March 4, 1864, by the members of Nims' Battery, under the direction
of the following committee: A. B. Burwell, President; J. F.
Robertson, Secretary; C. B. Maxwell, Manager.
COMMITTEE
W. Kane, L. W. Swan, A. N. Norcross, C. Dubois, W. D. Butts, D.
Murray, J. S. Knowlton, H. T. Bates and W. G. Hidden.
The committee take great pleasure in announcing to their friends,
that the following distinguished Artists have generously volunteered
their services. A sufficient number of Special Police will be in
attendance to enforce good order.
Music by Knowlton and Co.'s Military Band.
Doors open at 6: commence at 7: terminate at 10.
Carriages ordered at half-past 9.
PROGRAM
Grand Introductory Overture Band
Jig Dance J. Comfort
Sabre Exercise Dubois and
DeFlanders
Sparring Flemming and Ferrari
Song, The Sword of Bunker Hill Mr. Wren
Dramatic Readings McGrath
Feet Sparring Dubois and
DeFlanders
Song, What a Row de dow T. Kenny
Sparring Mortimer and Baker
A Little Spouting Wilkinson and Ward
Cane Exercise Dubois and
DeFlanders
Song, Virginia Rosebud J. S. Knowlton
Sparring Ellis and Comfort
Magic Rings C. B. Maxwell
Song, How are you, Jeff Davis? T. Kenny
Originality Mr. Ward
Sabre Exercise Dubois and
DeFlanders
Jig Dance Mr. Brady
Dramatic Readings McGrath
Sparring Connors and Baker
Song, Faded Flowers J. S. Knowlton
Feet Sparring Dubois and LeClair
Jig Dance Mr. Connor
Song By the Band
Bayonet Exercise C. Dubois
Sparring Sullivan and Raymond
Song, I Dream of Home J. S. Knowlton
Fancy Dance C. Dubois
Sparring McGrath and Baker
Grand Walk Around Comfort, Kenny and
Connors
Song, The Cove what Sprouts B. Connors
Sparring Mortimer and Connors
Similar entertainments followed and were always given to crowded houses.
On February 7 Lieutenant Russell received appointment as first
lieutenant in the 6th Massachusetts Battery where he later received
promotion to the rank of captain. During the same month about seventy
recruits arrived from Massachusetts, so that drilling appears again as
the order of the day. Nor was this time wasted, for it was evident that
an army movement was soon to take place.
Early in March preparations were made for the Red River campaign, the
object of which was the capture of Shreveport on the Red River, the
dispersion of the Confederates in that region and ultimately the
recovery of Texas by the line of the Red River. There were serious
objections to this route and certain precautionary measures were
necessary if the end were to be accomplished, but these were not carried
into execution.
As the battery was not brigaded we find it first in one division then
another, wherever there was difficult service and danger to be
encountered.
The general plan was that Banks with all the forces at his command
should march his troops over-land to Alexandria, there to be joined by
Gen. A. J. Smith with a force of about 10,000 men, detached from
Sherman's army, who were to be transported up the river in company with
Admiral Porter's fleet. At the same time it was expected that General
Steele would coöperate in the movement with a force of about 15,000 men.
As General Banks was obliged to be in New Orleans at this time the
arrangements for his part of the movement were entrusted to General
Franklin.
General Franklin's forces consisted of the entire 19th Army Corps and
the 3d and 4th divisions of the 13th Army Corps, in command of General
Ransom, the whole force numbering some 16,000, all under Major General
Franklin. The cavalry division of the 19th Army Corps was commanded by
Gen. A. L. Lee, and to this division Nims' Battery, equipped as horse
artillery, had been assigned.
The troops were supposed to start from Franklin on the 7th of March and
arrive at Alexandria the 13th, but owing to some delay they were unable
to leave until the 13th. On that day General Lee moved with his command
in advance of the regular army. His force consisted of the 1st, 3d, 4th
and 5th brigades of the cavalry division, Nims' Battery of 6
guns--Rawles' Battery of 4 guns--and a battery of mountain howitzers
manned by a company of 6th Missouri Cavalry, all equipped as horse
artillery, a total of about 3300. There was a halt the next morning at
five for an hour's rest and then on again. Long trying marches followed,
23 miles one day, 30 the next, 20 the next, 30 the next until the 19th
of March, when 33 miles were made in 12 hours. Although one section of
the battery reached Alexandria the 19th and another the 21st, the whole
column did not arrive before the 25th. Here General Banks again assumed
command and three days were spent in resting, refitting, and issuing
supplies.
It had been intended to carry supplies the whole distance in the attack
on Shreveport by water, but the river was so low that not many of the
transports could pass and it was found necessary to establish a supply
station at Alexandria, and a wagon train to take supplies from the
vessels below to vessels above the rapids. To protect this, called for a
force of about 3000 men. General Grover was placed in charge of this
post and his division left for its defense. The troops on the transport
were also unable to pass the rapids and were accordingly recalled to the
Mississippi. Consequently, General Banks found himself ready to move out
from Alexandria with a force of only about 20,000 men, while he could
not expect any coöperation from General Steele. Even at the beginning of
April experts foretold the failure of the expedition. The march into the
enemy's country began on the 28th of March, and from that time the
command was in active service. The Confederates constantly retreated,
frequently stopping to skirmish, but offering no serious resistance.
Natchitoches was reached on April 3, the cavalry division camping just
outside the town where a halt of a day or two was made. On the 6th the
march toward Shreveport was begun at daylight, the battery marching in
the center of the division as reserve artillery. In addition to the
troops there was a train of 200 wagons carrying ten days' rations for
the men, three days' forage, ammunition, and camp equipage. General
Lee's orders from General Franklin were "to attack the enemy wherever he
could be found but not to bring on a general engagement." No enemy was
seen that day. The next morning the march was renewed until on reaching
Wilson's Farm, three miles from Pleasant Hill, a considerable
Confederate force was found posted in the woods on a hill. An engagement
ensued between the enemy and the third brigade with two sections of the
Missouri and Illinois batteries. The resistance was so strong that the
1st Brigade was advanced as support, and with this, two sections of
Nims' Battery. Owing to the dense woods the battery, although at the
front, could not go into action and was ordered into position with the
4th Brigade, Colonel Dudley, in line of battle in the rear. With the aid
of the reinforcements the enemy was forced to retreat slowly and Colonel
Lee and his forces bivouacked five miles beyond the battlefield.
The next day came the terrible experience of Sabine Cross Roads or
Mansfield as it is sometimes called, where the battery met with disaster
for the first time.
On that day, April 8, the battery started in the advance--with the 1st
Brigade, under Colonel Lucas, and a Brigade of the 4th division of the
13th Army Corps, Colonel Landram commanding, which had been sent forward
during the night. Following this came the 4th Brigade Cavalry, Colonel
Dudley in command, and then the 5th Brigade, under Colonel Robinson, in
charge of the long wagon train and the artillery which was not in the
front. By noon an advance had been made of about ten miles, the enemy
contesting every foot of the way. The woods on each side of the road
were very dense, which made it difficult to move in line and the
marching was tedious and tiring to the men. Almost no water was to be
found. At this time General Ransom arrived with the 2d Brigade of the
13th Army Corps to relieve the 1st Brigade of its duty.
About four miles from Mansfield the road ran through a clearing in front
of a hill of considerable height where the timber was not quite so thick
as it had been elsewhere. This point was chosen as the scene of the
engagement. A description of the arrangement of troops may be taken from
Colonel Lee's report:[14]
Footnote 14:
Off. Rec., Vol. 34 p. 451.
"Two regiments of the 4th Brigade Cavalry, Colonel Dudley, were placed
on the flank, deployed in the woods. The Second Illinois Cavalry formed
a half mile in rear of the first line. Nims' Battery was placed in
position at the crest of the hill, in and to the right and left of the
road. A section of the Sixth Missouri Howitzer was placed at its left. A
brigade of infantry was placed in the front, one regiment to the left of
Nims' Battery, the others to the right. A second brigade was placed on
our right flank, facing the enemy who appeared in that direction. The
First Brigade Cavalry, Col. T. J. Lucas commanding, was placed on the
extreme right of the line and fought dismounted. With this brigade was a
section of the 6th Missouri Howitzer Battery and a section of Rawles'
Battery. The Third Brigade was in the rear escorting the train which was
halted a mile and a half from our front."
About 1 P. M. General Banks and his staff arrived and General Lee
reported to him the arrangements of his troops and the apparent position
and strength of the enemy and his opinion that the army must either fall
back or be reinforced by infantry. General Banks gave orders that the
position should be maintained and at the same time sent to General
Franklin to hurry forward the infantry.
About 4.30 the enemy, made a general attack in front and right flank,
driving infantry and cavalry back to the line where the battery was
stationed. The guns of the battery were being fired as rapidly as
possible with double charges of canister, and although many of the men
were recruits, having had no experience under fire, every one of them
stood up to his work as bravely as the veterans.
When, however, the infantry support failed (except for the 23d Wisconsin
and 19th Kentucky), orders were given to retire in order that the guns
might not fall into the hands of the enemy. Three of the guns had to be
left on the field as the horses had been killed. At the foot of the hill
a stand was made, but the rout had become so general that the battery
could not maintain its position and was almost surrounded by the enemy.
Orders were therefore given to retreat.
About a mile from the battlefield was the wagon train of the cavalry
division, which had become blocked in the ruts and mud and entirely
obstructed the narrow road.
The road was so obstructed at this point and the rush of retreating
forces so great that it became necessary to abandon the remaining three
guns, together with caissons, baggage-wagons, battery wagon and forges.
To account for the position of the cavalry train we quote from the
report[15] of Col. John G. Chandler, acting chief quarter-master.
Footnote 15:
Off. Rec., Vol. 34 p. 238.
"Both General Franklin and General Lee wanted the cavalry train to move
in the rear of the infantry force, but they disagreed as to the
precedence of position when the trains should be joined. General Lee
desired that his train should precede General Franklin's infantry train,
and the latter insisted that the infantry trains should move in the rear
of the infantry force. Because of this disagreement no change was made
on the day of the engagement."
We give here an account of the engagement as taken from the records of
C. B. Maxwell and J. S. Knowlton:
"At 6 A. M. we started for the advance, marched three miles and came
upon a large force of the enemy under Dick Taylor. Two brigades of the
13th Army Corps were sent to us as reinforcements and formed a line of
battle, acting as skirmishers. The enemy commenced slowly falling back
but closely contending every inch of ground, and in this way we drove
them ten miles. At Sabine Cross Roads the enemy made a stand in the
woods before which was a clearing of some 75 acres where our cavalry
manoeuvred. The enemy was very strongly reinforced at this point. At the
extreme front was a hill 50 yards in diameter upon which our six guns
were placed. The 4th Brigade of cavalry was on our left with two of the
6th Missouri Howitzers.
"About three o'clock General Banks and his staff arrived. General Lee,
on seeing General Banks dismount, saluted and said: 'I am confident,
General, that we have a powerful force in front and if we make the
attack I am confident we shall be repulsed.' General Banks made no
reply, but it was noticed he looked serious. All the staff officers with
those of General Lee were sent hurriedly to right, left and rear. About
4 P. M. General Banks' chief of staff rode along our left to where the
third piece stood and said to me (Maxwell), 'Call your men, load your
gun and point it down the road. If you see anyone crossing where the
road enters the wood, open fire. Don't wait for further orders.' In less
than fifteen minutes the enemy were sneaking across the road and the
third detachment obeyed orders. The battle was on. We soon discovered
men coming out of the woods much nearer than those down the road, so we
fired to the front and right until they came to point-blank range and
then we fed it to them with double-shotted canister. Although the battle
was very severe, we received no reinforcements except the 3d division of
the 13th Corps. Owing to the superior force of the enemy, our cavalry
and infantry were driven back, leaving the hill on which our six guns
were planted with out support of 23d Wisconsin and 19th Kentucky to
fight nearly alone.
"Our guns belched forth double-shotted canister and the enemy in front,
eight deep in line, suffered terribly at each discharge. Wide gaps were
opened in their ranks but were immediately filled up again. Finally, all
the horses on three of our guns were killed, making it impossible to
remove the guns from the field. The remaining three guns being out of
ammunition retired to the foot of the hill where our caisson lay, filled
up with ammunition and went into position. By this time infantry and
cavalry had become completely routed and were fleeing to the rear. Our
officers tried to rally them but in vain. Finding it impossible to save
the guns, our officers ordered us to slip our traces and save our lives
if possible, which the men did reluctantly. Our wagon train had been
pushed forward before the engagement, completely blocking the road,
making a retreat impossible. During the night we fell back to Pleasant
Hill, a distance of 13 miles, and in the morning our company assembled
under Lieutenant Greenleaf. We had lost our guns and everything we
possessed except the clothes we had on."
The loss of the battery in this battle was very severe. Lieutenant Snow
was shot through the left lung and left on the field. Private Reardon
was killed. Lieutenant Slack was wounded, 18 men were wounded, of whom
five were taken prisoners, together with seven unwounded men. Besides
the loss of guns and caissons, 82 of the battery's horses were either
killed or wounded. In spite of the terrible defeat and loss, the battery
won great praise for its indomitable courage and for the way it handled
its guns, for we read in the report of Col. J. W. Landrum,[16] "It is
proper to say that Captain Nims' Battery displayed throughout the whole
of the fight an example of coolness and true courage unsurpassed in the
annals of history. They are entitled to highest commendation, and
although they lost their guns it is due to them to say that they could
not have prevented it, and that the damage they inflicted on the enemy
was such as to entitle them to the thanks of the whole army."
Footnote 16:
Off. Rec. Vol. 34 p. 293.
Another quotation is from the Lacon, Ill., _Gazette_,[17] "Nims' Battery
worked manfully--the veteran battery, hero of seventeen engagements, all
successful, but doomed this time to defeat. They double charged their
guns with canister and adding a bag of bullets mowed the enemy down only
to have their places filled by the advancing hordes." Again, "Nims'
splendid battery with its honorable record on every field from Baton
Rouge to Port Hudson was taken by Walker's men." _Irwin._
Footnote 17:
Putman's Record of the Rebellion, Vol. 8.
Brig. Gen. W. H. Emery, commanding First Division of the 19th Army
Corps, had been notified of the state of affairs and had been ordered to
advance as rapidly as possible and form a line of battle in order to
support the retreating troops and check the advance of the enemy. He
took his position at Pleasant Grove about three miles from Sabine Cross
Roads, the First Brigade, General Dwight, being placed across the road
upon which the enemy was advancing. Waiting until the enemy was within
close range they poured a tremendous volley along the whole front,
causing it to fall back. The action lasted for an hour and a half, then
darkness coming on there was a cessation of hostilities. During the
night the entire army retired to Pleasant Hill, where a battle was
fought the next day, but in which the battery naturally took no part.
The struggle, however, was desperate and sanguinary. The defeat of the
enemy was complete and their loss in officers and men more than double
that sustained by the Union forces.
It was a sorry looking company of men that gathered at Pleasant Hill the
next morning--the remnant of "the finest battery in the army." Guns,
caissons, wagon and supplies lost--nothing left but the clothes the men
wore. As for blankets, one rubber and one woolen blanket had to do for
five men, while half rations only made one all the more hungry.
The next day the remaining men were assigned to guard the ammunition
train on the retreat to Grand Ecore, which was reached on the 10th. Here
the Union army gathered its scattered battalions.
As the members of the battery were without equipment, they were ordered
to New Orleans, and on the 19th went on board the little steamer
_Meteor_, arriving at New Orleans on the 22d, where they remained until
the 10th of May. During their stay in New Orleans occurred an event
which showed the pleasant relation existing between the members of the
battery and its commander. The following quotation is taken from the New
Orleans _Era_ of April 26, 1864.
PRESENTATION OF A SWORD TO CAPTAIN ORMAND F. NIMS, 2D MASSACHUSETTS
LIGHT HORSE ARTILLERY
Yesterday afternoon was the occasion of quite a little surprise
party at the quarters of the 2d Massachusetts Light Horse Battery.
Captain Nims was presented with a magnificent sword, sash and belt,
by the non-commissioned officers and men who still represent the
original members of this fine command, and who have long wished for
an opportunity of expressing in some such manner their appreciation
of the constant care and watchfulness for their welfare exhibited at
all times and under all circumstances by Captain Nims, as well as to
present a lasting memento of their respect and affection for their
beloved commander. It was but a well-merited tribute to sterling
worth. This splendid sword was manufactured by Tiffany & Co., of New
York, and is one of the finest ever got up by that firm. The
presentation speech, made by Joshua F. Robertson, was as follows:
"Captain, I have been requested by the members of this command to
say a few words on presenting you this token of our high esteem. It
is now nearly three years since you took command of this battery,
and I am confident, sir, that I express the sentiments of us all
when I say that we have never had cause to regret, but much rather
to rejoice, that you have commanded the 2d Massachusetts Battery.
Your example as a soldier and a gentleman, your example on the
battlefield and in camp, your forbearance and leniency towards us,
your kind attention to many of us during the long and tedious hours
of sickness, have endeared you to us by ties of friendship which we
trust may never be forgotten. Those members of the battery who, in
the first campaign in this Department, fell victims to disease
contracted in the swamps opposite Vicksburg, and who now sleep
beside the honored dead at Baton Rouge and in the cemeteries of this
city--methinks that if our shrill morning reveille could but awake
them, they would reiterate what I now say, that you, by your
constant watchfulness, kindness and attention, did all that lay in
human power to alleviate their sufferings. In asking you to accept
this sword, we know that it will never be drawn but in the cause of
freedom, in which we are all battling, and never will be sheathed in
disgrace. In after years, when this wicked rebellion shall have been
crushed, and should it be our good fortune to return with you to our
fair New England homes, we hope this memento we now present you will
at least serve to remind you of the pleasant associations and the
many trying scenes through which we have passed. In conclusion, let
me say, sir, that you will ever bear with you the best wishes of
every man under your command, and we hope that hereafter, in what
position soever you may be placed--whether in command of the 2d
Massachusetts Battery or in a higher station--the same good feeling
may exist between you and those under your command that has ever
existed between yourself and the members of this battery."
REPLY
"Fellow Soldiers of the 2d Massachusetts Battery--I cannot express
to you the feelings of surprise and astonishment with which the
present occasion had filled me. I need not remind you that I am no
speech maker, for you are well aware that I am a man of but few
words. I fear, however, that you have overrated the little it has
laid in my power to do for your comfort, welfare and efficiency. But
of one thing, I feel conscious, gentlemen, and that is, that I have
endeavored to do my duty by you, by my country, and by myself. Rest
assured that I shall ever look upon the present as one of the
happiest moments of my life, and that your highly prized gift shall
never be drawn but in the cause of freedom and of our common
country. Accept, gentlemen, my sincere and heartfelt thanks."
The boys dispersed to their quarters with six rousing cheers for
Captain Nims, who, truth to say, was almost overpowered by his
feelings, so completely was he taken by surprise.
We also quote the Special Order No. 1 issued April 28, as still
further indicating the honor given to the battery by commander and
other officers.
SPECIAL ORDER NO. 1
"The commandant takes this method of congratulating his command upon
the part which they took in the engagement at Sabine Cross Roads,
La., on the 8th inst., and of thanking them not only for himself,
but also in behalf of the general commanding the division, and the
general commanding in the field, for the gallantry, courage, and
efficiency with which you conducted yourselves in the trying
position in which you were placed. Although it has been your
misfortune to lose your guns, it is gratifying to know that it was
through no dereliction or shortcoming on your part; having done all
that lay in your power as brave men to do. We must submit to the
misfortune with the best grace we may. Your commandant would also
express his satisfaction at the sorrow exhibited on all hands at
your misfortune, by officers of every grade in the service as well
as by civilians, which tends to show in a clearer light the golden
opinions you have won on all hands. Your commandant is proud not
only at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads but in every other battle
in which you have been engaged. He gives the credit all to you, and
hopes you will continue to deserve the high encomiums so universally
bestowed upon you and to maintain in all places, whether in camp or
in the field, your good name untarnished."
Per Order,
CAPTAIN NIMS.
[Illustration: Ormand F. Nims]