factories, numerous mills, immense quantities of supplies, capturing 4 pieces of artillery and
several hundred small-arms, near 300 prisoners, rejoining the corps, the men in fine spirits and
the animals in good condition, having lost in all but 4 officers and 168 men, half of the latter
having been captured at various points while straggling from foraging parties and not in the line
of duty. Throughout the long and arduous campaign, though often surrounded by perils, the
spirits of the veterans never faltered. Officers and men vied with each other in the cheerful
performance of their duty. I am especially under obligations to the regimental commanders-
Colonels Dorr, Kelly, and Johnston, and Major Fidler and Captain Penn--for their hearty and
earnest to operation. To Lieutenant Prather, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and side to the general
commanding the corps, I am obliged for his valuable services so cheerfully rendered. Captain
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Sutherland, assistant adjutant-general, was of great service to me until sent on a reconnaissance
toward Columbus, from which he found it impossible to rejoin the command, and conducted his
small command safely to Decatur, capturing prisoners nearly double in numbers to his
detachment. To Captain Baker, acting assistant inspector-general; Captain Walden, provostmarshal,
and Lieutenants Lusk and Kelley, aides-de-camp, I am under obligations for their zeal,
activity, and efficiency in the execution of my orders. To Quartermaster Sergeant Walker and
Commissary-Sergeant Wentworth I am indebted for invaluable services performed by them for
the brigade in the absence of the officers of those departments of the staff.
I have the honor, major, to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. T. CROXTON,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
Maj. JOHN M. BACON,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Cavalry Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi.
HDQRS. FOURTH KENTUCKY VETERAN CAVALRY VOLS.,
Near Macon, Ga., May 3, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my regiment since
leaving Chickasaw, Ala., March 22, until its arrival at Macon, Ga., April 20, 1865.
The regiment watched from Chickasaw on the 22d of March, but nothing of particular
interest occurred until the 31st of March, when I received orders from you to destroy the depot
buildings, &c., at Ashbyville, which was done, the buildings containing about 100 bales of
cotton, a large quantity of dressed building and bridge timber, coal, coke, &c. On the 1st of April
Captain Cooper, Company F, destroyed the bridge over Catoosa River, three miles from
Scottsville, Ala. On the same day a detachment of the regiment, under command of Lieut.
William Foster, destroyed Sloan's Ferry, on the Cahawba River, twelve miles above Centerville.
On the 7th of April I was ordered to report to Brevet Major-General Wilson for instructions, and
was ordered to open communications with Brigadier-General Croxton, then on the north of the
Cahawba River. The regiment left Selma that night at 10 o'clock and marched rapidly until 6
p.m., going into camp six miles from Centerville. At daylight on the 9th was overtaken by
couriers and ordered to return, which I did, reaching Selma at 8 p.m., having marched eighty-six
miles. On the 11th of April I was ordered to report with my command to the general
commanding the division for instructions, and acting under orders from him marched about three
miles to the right of the command, and secured the Pensacola Railroad bridge across Catoma
Creek, five miles from Montgomery. I received orders from division headquarters that night to
cross the creek at daylight and push into the city. I crossed the creek by a very difficult ford and
charged the city, capturing 23 prisoners, 3 field pieces, and 1 siege gun, also a considerable
amount of commissary and hospital stores. The standard of the regiment was planted in front of
the capitol of Alabama at 4.40 on the morning of the 12th of April. On the 13th of April Maj.
John F. Weston, acting under instructions from General Wilson, captured and brought to
Montgomery 3 steam-boats loaded with cotton, bacon, salt, and corn. Before capturing the boats
Major Weston had a heavy skirmish with the Eighth Confederate Cavalry, driving them from
their camp. He and the officers and men of his detachment deserve high commendation for their
skill, energy, and gallantry. During the occupation of Montgomery the colonel of this regiment
was post commander, the provost guard consisting of the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, a
detachment of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, Major Shipman commanding, and a detachment of
the Third Iowa. The good order preserved during our stay was a subject of remark and
congratulation by the citizens. Upon leaving the city my command, acting under orders from
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Brig. Gen. E. M. McCook, destroyed the following property: Three steam-boats; Montgomery
Arsenal, containing 20,000 stand of small-arms; 1 foundry and molding shop with contents; 1
locomotive; 20 pontoons; niter-works and contents; car-wheel foundry and contents; Pensacola
and West Point Railroad depots and contents, and 20 cars and machine-shop containing 4
unfinished cars. On the 18th of April a detachment of the regiment, under command of Lieut. W.
W. Chalfin, Company K, destroyed at Troy, Ga., 3 grist-mills; 1 Government saddle and harness
manufactory; 1 large tannery and contents, and 2 large warehouses containing 500 bales of
cotton. The command rejoined the brigade at this place on the 21st ultimo. A report of casualties
has already been sent to brigade headquarters.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
WICKLIFFE COOPER,
Colonel, Commanding.
Lieut. D. S. MOULTON,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., First Div., Cav. Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CAVALRY DIVISION,
May 30, 1865.
I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Fourth Cavalry
Division during the late campaign:
To avoid delay in leaving Chickasaw, the train was sent on the 19th of March to Cherokee
Station, on Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and was followed by First Brigade, commanded
by Brevet Brigadier-General Winslow, on the 21st. The general movement commenced on the
22d of March, Winslow's brigade and train camping near Throckmorton's Mills; the Second
Brigade, commanded by Brevet Brigadier-General Alexander, camping on Cane Creek, twentyfive
miles from Chickasaw. March 23, left Russellville to our right and camped at Newburg;
distance, thirty miles. Found plenty of corn and provisions. March 24, march resumed; General
Alexander moving from Mount Hope, via Houston, toward Clear Creek Falls. General Winslow
and train moving, via Kinlock and Hubbard's Mill, on headwaters of Sipsey. The road was
exceedingly mountainous and forage scarce. First Brigade made sixteen miles. March 25, march
resumed; brigades united and camped at Clear Creek Falls; distance, thirty miles. Country almost
destitute of forage. March 26, General Winslow was directed to move, via Bartonville and
Hanby's Mills, toward Elyton; General Alexander and train via Jasper and Democrat. General
Winslow finding the Sipsey unfordable moved down the Black Warrior to Saunders' Ferry,
where the division camped for the night; distance, twenty-three miles. Forage found below
Saunders' Ferry. March 27, crossed Black Warrior over an extremely dangerous ford. General
Alexander's brigade camped on east bank of Locust Fork. General Winslow's brigade marched
all night and arrived on west bank at 4 o'clock next morning; distance, fifteen miles. Provisions
and forage scarce. March 28, marched at 10 a.m., General Alexander's brigade camping at
Elyton; General Winslow's at Hawkins' plantation, two miles west; distance, twenty miles. The
road was exceedingly rough, but at the end of the day's march we debouched into a beautiful
valley, rich in provisions and forage. Patterson's regiment from Northern Alabama passed
through Elyton just before the arrival of the division.. Its rear was driven out by General
Alexander's advance. By direction of the brevet major-general commanding the corps, the train
remained at Elyton till the arrival of the corps train. The division moved at 10.30 a.m. on the
29th, with a view to secure a crossing over the Cahawba River that night, but the ford having
been obstructed by Patterson's regiment, and a heavy rain setting in, which soon raised the river,
prevented more than one regiment getting across; distance, fifteen miles. The McIlvain and Red
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Mountain Iron-Works were destroyed near Elyton. March 30, General Winslow converted the
railroad bridge over the Cahawba into a foot bridge, and at 9.30 a.m. the crossing commenced.
The division camped at Montevallo; distance, seventeen miles. Road was bad. Forage and
provisions found in abundance around Montevallo. A colliery and the Central Iron-Works were
destroyed near the Cahawba, while detachments sent out from Montevallo destroyed the
Columbiana and Bibb Iron-Works. There being strong indications of the presence of the enemy
in large force, the division awaited the arrival of the corps. March 31, the brevet major-general
commanding the corps having arrived, I was directed to move out at 1.30 p.m. About two miles
south of the town the advance of Roddey's division was encountered. It was immediately charged
by General Alexander and driven back in great confusion upon their main position behind a
difficult creek, losing several prisoners and abandoning arms and accouterments at every step.
Dispositions were at once made to turn the enemy's right, while Rodney's battery (I), Fourth
Artillery, was placed in position and opened fire. After some skirmishing, without awaiting a
trial at arms, the enemy withdrew. General Winslow now took up the pursuit, and by a series of
brilliant and impetuous charges, drove the enemy till late in the night, capturing many prisoners,
arms, and accouterments. The division, elated with having ridden down the enemy in every
conflict during the day, camped three miles north of Randolph, having made fourteen miles.
April 1, the pursuit was resumed as far as Randolph, where, pursuant to your instructions, the
division took the road to the left leading to Old Maplesville, leaving the main Selma road, along
which the enemy retired, for General Long's division. To cover the movement the advance guard
was directed to pursue the enemy a mile and a half, and then remain until relieved by General
Long's division. Proceeding about four miles to the left of Randolph my command took a road to
the right leading through Maplesville Station, and intersecting the main Selma road at Ebenezer
Church. Anticipating an opportunity to flank the enemy at this point, the march of the division
was hastened, and at 4 p.m. he was found in position, his force commanded by General Forrest in
person, consisting of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, his right resting on Mulberry Creek and his
left on a high wooded ridge near Bogler's Creek. General Alexander threw his brigade into action
dismounted, with great celerity, and after a stubborn fight of an hours duration routed the enemy
and captured his guns. General Winslow took up the pursuit with his brigade, mounted, captured
300 prisoners, and drove the enemy through Plantersville, nineteen miles from Selma, where the
division camped for the night, having made twenty miles. April 2, the division marched at 10
a.m. for Selma, following the Second Division, arriving in front of the fortifications on the
Plantersville road at 4 p.m. It was being placed in position, preparatory to a night attack on the
enemy's right, when General Long's division carried the works in its front. The division was
immediately ordered forward, the skirmish line driving the enemy from the works in its front and
capturing five guns. General Winslow brought forward the Fourth Iowa at a gallop and, charging
into the city in various directions, captured several pieces of artillery and several hundred
prisoners. The Seventh Ohio Cavalry was sent out the Burnsville road and captured 4 guns, 125
prisoners, and many small-arms. April 3, the division moved out from Selma with instructions to
pursue the remnants of Forrest's command across the Cahawba, and to meet and escort the
general train to the city. It returned on the 6th, having made a circuit of ninety miles. April 8, at 9
p.m., the division commenced crossing the Alabama River on a pontoon bridge. The passage was
soon interrupted by the descent of drift-wood which carried away the bridge. The breach was
repaired at about 2 p.m. on the 9th and the crossing resumed, but was again interrupted by
descending drift-wood. The breach was repaired by 6 p.m., and at 9 p.m. the division was across
and encamped on the south bank. General Alexander narrowly escaped with his life while
endeavoring to pass a heavy log safely under the bridge. April 10, marched for Montgomery;
camped at Church Hill; distance, twenty-four miles; plenty of forage. April 11, marched at 5.30
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a.. m.; crossed Big Swamp, on Big Swamp Creek, and camped at Colonel Harrison's, four miles
east of Lowndesborough; distance, twelve miles.
April, 12, marched at 5.30 a.m.; passed through Montgomery at 4 p.m.; camped four miles
east on Columbus road distance, twenty-seven miles. La Grange's brigade, of McCook's division,
having been placed under my command, I received orders on the 14th to march to the
Chattahoochee to secure the bridges over that river, either at Columbus or West Point, thereby
opening for the Cavalry Corps the road into Georgia. In pursuance of these instructions I sent La
Grange's brigade, via Tuskegee and Opelika, to West Point, where he arrived on the 16th. He
immediately attacked the garrison at that place, captured it, and secured the bridge. My own
division marched directly upon Columbus, eighty miles distant. Columbus is a fortified city of
12,000 inhabitants, situated on the east bank of the Chattahoochee. Three bridges span the river
at this point, one foot bridge at the lower end of the city, the other, foot and railroad bridges, are
three-quarters of a mile above, opposite the upper end of the city. There is a fourth bridge at
Clapp's Factory, three miles above, which was destroyed upon the approach of Captain Young,
of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, who was sent to secure it. On the west bank of the river, between
the upper and lower bridges, lies the small town of Girard. Mill Creek, which flows through an
open valley about a mile in width, separating two prominent ridges which approach the river
perpendicularly and overlook the city, empties into the river near the center of Girard. The lower
bridge was defended from the east bank by a rifle-pit and three pieces of artillery sweeping it.
The upper foot and railroad bridges were defended by a tete-de-pont, consisting of two redoubts,
connected by a range of rifle-pits about three-quarters of a mile long, extending across the upper
ridge, strengthened by slashing in front. The lower redoubts, situated just below the upper bridge,
contained six 12-pounder howitzers; four 10-pounder Parrott guns were in position on its right.
These guns completely swept Mill Creek valley. The upper redoubt contained four guns,
commanding the Summerville road. Five guns swept the railroad and two howitzers the upper
foot bridge, making in all twenty-four guns in position. The works were held by about 2,700
infantry. The division, moving along the lower Crawford road, arrived about 2 p.m. opposite the
lower bridge. Colonel Eggleston, commanding the advance guard, immediately charged to secure
it, but was received with a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, while the bridge, previously
prepared with combustible material, was at the same time fired. He therefore retired behind the
ridge. Rodney's battery fired a few shots which developed the position of the enemy's artillery. It
being impossible to attack successfully the tete de pont from this direction, General Alexander's
brigade was placed in position along the crest of the lower ridge, while General Winslow's
brigade, making a wide detour, was sent under cover across to the Summerville road on the
upper ridge. His brigade was preceded by two companies of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, under
Captain Lewis, who drove in the opposing picket and charged gallantly upon a strong line of
works, which in the darkness appeared to be the enemy's main position. General Winslow at
once disposed his command for the attack, the plan of which was to penetrate the work with
dismounted men, and then to send a mounted force through the breach with instructions to
charge directly upon the bridge. The assault was made about 9 p.m. by six companies of the
Third Iowa Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Noble. The front line of works was soon carried,
which, being mistaken for the main line, two companies of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry were
ordered to charge to the bridge. These companies, supposed by the enemy to be his own men,
passed through the works on the Summerville road unharmed, charged, and secured the bridge,
capturing many prisoners. Captain McGlasson, finding himself in the enemy's rear and vastly
outnumbered, rejoined his regiment. In the meantime the main line opened fire upon the right
with grape and musketry. The Third Iowa pressed forward through a slashing 100 yards deep,
and, after a charge unexampled in cavalry service, and with but few parallels in infantry,
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crowned the works. General Winslow promptly followed up the success, ignoring the redoubt on
the right, which still continued its fire. The Fourth Iowa Cavalry, dismounted, under Captain
Abraham, passed through the breach, turned to the right, charged the redoubt, capturing ten guns,
and then sweeping across the bridge with the flying rebels, captured the two howitzers loaded
with canister at the opposite end. Mounted companies from the same regiment followed in the
rear of Captain Abraham's, and after crossing the bridge turned to the right and charged in flank
the works at the lower bridge, capturing ---- prisoners and the 3 guns at that point. By 10 p.m.
Columbus, with its vast munitions of war, 1,500 prisoners, and 24 guns, was in our hands. This
victory, which was the closing conflict of the war, was achieved with the loss of but thirty men
killed and wounded.
April 18, at 8.30 a.m. the division marched for Macon via Double Bridges and Thomaston,
arriving and going into camp at East Macon on the evening of the 21st. The march was through a
rich country and the distance marched ninety-eight miles. Here official information of the
armistice between Generals Sherman and Johnston having been received, the campaign closed.
The conduct of the officers and men during the campaign is deserving of the highest
commendation. Whether mounted or dismounted, but one spirit prevailed, and that was to run
over the enemy wherever found or whatever might be his numbers. Nothing but the impetuosity
of the charges, whereby the enemy was not given time to defend himself, can account for the
small list of casualties, amounting to ninety-eight killed and wounded. In every conflict the
troops actually engaged were vastly outnumbered. At Ebenezer Church General Alexander
routed Forrest's command with less than 1,000 men, while General Winslow carried the
formidable works at Columbus with but 1,100. From the members of my staff--Bvt. Maj. James
W. Latta, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Thomas C. Gilpin, acting aide-de-camp; Lieut. J.
Sloan Keck, acting aide-de-camp, and Lieut. Peter R. Keck, ordnance officer--I received on all
occasions prompt and gallant assistance. The division arrived at Macon in good fighting
condition. I respectfully refer you to the accompanying reports of the brigade commanders, in
which the charges of the regiments under their command are minutely described; also
mentioning the names of officers and men distinguishing themselves for gallantry and soldierly
conduct. In conclusion, I desire to ascribe the success of the division in the first degree to the
zeal, energy, and ability displayed by Generals Winslow and Alexander, commanding First and
Second Brigades. They have shown in every battle great skill and gallantry, and, possessing in an
eminent degree all the qualities of a cavalry officer, I respectfully urge their immediate
promotion for the good of the service. Inclosed a list of officers and men who have distinguished
themselves and are entitled to promotion.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. UPTON,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding Fourth Division.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Atlanta, Ga., May 24, 1865.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi:
SIR: I have the honor to recommend the following promotions to date April 16, 1865: Col.
John W. Noble, Third Iowa Cavalry, to be brevet brigadier-general for gallant conduct at
Montevallo and Ebenezer Church April 1, 1865, and strict attention to his duties as a soldier;
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Col. B. B. Eggleston, First Ohio Cavalry, to be brevet brigadier-general for gallant conduct at
Ebenezer Church April 1, 1865, and Columbus April 16, 1865; Bvt. Maj. James W. Latta,
assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, to be major and assistant adjutant-general for gallantry
during the campaign; Capt. Thomas C. Gilpin, Third Iowa Cavalry, and acting aide-de-camp, to
be brevet major for gallantry at Ebenezer Church April 1, 1865; Maj. W. W. Woods, Fourth
Iowa Cavalry, and acting assistant inspector-general Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military
Division of the Mississippi, to be brevet lieutenant-colonel for his habitual good conduct and
gallantry at Selma, Ala.; Capt. J. H. Simpson, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and acting assistant
quartermaster Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, and First
Lieut. T. H. Brown, Third Iowa Cavalry, and acting commissary of subsistence, thoroughly
efficient and energetic officers, for commissions in their respective departments; First Lieut.
John S. Keck, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and acting aide-de-camp, for gallant conduct at Columbus
April 16, 1865, to be brevet captain; Second Lieut. Peter R. Keck, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, acting
ordnance officer, for his habitual good conduct on the field throughout the campaign, and
especially for gallantry in a charge near Montevallo on the 31st of March, 1865, to be brevet
captain; Capt. Lot Abraham, commanding Company D, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, for his gallantry at
Columbus April 11, 1865, and Selma April 2, 1865, to be brevet major; Capt. Asa B. Fitch,
commanding Company H, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, for his great gallantry in repulsing an attack
made upon the flank of the column near Montevallo, to be brevet major; Capt. John D. Brown,
Company L, Third Iowa Cavalry, for his habitual good conduct on this and other campaigns, to
be brevet major; Capt. George W. Johnson, Company M, Third Iowa Cavalry, for repeated
evidences of courage and gallantry, to be brevet major; Capt. R. B. M. McGlasson, Company I,
Tenth Missouri Cavalry, for a gallant charge through the enemy's lines at Columbus, to be brevet
major; Capt. Samuel J. McKee, Company B, Third Iowa Cavalry, for gallantry at Columbus, to
be brevet major; First Lieut. George D. Womeldorff, Company L, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, for his
gallant conduct at Ebenezer Church in holding a position in advance of the other troops until
their arrival, receiving a terribly severe fire from front and left flank, to be brevet captain; First
Lieut. J. A. O. Yeoman, First Ohio Cavalry, and acting assistant inspector-general, Second
Brigade, Fourth Division, for his many and repeated acts of gallantry and indefatigable courage,
energy, and perseverance exhibited on all occasions during the campaign, to be brevet captain;
Second Lieut. Ferdinand Owen, Company I, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, for his gallantry in leading
his command over the bridge at Columbus, to be brevet first lieutenant; Second Lieut. Loyd H.
Dillon, Company C, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, for his gallantry at Selma and good conduct and
courage during other campaigns, to be brevet first lieutenant. The individual actions and deeds of
these officers and the occasions in which they particularly distinguished themselves are more
fully set forth in the reports of Bvt. Brig. Gen. E. F. Winslow and Bvt. Brig. Gen. A. J.
Alexander, to which your attention is respectfully invited. I would respectfully recommend that
medals of honor be awarded to the following named enlisted men: Sergt. Robert Skiles,
Company G, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, who in an individual encounter with the enemy in the streets
of Girard manifested a spirit of bravery and determination which entitles him to the highest
commendation and reward; Robert C. Wood, private of Company A, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, who
after being captured by the enemy whilst in the line of his duty at Columbus escaped, and, with
the aid of a few others, took as prisoners the colonel and adjutant of the regiment that but a short
time before held him in custody.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. UPTON,
Brevet Major-General.
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HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., April 21, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of my command since
leaving Chickasaw Landing, Tennessee River, March 21 last:
The distance marched direct has been 488 miles, while the scouting, expeditionary, flanking,
and foraging marches swell the number of miles to an average of 600 to each regiment. Though
much of this has been over a mountainous and partially sterile region we have found sufficient
corn, and, if it were not for the long, hard marches, often extending into the night, our animals
would now be in exceedingly good condition. Those worn out have been abandoned or turned
over to the negroes and their places supplied with captured horses and mules. The care of
animals has been good, and straggling has not been marked or frequent. The general conduct of
officers and men has been excellent, and the command has been at all times in such condition
that it could have been promptly used against an enemy with full effect. With one week's rest I
think it will be in as effective condition and as well mounted as when the campaign commenced.
We had slight skirmishing just before entering Montevallo (March 30), one man, Fourth Iowa
Cavalry, being slightly wounded. March 31, my brigade moved in rear of the division. When a
few miles south of Montevallo it passed to the front, and the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, Lieut. Col.
F. W. Benteen commanding, being dismounted, the enemy (all Alabama brigade) were at once
pushed out of position. Two men of the Tenth were wounded. While this regiment mounted, the
Third Iowa, Col. John W. Noble commanding, took the advance, and one company charged the
enemy on the road at a time when his column was in retreat. A portion of the enemy being
separated from their main force, Captain Johnson with two companies was sent to the right, and
charging captured quite a number. Several of the enemy were killed and wounded. This officer
acted with vigor and gallantry. The enemy were driven in great confusion to Randolph, leaving
many animals and a number of men along the road and seventy-five prisoners in our hands.
Colonel Noble led his regiment, which behaved admirably, and his adjutant lost his horse in the
first charge. Meantime a body of the enemy attacked my column in rear and on the right, but this
force was speedily driven off by Lieutenant-Colonel Peters with a portion of the Fourth Iowa
Cavalry. The enemy were very roughly handled to-day, and scattered by the impetuosity of our
men. I have no doubt that the manner in which this day's work was done tended much to render
our subsequent victories the easier achieved. At an earlier hour on this day Lieutenant-Colonel
Benteen with his regiment destroyed the Bibb Iron-Works, about six miles south of Montevallo,
in the presence of a superior force of the enemy sent there to protect them.
Moved April 1 in rear of the division, and when at Maplesville Station heard firing in front,
receiving soon after orders to push forward rapidly. Two regiments, Third Iowa leading, were
hastened to the battle-ground of Ebenezer Church, arriving just as the engagement was being
decided. Captain Arnim's company (I) was thrown out on the left of the road and directed to
charge a line of the enemy formed on the bank of the creek 400 yards from the head of my
column. This company, having to throw down a fence under a severe fire, had 1 officer (Lieut.
John J. Veatch) and several men wounded, losing also about 15 horses. Captain Arnim and his
company behaved in a gallant manner, as did also Capt. A. Clark, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, acting
assistant quartermaster, who voluntarily aided in conducting this movement. The column moving
forward, the enemy quickly retired, and the Third Iowa Cavalry was sent in pursuit, following
the enemy to Plantersville, five miles. Capt. John D. Brown, Company L, charged his men over a
deep stream, capturing more of the enemy (a color company) than his command numbered. This
officer had been sent with his company to Maplesville early in the day, and meeting a body of
the enemy charged it, capturing several and scattering the others. Sergt. John Wall, guidon
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bearer, Company K, alter being wounded in the hand, retained the saddle, carried his colors, and
in a subsequent engagement captured a rebel officer. We arrived near Selma April 2 at 2 p.m.,
dismounting in battalion lines until 5 o'clock. At that hour, in obedience to orders from the brevet
major-general commanding division, I dismounted my command, and, leaving every eighth man
to hold horses, formed the Third Iowa on the right and the Tenth Missouri on the left of the
Plantersville road in line, about half a mile from the rebel works and fronting them. Seven
companies Fourth Iowa were preparing to move to the left of the Tenth Missouri when the
Second Division, on my right, attacked in force and soon gained possession of the fortifications
in its front. Observing this attack, the dismounted regiments were immediately advanced, and
when the Second Division obtained possession of the outer works the Fourth Iowa Cavalry,
which had not yet left their horses, came forward at a gallop in columns of fours and at once
pushed into the city, companies going in various directions to complete the discomfiture of the
enemy. About this time the Third Iowa and Tenth Missouri were directed to remount, but the
road being blocked by subsequent movements, this was not fully accomplished until a late hour.
The advance guard of the division, four companies of Fourth Iowa, under Maj. W. W. Woods,
had been dismounted in front of the enemy's works on the Plantersville road since 1 p.m., and
when Brigadier-General Long had charged the enemy on the right this force pushed forward into
the works in their front, capturing an entire regiment and 5 pieces of artillery. The mounted
companies secured 4 guns, 3 stand of colors, and about 1,000 prisoners. Several hundred of the
enemy were killed and wounded or drowned in attempting to escape. Capt. E. R. Jones,
Company I, and Chief Bugler D. J. Taber were killed. Both belong to the Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
April 3, by direction of Brevet Major-General Wilson, I assumed command of the city, while my
brigade, Colonel Noble commanding, made a march to the rear through Summerfield to
Johnson's Ferry, returning on the 6th instant.
With the army this brigade moved from Selma April 10, arriving at Montgomery on the 12th,
near which city we remained until the 14th. Major Curkendall with six companies Third Iowa
Cavalry was here detailed as provost guard, and did not rejoin the command until after the
capture of Columbus. Captain Whiting, with Companies H and M, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, was
sent to Grey's Ferry, Tallapoosa River, with directions to destroy the bridge over the Coosa at
Wetumpka. He was unable to do this, but, in conjunction with Major Weston, Fourth Kentucky,
captured and took to Montgomery three steam-boats. While the command was marching to
Columbus, Captain Young with 200 men Tenth Missouri Cavalry was detached from the column
at Crawford and proceeded to Clapp's Factory, three miles above Columbus, on the
Chattahoochee River, with orders to seize and hold the bridge at that place. It was, however,
partially destroyed before he arrived. This brigade reached the point of attack before Columbus
about 7.30 p.m., and at 8 o'clock was disposed in the following order: Six companies Third Iowa
Cavalry, Colonel Noble commanding, dismounted, in line at right angles to the Summerville
road, with the left resting thereon, 200 yards from one line of the enemy, and immediately in
front, and about 250 yards from his main line on our left the latter formed behind fortifications
running parallel with the Summerville road. The Tenth Missouri Cavalry, Lieut. Col. F. W.
Benteen commanding, on the Summerville road, 400 yards in rear of the Third Iowa, in columns
of fours, mounted, and the Fourth Iowa, Lieut Col. John H. Peters commanding, in the same
order, on a by-road, 300 yards from the point of its intersection with the Summerville road, being
thus to the right and rear of the Third Iowa 200 yards. The moment we were ready to attack, the
enemy opened fire in front with small arms and on the left with shell, canister, and musketry,
when the Third Iowa was directed to charge, and in five minutes we were in possession of the
rifle-pits in our front. Supposing the captured works to be a portion of the enemy's main line, the
Tenth Missouri Cavalry was ordered forward at a gallop, and two companies pushed at once to
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the bridge, nearly three-quarters of a mile distant, securing it with about fifty prisoners. This
detachment passed in front and to the rear of the enemy's lines unhurt, but the officer Capt. R. B.
M. McGlasson, finding his position untenable, released the prisoners and rejoined his regiment
with loss of one man killed. When this regiment commenced its forward movement, the enemy
developed his main line on our left. The Third Iowa was immediately directed to charge this
other position, and this gallant regiment pressed forward vigorously, Captains McKee and
Wilson with about fifty men penetrating the line, capturing some prisoners, and holding the
position. The remainder of the Tenth Missouri was now directed to prepare to fight on foot. This
command had, however, been thrown into much confusion by the enemy's fire, being only about
100 yards in front of their best position. The officers had done all they could, but the confusion
was almost unavoidable The Fourth Iowa, which was now immediately in front of the enemy's
lines, was dismounted (except four companies), and in charge of Captain Abraham, Company D,
was pushed into the enemy's works near where the detachment Third Iowa had secured a
lodgment. In obedience to instructions, when inside the works Captain Abraham moved directly
toward the bridge, not stopping to secure the prisoners who, after being made to throw away their
arms, were left where found. Near the end of this line of rifle-pits was a work with six 12-
pounder howitzers which Captain Abraham at once assaulted, capturing the garrison and
armament, together with four 10-pounder Parrott guns, gunners, and caissons which were in
position and firing near this fort. Without halting, a portion of his command rushed over the
bridge (a covered one), capturing two 12-pounder howitzers, caissons, &c., on the east end.
These two guns were loaded with cannister, but the gunners could not fire without killing the
rebels flying over the bridge with our men. The capture of this bridge was in itself a great
victory, as it had been fully prepared for sudden and complete destruction. The enemy were
unable to fire this structure, which, being saved, enabled our forces to occupy Columbus and
march immediately upon Macon. Any delay at the Chattahoochee would have prevented our
forces reaching Macon before the armistice went into effect. The capture of Columbus involved
the fall of Macon.
The conduct of this brigade whenever it has been engaged with the enemy has been highly
creditable to the men composing it and to our cause and country which it represents. The brevet
major-general commanding division, having been present at every engagement, has full
knowledge of the enthusiasm, courage, and determination displayed by officers and men on
every occasion. Having personally shared their dangers, I am confident he is ready to award
them their full meed of praise. Private Robert C. Wood, Company A, Fourth Iowa Cavalry,
orderly for Major Woods, acting assistant inspector-general, Fourth Division, having been
captured in line of duty, escaped, and with the aid of some of his company captured the colonel
and his adjutant, who shortly before had held him as a prisoner. There have been very many
instances of individual heroism, while almost every one did all he could. If in this report some
persons seem to have done more than well, it must not be inferred that others would not have
done equally well if they had been as fortunate in securing opportunities. During this campaign
this brigade has taken in action 3,100 prisoners, including 200 commissioned officers, 11 stand
of colors, 33 guns, 25 caissons, 3,500 stand of arms, and a large number of horses, wagons, and
mules. The defeat of the enemy at Columbus gave us possession of the gun-boat Muscogee, alias
Jackson, a very formidable ram. She was nearly ready for active service, her armament (six 7-
inch Parrott guns), engines, a portion of her ordnance, and other supplies being on board. The
fruits of our victories have been materially increased by having mounted columns always ready
to take advantage of opportunities offering. This has been shown to have been the case at Selma.
At Columbus the four companies Fourth Iowa Cavalry which were pushed over the bridge
(mounted) immediately after it was in our possession, captured 500 prisoners and completed the
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disorganization of the enemy. During this march we have destroyed the Harman and the
Brierfield or Bibb Iron-Works, near Montevallo; several railroad and station-houses, four steamboats
and one foundry at Montgomery, a large distillery above Columbus, and great quantities of
corn, meat, and other supplies gathered up for the Confederate Government. As a testimonial of
my respect and appreciation of their ability and services, and because of gallantry in the presence
of the enemy, I respectfully recommend that the rank of major by brevet be conferred upon the
following-named officers: Lot Abraham, captain Company D, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. This officer
has frequently displayed great courage, handled his command in a very gallant manner at
Columbus, and captured a four-gun battery at Selma, repulsing the enemy in his attempt to
recover it. Asa B. Fitch, captain Company H, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. When the enemy assailed our
column in flank near Montevallo, March 31, this officer, who commands the color company, had
the colors unfurled, and with his company and the colors dashed ahead, leading the attacking
party with great gallantry. He has many times acted with judgment and gallantry. I consider him
one of the best officers in my command. John D. Brown, captain Company L, Third Iowa
Cavalry. This officer was wounded severely at the battle of Big Blue, October 23,1864; has twice
on the present expedition attacked with his company a force of the enemy greater than his own,
and each time completely routing him, once capturing more men than his own command
numbered. George W. Johnson, captain Company M, Third Iowa Cavalry. This officer, once
with two, and again with one company, charged a superior force of the enemy with great
gallantry, routing them each time and killing, wounding, and capturing quite a number. His
courage, good conduct, and gallantry, have been frequently observed. R B. M. McGlasson,
captain Company I, Tenth Missouri Cavalry. He led two companies of his regiment through the
enemy's lines to the bridge at Columbus, and, though surrounded by the enemy, came out, losing
only one man. Samuel J. McKee, captain Company B. Third Iowa Cavalry. This officer has
several times led his company gallantly, and was the first officer to enter the lines of the enemy
at Columbus, himself and men having to work their way through abatis in presence of an enemy
securely posted behind intrenchments and only a few yards distant. With two companies he met
and repulsed the enemy at Fike's Ferry, Cahawba River, killing and wounding some and
capturing thirty animals. And the rank of captain by brevet upon Ferdinand Owen, first lieutenant
Company I, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, who, when his company reached the bridge at Columbus,
gallantly led it over and immediately upon a rebel battery of two guns while completely
surrounded by the enemy. The rank of first lieutenant by brevet upon Loyd H. Dillon, second
lieutenant Company C, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, who has repeatedly acted in the most gallant
manner. He was very severely wounded at Guntown June 10, 1864. At Selma he led his
company, which he was commanding, upon the enemy, killing several with his pistol and saber.
At Columbus he was among the first men to rush upon the enemy and over the bridge into the
city. I desire to remark the attention to duty and the valuable aid given me by each member of
my staff, and respectfully call your attention to the subjoined table of condition of this command,
and to the lists of killed and wounded in each regiment.
Your obedient servant,
E. F. WINSLOW,
Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. JAMES W. LATTA,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
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Atlanta, Ga., June 19, 1865
Capt. E. P. INHOFF,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cav. Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi:
I respectfully recommend that Maj. A. R. Pierce, Fourth Iowa Veteran Cavalry, be promoted
to lieutenant-colonel by brevet. He is one of the most cool and gallant officers in the service; has
frequently displayed unusual courage and judgment. At Guntown, where the infantry had
suddenly and in great confusion retreated (before his regiment, which he then commanded, had
mounted), the enemy came victoriously and impetuously down upon him. He formed his men
and held the entire force back till his horses crossed the creek in the immediate rear of that
disastrous battle-field. I consider this check as the sole cause of safety for 500 horses and nearly
as many men, while it enabled his regiment to aid in covering the hurried and disorderly retreat
to Collierville, Tenn. Major Pierce acted on his own responsibility and judgment, his brigade
commander being at the time at another part of the field. At Big Blue, Mo., October 23, 1864, he
led his regiment with great spirit, aiding in winning that important victory. At the Osage, October
25, 1864, his regiment came in sight of the enemy, Marmaduke's division, at the moment when
our line had been checked and the forces of the enemy about to take the offensive. Had Major
Pierce halted his regiment that victory in my opinion would have been a defeat--a rout. Without
orders and governed by his sense of the right, he led his regiment in one impetuous line upon the
enemy's right, riding over men, horses, guns, and carriages, initiating the charge, which taken up
along our whole line broke the enemy in pieces. In this engagement Major Pierce rode in
advance of his command and sabered nine rebels. In a subsequent engagement on the same day
his steady bravery and his coolness saved a part of our line and his regiment from breaking in
confusion when a charge not properly supported had been repulsed. He was here severely
wounded in the foot and has not yet recovered. I submit this recommendation for the action of
the brevet major-general commanding, as I am satisfied such services should be put on record
and recognized.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
E. F. WINSLOW,
Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., June 27, 1865.
Respectfully forwarded approved.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Atlanta, Ga., June 19, 1865.
Capt. E. P. INHOFF,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cav. Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi:
CAPTAIN: For long and valuable services as acting assistant adjutant-general, and for
gallantry in presence of the enemy at Big Blue, Mo.; Oxford and Tupelo, Miss.; Selma, Ala.,
and Columbus, Ga., I respectfully recommend the promotion of Ambrose Hodge, captain
Company K, Fourth Iowa Veteran Cavalry, to major by brevet. Bvt. Maj. Gen. Emory Upton,
Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, early recognized his merit
and offered to recommend his promotion to captain and assistant adjutant-general of volunteers,
but Mr. Hodge would prefer a brevet promotion. Very few officers are more deserving of a
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commission from our Government than Captain Hodge. Knowing the desire of the brevet majorgeneral
commanding corps to reward worthy men, I take the liberty of forwarding this letter.
Your obedient servant,
E. F. WINSLOW,
Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., June 27, 1865.
Respectfully forwarded approved and recommended.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
HDQRS. THIRD IOWA VETERAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Macon, Ga., April 23, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to report the operations of this regiment since the 21st of March, as
follows:
At 3 p.m. of the last-named day we broke camp near Chickasaw, Ala., having on duty 37
commissioned officers and 823 enlisted men mounted, and 57 dismounted, the latter going as a
guard for the wagon train of the Cavalry Corps. From the 21st to the 31st of the month we were
occupied in the ordinary duties of the march, passing over the barren pine-clad hills and
mountains of Northern Alabama and fording its deep, rocky, and rapid streams. On the evening
of the 30th we camped at Montevallo, Ala., and rested there until 1 p.m. the next day, when, the
enemy appearing in some force, our division advanced against him on the road to Randolph, the
Second Brigade being in front of the division and the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, of this brigade, in
advance of this regiment in the brigade. After driving the enemy some miles, the Second Brigade
was relieved by ours (the First), and at 4 p.m. the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, being engaged with
the enemy in line, this regiment was ordered to the front. Then Company G, Captain Stidger, was
sent to the right flank and Company H to the left, thus placing Company E, under their second
lieutenant, Battin, at the head of the column. At the point where the Alabama and Tennessee
River Railroad crosses the Randolph road sabers were drawn and the column with a cheer
charged the line of the rebels and broke it instantly, a number of the foe being wounded and
captured under the saber alone. At the time Company E charged in front, Company M, under
Captain Johnson, was ordered to attack on the right flank, which was also done promptly and
with entire success. My acting adjutant, Lieutenant Crawford, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, and the
non-commissioned staff joined me in the charge with Company E and did good service.
Lieutenant Crawford's horse was shot from under him, and one of my orderlies was wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jones continued the pursuit with great gallantry. This attack was made under
the immediate observation of Brevet Major-General Upton, commanding division, and needs no
other comment from me than that it resulted in the complete rout of the brigade of rebels under
General Roddey and the capture of many of his men, and elicited that applause of General Upton
which was again and again given the Third Iowa in the successive battles of this campaign. The
enemy fled in three columns, one immediately down the road, one before Captain Johnson, on
the right, and one over the field to the left. Lieutenant Battin was among the foremost of his
gallant company in this charge and pursuit. Company E being relieved by Company F,
Lieutenant-Colonel Jones with this company, under Captain Crail, drove the enemy about two
miles to and across Mahone or Six. Mile Creek. The enemy, rallying somewhat beyond the
creek, attempted to regain the bridge, but in spite of superior numbers Company F held the
ground, although at considerable loss, Captain Crail falling wounded with several of his men.
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The main column of the brigade was threatened by an attack in the rear at this time, but the
brigade commander did not see fit to allow me to support the company immediately. In a short
time Company K was sent to support Company F, and the column then moved forward to the
creek. Dismounting, Major Walker was ordered with Companies A, B, C, and D across the
railroad bridge, and with the remainder of the regiment I advanced to join Companies F and K
beyond the creek and pushed back the enemy on the road. It was now dark, but in an unbroken
line we drove the rebels from point to point for some three miles farther, when the picket-posts
were established and we retired to camp at about 9 p.m. Here the other companies of the
regiment joined us. Besides the prisoners taken by this regiment (about sixty in all) a large
number of arms was found thrown away by the enemy in their flight, and there is no doubt but
that the whole brigade in front of us was much demoralized by the charge and proved rather an
element of weakness than strength in the forces joining battle with our troops the next day at
Ebenezer Church. In this affair this regiment lost I enlisted man killed, 1 commissioned officer
and 10 enlisted men wounded.
April 1, this regiment left camp at daylight, and moving at the head of our brigade and in rear
of the Second Brigade, passed through Randolph at 8 a.m., going south on the road to the left of
the railroad, while the Second Division (General Long) advanced on the right of the railroad.
Soon after leaving Randolph, Captain Brown with his company (L) was sent to Maplesville to
rejoin the regiment at Maplesville Station. Captain Brown found Maplesville occupied by a
battalion of the enemy, who resisted his progress. He charged their line and occupied the place,
burning some public property, and on retiring captured the officer commanding the picket
beyond. He also captured two enlisted men in the town. The result of the attack on this force was
to prevent it from venturing to attack our rear when we soon after became engaged at Ebenezer
Church. While halting for Company L at Maplesville Station artillery firing was heard in front,
and at once moving on we soon learned that the Second Brigade was engaged in force. This
regiment was then ordered to the trot, and at this pace we came cheering on the field of battle.
We came into the presence of the enemy at 3 p.m. The Second Division (Long's) was engaged on
the extreme right across the Randolph road, while our Second Brigade (under General
Alexander) was warmly contending on the left. By immediate order of General Upton I sent
Company I (Captain Arnim) to the left in line over the open fields, over which they at once
charged, mounted, with carbines upon the plainly visible lines of the enemy extending across the
railroad, being the rebel right wing. This company met the continued volleys of the enemy, who
were under the immediate command of the Confederate General Forrest, but the fire was
returned with coolness and great effect. At the same time Company K (Captain Honnold), and
successively Companies L, M A, B, C, D, H, E, F, G, charged the line, passing over a deep
stream called Bogler's Creek, and drove the foe in complete rout, capturing on the field 250 of
the enemy. Companies D and H, under Captain Miller and Captain Grousbeck, pressed on to
Plantersville, carrying the standard of the regiment (borne by the gallant Sergeant Burns, of
Company G) in advance, and drove a party of rebels from that place, where they attempted to
rally. In this charge all the officers and men acted with great gallantry, striving to outdo each
other in assailing their old antagonist. I think, however, Captain Arnim and his company (I)
deserve particular mention for their gallant effort. The conduct of Sergt. John Wall, guidon
bearer, of Company K, was also admirable. His company charged the line hand to hand with the
rebels, and this sergeant was shot in the bridle hand, the ball also striking deep into the lance of
the guidon. He became the target for a line of muskets. He, however, maintained his place with
the company, and, though thus wounded, captured a rebel officer in the heat of the battle.
Captain Brown is also deserving of mention for having captured a whole company, officers and
men, yet armed and guns loaded, with a force less than that of the prisoners. This was the color
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company of one of the regiments opposing us, but the colors were secreted by them and not
found. At Plantersville Companies D and H were halted, and near this place the regiment and
brigade went into camp. In this engagement Lieutenant Veatch, of Company I, and ten men were
wounded; names given on annexed exhibit. The regiment also lost 7 horses killed and 11
wounded. There is no doubt that General Forrest and his escort were put to precipitate flight in
this charge of the Third Iowa Cavalry, and made to hear the shout of pursuit and triumph as they
ingloriously retired. It is with peculiar satisfaction I note this fact for my command, which has
marched far and labored long to match this boasting victor of the 10th of June at Guntown, Miss.
Time at last has set us even with him.
On the 2d of April we left our camp near Plantersville at 10 a.m., my regiment being in rear
of our brigade, or on the left. At 2 p.m., the Second Division, under General Long, having taken
position on the right of our line of battle, this regiment was ordered to the front of the brigade,
and dismounting again took position on the right of the brigade line, moving down the
Plantersville road and deploying into line about half a mile from the rebel intrenchments. The
Tenth Missouri Cavalry was on my left and the Fourth Iowa Cavalry on the left of the brigade.
This compliment to my men was highly appreciated by them, and is a full equivalent for the
trophies of war they might have taken from the broken foe had they not been compelled to keep
the rear after having led the brigade in all previous engagements. While advancing in this order,
the battle opened heavily on the right from an assault by General Long's division, and the battery
in our front opened at long range with canister and spherical case-shot, some of the shot falling
on my line, but without effect. The assault of the Second Division proved successful, and by the
time we could reach the breast-works they had been abandoned by the enemy. Scaling these
formidable works, the regiment advanced about 400 yards, when the line was halted and the
horses ordered to be brought up. At this point, and about dark, firing commenced on our right
flank, and I was ordered to go in support of the right wing. This we did at once, but after
marching about a mile over very broken ground we found the Second Division had driven the
enemy from his inner lines, and no assistance was further needed. We camped late at night. We
met with no loss at Selma. The strength and discipline of the regiment were never more fully
displayed than as we marched, 750 dismounted and in line, upon the enemy behind the
formidable works of this rebel arsenal. On the 3d of April I was placed in command of the
brigade, and this regiment with the others marched the same day to the rear toward Cahawba
River via Summerfield, and swinging around by way of Perryville, Pine Tuckey, and south of
Randolph, returned by Ebenezer Church and Plantersville to Selma again on the evening of the
6th. The object of this expedition was to reconnoiter for the enemy, gather information it'
possible of Croxton's brigade, and protect the corps wagon train, then coming in on the Randolph
road. No enemy was found. The distance marched was about 100 miles. On our return to Selma
Company B, Captain McKee, was sent back with a party from another command (in all 100
men)to again reconnoiter toward Cahawba River. This officer reached Fike's Ferry at noon, and
finding a force of about 300 attempting to cross the river he dismounted a platoon and attacked.
He drove the enemy back into the river, killing 3 of them and capturing about 25 mules and
horses. A battalion under Major Curkendall was sent the next day to the same point, but the
enemy was not prosecuting his effort of the day before and had disappeared. This regiment under
my command crossed the Alabama River on the 9th, and was joined at night by the battalion just
mentioned, which with scarcely any rest moved again with the column early on the morning of
the 10th on the Montgomery road. Marching by way of Benton and Lowndesborough, we
reached Montgomery on the 12th, and passed through this surrendered capital with flags flying
and bugles sounding. On the 13th instant we rested in camp three miles out on the Columbus
road, and in the night of this day six of our companies (E, F, G, H, L, M), under Major
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Curkendall, were ordered as a provost guard to Montgomery, and did not rejoin me until after the
capture of Columbus. They reported their arrival near Columbus before the attack, and I
earnestly requested that they might be brought up, but they were kept with the train by special
order of brigade headquarters, and had to remain there during the engagements at that place.
Marching daily, we arrived before the defenses of Columbus, on the right bank of the
Chattahoochee River, at 2 p.m. of April 16. We were first prepared to fight on foot with the rest
of the brigade in rear of the Second Brigade, then in position. After this, and about 3 p.m., we
again mounted and moved to the extreme right of the rebel line, halting on the way for about two
hours, and finally dismounting for action after dark and within musket-range of the rebel line.
The six companies of this regiment present (A. B, C, D, I, K) were the only force dismounted at
this time for the assault upon the batteries [and] intrenchments. The rebel lines extended in part
across the Summerville road, and thence south toward the river and the city beyond, along this
road, so as to command the same at short range, something like a letter L, with the short arm
advanced and lying across the road, while the main line extended parallel to the road and to the
bridge across the river. At the extremity of the short arm was a well-constructed tort (no guns
being in position, however), flanked by well-constructed rifle-pits running nearly east across the
road, and nearly to another fort at the elbow or angle of the works. In this latter fort were four 12
pounder cannon, well manned and skillfully handled, and the battery was supported by the
veterans of all the army in our front. The works were manned to the bridge, and near the bridge
were two battalions more, one in the road and one in a large fort to the right of the road. This
infantry force was well acquainted with all the ground round about, while our attack with six
companies, dismounted, was in complete darkness and without a glimpse beforehand of the
locality. The detachment of this regiment was first formed dismounted in line facing the fort and
breast-works composing the short arm or curtain to the main line the left of our line resting on
the road. This was near 8 p.m. As the last of the line gained position, the enemy opened with a
heavy musketry fire on our immediate front, and with two guns (12-pounders) on our left. We
went forward at once with a cheer under the heavy fire and cleared the works and the fort,
crossing the road and without delay formed the line beyond. This was the opening of the battle,
and a decided success. In this first assault the right of the detachment had swept around to the
front slightly, and on being halted the new position was a line somewhat oblique to the main line
of the enemy. We were ordered to remain there for the time. Two mounted companies Tenth
Missouri Cavalry now charged furiously down the main road leading to the bridge over the
Chattahoochee River. This charge was gallantly made, but drew from the fort and rifle-pits, now
on our left and left rear, a heavy fire of musketry and artillery. My detachment was now ordered
to go for this battery, upon which I gave the command so as to make a left wheel of the whole
line. The ground over which this evolution had to be performed was very much broken, but the
officers and men went forward with a cheer, passing in the profound darkness over fences,
ditches, and sloughs, with no other guide than the light and roar of the rebels' fire. Generals
Upton and Winslow were present and shared with us the dangers of this hotly contested field.
Crossing the Summerville road our line entered the woods beyond, and came within very short
musket-range of the troops and battery. These woods were open and descended into a deep
hollow, with an almost impassable swamp at the bottom, and immediately beyond on the
opposite hill was an abatis of pines pointed outward from the works and with the limbs broken,
sharpened, and interlaced. In the darkness and owing to the difficulties of the ground a
considerable portion of this detachment under General Upton obliqued to the right, and only a
few men made the attack upon the immediate front of the battery. Pushing on, however, the right
of the line, consisting got parts of nearly, if not quite, all of the companies engaged, gained a
lodgment on the work south of the fort. Considerable portions of Companies A, B, and I, under
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Captains Wilson, McKee, and Arnim, took captive the rebels at all intermediate point of the
intrenchments, seizing the garrison flag of the post, Sergeant Birdsall, Company B, gaining this
trophy. Captain McKee also advanced with a mere handful of men toward the fort still firing on
the left and took a number more prisoners with which he returned without reaching the fort. The
rebels contending here were reserve veterans, but had thus been broken by our unsupported but
unhesitating charge. In the meantime it is due to the men who made the immediate attack on the
front of the fort to say that they bore themselves most bravely under the close and continuous
fire of musketry and cannon to which they were subjected. Twelve of the men who were
wounded in the engagement fell on this part of the field, and had it not been for the darkness and
the smallness of our force here our loss would have been very severe. Finding the left too weak
to take the fort, I so reported to General Upton, and was ordered to let the fort go and hold the
intrenchments. My men kept, therefore, the portion gained, and the other troops of the brigade
having been brought into action passed over the remainder of the intrenchments to the bridge.
The fire of the battery ceased eventually, and I collected my companies to mount them, sending a
platoon to the fort and intermediate points to collect the wounded and dead. As soon as we got
our horses, we advanced with the rest of the brigade over the bridge, now ours. Lieutenant
Forker, Company B, with the platoon, found the guns in the fort loaded, but the enemy fled. He
was the first officer of ours there, so that, having carried the supports of the battery, seized the
garrison flag, and finally reached the guns in position, my regiment claims the honor of having
captured this (Clanton's) battery, and also to have broken the lines of the enemy in two
successive charges against veteran troops, intrenched and supported by a heavy battery in
position and well handled.
The loss of the detachment of the regiment engaged was Captain Miller, Company D, and 2
enlisted men killed, and 17 enlisted men wounded. A list of names and rank is given in the
annexed exhibit. Captain Miller fell in the assault upon the first line of works, a shell passing
through his side. He truly died, as his last words on the field expressed, "like a Christian and a
soldier." My superior officers who joined my command in this night attack upon the heavily
manned fortifications of the enemy, have expressed its merits as a military achievement to be of
the highest and most honorable character, and I have no doubt will so report officially. I deem
the conduct of Captain McKee and Captain Wilson in gaining the works and holding them as
worthy of particular mention. I have also to state that Private Tibbets, Company I, captured the
battle-flag of Austin's battery in this assault, and is entitled to that credit. This trophy bears on its
folds the fields of Belmont, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Farmington, Perryville, and Murfreesborough.
For their services and as a mark of distinction my command was made provost guard of
Columbus, and went on duty at 10 o'clock of the night of the assault in perfect order. During my
performance of the duties of provost-marshal here I seized and destroyed the bulk of the type,
forms, paper, ink, and some of the press of the Memphis Appeal, and put Dill, one of the
proprietors, under bond. This defiant rebel sheet had fled before our arms from Memphis to
Grenada, Miss., then to Jackson, Miss., then to Atlanta, Ga., then to Montgomery, Ala., and
finally to Columbus, Ga., where it was found in the basement of the Perry House and burnt in the
street. We left Columbus at 10 a.m. of 18th of April. Marching on the main Macon road, this
command reached this place without further incident on the afternoon of the 21st instant. We
have here learned of the cessation of hostilities, and been at peace. I have now present 36
commissioned officers and 826 enlisted men. The regiment has marched direct 560 miles and a
total of 660 miles. A more particular statement of losses and captures is annexed. My officers
and men have throughout this long and eventful campaign done their duty well, and have, I
know, won for themselves the approval and high praise of the army with which they have been
associated. To my field and staff officers, for their constant and hearty co-operation, and
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particularly to Lieutenant-Colonel Jones and Lieut. M. S. Crawford, acting adjutant, I tender my
thanks, and mention the two latter officers as having on all occasions shown the utmost coolness
and daring on the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Jones has been at all times at his post and led the
men to victory. The chaplain of the regiment, Rev. James W. Latham, has, during this
expedition, been faithful in an extraordinary degree to the discharge of his duties, and so long as
the regiment retains as sacred the memory of our noble men who have fallen for our country's
cause, will it respect and cherish with affectionate regard the pious labors of him who composed
our comrades' remains, and with Christian burial secured them decent resting places on the field
where they fell.
JOHN W. NOBLE,
Colonel, Commanding.
Col. N. B. BAKER,
Adjutant-General of Iowa.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH IOWA CAVALRY,
Macon, Ga., April 22, 1865.
LIEUTENANT: In compliance with a circular of this date from headquarters First Brigade,
Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, I have the honor to submit
the following report of operations of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry in the campaign just closed:
The regiment marched from Chickasaw, Ala., on the 21st day of March, with 31 officers and
687 enlisted men in the ranks, and 10 officers and 134 enlisted men belonging to the regiment on
detached service, making a total aggregate of 862. The line of march led over the barren waste of
pine-clad hills of North Alabama, but nothing of interest occurred until the 30th of March. On
this day Companies F and L, under Maj. W. W. Woods, in advance of the regiment and division,
skirmished over several miles before entering the village of Montevallo. In this skirmish Private
Francis M. Boswell, Company F, was wounded, losing one finger. On the 31st of March near
Six-Mile Creek, south of Montevallo, two regiments of the enemy attacked the column of the
division on its right flank, striking Battery I, Fourth U.S. Artillery, which was marching
immediately in my advance. I had here but two battalions (seven companies), the Second
Battalion being rear guard of the column. I at once moved the Third Battalion, Maj. E. W. Dee
commanding, into line, and being informed by an officer of Brevet Major-General Wilson's staff
that the enemy had at least one brigade in line, I ordered this battalion to dismount, and sent
orders to Capt. Lot Abraham, commanding First Battalion, to follow, mounted, in column of
companies. I now moved forward with the dismounted line at a charge, and the enemy
immediately gave way. We followed him about two miles, passing over and beyond the Selma
and Montevallo Railroad. Captain Abraham, having failed to receive my order, formed his
battalion, dismounted, on the right of the Third Battalion, and materially assisted in routing the
enemy, though his efforts were not so effective as they would have been had he received my
order and been on hand to charge mounted. While engaged in the pursuit, I received orders from
General Winslow to proceed immediately to the front, and had not the opportunity of learning
the full extent of injury inflicted upon the enemy in this engagement, but 5 were killed and 2
captured. In my regiment 5 enlisted men were wounded, 3 severely, 2 slightly.
On the 2d of April Companies I, F, and L, under Major Woods, were in advance, and upon
approaching the outer works of the enemy at Selma were deployed on either side of the
Plantersville road, and, under the direction of Generals Upton and Winslow, drove the enemy
into his inner works, where they charged, and carrying these works captured a large number of
prisoners, with five pieces of artillery and their caissons and ammunition. In this part of the
engagement our regiment suffered the loss of a brave and gallant officer in the person of Capt.
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Eugene R. Jones, Company I, who was treacherously shot and instantly killed by one of a squad
of the enemy who had surrendered, and while Captain Jones was going forward to receive them.
The remaining companies (eight) were at first ordered to dismount and prepare to charge the
enemy's works on the extreme left of our line. This order was soon countermanded by another to
charge down the Plantersville road mounted, so the regiment charged through the works and into
the city. Upon passing the inner fortifications I found the enemy lying in every direction and
firing occasional shots at our column. On reaching the first street running at right angles with the
one on which I was moving, I saw a large body of the enemy in the greatest confusion moving
off to the right. I directed one squadron to charge into them, and with the remaining force moved
rapidly forward to the river and made search for the bridge on which it was supposed the enemy
had crossed. Finding that there was no bridge over the river, I dispersed the command, sending it
by companies in all directions where I could ascertain that the enemy had fled. The First
Battalion, Captain Abraham, was directed by General Winslow to move eastward on the
Burnsville road. This detachment captured 4 pieces of artillery, 3 caissons, about 200 prisoners, 2
battle-flags, and I ambulance. About two miles and a half from the city the enemy attempted to
recapture these pieces, and, learning it, I took what troops I could and galloped to Captain
Abraham's aid. The enemy was repulsed and the captures returned to the city. The resistance of
the enemy when we first entered the city was very slight, no organized force attempting to
impede our progress. The fleeing mob fired upon us wildly from all directions, while these
chivalrous sons of the Sunny South seemed to vie with each other in making way for the Yankee
column. The loss oft the regiment after entering the city was 1 man killed (Daniel J. Taber, chief
trumpeter) and 8 enlisted men wounded. It is impossible for me, from the con fused state of
things in the city, to give the exact number of prisoners captured, but from the best information I
can gain from company and battalion commanders we took 1,495, including 3 colonels and 76
other commissioned officers. We captured besides 9 pieces of artillery, 8 caissons, 3 battle-flags,
1,100 stand of small-arms, 663 horses, 102 mules, 30 wagons with teams attached, and 3
ambulances. The flags were captured one each by Private Nicholas Fanning, Company B; Private
Charles A. Swan, Company K, and Private James P. Miller, Company D. We destroyed by order
500 stand of small-arms, 7 pieces of artillery. 12 caissons, and 500 rounds fixed artillery
ammunition, and killed by; order 300 horses and 80 mules. The Third Battalion, Major Dee, was
detailed for provost guard, and the destruction of public property by this detachment was
reported by General Winslow, commanding the post.
On the 3d of April I marched with the First and Second Battalions with the brigade to the
Cahawba River at Johnson's Ferry, and thence east by Perryville, reconnoitering the country
between the Cahawba and Alabama Rivers four days and marching ninety miles. On the 7th of
April, by order of the brigade commander, I sent a detachment of sixty men, under Lieut. J. T.
Reynolds, which was joined by a small detachment of the Third Iowa Cavalry, and marched to
Johnson's and Fike's Ferries, on the Cahawba. At Fike's Ferry this force had a spirited skirmish
with 200 of the enemy and drove them across the river, capturing twenty-four horses and
equipments. Here Private J. T. Meridenhall, Company L, was severely wounded in the face. On
the 9th of April the regiment crossed the Alabama River by a pontoon bridge and marched with
the army to Montgomery, occupying that city on the 13th. On the 14th Companies H and M,
under Capt. F. S. Whiting, were ordered to move up the river and destroy certain bridges over the
Tallapoosa, if possible to reach it. While reconnoitering the Coosa River, he, with a detachment
of the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, surprised three steam-boats belonging to the enemy and ladened
with cotton, bacon, corn, and salt. The boats were respectively named Henry J. King, Milliner,
and Augusta, and their cargoes consisted of about 60 bales of cotton, 12,000 pounds of bacon,
1,100 sacks of corn, and 50 sacks of salt. The boats and cargoes were taken to Montgomery and
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turned over to the post commander. Making rapid marches, our division (the Fourth) arrived
opposite Columbus, Ga., alone on the 16th of April at 2 p.m. After reaching a point on the
extreme left of the enemy's works and just out of the reach of his guns, the brigade was halted for
about twenty minutes, then moved by a circuitous and concealed route to the front of the enemy's
right, and took a position near the main road leading to the only remaining bridge over the
Chattahoochee, awaiting, in columns of four, orders to charge the enemy and gain possession of
the bridge. During this interval of about thirty minutes we were in easy range of the guns in the
enemy's fort on our left, which continued to pay us their compliments in the shape of shot and
shell, but with no other damage than wounding 1 man and killing 1 horse. I was then ordered to
move forward at a walk, and upon reaching a point directly opposite the fort just spoken of as
being on my left, Brevet Major-General Upton ordered me to dismount a part of the regiment.
The First Battalion, under Captain Abraham, and the Second, under Capt. Newell B. Dana, were
dismounted, and the Third Battalion, Major Dee, ordered to remain mounted and await orders.
The dismounted column moved down the road about 150 yards, and after deploying one
company charged the enemy's works on the left of the road, clearing the line. Here the column
turned to the right and at the double-quick moved down the line of intrenchments on the
principal fort, running over scores of the enemy and paying no attention to prisoners.
Approaching this fort, the whole dismounted force, consisting of Companies A, D, K, C, I, F.
and L, were deployed in line and at once charged the works and carried them. The fort was well
garrisoned by about 250 men and mounted six guns, four others being planted immediately on its
right, which were taken at the same time by the left of the line. A few men were left to hold the
fort, and the line pushed forward to the bridge. Sharp fighting took place between the fort and the
river, and upon reaching the bridge a portion of our men, mingling in the darkness with the
fleeing enemy, rushed over it and captured two guns commanding the passage from the east end.
The Third Battalion now came up mounted, and moving over the bridge, charged through the
city, still full of the fleeing enemy, and marched to the railroad, but too late to capture the train of
cars. It captured, however, a large number of prisoners, who up to the time they were ordered to
surrender confidently supposed that the Yankees were yet on the other side of the river. First
Lieut. S. N. Miller, Company L, commanding Company I, was the first officer over the bridge.
He was closely followed by Lieuts. S. O. Black, Company L, and L. H. Dillon, Company C.
Sergt. Joseph H. Jones, Company L, was seriously wounded after crossing the bridge and while
fighting for the guns commanding the passage. The guns and gunners were taken, thus gaining
full possession of the bridge, to gain which was the victory. Sergt. Henry C. White and Privates
R. H. Cosgriff and John Kinney, Company L, and Sergts. I. Harry Bodkin and Charles H. Smith
and Corpl. William [Philip?] McCully and Privates Tucker, John M. Andrews. Henry Trimble,
and Joseph Winemiller, Company C, and a few men of Company I, were among the first across
the bridge. The following named men captured each a battle-flag in this battle: Corpl. Richard H.
Morgan, Company A; Private Edward J. Bebb, Company D ; Sergt. Norman F. Bates, Company
E; Private John H. Hays, Company F; Private Eli Sherman, Company I Private R. H. Cosgriff,
Company L; Private John Kinney, Company L. Private Robert C. Wood, Company A, while
acting as orderly was captured early in the engagement and confined in a house near the bridge.
Hearing our men advancing he came out, and calling to his comrades returned with a few men
from Companies A and I and captured his captor, Colonel Cole, and his adjutant, a captain, with
several other prisoners. In thus mentioning the names of officers and men who have taken an
active part in the late battles, I fear a wrong impression may be made in regard to all not named,
and in this connection I desire to say that no single officer, noncommissioned officer, or private,
so far as I have been aide to learn, has failed to do his whole duty and to do it well. If anyone
man has been more prominent than another, it has been on account of his good fortune in having
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been in the right place at the right time. We have lost no men by straggling from the command
during the campaign. The men have taken excellent care of their horses, and have
uncomplainingly marched on foot a considerable portion of each day's march, in order to save
their horses They have always exhibited the best of spirits and have always been eager to meet
the enemy. I cannot, therefore, speak of individual instances of gallantry without feeling that, by
implication at least, I am doing injustice to the remainder.
I am unable to report accurately the number of prisoners taken at Columbus, but from the
reports of the officers engaged I place it at 941, including 67 commissioned officers. We
captured also 8 battle-flags, 12 pieces of artillery, and 8 caissons. The loss of the regiment was 1
man killed, Private Nathan Beezley, of Company I, and 10 men wounded, 4 seriously and 6
slightly. We marched from Columbus April 18, and on the 20th I was directed to leave the main
column at Thomaston by General Winslow and proceed to Barnesville and destroy all bridges,
culverts, depots, tanks, &c., between Barnesville and Macon. I cut this road at Barnesville and
destroyed some distance of the track on the evening of the 20th. On the 21st I reached Forsyth,
where I became satisfied that the reported armistice had been actually declared. I thereupon
ceased all further destruction of the railroad and marched toward Macon, reaching my present
camp about noon of the 22d instant.
Recapitulation: Direct line of march of campaign, 496 miles. Total number of miles marched,
610. Killed and wounded (of the regiment in battle during campaign).
We have lost of animals 10 horses killed in action and 136 horses and 20 mules abandoned
on the march. We have captured in battle 2,436 prisoners of war, including 146; commissioned
officers, 2l pieces of artillery, 16 caissons, 10 battle flags, 1,650 stand of small-arms, 738 horses,
and 142 mules. We have destroyed and assisted in destroying a vast amount of Confederate
Government property, supplies, and great public works, such as mills, foundries for both
ordnance and common castings, arsenals, armories, magazines, machinery, ordnance and
ordnance stores, corn and commissary stores.
Respect fully submitted.
J. H. PETERS,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
Lieut. A. HODGE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt Gen. First Brig Fourth Div., Car. Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi, Macon, Ga.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FOURTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., April 25, 1865.
MAJOR: In obedience to orders from division headquarters I have the honor to make the
following report of the operations of my command since leaving Chickasaw Landing on the 22d
of March, 1865:
The march from Chickasaw to Montevallo, Ala., which occupied eight days, was made
through an inhospitable and mountainous region and passed without meeting any enemy. Upon
moving out from Montevallo my advance was opposed by the advance of Roddey's division,
whereupon skirmishing immediately commenced. I at once ordered the detachment (about three
companies) of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, under Colonel Young, to charge, which they did in gallant
style, driving the enemy a distance of some three miles at full speed, killing 1, wounding 2, and
capturing some 15 men and about 30 stand of arms. The main body of the enemy were found in
position behind a difficult creek about three miles from Montevallo. My brigade (which was
much weakened by detachments being sent off to burn the iron-works) was immediately
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dismounted and deployed as skirmishers. After a slight skirmish the enemy retired. On the next
morning my brigade, again having the advance, struck the enemy at Randolph. After a slight
skirmish he retired on the main Selma road. Under instructions of the brevet major-general
commanding, I moved on the Maplesville Station road, leaving the direct road for the Second
Division. Upon approaching within about three miles of the junction of this road with the main
road I heard sharp firing and cheers upon our right. I immediately ordered my command to trot,
which gait I kept until I came upon the enemy in strong force of infantry and cavalry in position
behind fences and rail barricades. Upon debouching from the woods my advance (two companies
of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry) received a heavy and well-directed volley from the enemy's entire
line, which killed 2 and wounded a number more. At the first glance I saw that my command was
largely outnumbered, and therefore deployed the Fifth Iowa Cavalry and First Ohio Cavalry on
the right, with the view of connecting with the Second Division, which I was expecting to hear
every instant open in the woods on my right. I ordered two squadrons to take and hold a house
and outbuildings directly in front of my center, and which secured my position. The line was
then advanced, and after a sharp fight of about an hour the enemy was completely routed, leaving
two pieces of artillery in our possession. In this connection I wish to have it distinctly understood
that no other troops except those belonging to my brigade were engaged, although some
unofficial statements to the contrary have been made.
Upon entering Selma, by direction of the brevet major-general commanding, I sent the
Seventh Ohio in pursuit of the enemy on the Montgomery road. Colonel Garrard, commanding
the regiment, pursued him with the greatest pertinacity as far as Burnsville, despite the darkness
and almost impassable roads. So active and unremitting was the pursuit that the enemy was
forced to abandon four pieces of artillery, ten wagons, and a large number of small-arms.
Colonel Garrard also captured 125 prisoners. This brigade did not meet the enemy again until
the 16th instant when my advance, consisting of six companies of the First Ohio, under Col. B.
B. Eggleston, struck the enemy's outposts at Crawford and followed them with such rapidity as
to prevent their burning the very important bridges over which the command had to pass. Upon
arriving opposite Columbus Colonel Eggleston charged into the town of Girard, driving the
enemy back to within 200 yards of their entrenchments. Upon a careful reconnaissance of this
position it was deemed impracticable to attack from my front. My command was therefore
withdrawn, by direction of the brevet major-general commanding, and took no further part in the
capture of Columbus.
The march from Columbus to Macon was without incident worthy of note. The average
distance marched by the regiments of this brigade is about 650 miles. It has destroyed about
$11,000,000 worth of property, principally iron-works and rolling-mills. In the only action in
which the brigade has been engaged, the officers and men fought with the greatest gallantry,
repeatedly charging and finally putting to rout a force estimated at three or four times their own
number. It is worthy of remark that Company L, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, which had the advance
at Ebenezer Church and received the first volley from probably 1,000 muskets, maintained its
position until the command was deployed, although every man in it was either killed, wounded,
or had his clothes fiddled with balls. Lieutenant Womeldorff commanded this company. Colonel
Garrard behaved with conspicuous gallantry, steadying his men and setting them a brilliant
example of coolness and courage. Colonel Eggleston led his men also with great determination
and bravery, both on this occasion and in the attack on Columbus. To the officers of the brigade
staff, Lieutenants Mitchell, Yeoman, McKee, and Dryden I am greatly indebted for their untiring
exertions In the fight at Ebenezer Church they were particularly active in urging forward and
leading the men. In conclusion, I am proud to say that the discipline and soldierly conduct of the
men of the Second Brigade is only excelled by the gallantry which they have displayed in every
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encounter with the enemy, and I trust they will receive due credit in the official report of this
campaign. The official reports of the regimental commanders are hereto attached.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. ALEXANDER,
Brevet Brigadier-General.
Maj. JAMES W. LATTA,
Asst. Adjt. Gen, Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH IOWA CAVALRY,
Macon, Ga., April 24, 1865.
GENERAL: In accordance with instructions from your headquarters I have the honor to
report that during the campaign of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi,
commencing from Chickasaw Ala., on the morning of the 22d of March, 1865, and now arrested
at this place, the Fifth Regiment of Iowa Veteran Volunteer Cavalry has marched 582 miles. On
Tuesday, the 28th ultimo, the regiment, being in the advance, skirmished very slightly with a few
of the enemy from Five-Mile Creek to the town of Elyton, capturing two of them, belonging to
the [Fifth] Alabama Cavalry (Colonel Patterson commanding), near the town. This Confederate
regiment had been hastily withdrawn from the Huntsville and Decatur roads, on which it
expected we would have advanced, and had passed through Elyton but a few hours previous to
our advance entering. No loss or accident during the day. On Friday, the 31st ultimo, at
Montevallo, about 11.30 a.m., the enemy showed themselves in some three in line, the Fifth
Iowa Cavalry being in advance; and with one and a half companies, which, with the noncommissioned
staff and orderlies, comprised about sixty men in all in column on the main road
to Randolph, charged the enemy, breaking their lines, and following them up so closely as to
frustrate their attempts to rally. After running our horses for about one mile and a half at the full
charge, the heat and exhaustion were so great as to compel us to dismount. Our force proceeded
on foot, driving the enemy one or two miles farther, when we were relieved by the First Brigade
of the Fourth Division. In the charge (mounted) several of the enemy were ridden down and
otherwise wounded; our force, however, was too small to guard the prisoners to the rear. As fast
as they surrendered they were faced about and ordered to the rear. Many undoubtedly took this
opportunity to escape after surrendering. Twenty of these prisoners were received at corps
headquarters. They belonged to Forrest's command, and some were of his provost guard. Proud
of the honor of initiating this campaign so promising in important results, the regiment vied with
itself in giving eclat to this first meeting with the enemy in force. The regiment lost one man
mortally wounded (since dead).
Saturday, April 1, the regiment took part in the battle at Ebenezer Church. Arriving at a
critical time, it was hastily dismounted by companies as they arrived, and these were thrown
successively against the enemy, where they rivaled one another in pressing forward and in their
bravery and daring. Some of the men of the regiment were picked up after the fight utterly
exhausted, having charged about two miles on foot and wading Bogler's Creek, pursuing the
enemy. The regiment captured one piece of artillery with limber-chest and horses. The capture of
prisoners was completely ignored in the eagerness of the men to press forward so long as there
was an enemy in front still showing resistance. Shortly after the complete rout of the enemy we
were relieved by the First Brigade, Fourth Division, charging in mounted. Sunday, April 16,
Companies A and F, under special direction of Brevet Major-General Upton, opened the assault
upon Columbus, charging upon the enemy's right and drawing their infantry and artillery fire.
The regiment took a slight part in this engagement by driving in the enemy's outposts and
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skirmish line in their front and center. We then lay down, under fire from the enemy's artillery,
and awaited further orders. Companies E, L, and M, being my advance skirmish line, were
ordered forward without my knowledge by the assistant adjutant-general and assistant inspector
general, and took part in the general assault, which resulted in the capture of the enemy and place
without loss or accident. Each and every individual member of the regiment, both officers and
men, have during this campaign seemed to contest with each other in bravery, daring, and
coolness for the honor and glory of the regiment slid the success of the cause; but neither
opportunity nor accident offered to any individual one the occasion for such distinction as would
justify special mention.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. MORRIS YOUNG,
Colonel, Commanding Fifth Iowa Cavalry.
Brevet. Brigadier-General ALEXANDER,
Comdg. Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 9.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG FIRST DIV.,
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dauphin Island, March 17, 1865.
The troops of this command will embark immediately on board transports in the following
order: Forty-seventh Indiana Veteran Volunteers on board the steamer Mustang; Twenty-first
Iowa Volunteers on board the steamer Brown; Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteers on board the
steamer Groesbeck; Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteers on board the steamer Groesbeck.
By order of Brig. Gen. James R. Slack:
M. D. MASSIE,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant
CIRCULAR No. 12.
HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 2D DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, March 17, 1865.
The troops of this command will move to-morrow morning, the 18th instant, at 5.30 a.m.
precisely. The following will be the order of march, viz: Special scouts; pioneer corps; Twentieth
Wisconsin Infantry, advance guard; Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers; Battery F, First Missouri
Artillery; Twenty-third Iowa Infantry; Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry; ambulance corps;
ordnance train; regimental trains; provost guard.
By order of Col. Henry Bertram:
A. J. ROCKWELL,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 21.
HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dauphin Island, Ala., March 17, 1865.
II. The organization of the Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, announced in Special
Orders, No. 60, current series, from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, is
hereby modified as follows:
First Brigade, Col. J. I. Rinaker, One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
commanding: Twenty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer
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Infantry, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and twentysecond
Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Second Brigade, Col. J. I. Gilbert, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry Volunteers, commanding:
Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Tenth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Twenty-seventh
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and seventeenth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Third Brigade, Col. C. L. Harris, Eleventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry,
commanding: Eleventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Thirty-fourth New Jersey
Volunteer Infantry, Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Fifty-eighth Illinois Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry.
By command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 18, 1865.
Maj. WILLIAM P. CHAMBLISS,
Special Inspector, Cavalry Corps, Louisville, Ky.:
MAJOR: Your communication in regard to the collection, inspection, and recuperation of
broken-down horses has just been received. I am gratified to know that our views coincided so
exactly. The only special reason I had for desiring the Edgefield stables filled up was that horses
would not be so easily diverted from that point to other commands as from Louisville. Officers
of Hatch's division seem to think that General Thomas would not prefer other commands if they
were not so far away. I shall be satisfied, however, with whatever you determine upon after a
careful consideration of the whole case. I have authorized General Hatch to send an officer to
confer with you in regard to the horse question generally, so that the general can make some
calculations as to when he will be able to take the field. Captain Carling, chief quartermaster of
the corps, will also see you soon. I don't wish you to think me impertinent in this matter, or to
imagine that I have not perfect confidence in the wisdom of your action in regard to your
remounts; but the zeal, patriotism, and soldierly conduct of Hatch and his entire command cannot
be too highly commended. The division is certainly entitled to a thorough remount, Spencer
carbines, Blakely boxes, Stewart attachments, and good equipments. You need not have any fear
that they will not use them efficiently. I inclose you a copy of a general order commending them
for recent sacrifices. Citizens may imagine those sacrifices trivial, but you and I know they are
more important than blood. I sent also through General Thomas a special report showing the
present condition of the division. From it you will perceive that at present it is not in condition to
do any duty whatever, except remain stationary. The carbines of which you speak I would like to
have forwarded without delay for the Second Iowa, Sixth and Ninth Illinois. After that the
number of requisitions already sent you will do as a guide. Hatch has now about 5,000 men here
and a large number of recruits in depot in Illinois and Iowa. He will probably have 7,000 men in
sixty days. If my plans for the ensuing campaign work out well, I shall want Hatch to join me
with the corps trains somewhere between the Black Warrior and Coosa Rivers. I would,
therefore, if for no other reason, like to have him ready to move at as early a date as possible.
Captain Green has not reported yet, and I suppose will not be able to do so before I march. The
three divisions mounted, First, Second, and Fourth, are just in as fine a condition as it is possible
for cavalry to be in. I have reviewed Long and Upton, and I am sure they cannot be excelled in
our army or anywhere else. With Hatch in as good fix we cannot be whipped by rebel cavalry.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
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J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 24.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 18, 1865.
The brevet-major-general commanding takes great pleasure in announcing to the Cavalry
Corps that the officers and men of the Second Iowa, Sixth and Ninth Illinois, through Brig. Gen.
Edward Hatch, commanding Fifth Division, and Col. D. E. Coon, Second Brigade, have, with a
spirit of generosity excelled only by their gallantry, voluntarily turned over to the First Division a
large number of Spencer carbines, taking in exchange an equal number of inferior arms of
various patterns. This, too, after they had been compelled to turn over their horses to the Seventh
Division and other detachments. Such an exhibition of zeal for the interest of the public service,
of self-denial, and of friendly regard for their brothers-in-arms is unparalleled, and entitles the
brave men who have so cheerfully made it to the thanks and admiration of every soldier in the
corps. Troops who have distinguished themselves by so many acts of gallantry as adorn the
history of the Fifth Division could have made no greater sacrifice. They are entitled to the best
remount, equipments, and arms the country can furnish, and every effort will be made to secure
these in time to enable them to participate in the events of the ensuing campaign. This order will
be read to each regiment of the Fifth Division.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL FIELD ORDERS No. 2.
HDQRS. 13TH ARMY CORPS,
March 18, 1865.
The following-named officers are on duty at these headquarters in the positions named, and
will be obeyed and respected accordingly: Capt. F. W. Emery, U.S. Volunteers, assistant
adjutant-general; Capt. John C. Palfrey, Corps of Engineers, assistant inspector-general and chief
engineer; Capt. A. N. Shipley, U.S. Army, chief quartermaster; Capt. S. A. Cobb, U.S.
Volunteers, chief commissary of subsistence; Capt. George W. Fox, Twenty-sixth New-York
Battery, chief of artillery; Capt. J. J. Williamson, One hundred and twenty-eighth New York
Volunteers, chief of ordnance; Capt. James B. Ludwick, Signal Corps, U.S. Army, chief signal
officer; Surg. C. B. White, U.S. Volunteers, medical director; Maj. W. W. Todd, Seventy-sixth
Illinois Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. Samuel Lappin, U.S. Volunteers,
assistant quartermaster; Capt. H. G. Palfrey, Ninety-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, acting
engineer; Capt. D. P. Ballard, Twenty-third Iowa Volunteers, chief of ambulance corps; Acting
Staff Surg. L. F. Humeston, U.S. Army, acting medical inspector. Aides-de-camp--Capt. William
L. Avery, U.S. Volunteers; First Lieut. C. S. Sergeant, Second Louisiana Volunteers.
GORDON GRANGER,
Major-general, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Eastport, Miss., March 20, 1865.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
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Comdg. Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn.:
GENERAL: I forward with this such extracts from General Wilson's instructions to me,
given upon his departure, that lead me into direct communication with yourself and heads of
departments which may hasten the arming and equipping of my command; also General Wilson's
order showing that the present destitute condition of my command was not ordered through any
imputation of disgrace toward the division, but purely for the good of the service; and would
earnestly request my division may be put upon a war footing, and would respectfully request if
any doubt exists of its discipline or appearance of the men I solicit an inspector be appointed to
inspect these troops; and also refer to former inspection reports of the regiments I brought to this
department, which state favorably in every instance regarding their appearance and discipline.
The Second Iowa Cavalry, Third, Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Illinois Cavalry were re-enlisted a
year ago as veterans, with the promise if they would re-enlist they should be armed with the
Spencer carbine. Of these only the Second Iowa Cavalry and Sixth Illinois Cavalry were armed
with the Spencer carbine. What the Ninth Illinois Cavalry had were surplus arms from these
regiments and arms captured or left on the field by other regiments. These arms have since been
turned over to General Wilson's command, about to take the field for active operations. The
Third and Seventh Illinois Cavalry have for eight months carried arms condemned and turned
over at one time at Memphis, Tenn. The Twelfth Missouri have an arm condemned eight months
ago. I am receiving recruits daily, and have not arms enough to arm my command, and have sent
(some days since) Captain Budd to you for muskets, despairing of obtaining a cavalry arm. I
believe there is not an instance that any of these regiments have broken in front of the enemy,
and I have never seen them charge a battery they did not take or a line of the enemy they did not
break. If horses cannot be furnished I would suggest that the division be thoroughly armed. It can
be made as effective as any infantry with the drill it is now receiving, and will in twenty days be
able to take the field effectively on foot. So far as obtaining information suggested by General
Wilson, I consider the best is to be obtained by purchasing officers at the headquarters of the
enemy. This I can do. It will require money, however, to do this. I have none and no way of
obtaining any here in the way of assessments, as I consider this only a camp of instruction, not a
post. The railroad train run by the rebels has reached Corinth, and yesterday was near Burnsville.
It will be at Iuka probably to-morrow. This is reported to me by scouts. From these reports,
however, I am not sure that it is a train coming north from West Point or one that has remained
near Corinth. I should like very much to have instructions regarding the running of these trains. I
know General Forrest well enough to be aware he will take any advantage of this privilege.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWARD HATCH,
Brigadier-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 28.
HDQRS. FOURTH DIV., CAV. CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 21, 1865.
I. Bvt. Maj. James W. Latta, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, having been assigned
for duty with this command by virtue of Special Orders, No. 56, headquarters Cavalry Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi, March 21, 1865, is hereby announced as assistant adjutantgeneral.
He will be respected and obeyed accordingly.
II. Capt. Thomas C. Gilpin, Third Iowa Cavalry, is hereby relieved from duty as acting
assistant adjutant-general and assigned as acting aide-de-camp. The brevet major-general
commanding takes pleasure in expressing his satisfaction with the manner in which Captain
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Gilpin has habitually performed the duties pertaining to the office he has heretofore filled in the
command.
JAMES W. LATTA,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
EASTPORT, March 23, 1865.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS:
I earnestly request arms may be forwarded to my command. I am not half filled. Send me
muskets if carbines cannot be obtained. Captain Budd, Second Iowa Cavalry, has been sent to
Nashville to receive arms, if they can be obtained.
EDWARD HATCH,
Brigadier-General
FIELD ORDERS No. 8.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, near Fish River, Ala., March 25, 1865.
The troops of this command will march in the following order, starting at 8 this a.m.: First,
Second Brigade; second, headquarters division; third, pioneer corps; fourth, Second Iowa
Battery; fifth, brigade ambulances; sixth, Third Brigade, seventh, Third Indiana Battery; eighth,
brigade ambulances; ninth, First Brigade; tenth, ammunition train; eleventh, brigade ambulances;
twelfth, division hospital; thirteenth, one wagon per regiment and brigade and division
headquarters wagons. Unless otherwise directed the above order of march will be observed,
except the brigades and batteries will alternate in advance daily. The tool wagons, pioneer
wagons, and battery wagons will follow their respective commands. All other wagons will
follow in rear of second division of the column in the order of precedence of their commands.
By command of Brig. Gen. J. McArthur:
W. H. F. RANDALL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,
SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, March 26, 1865.
The troops of this command will move to-morrow morning, the 27th instant, at 5.30 a.m. The
following will be the order of march: Detachment Third Maryland Cavalry advance guard;
pioneer corps; provost guard; Nineteenth Iowa Infantry; Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry; Battery
F, First Missouri Light Artillery; Twenty-third Iowa Infantry; ambulance train; ordnance train;
regimental train; commissary train; Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry rear guard.
By command of Col. Henry Bertram:
A. J. ROCKWELL,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. 2D DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, March 28, 1865.
I. The general commanding appreciates the ready and generous efforts of the troops in
promoting this difficult march. These labors assure future success, and every patriot will feel
grateful to the soldiers who have endured them. The general particularly thanks Lieut. Col. J. B.
Leake, commanding the Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, for the valuable and rapid service of his
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regiment this morning in corduroying the road, showing by the amount done how much can be
accomplished by officers giving their personal interest and attention to their duty.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
LOUISVILLE, KY., April 4, 1865.
Capt. J. E. HARRISON,
Fifth U.S. Cav., Special Inspector Cav., Mil. Div. of West Miss.:
CAPTAIN: On yesterday I wrote you a short note informing you of the result of my efforts to
have the cavalry at Memphis sent down to New Orleans, as ordered by General Canby. After
General Washburn's refusal to permit it to go I proceeded to Cairo, and from there sent the
following dispatch to Major-General Thomas, viz:
CAIRO, ILL., March 31, 1865.
General GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn. :
GENERAL: The First Iowa, Eleventh New York, Second Wisconsin, Fourth, Eleventh, and
Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, now at Memphis, have been ordered by General Canby to report to
General Grierson in New Orleans. I was sent to Memphis by order of General Canby to urge
these regiments forward, but General Washburn refuses to allow them to go. Will you order
these regiments to comply with General Canby's orders? Please answer me at Louisville.
Respectfully,
C. J. WALKER,
Capt., Second U. S. Cav., Special Inspector of Cavalry, Dept. of the Gulf.
The following is General Thomas' reply:
HEADQUARTERS,
Nashville, Tenn., April 1, 1865.
Capt. C. J. WALKER,
Second U. S. Cavalry:
Your telegram received. The cavalry mentioned was reported to me by General Washburn as
belonging to the District of West Tennessee, and of course I cannot let them go.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-general.
As General Thomas has refused to allow this cavalry to go I do not see that I can do anything
more in the matter. I shall therefore from this date avail myself of the leave of absence granted
me by paragraph 3, Special Orders, No. 80, headquarters Department of the Gulf. If I can be of
any further service in this matter, please address me at Richmond, Ky.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. J. WALKER,
Capt., Second U.S. Cav., Special Inspector of Cav., Dept. of the Gulf.
CIRCULAR No. 33.
HDQRS. 3D BRIG. 2D DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Before Blakely, Ala., April 7, 1865.
Regimental commanders will hold their respective regiments in readiness to move at a
moment's notice at any hour of the night. In case there is any unusual or heavy firing on the
picket-line of this brigade during the night, the commanding officer of the Eighty-third and One
hundred and fourteenth Ohio Volunteers, Twentieth Iowa and Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers
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will move their regiments immediately to the advance line of works in front of their respective
commands. Col. G. W. Clark, commanding Thirty-fourth Iowa Infantry, will hold his regiment
ready to march to the support of any part of the line he may be ordered.
By order of Col. F. W. Moore:
C. C. MORSE,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
FIELD ORDERS No. 9.
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Ala., April 12, 1865.
This command will march to-morrow morning (April 13) at 9 o'clock, taking the road leading
by General Canby's headquarters, in the following order: First, pioneer corps; second, First
Brigade; third, Second Iowa Battery; fourth, Second Brigade; fifth, Third Indiana Battery; sixth,
Third Brigade; seventh, ambulance corps and division hospital; eighth, division train. The above
order of march will be observed from day to day until further orders, except the brigades and
artillery will alternate each day. The rear brigade will be required to guard the train, and for this
purpose will throw one or more regiments in rear of and [on] each flank of the train as
circumstances and necessity require. Regimental and brigade commanders will see that all the
existing orders published from the headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi and from
corps headquarters, relative to troops in the field and on the march, are strictly complied with.
By command of Brig. Gen. J. McArthur:
W. H. F. RANDALL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., SECOND DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Blakely, Ala., April 13, 1865.
Lieut. Col. J. B. LEAKE,
Commanding Twentieth Iowa:
COLONEL: In obedience to instructions from headquarters U.S. forces east of Mobile Bay,
Ala., dated headquarters, Blakely, Ala., April 13, 1865, you will without delay proceed with your
command to the city of Mobile, Ala., reporting on your arrival there to Brig. Gen. G. L.
Andrews, provost-marshal-general, for duty. You will apply to Major McEntee, chief
quartermaster, for transportation immediately.
By order of Col. F. W. Moore:
JOHN N. COLDREN,
Lieutenant and Acting Aide-de-Camp.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 10.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION,
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Malone's Creek, Ala., April 19, 1865.
The present organization of the staff of the brigadier-general commanding is announced as
follows: Lieut. Col. R. F. Patterson, Twenty-ninth Iowa, acting assistant inspector-general and
chief of staff; Lieut. Col. Charles A. Smith, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin, provost-marshal; Maj. B.
Durham, U. S. Volunteers, surgeon in charge; Capt. J. D. Rouse, Seventy-seventh Illinois, acting
assistant adjutant-general; Capt. D. K. Hall, 12. S. Volunteers, commissary of subsistence; Capt.
Arnout Cannon, Ninety-seventh U. S. Colored Infantry, acting engineer; First Lieut. J. M.
Shields, Seventy-seventh Illinois, acting ordnance officer; First Lieut. W. H. York, Twentieth
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Wisconsin, acting assistant quartermaster; Second Lieut. N. R. Hook, Thirty-third Iowa, assistant
commissary of musters; First Lieut. F. E. Starck, Twentieth Iowa, aide-de-camp; First Lieut. J.
A. Prindle, Seventh Vermont, aide-de-camp.
W. P. BENTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Nanna Hubba Bluff, Ala., April 21, 1865--2 p.m.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Thirteenth Army Corps:
I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the instructions from the major-general
commanding the Thirteenth Army Corps, I moved my division forward from Whistler, Ala.,
April 19, on the Saint Stephen's road, having first bridged Chickasaw Bayou a mile from
Whistler. By easy stages we arrived at this point at 12 m. today. Yesterday afternoon, having
arrived at Cedar Creek and found the ferry one-quarter of a mile in width, I made a detour to the
left and found a narrower channel, where a substantial bridge fifty feet in length was constructed
in five hours, and the whole command crossed and encamped this side the creek last night. This
morning we moved forward in the rain, which has continued up to the present time.
Nevertheless, I marched ten miles to this point this forenoon, and now have my whole command
and train in camp. I took possession of the arsenal at Mount Vernon and left the Twenty-ninth
Iowa Volunteers and a section of artillery to guard it. The buildings are substantial and extensive,
all in good repair, and uninjured by the enemy. Arriving here I found the gun-boat Octorara off
this point. I am advised by Captain Cannon, my engineer, whom I sent forward with the cavalry
this morning upon a reconnaissance, that the best place to blockade the Tombigbee River is at
McIntosh Bluff, ten miles above here, as there are two cut-offs to the Alabama River (both
navigable) below that point. I am encamped upon a high bluff in a commanding position at a
bend in the Tombigbee, three miles above its mouth, but fearing the object of the expedition
would not be accomplished if the cut-offs above named are left open, I have determined to await
orders before constructing the contemplated fortifications. I have information through several
deserters from the rebel navy, now with our navy, that the enemy's gun-boats have gone above
Demopolis, and that he is making preparations to destroy them. Our rations will expire on the
23d instant.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. P. BENTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Nanna Hubba Bluff, Ala., April 23, 1865.
Col. THOMAS H. BENTON, Jr.,
Commanding Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers:
The brigadier-general commanding directs me to inform you that you will occupy and protect
the arsenal at Mount Vernon until further orders. You will draw rations for your command from
Capt. D. K. Hall, commissary of subsistence. No supplies have been received as yet from
Mobile, but they are expected today.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. D. ROUSE,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS No. 30.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., May 4, 1865.
To carry out the terms of convention agreed upon by Major-General Sherman and General
Johnston the following orders are issued:
I. Brevet Major-General Upton will receive the surrender of Confederate and other troops at
Augusta, Ga., and its vicinity, together with all public stores.
II. Brigadier-General McCook will receive the surrender of Confederate and other troops at
Tallahassee, Fla., and its vicinity, together with all public stores.
III. Brigadier-General Croxton will receive the surrender of Confederate and other troops at
Macon, Ga., and its vicinity, together with all public stores.
IV. Col. B. B. Eggleston, First Ohio Cavalry, will receive the surrender of Confederate and
other troops at Atlanta, Ga., and its vicinity, together with all public stores.
V. Maj. M. H. Williams, acting assistant inspector-general, Cavalry Corps, will receive the
surrender of Confederate and other troops at Milledgeville, Ga., and its vicinity, together with all
public stores.
VI. All officers and civilians, including tax-gatherers in kind, holding offices under the
Confederate States Government, having in charge engineer, ordnance, quartermaster's,
commissary, or medical stores are hereby directed to report immediately to these headquarters
the amount of property on hand, and to guard it until it can be turned over to the officers of the
proper staff department.
VII. The Fourth Division will march without delay by the most direct route to Atlanta, Ga.
The quartermaster's and commissary departments will make the necessary arrangements for
supplying it at the place and while on the march.
VIII. Bvt. Brig. Gen. E. F. Winslow, commanding Fourth Division, will send to Augusta,
Ga., by a special train a dismounted detachment of 500 men from the Third and Fourth Iowa
Regiments for the purpose of guarding public property and preserving order at that place. The
troops will prepare three days' cooked rations before starting. The quartermaster's department
will provide transportation.
IX. A large amount of Spencer ammunition having been destroyed in direct violation of
existing orders by the First Ohio Cavalry on the night of the 3d of May, 1865, by throwing
cartridges in the fire, and thereby endangering the lives of the men in the adjoining camps, it is
therefore ordered: First. That each commissioned officer of the First Ohio Cavalry be charged
$10 on the muster and pay rolls at the next muster of the regiment, to pay for ammunition
destroyed. Second. That each enlisted man of the First Ohio Cavalry be charged $5 on the muster
and pay rolls at the next muster of the regiment, to pay for ammunition destroyed. This order is
found to be necessary to protect the Government of the United States from losses on account of
willful destruction on the part of enlisted men and gross neglect on the part of the officers.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV.,
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
May 8, 1865.
During the temporary absence of the colonel commanding I hereby assume command of this
brigade.
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S. L. GLASGOW,
Colonel Twenty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Commanding.
FIELD ORDERS No. 10.
HDQRS. 1ST DIVISION, 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Montgomery, Ala., May 9, 1865.
This command will march to-morrow morning (May 10) at daylight in the following order:
First, pioneer corps; second, First Brigade; third, Second Iowa Battery; fourth, Second Brigade;
fifth, Third Indiana Battery; sixth, Third Brigade; seventh, ambulance corps and division
hospital; eighth, division train. The above order of march will be observed from day to day until
otherwise directed, except the brigades and artillery alternating each day. The rear brigade will
be required to guard the train, and for this purpose will throw one or more regiments in the rear
of the train, as circumstances and necessity may require. Regimental teams will follow their
brigades. Regimental and brigade commanders will see that all the existing orders, published
from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi and from corps headquarters relative to
troops in the field and on the march, are strictly complied with.
By command of Brig. Gen. J. McArthur:
JAMES KILBOURNE,
Captain and Aide-de-Camp.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., May 10, 1865.
Brig. Gen. JAMES C. VEATCH,
Commanding First Division and Post and District:
GENERAL: I am instructed by the major-general commanding to state that you will please
send by boat without delay one company of infantry to Mount Vernon Arsenal to protect the
property there and relieve the Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteers now stationed there. This regiment
will return by the boat which takes the company up, and will be reported on its arrived by its
commanding officer to the division commander. Twenty days' rations will be taken by the
company.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. W. EMERY,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Selma, Ala., May 11, 1865.
Col. F. W. MOORE,
Commanding Third Brigade:
COLONEL: You will proceed to embark your brigade as follows: Thirty-fourth Iowa and
One hundred and fourteenth Ohio on the Osborn (on which also is the Second Connecticut
Battery and division headquarters), Thirty-seventh Illinois on the A. G. Brown, Eighty-third
Ohio and pioneer company on the Lockwood, which boats are expected to-night.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
JNO. B. MITCHEL,
First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
MACON, May 17, 1865--4 p.m.
General THOMAS,
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Nashville, Tenn.:
In carrying out the order directing me to march to the Tennessee River, it will be necessary to
have a depot of grain at the Etowah. Please let me know when I begin the movement, with the
assurance of finding necessary supplies along the road. If there is any certainty that Croxton will
be appointed military governor I can leave his entire command with him, as they are all veterans,
except the Eighth Iowa, whose term expires in eighteen months. It seems to me this one brigade
of 2,000 men will be ample force even if no infantry is sent, and with 2,000 infantry, as I
suggested in my dispatch of to-day, there is no necessity for any of my command in the State.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major-General.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 12.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,
FIRST DIVISION, U.S. COLORED TROOPS,
Mobile, Ala., May 18, 1865.
In the conviction that the death of the late President Abraham Lincoln, of glorious memory,
has been deeply felt and mourned over by every officer and soldier of this command, the colonel
commanding hereby calls upon them all to manifest their appreciation of his great and undying
services for his country; of his noble efforts in the cause of freedom and humanity; of his great
worth as a man, and of his noble qualities as a just and wise ruler of the nation through this her
most imminent peril, her hardest trial, and greatest suffering, in an enduring manner worthy of
him and creditable to themselves. An association, of which Senator Harlan, of Iowa, is president,
and Jay Cooke & Co. the financial agents, has been formed, and is now known as the "Lincoln
Monument Association." Its title sufficiently explains the objects and aims of the association.
The U.S. colored troops, above all classes of men, must carry love and veneration of Mr.
Lincoln's memory in their hearts. They owe freedom, justice, consideration, fame, and every
other blessing they and their kindred enjoy to him above all other men. He has been the redeemer
of the colored race in this country, and his name must be as sacred on their lips as that of
mankind's Redeemer. The colonel commanding feels convinced that the colored men will
embrace this meager opportunity to testify their love, admiration, and gratitude for the noble man
and the wise ruler whose loss we mourn. Company and regimental commanders are requested to
receive subscriptions for the Lincoln monument. A list of the subscribers will be kept by
company and regimental commanders for transmittal to Messrs. Jay Cooke & Co., together with
the funds received. It is suggested that no subscriptions from enlisted men be received to exceed
$10. Arrangements will be made at these headquarters for the safe transmission of the funds to
Washington free of any charge. This order will be read and explained to every regiment in this
command at the first dress-parade after its reception.
By order of Col. L. L. Zulavsky:
GEORGE MAHAFFEY,
First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., May 22, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. E. UPTON,
Atlanta, Ga.:
General Wilson directs that you send the Fifth Iowa, Tenth Missouri, and Seventh Ohio to
Chattanooga. Commence the movement to-day. General Alexander leaves this morning for
Atlanta.
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E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Macon, Ga., May 22, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. E. UPTON,
Atlanta, Ga.:
General Wilson directs that you send the Fifth Iowa, Tenth Missouri, and Seventh Ohio to
Chattanooga. Commence the movement to-day. General Alexander leaves this morning for
Atlanta.
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 69.
HDQRS. 4TH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Atlanta, Ga., May 22, 1865.
I. The Fifth Iowa, Tenth Missouri, and Seventh Ohio Cavalry will be ready to march to-day
at 12 o'clock toward Chattanooga. They will be provided with four days' subsistence and two
days' forage, to be carried on the animals. The members of the court-martial now in session will
remain until the murder trial now pending is disposed of. The officers and men who are
witnesses in that case will also remain. Col. J. Morris Young, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, will take
command of the three organizations. Capt. J. H. Simpson, acting assistant quartermaster, will
furnish such transportation as may be necessary. Colonel Young will report at once to these
headquarters for further instructions, and regimental commanders will report to him.
By order of Brevet Major-General Upton:
JAMES W. LATTA,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 45.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, Tenn., May 29, 1865.
VII. Bvt. Brig. Gen. A. J. Alexander, commanding Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Cavalry
Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, will move his brigade, composed of the followingnamed
regiments, from Chattanooga and encamp it at Edgefield, Tenn., for muster out of service.
The quartermaster's department will furnish the necessary transportation: Seventh Ohio Cavalry,
Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and Tenth Missouri Cavalry.
By command of Major-General Thomas:
HENRY M. CIST,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 11.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., SECOND DIV.,
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., May 29, 1865.
I. In pursuance of Special Orders, No. 56, paragraph I, dated headquarters Second Division,
Thirteenth Army Corps, Mobile, Ala., May 29, 1865, the undersigned hereby assumes command
of this the Third Brigade.
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II. Col. George W. Clark, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, will assume command of
his regiment.
F. W. MOORE,
Colonel Eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 58.
HDQRS. SECOND DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., May 31, 1865.
I. During the temporary absence of Col. H. Bertram, Col. S. L. Glasgow, Twenty-third Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, will assume command of the First Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth
Army Corps. This order to date from May 8, 1865.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
BYRON PORTER,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS No. 26.
HDQRS. 3D DIV., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Mobile, Ala., May 31, 1865.
Brigade commanders will immediately embark their respective brigades on the boats set
opposite the regiments. The regiments not mentioned will remain until other boats arrive. Ten
days' forage, ten days' rations, and 100 rounds of ammunition to the man will be taken with each
regiment. The regimental teams will be taken on the boats with their commands, viz: Seventh
Vermont Veteran Infantry, steamer Sedgwick; 300 men, headquarters, and teams of the Twentyninth
Iowa, steamer Magenta; the remainder of Twenty-ninth Iowa, Belvidere; Thirty-fifth
Wisconsin Infantry, Belvidere; Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry and Thirty-third Iowa
Infantry, steamer Continental; brigade headquarters Third Brigade, Continental; Twenty-seventh
Wisconsin Infantry and Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, Clinton. Troops to embark on the
steamers Continental and Sedgwick will be taken to them in lighters. Lieut. W. H. York, acting
assistant quartermaster, will direct them at the landing.
By order of Col. D. P. Grief:
JOHN A. PRINDLE,
First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis, Tenn., May 31, 1865.
Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff, Dept. of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn.:
GENERAL: I find here, on assuming command, a large number of paroled officers and men,
a majority of whom are in a destitute condition. They are all anxious to return to their homes,
but, as I understand, existing orders forbid transportation being furnished them. Many of them
reside in the States of Kentucky and Missouri, and cannot in any event return there until they
have taken the oath of allegiance. Can they be subsisted at the expense of Government? In the
absence of particular instructions to my predecessor in command I beg to be advised how to act.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN E. SMITH,
Brevet Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 86.
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HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis, Tenn., May 31, 1865.
V. Capt. E. J. Meyers, assistant adjutant-general and acting inspector of this division, having
been relieved from duty by Special Orders, No.--, headquarters District of West Tennessee, and
ordered to report to General Osband, on duty in the Department of Mississippi, he will turn over
to Lieut. Col. A. G. McQueen, First Iowa Cavalry, temporarily appointed inspector, all the
books, papers, orders, and blanks in his possession as inspector, giving proper invoices and
taking receipts accordingly.
By order of Brig. Gen. B. S. Roberts:
B. K. ROBERTS,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Mobile, Ala., June 7, 1865.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Thirteenth Army Corps:
In compliance with orders from corps headquarters, I have the honor to report that the
following regiments of my division have been shipped for Texas: Thirty-third Iowa Infantry
Volunteers, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, Seventy-seventh Ohio Veteran Infantry
Volunteers, Seventh Vermont Veteran Infantry Volunteers, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Infantry
Volunteers, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry
Volunteers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. P. BENTON,
Brigadier-General, Commanding
WASHINGTON, June 9, 1865--3 p.m.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.:
Please send forward without delay to Shreveport, La., to report to Major-General Sheridan,
the following regiments of cavalry now serving near Memphis, Tenn., if their services can
possibly be spared from present duty: Fifth and Twelfth Illinois, Seventh Indiana, First Iowa, and
Second Wisconsin. If all cannot be spared, send such of them as can be.
By command of Lieutenant-General Grant:
JNO. A. RAWLINS,
Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 21.
HDQRS. 4TH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Edgefield, Tenn., June 10, 1865.
Before severing his connection with the command the brevet major-general commanding
desires to express his high appreciation of the bravery, endurance, and soldierly qualities
displayed by the officers and men of his division in the late cavalry campaign. Leaving
Chickasaw on the 22d of March as a new organization, and without status in the Cavalry Corps,
you in one month traversed 600 miles, crossed six rivers; met and defeated the enemy at
Montevallo, capturing 100 prisoners; routed Forrest, Buford, and Roddey in their chosen position
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at Ebenezer Church, capturing 2 guns and 300 prisoners; carried the works in your front at
Selma, capturing 13 guns, 1,100 prisoners, and 5 battle-flags, and finally crowned your successes
by a night assault upon the enemy's intrenchments at Columbus, where you captured 1,500
prisoners, 24 guns, 8 battle-flags, and vast munitions of war. April 21 you arrived at Macon,
having captured on your march 3,000 prisoners, 39 pieces of artillery, and 13 battle-flags.
Whether mounted with the saber or dismounted with the carbine, the brave men of the Third,
Fourth, and Fifth Iowa, First and Seventh Ohio, and Tenth Missouri Cavalry triumphed over the
enemy in every conflict. With regiments led by brave colonels, and brigades commanded with
consummate skill and daring, the division in thirty days won a reputation unsurpassed in the
service. Though many of you have not received the rewards your gallantry has entitled you to,
you have received the commendation of your superior officers, and have won the admiration and
gratitude of your countrymen. You will return to your homes with the proud consciousness of
having defended the flag of your country in the hour of the greatest national peril, while through
your instrumentality liberty and civilization will have advanced the greatest stride recorded in
history. The best wishes of your commanding general will ever attend you.
E. UPTON.
NASHVILLE, TENN., June 10, 1865.
Brevet Major-General SMITH,
Commanding Dist. of West Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn.:
The following order has this day been issued from these headquarters: In accordance with
instructions received from the lieutenant-general commanding the Armies of the United States
the following regiments are hereby relieved from duty in this department and will proceed
without delay to New Orleans, La. Commanding officers will report on arrival to Major General
Sheridan, U.S. Army, commanding Military Division of the Southwest, for further orders:
Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, Seventh Indiana Cavalry, and the First
Iowa Cavalry; the quartermaster to furnish the necessary transportation. Copies of the order leave
by first mail messenger. The major-general commanding directs that you notify these
commanders at once to make the necessary preparations to leave as soon as their orders are
received. Acknowledge receipt.
HENRY M. CIST,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 151.
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis, Tenn., June 11, 1865.
I. In accordance with instructions from headquarters Department of the Cumberland, the
following regiments of cavalry will be in readiness to embark on receipt of orders: Seventh
Indiana, Twelfth Illinois, First Iowa, and Second Wisconsin. The regiments will take all their
camp and garrison equipage and ordnance stores, and must be ready to move at a moment's
notice. Those regiments on the line of railroad and at the various posts outside the city will at
once be relieved and brought into their old camp-grounds near the city to prepare for leaving. Six
days' rations and six days' forage will be drawn and made ready to put on the boats. The
quartermaster's department will furnish transportation.
II. Commanders of the various posts District of West Tennessee (except Post and Defenses of
Memphis) will forward to these headquarters without delay the names of suitable officers to act
as provost-marshals at their posts.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. John E. Smith:
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W. H. MORGAN,
Brevet Brigadier-General and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 73.
HDQRS. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., June 12, 1865.
2. The Third Brigade, First Division, and the Second Division will be held in readiness to
embark on transports at an hour's notice. Four days' rations will be cooked and retained until
embarkation. Forty rounds of ammunition will be taken. One wagon to each 200 men and one
ambulance to each regiment will be allowed. The troops will not go in light marching order, but
all surplus stores and baggage will be permanently turned in.
6. The following-named regiments will report to Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, commanding
Post and District of Mobile, for temporary duty: Nineteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, Thirtyseventh
Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry Volunteers, Eighty-third Ohio
Infantry Volunteers.
8. Special Orders, No. 73, extract 6, from these headquarters, is so changed as to direct the
Twentieth Iowa Volunteers to report for temporary duty to Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith,
commanding Post and District of Mobile, in place of the Eighty-third Ohio Volunteers.
By order of Major-General Granger:
F. W. EMERY,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
POST AND DISTRICT OF MOBILE, ALA.,
Mobile, Ala., June 12, 1865.
Col. F. W. MOORE,
Commanding Third Brigade:
COLONEL: Orders have been issued from headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps by which
the Thirty-seventh Illinois and Twentieth Iowa Infantry will remain on temporary duty at Mobile.
The Corinthian is ready for troops to embark. General Granger would like your band to go on his
steamer, the Clinton, to-morrow. You will please have it go on that boat.
Very respectfully, &c.,
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brevet Major-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 96.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis, Tenn., June 14, 1865.
IV. In compliance with Special Orders, No. 154, extract 2, headquarters District of West
Tennessee, dated at Memphis, Tenn., June 14, 1865, the commanding officers of the Second
Wisconsin, First Iowa, Seventh Indiana, Twelfth Illinois, and Fifth Illinois Cavalry will embark
their regiments, as fast as they arrive, on board the steamers now at the levee in this city, and
proceed with them to Alexandria, La., reporting upon their arrival to Major-General Merritt, or
the commanding officer at that place. The senior officer on board of each steamer will assume
command of it, and will be held responsible for the good behavior of his men. He will also see
that none of his command are permitted to straggle through the city, or at any intermediate place
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between here and Alexandria, La. Lieut. Col. A. G. McQueen, acting assistant inspector-general,
Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, is charged with the embarking of these regiments.
By order of Brig. Gen. B. S. Roberts:
B. K. ROBERTS,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Eastport, Miss., June 15, 1865.
Bvt. Brig. Gen. D. E. COON,
Commanding Second Brigade, Fifth Division Cavalry:
GENERAL: You will direct Lieut. Col. C. C. Horton, with the portion of the Second Iowa
Cavalry now at Iuka, to proceed, with fifteen days' rations and fifteen days' forage, to Smithville,
Miss., and establish headquarters of the regiment at that place. Upon arrival at Smithville,
Lieutenant-Colonel Horton will send four companies to Pikerville, Ala., to garrison that point.
Lieutenant-Colonel Horton is expected to keep order over as much country as practicable, and is
authorized to seize all arms and ammunition found in possession of persons who cannot show
authority for retaining the same. All serviceable U.S. horses in hands of citizens in that portion of
the country will be taken up by the regimental quartermaster, Second Iowa Cavalry, who will
make proper reports of the horses so taken up.
By command of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Edward Hatch:
HERVEY A. COLVIN,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 11.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND DIV.,
SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Montgomery, Ala., June 23, 1865.
Officers and soldiers of the Second Brigade, the day of our separation has at length arrived.
In anticipation of orders to proceed to my home in Iowa by Special Orders, No. 92, current
series, Sixteenth Army Corps headquarters, I am relieved from duty with you and ordered to
report to General Canby. After an association with many of you for nearly three long years, in
camp and field, under those peculiarly trying circumstances which so generally bind heart to
heart in friendship and in sympathy, a separation comes not without sadness. My brave officers
and men, I shall never cease to remember how patiently you have endured all the hardships,
privations, and exposures of the soldier on active duty, how heroically you have fought the
enemy of our country upon many stubbornly contested fields, how uniformly you have fought to
conquer. Such battle-fields as Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Fort De Russy, Pleasant Hill, Yellow
Bayou, Tupelo, Oldtown Creek, Nashville, and Blakely, fought and bravely fought, won and
nobly won, will ever be monuments in history which shall tell to your children's children of your
undaunted courage, your prowess in arms, your devotion to your country's cause. You have
helped to bear the old flag on, on, until its proud folds once more kiss every breeze from the
Lakes to the Gulf. Now, at last, no enemy is in arms, and the bright beams of peace have broken
through the dark clouds of war. You will follow me, soon, to your happy friends and homes, to
pursue again your former civil avocations. Be as good citizens as you have been soldiers. You
will defend your country no longer by the bullet, but by the ballot. Stand by her cause always.
But, alas! I cannot even bid good-bye to all of my brigade, for not a few of our comrades have
paid the highest tribute of the patriot to his country. Let us fail not to cherish their memories as
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brothers, extend to their friends a soldier's sympathy, and drop for them a soldier's tear. Officers
and soldiers, may Heaven's blessings rest upon you all. Farewell.
JAMES I. GILBERT,
Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., June 25, 1865.
Brig. Gen. T. K. SMITH,
Commanding Post and District of Mobile, Ala.:
GENERAL: In compliance with your request I have the honor to report that the regiments of
my division now here are the Sixty-ninth Battalion Indiana Volunteers, Nineteenth and
Twentieth Iowa Volunteers, Thirty-seventh and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, Twenty-third
Wisconsin Volunteers, Thirtieth Missouri Volunteers, and a portion of the Seventy-sixth Illinois
Volunteers. The Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers and the Ninety-seventh Illinois are
embarking to-day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brevet Major-General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., June 26, 1865.
Brig. Gen. THOMAS KILBY SMITH,
Commanding Post and District, Mobile:
GENERAL: I infer from the communication received from you yesterday in relation to
sending all the troops of the Thirteenth Army Corps to Galveston, that the four regiments of my
division now reporting to you, viz, Twentieth Iowa, Thirty-seventh Illinois, Nineteenth Iowa, and
Sixty-ninth Indiana, are to embark as soon as transportation is furnished. I deem it proper,
therefore, to inform you that transportation sufficient for the Sixty-ninth Indiana is now ready,
also that my orders from General Granger are to embark the troops of my division first. I am
informed that transportation for all the troops will be in readiness in course of three or four days.
Very respectfully, &c.,
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brevet Major-General
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
OFFICE ACTING ASSISTANT INSPECTOR-GENERAL,
On Board Steamer Rose Hire, June 30, 1865.
Lieut. Col. A. D. NELSON,
Assistant Inspector-General, Department of Arkansas:
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the movements of this
command from June 15 to the present date: From the 15th to the 25th of June we lay quietly in
our camps near Louisville, Ky., holding frequent inspections, drills, and policing camps. The
troops were paid to include April 30, 1865, and 12 per cent. of the command were furloughed for
thirty days. The Seventeenth Iowa Infantry was transferred to First Division, Fifteenth Army
Corps. The Thirtieth Ohio Volunteers was relieved from special duty at corps headquarters and
reported to the command on the 25th instant. A great amount of dissatisfaction prevailed among
the troops who had been expecting to be mustered out of service, and among part of the
command desertions were of daily occurrence for a few days after being paid; but owing to the
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exertions and vigilance of brigade and regimental commanders the difficulty was somewhat
allayed, and after leaving Louisville the men were all kept with the command. In compliance
with Special Orders, No. 155, June 25, 1865, headquarters Army of the Tennessee, the command
broke camp on that day and embarked on transports for Little Rock, Ark. On the 30th the
division was mustered for pay near Memphis, Tenn.
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M. DE LANY,
Captain, Thirtieth Ohio, and Acting Assistant Inspector-General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Mobile, Ala., June 30, 1865.
Maj. F. W. EMERY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Galveston, Tex.:
MAJOR: I have not until this moment received your communication of the 23d instant,
relative to the muster out of troops whose term expires before the 1st of September and their
detention here. Fortunately, Colonel Bertram came here on his return from Galveston. He
informed me that such a communication as I have just received had been sent by you, and by his
statements I was induced to detain the regiments whose terms expire before the 1st of September.
He came here about four days ago. At that time vessels were in readiness for the Nineteenth
Iowa, Twentieth Iowa, and Sixty-ninth Indiana, and the regiments were about to embark. We,
however, pushed forward the preparations for muster out, and those organizations, as well as the
Twenty-third Wisconsin (of First Division), will probably be mustered out in the course of four
days. There are some 200 men of my division to be transferred. These I have ordered to report to
Lieutenant-Colonel Callicott, Twenty-ninth Illinois, to proceed immediately to Galveston. The
muster and descriptive rolls will be ready in the Nineteenth Iowa to-night. They are now ready in
the other regiments. I think the Fourth and Seventh Massachusetts Batteries will be able to get
off to-day. I will follow as soon as I can get transportation. Owing to the lines being down,
General Sheridan's dispatch about the muster out did not reach me till this forenoon.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. ANDREWS,
Brevet Major-General.
CIRCULAR No. 9.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Louisville, Ky., July 5, 1865.
(To accompany General Orders, No. 26, current series, headquarters Army of the Tennessee.)
Bvt. Maj. Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, commanding Fourteenth Army Corps. First Division, Bvt.
Maj. Gen. C. C. Walcutt commanding: First Brigade, Bvt. Brig. Gen. H. A. Hambright
commanding--Twenty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. A. McMahan
commanding Second Brigade, Bvt. Brig. Gen. G. P. Buell commanding--Sixty-ninth Ohio
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. H. Brigham commanding; Thirteenth Michigan
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, [Col. J. B. Culver] commanding; Fifty-eighth Indiana Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. Moore commanding; [Seventy-fourth Ohio Veteran Volunteer
Infantry], Lieut. Col. R. P. Findley commanding. Second Division, Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. D. Morgan
commanding: First Brigade, Bvt. Maj. Gen. William Vandever commanding--Sixtieth Illinois
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. G. W. Evans commanding; Tenth Michigan Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. W. H. Dunphy commanding; Fourteenth Michigan Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Col. Henry R. Mizner commanding. Second Brigade, Col. James E. Burton
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commanding--Twenty-second Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Col. Thomas Shea
commanding; Thirty-third Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Col. James E. Burton;
detachment Thirty-seventh Indiana, Company B, Capt. S. Carver. Third Division, Bvt. Maj. Gen.
A. Baird commanding: First Brigade, Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. W. Bishop commanding--Eighteenth
Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. H. K. Milward commanding; Thirty-first Ohio
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Eli Wilkin commanding; Twenty-third Missouri Veteran
Volunteer Infantry. Second Brigade, Bvt. Brig. Gen. George P. Este commanding--Seventeenth
Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. B. H. Showers commanding. Temporary Division,
Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. S. Williams commanding: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. James S. Robinson
commanding--Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Bvt. Brig. Gen. S. J. McGroarty
commanding; Seventy-third Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. S. H. Hurst
commanding. Second Brigade, Bvt. Brig. Gen. William Hawley commanding--Fifth Ohio
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Kirkup commanding.
Fifteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. William B. Hazen commanding. First Division, Bvt. Maj.
Gen. C. R. Woods commanding: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. William B. Woods commanding--
Fourth Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. James C. Edson commanding;
Seventy-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Edward Briggs commanding; Ninth
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Maj. A. Abernethy commanding; Eighty-first Ohio Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. William H. Hill commanding. Second Brigade, Brig. Gen. R. F.
Carterson commanding--Forty-sixth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. E. N. Upton
commanding; Sixth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. W. H. Clune commanding;
Twenty-sixth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Ira J. Bloomfield commanding;
Fortieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. H. W. Hall commanding; Fourth Iowa
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. S. D. Nichols commanding; Seventeenth Iowa Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. S. M. Archer commanding. Fourth Division, Maj. Gen. John M.
Corse commanding: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. E. W. Rice commanding--Second Iowa Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Col. N. B. Howard commanding; Seventh Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry,
Maj. Samuel Mallon commanding; Twelfth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. H.
Van Sellar commanding. Second Brigade, Brig. Gen. William T. Clark commanding--Eighteenth
Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. C. H. Jackson commanding; Forty-eighth
Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. N. Bingham commanding; Fifty-ninth Indiana
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Col. T. A. McNaught commanding; Sixty-third Illinois Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. Isaminger. Third Brigade, Brig. Gen. R. Rowett commanding--
Fiftieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. William Hanna commanding.
Seventeenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair, jr., commanding. Third Division, Bvt. Maj.
Gen. M. D. Leggett commanding: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. Charles Ewing commanding--
Twenty-fifth Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. James S. Wright commanding;
Thirtieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. William C. Rhoads commanding;
Thirty-first Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. R. N. Pearson commanding; Twelfth
Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Maj. C. B. Wheelock commanding; Twentieth Illinois
Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Maj. R. N. Evans commanding; Forty-fifth Illinois Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. John O. Duer commanding; Sixteenth Wisconsin Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Bvt. Brig. Gen. C. Fairchild. Second Brigade, Brig. Gen. R. K. Scott
commanding--Twentieth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. H. Wilson commanding;
Seventy-eighth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Bvt. Brig. Gen. G. F. Wiles commanding;
Seventeenth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Bvt. Brig. Gen. A. G. Malloy commanding;
Ninth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Col. S. T. Hughes commanding. Fourth Division,
Brig. Gen. W. W. Belknap commanding: First Brigade, Brig. Gen. B. F. Potts commanding--
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Twenty-third Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. George S. Babbitt commanding;
Thirty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Sheldon Guthrie, jr., commanding;
Fifty-third Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Col. Warner L. Vestal commanding; Fifty-third
Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. R. H. McFadden commanding. Third Brigade,
Brig. Gen. A. Hickenlooper commanding--Eleventh Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Capt.
Samuel Foster commanding; Thirteenth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. C.
Kennedy commanding; Fifteenth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. George Pomutz
commanding; Sixteenth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Capt. J. F. Conyngham commanding.
Provisional Division, Army of the Tennessee, Bvt. Brig. Gen. Henry A. Morrow
commanding: Fifth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry; Sixth Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer
Infantry, Col. J. A. Kellogg commanding; Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col.
C. E. Warner commanding; First Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Mark W.
Downie commanding; First Michigan Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. George Lockley
commanding; Fourth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Sewell W. De Witt
commanding; Twentieth Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Albert S. Andrews
commanding.
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
GENERAL ORDERS No. 24.
HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Montgomery, Ala., July 6, 1865.
Medals of honor have been awarded to the hereinafter-named commissioned officers and
enlisted men of this command by the honorable Secretary of War, as an acknowledgment of the
gallantry displayed in the capture of rebel flags during the recent operations against the city of
Mobile, Ala.: Capt. Samuel McConnell, Company H, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois
Infantry Volunteers; First Sergt. George F. Rebman, Company B, One hundred and nineteenth
Illinois Infantry Volunteers; Private John Whitmore, Company F, One hundred and nineteenth
Illinois Infantry Volunteers; First Sergt. Edgar A. Bras, Company K, Eighth Iowa Infantry
Volunteers; Private John H. Callahan, Company B, One hundred and twenty-second Illinois
Infantry Volunteers. The major-general commanding, appreciating the services rendered, orders
that the Eighth Iowa Infantry Veteran Volunteers be paraded on Saturday, July 8, 1865, at 5
p.m.; the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry Volunteers be paraded on Wednesday,
July 12, 1865, at 4 p.m.; the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Infantry Volunteers be
paraded on Wednesday, July 12, at 5 p.m., and that the medals be presented to the proper
persons, in the name of the honorable Secretary of War. Lieut. Col.. J. J. Lyon, assistant
inspector-general, Sixteenth Army Corps, is charged with the presentation and the execution of
this order.
By order of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 15.
HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF THE TENNESSEE,
Nashville, Tenn., July 8, 1865.
XXI. Bvt. Brig. Gen. D. E. Coon, colonel Second Iowa Cavalry, is hereby assigned to duty as
commanding officer Cavalry Depot, Edgefield, Tenn.
By command of Major-General Thomas:
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HENRY M. CIST,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 104.
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Louisville, Ky., July 20, 1865.
II. The regiments of the Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, having been mustered out
of service, Capt. Alexander McIntosh, assistant quartermaster, U.S. Volunteers, is hereby
relieved from duty in the Army of the Tennessee, and will proceed to his place of residence,
Joliet, Ill., reporting thence by letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army for orders.
V. The regiments comprising the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps,
having been mustered out of service, the following-named officers are hereby relieved from duty
in the Army of the Tennessee, and will proceed to their respective places of residence, reporting
thence by letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army for orders: Brig. Gen. E. W. Rice, U.S.
Volunteers, Oskaloosa, Iowa; Capt. C. H. Trott, assistant adjutant-general, U.S. Volunteers,
Boston, Mass.
VII. The regiments comprising the Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, having been
mustered out of service, the following named officers are hereby relieved from duty in the Army
of the Tennessee, and will proceed to their respective places of residence, reporting thence by
letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army for orders: Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. Baird, U.S. Volunteers,
Washington, D. C.; Theodore Artaud, surgeon-in-chief, Baltimore, Md.; Capt. Dexter Horton,
commissary of subsistence, Fentonville, Mich.; Capt. John W. Acheson, assistant adjutantgeneral,
Washington, Pa.; Capt. Jonathan R. Webber, commissary of subsistence, Morris, Ill.
By command of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan:
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
VI. The regiments of the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, having been mustered out
of service, the following-named officers are hereby relieved from duty in the Army of the
Tennessee and will proceed to their respective places of residence, reporting thence by letter to
the Adjutant-General of the Army for orders: Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. M. Corse, Burlington, Iowa;
Capt. L. H. Everts, assistant adjutant-general, Geneva, Ill. The quartermaster's department will
furnish transportation to General Corse for two servants and three private horses.
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HDQRS. ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Louisville, Ky., July 27, 1865.
IV. The organization of the Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, being mustered out,
Brig. Gen. W. W. Belknap, commanding same, is hereby relieved from duty in this army, and
will repair at once to Keokuk, Iowa, reporting thence to the Adjutant-General of the Army for
orders.
VI. The troops comprising the Seventeenth Army Corps having been mustered out of service,
the following-named officers are hereby relieved from duty in the Army of the Tennessee and
will proceed to their respective places of residence, reporting thence by letter to the Adjutant-
General of the Army for orders: Lieut. Col. A. Hickenlooper, brevet brigadier-general and
assistant inspector-general, Cincinnati, Ohio; Lieut. Col. C. Cadle, assistant adjutant-general,
Muscatine, Iowa; Maj. Logan Tompkins, senior aide-de camp, Saint Louis, Mo.; Capt. G. R.
Steele, brevet major and aide-de-camp, Decatur, Ill.
By command of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan:
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.