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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.
13
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
14
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,
30
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,
31
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
40
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
43
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.
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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