and accordingly orders were given for a general assault. On the morning
of May 27 the artillery opened upon the garrison, and continued firing
all day. The infantry and navy joined in the attack. One section of the
battery advanced to within 700 yards of the enemy's works and silenced
two of their guns, but were in turn silenced by the enemy. The whole
assault was a disastrous failure, the Union loss being 293 killed and
1549 wounded. The next morning under a flag of truce there was a
cessation of hostilities until afternoon in order to take away the dead
and wounded. "During this intermission of hostilities the better part of
our natures asserted itself, the Blue and the Grey mingled, and over the
works they exchanged coffee, tobacco, bread and even souvenirs, and
asked information of each other: as the time drew near for the opening
of hostilities we parted as friends, cautioning each other to lie low
and so escape each other's bullets. As I saw all this I felt that God
must have a long hard lesson for us to learn that it was needful that
men should take each other's lives in cold blood." _Capt. E. K.
Russell._
Day after day the cannon shelled the works disabling many of the enemy's
guns and wearing down the men with fatigue and watching.
Nims' Battery was on the field almost constantly. In the diary from
which we have already quoted we read: "Remained in position all day and
all night--lead from sharp shooters falling thick around us, relieved at
7 P. M. the next day," and again: "Our section at the front all day and
night,--kept one battery silent," and still again, "Stretchers are
constantly at work bringing in our wounded." "Keep up fire day and
night." "First section under Lieutenant Hall start out with brigade of
cavalry under General Grierson,--engage in battle near Clinton. Cavalry
out of ammunition--obliged to retreat to avoid capture, reached camp
after march of 50 miles." At this time the center section which had been
at Barry's Landing for some weeks arrived at Port Hudson bringing with
them four recruits from Boston.
The position of the little Union army, which did not number now more
than 12,000 men, was becoming critical, hemmed in as it was by intensely
hostile inhabitants, and the commander felt the need of a speedy
reduction of the post. Accordingly on June 13 a general bombardment of
two hours took place, and at 12.30 General Banks sent in a flag of truce
calling for the surrender of the fort. General Gardner's reply was:
"Under the present circumstances, I am unable to surrender." When this
answer was received, arrangements were made for a grand storming on June
14. "The program of storming was sent by General Paine to all the
officers in his command, that each might know the duty he had to
perform, and was as follows: The 8th New Hampshire and 4th Wisconsin
regiments were to act as skirmishers in the advance, followed three
yards in the rear by the 4th Massachusetts and 110th New York with
grenades which were to be thrown over, the instant the skirmishers
gained the top of the works. Next in line was the 31st Massachusetts,
each man carrying two bags of cotton to be thrown into the ditch, in
order to make a road for the artillery. Then the 3d, 2d, and 1st
brigades followed by Nims' Battery. At 3 A. M. the line was formed and
the march begun. When within 20 yards of the Fort and under a heavy
cross fire the order was given, clear and distinct: 'Charge!' and after
a long hard struggle the skirmishers gained the top of the works. Here
they found bayonets and guns presented to their breasts, the enemy at
the same time shouting: 'Surrender or die.' The brave soldiers looked
around for their support but it had failed them, and forty brave boys
had to surrender as prisoners. We remained all day under a heavy fire
from the enemy and at 9 o'clock withdrew from the field having gained
nothing." _Knowlton's diary._
General Paine was wounded early in the attack, a ball shattering his
leg. He was forced to remain on the field for twelve hours under a heavy
fire, while hundreds of others were in like condition for twenty-four or
thirty-six hours, until under a flag of truce they were brought forward
by the enemy, who would not allow the Union troops to come near their
fortifications. "It would not be just to allow this record to become
history without mentioning the valor displayed by some of the colored
troops engaged with us on that occasion. After the assault had failed,
and the ground in our front was strewn with our wounded comrades, these
colored soldiers could be seen by twos crawling on their knees dragging
after them a stretcher and on reaching a wounded soldier would roll him
upon the stretcher, then, after a moment's rest, they would arise
quickly and make a dash for a shelter from the shower of lead that was
sure to fall around them." _E. K. Russell._
On the 16th General Banks issued an order for a thousand stormers,
offering medals to the soldiers and promotions to the officers, and
preparations were making for a third assault when on July 7 came the
news of the surrender of Vicksburg. This put an end to the hopes of the
Confederacy, and two days later Port Hudson surrendered, 6408 becoming
prisoners of war. In addition to the important post the spoils of
victory included two steamers, 51 pieces of artillery, 5000 small arms
and a large quantity of ammunition.
Most important of all, the fall of these two strongholds gave free
navigation of the Mississippi, or in the words of Lincoln: "The Father
of Waters goes unvexed to the sea."
Among other services rendered by Nims' Battery in this siege it is
claimed that one of her guns had the honor of firing the last shot at
Port Hudson and also receiving the last shot from that same fort. We
have already told how it fired the first shot at this place.
We quote from the story as told by C. B. Maxwell.
"During the siege of Port Hudson and on the occasion of one of the many
assaults on the fortifications by the Federal army, there was captured a
young soldier, of the 165th New York Zouaves. He was a bright, active
lad, and while captive had his eyes open to chances, especially to
making his escape. Among the things he saw was a mill in the town near
the river, wherein they ground all their corn, and as that was all they
had to eat it occurred to him that it would be a misfortune to himself
as well as to the enemy if by any accident that mill should be
destroyed. So he paid closer attention then ever to getting through the
lines to reach his regiment, where rations were better both in quality
and quantity, and near the end of the siege he was successful. In
relating his experience he said of the corn mill: 'If they hadn't had
that, I should have been obliged to take my corn on the ear.'
"This having been reported to headquarters, General Banks sent for
Captain Nims and said, to him:
"'Send over a section of your battery to a point opposite and throw a
few of those percussion shells into that mill. It may weaken their power
of endurance. The soldier will go along to point out the mill. Of
course, if you draw the fire of those heavy batteries, you will retire
and report back to camp.'
"And so the first section, Lieutenant Hall commanding, made a night
march to a boat landing some miles below, where a steamboat was in
readiness 'to tote' us across. On the other side we marched up, being
protected from view of enemy by a very high levee on that side of the
river, to a point commanding a good view of the town opposite. Then all
hands went to work with shovels, which we came provided with, cutting an
embrasure and space to work a gun, thus making a good fort, as it were,
in a short time. We then hauled the gun up the slope into position. The
men not engaged in working the gun were lying on the grassy slope of the
levee watching the effect of the shell on 'the large building with a
nearly flat roof.' The zouave was reclining on his side with head and
shoulders exposed above the levee, as were the rest.
"There had been two or three shots fired when Lieutenant Hall, looking
through his field glass, remarked: 'Those were good line shots, but a
little too high; just put them in on the ground floor.' Suddenly a puff
of smoke curled up from the water batteries, and a 6-inch solid shot
plowed a furrow across the top of the levee, and to our horror and
amazement instantly killed our friend the 'Zou Zou.' We retired, quietly
and quickly, after burying the body then and there making our way back
by the same route by which we came, and took our place in line with the
rest of the battery in time to march into Port Hudson, the surrender
having been made that day. Negotiations to that end were going on the
day before, while we were making the attack on the corn-mill, though of
course unknown to us."
[Illustration: Second, Fourth and Sixth Massachusetts Batteries at Baton
Rouge.]
The 10th of July the battery was ordered on board the _Laurel Hill_ for
Baton Rouge, but on reaching the wharf found the steamer already
overcrowded. Consequently orders were given to march that distance.
Accordingly with nine other batteries and the infantry it began a
tedious all night march, many of the men, who had been up for three
nights, falling asleep on their horses. At Baton Rouge transports were
taken for Donaldsonville where skirmishing was going on with a hostile
force under Dick Taylor. Before the reinforcement arrived the enemy
retreated, but as an attack was expected the right and left sections of
the battery were immediately ordered on picket duty, where they remained
for the next two days without, however, encountering the enemy.
A stay of two weeks at Donaldsonville was followed by a march to
Carrollton and then to New Orleans in company with Battery L, the 159th
New York and a large wagon train all under command of Colonel Molineaux.
This march was exceedingly trying on account of the excessive heat which
exhausted the men and killed two or three horses.
While at Donaldsonville four members of the company who had been taken
prisoners at Brashear City, while in hospital there, arrived and were
sent to New Orleans, being on parole.
The battery arrived at New Orleans on August 5, took up quarters in the
Mississippi Cotton Press, where it remained from the 6th of August to
the 17th of September.
First Lieutenant Hall having resigned, his juniors were promoted in
turn, and First Sergeant Joseph K. Greenleaf of Boston was commissioned
as junior second lieutenant. Early in October Second Lieut. Edw. K.
Russell was promoted and transferred to the 6th Massachusetts Battery,
creating a vacancy which was filled some time later by the commissioning
of First Sergeant Lucian A. Hodgdon of Somerville. At the same time
Gunner Swan was made sergeant of the 2d detachment, Corporal Ellis
gunner of the 3d detachment and Private Taylor corporal of the 2d
detachment.
During the stay in New Orleans the battery was commanded to mount as
horse or flying artillery and to join the cavalry division of the 19th
Army Corps. Associated with them were two other batteries, one from
Missouri, and one from the regular army, and Captain Nims was appointed
Chief of Artillery of the 19th Army Corps, Col. A. L. Lee, and was made
a member of Colonel Lee's staff.
The first parade of these batteries as horse artillery (at which Nims'
Battery held the post of honor), took place September 5, and was
witnessed by Generals Banks, Arnold, Franklin and many other officers.
The following letter, a copy of which was found among Colonel Nims'
papers, is a proof of their high opinion of this new organization.
OFFICE, CHIEF OF ARTILLERY.
HD. QRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS, September 7, 1863.
CAPT. O. F. NIMS,
_Chief of Artillery, 19th Army Corps_.
SIR:--
It becomes my great pleasure to communicate to yourself and the
batteries under your command on the 5th inst., the high commendation
of the Commanding General of the Department of the Gulf and the
Adjutant General of the United States Army. They were pleased to
express the belief that _no_ artillery in the service could be more
thorough in their equipments and general appointments.
Please communicate the above to each battery commander.
Your ob'd't servant
Very respectfully,
RICHARD ARNOLD.
_Brig. Gen. and Chief of Artillery._
On the 17th of September another movement began toward the interior of
Louisiana. The object of this entire movement was to divert the enemy
from Banks' expedition into Texas which he was about to undertake.
Accordingly he ordered the command of which the battery was a part to
advance under Gen. C. C. Washburne from Brashear City to Opelousas, to
give the impression that a march to Alexandria or Shreveport was begun.
The battery left New Orleans on September 18 and the next day reached
Brashear City, which had been evacuated by the Confederates in July
after securing about 1000 prisoners together with supplies valued at
$2,000,000. A week later an advance was made to Bisland and then on to
Opelousas, which was reached October 24. All along the advance,
skirmishing and fighting occurred almost every day, and in it all the
battery did its part most creditably. At Indian Bend, October 2, the
left and center divisions, which were in the advance, met the enemy and
drove them back. Two days later at Vermillion Bayou the same sections
forced the enemy once more to fall back. Again the right section at
Vermillion Bayou contended with the enemy for a ford for over three
hours, driving them completely from their position. Again we read in our
diaries: "The right and center moved forward with the advance cavalry
came in sight of the enemy's camp. They retired leaving for us a good
dinner of beef steak, sweet potatoes, and corn cake all piping hot.
Pieces of our shell picked up near camp fires about two miles away." Two
days later,--"Just at dusk, the enemy advanced on our pickets. A section
of the battery was sent for, hitched up with a will, crossed the plains
on a gallop and in 18 minutes from the time the first order was given we
had gained the distance and commenced firing. Time taken by Colonel
Molineaux."
October 15. "The enemy came out on the open plain, drew themselves up in
line of battle and commenced firing on our pickets. This battery was
ordered to the front at double quick and at 7 A. M. we were at the
extreme advance--we opened a heavy fire which caused them to break for
the woods. At 9 A. M. Captain Simmes' Battery opened on us from a masked
position--we dismounted one gun and exploded their ammunition chest
forcing them to retreat. A piece of one of our shells cut off the head
of one, passed through another and killed his horse--deadly work."
October 21. "6 A. M. whole force moved forward, the battery with advance
cavalry. At 7 A. M. met the enemy in line of battle. Right section with
cavalry engaged left flank while remaining section engaged them in
front. We succeeded in driving them back on the flank and then in front
and they retreated in disorder. Our troops followed to Opelousas when
right section with cavalry branched off to Barry's Landing and went into
camp after a hard march over ditches, through corn field, etc. October
28. A running fight for 17 miles. Center section with Grover's division
at Opelousas."
And so it goes day after day till Opelousas is reached, and on November
1 a retrograde movement is ordered. Here again we find the battery in
the post of danger, acting often as rear guard, skirmishing with the
enemy.
Under the date of November 2 we read: "7 A. M. enemy fired on our
pickets. Section ordered on the double quick to the front about a half
mile away. We opened fire and after a short skirmish drove them four
miles and then fell back slowly across the plain to draw them into a
fight. They followed and when within short range we opened on them with
shell which broke up their line. We pursued them again till 4 P. M. when
we gave up the chase and returned to camp. Generals Washburne and
Burbridge were with us during the engagement and gave us much credit."
This battle is known as that of Carrion Crow Bayou.
The next day, November 3, marks another occasion when the battery won
especial honor for itself, and as we read in General Burbridge's
report--"did more than its whole duty."[12]
Footnote 12:
Off. Records, Vol. 26, p. 361.
At Grand Coteau, the Confederate forces including cavalry and
artillery--about 5500 in number, under General Greene--surprised the
camp and nearly captured it. The right under General Burbridge on whom
the weight of the attack fell was almost surrounded and ruin seemed
inevitable. The section of the battery under Lieutenant Marland was
attacked, the enemy being in so short range that the guns could not be
brought into action, and while part were endeavoring to work the guns
others were harnessing the horses. A desperate conflict ensued, the guns
keeping up a heavy fire. Regiment after regiment of infantry was brought
up as support but gave way until the battery was almost surrounded. It
was at last obliged to fall back, the cannoneers fighting their way with
their revolvers; but bringing off their guns in triumph. Before they had
retreated far they saw coming to their aid on the double quick General
Cameron's Brigade of the 13th Corps. They immediately halted, got their
guns in position and renewed the conflict, chasing the enemy back four
miles, and securing thus a Union victory. When General Franklin was told
of this experience he said, "If there is ever another opportunity of
racing a section of Nims' Battery give it your two best regiments for
support, for it is the finest battery in the United States." One
historian in relating this incident says, "Nims' Battery saved the day."
The following is the official report of Lieutenant Marland as given in
Official Records, Vol. 26, p. 371.
BAYOU BOURBEAU,
CARRION CROW BAYOU.
"In pursuance to your orders I have the honor to make the following
report of the part taken in the action at this place on the 3rd of
November by the section under my command.
"In obedience to orders received on the evening of the 2d of
November I harnessed up at 4 A. M. on the 3rd, remaining so until 11
A. M. when I was ordered to unharness--the pickets firing all the
while.
"At about 11.45 P. M. the firing became general. Hearing the cavalry
buglers blow Boots and Saddles, I began to harness up on my own
responsibility and was attacked in camp before I could get
harnessed. The enemy being within 400 yards of me I opened on them
with canister and percussion shell which checked their advance and
drove them to the right. I limbered to the front and advanced to the
fork of the road which is about 100 yards. Went into battery and
fired a few shot until my support all had left me. Finding it too
warm, I limbered to the rear and moved 300 yards. Finding the enemy
in my rear and on the right, I fired to the right about 50 shot and
was charged on three sides. A regiment came up on my left as
support, fired one volley and left. The enemy then opened two pieces
of artillery on me at about 300 yards killing one horse and
disabling one caisson wheel. The cavalry still advancing and no
infantry to be seen I limbered up and started for the woods. Here I
ordered my cannoneers to draw their revolvers and had quite a brisk
fight. Had another horse killed, and two men missing. Went through
the woods the enemy coming out in rear and front of men. As the
bridges were held by the enemy, it was necessary to charge through,
which was accomplished, without loss. I came up to the 46th Indiana
and formed on their right. Colonel Bringhurst told me he would
support me and I went back through the woods with General Cameron's
command, driving the enemy in disorder who left dead and wounded on
the field. I then returned to camp with General Cameron's Brigade.
"I am sir, very respectfully,
"Your most ob't servant,
"WM. MARLAND,
"_1st Lieut. Com. Sec._
"BRIG. GEN. RICHARD ARNOLD,
"_Chief of Artillery. Dept. Gulf_."
We also quote from Major General C. C. Washburne,
"The bringing off of the section of Nims' Battery, after the regiment
sent to its support had surrendered, extorted the admiration of every
beholder."[13]
Footnote 13:
Off. Records, Vol. 26, p. 358.
In this engagement Sergeant Burwell and Private Smith were taken
prisoners, while three horses were killed, seven wounded and the gun
carriages damaged somewhat.
The entire battery was brought together at Vermillion River and on
November 2 it took a prominent part in the engagement at that
point,--maintaining a brisk artillery duel with the enemy and after two
hours hard fighting and firing 120 shell it succeeded in driving them
from the field.
We quote from the diary of W. G. Hidden:
"Right and left sections with 1300 infantry and cavalry, all under
General Lee, started at 5 A. M. on the Opelousas Road, met the enemy's
pickets one mile out and drove them before us. At 10 A. M. we arrived at
the edge of a plain and saw the enemy drawn up in line of battle about
two miles distant. The right section was ordered into position and fired
twenty shell, causing them to disclose their whole force of about 6000.
General Lee then ordered a retreat. Arriving at a plain outside the
town, we found a brigade of infantry with 4th Massachusetts Battery
lying low in the bushes. We moved our guns into the bushes just high
enough to conceal us from the enemy and waited. They soon formed a line
of battle about 1000 yards in front. Right section opened fire and the
first charge emptied fifteen saddles. Their cavalry then charged on our
left. Left section engaged them while we engaged the front. Cavalry was
forced to retreat. Their artillery having got into position, opened fire
on us and did some fine shooting. Their shells burst all around us
plowing the ground and killing some of our infantry, but our men escaped
injury. After two hours fighting the enemy retreated and we returned to
camp. This is called The Artillery Skirmish at Vermillionville."
On November 16 the entire force started for New Iberia, the battery
acting as rear guard and burning the bridge across the river after all
were over. One writes: "It was a splendid sight to see the army
form,--each part separate, and then unite to form a line and move off
over the prairie with bands playing." The next day New Iberia was
reached and preparations were made for the winter. At the same time
skirmishing was going on and many prisoners were taken. We read: "A
small rebel force known as Camp Pratt was six miles out. At 1 A. M. the
center section started out on one road to get in its rear. At 4 A. M.
the right section with cavalry and part of Cameron's Brigade of the 13th
Corps started on another road for the same point. Arriving at daybreak
all made an attack on the camp and captured 175 out of 200--twelve of
these being officers. While marching them into town two bands came to
meet us. One was placed in front, the other in the rear of the
prisoners, and so we marched through the town to the tune of our
national airs."
About this time Lieutenant Slack of Chelsea of the 13th Massachusetts
was placed in command of the left section of the battery in the absence
of Lieutenant Snow, who had gone North for recruits. Christmas Day, by
exchange of prisoners, Sergeant Burwell and Private Smith, who had been
taken at Grand Coteau November 3 were returned to the battery. "They
were ragged and dirty, having had a hard time."
The month of December was devoted largely to drilling. Recruits kept
coming in and these had to be made into soldiers. Captain Nims
instituted a new set of bugle calls, making in all twenty-eight calls a
day. January 1, 1864, was the coldest day the men had experienced since
leaving home. Snow and rain made camp life uninviting and difficult.
Nevertheless reënlistments were in order, and at this time several of
the boys entered upon another three years' service.
Early in the year the force was moved out to Franklin, half way to
Brashear City, and there made winter quarters. The roads thither were in
terrible condition--deep with mud and water with a frozen crust on top,
and three days were required to travel a distance of 23 miles. The
horses were in poor condition from lack of hay and grain and only a
limited supply of corn, and five died from exhaustion on this short
trip. Here three months were spent in camp, the men taking possession of
the cabins formerly occupied by the negroes, who had long since gone to
the contraband camp in New Orleans. Much time was given to the drilling
of recruits, while about 25 of the men who had reënlisted were given
furloughs of 30 days.
A copy of the program of an evening's entertainment at the Cooper
Institute (an old cooper's shop fitted up) will doubtless recall
pleasant memories of camp life the winter of '63-'64.
COOPER'S INSTITUTE
FRANKLIN, LA.