five of their surgeons, however, remaining. One hundred and fifteen of
their killed, including Zollicoffer, and about 120 of their wounded were
found on the field, and 150 prisoners taken. Their entire loss must have
been much greater. The Federal loss was 39 killed and 207 wounded.
Taken as a whole it was one of the fairest contested battles and most
glorious victories of the war—one in which the Western troops fully
sustained their reputation for unflinching courage and stern
determination never to yield, no matter how great the force opposed to
them.
INVESTMENT OF FORT PULASKI, GA.
_January 27, 1862._
Tybee Island, lying at the mouth of Savannah river, immediately below
Fort Pulaski, on Cockspur Island, was occupied by Federal troops very
shortly after the capture of Port Royal by Commodore Dupont, the
Flag-officer of the South Atlantic blockading squadron. It was late in
December, however, before a garrison was established there. This was the
first step toward the investment of Fort Pulaski, whose heavy embrasures
frowned in stern defiance at the Federal fleet investing the harbor.
Late in December, from his headquarters at Tybee Island, an island
forming the eastern shore of Calibogue Sound, and lying north of
Savannah harbor, General Sherman, commanding the army in this district,
had dispatched several reconnoitering parties to explore the small
rivers, creeks and inlets which intersect each other at various points
on the left of the Savannah river, forming the series of islands which
dot the map of the harbor. A well grounded hope was entertained that an
inside channel would be discovered, connecting with the Savannah river,
of sufficient depth to float the gunboats to a point on that river far
above Fort Pulaski.
In order to understand the nature of the reconnoissance, it will be
necessary to have a clear apprehension of the geography of the country.
Savannah is about fifteen miles from the mouth of the river, and on the
right or southern bank. Approach to it by water is defended by Fort
Pulaski, a casemated fort on Cockspur Island, at the mouth of the river,
and Fort Jackson, a barbette fort on the mainland, only four miles below
the city. The left bank is formed by a succession of islands, and the
channel also is interrupted by large and numerous islands, the most
important of which is Elba, whose upper extremity is immediately
opposite Fort Jackson. Lower down in the stream is Long Island. The
network of creeks and bays that surrounds Hilton Head terminates
southward in Calibogue sound, which is divided from the Savannah river
at its mouth by Turtle and Jones Island. The waters that form two sides
of Jones Island, which is triangular in shape, are called Mud and Wright
rivers; the latter is the southernmost, and separates Jones from Turtle
Island, which lies next to Dawfuskie Island, the western shore of
Calibogue sound. The islands on the Savannah are all very low and
marshy, overgrown by high grass, and frequently without a solitary shrub
or tree; they are all liable to be submerged by a very high tide. Jones
Island is a broad, marshy, uninhabited island, five miles above the
fort, not more than five miles long, by two or three broad. About half
way between its upper and lower angles, and fronting on the Savannah, is
Venus Point.
This first reconnoissance was undertaken by Lieutenant J. H. Wilson, of
the topographical engineers. Taking with him two boats and a company of
Rhode Island soldiers, together with his negro oarsmen and pilots, he
started on the dangerous expedition, making all the necessary
explorations by night, while his boats were hidden by the tall grass on
the marshy and swampy shores he traversed. To the rear of Jones Island
he discovered a canal called Wall’s Cut, connecting the Mud and Wright
rivers, the former emptying into the Savannah six, and the latter two
miles above Fort Pulaski. The navigation of Wall’s Cut had been
obstructed by three rows of piles, driven across its entire width by the
rebels, but at high tide the boats were got over these obstructions, and
soon after floated on the waters of the Savannah, at night, unobserved
by the rebels. The feasibility of traversing this route with the
gunboats had been demonstrated, but the movement was betrayed to the
rebels before the plan could be consummated.
A reconnoissance in force, through a corresponding series of channels on
the right of the Savannah river, was then determined on, and Captain C.
H. Davis was dispatched with the gunboats Ottawa, Lieutenant-Commanding
Stevens; Seneca, Ammen; and the steamers Isaac Smith, Nicholson;
Potomska, Watmough; Ellen, Budd; Western World, Gregory; in company with
the transports Cosmopolitan, Delaware and Boston, having on board the
Sixth Connecticut, Fourth New Hampshire, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania; in
all twenty-four hundred men, commanded by Brigadier-General H. G.
Wright. Commander C. R. P. Rodgers accompanied the expedition.
Captain Davis sailed from Port Royal harbor on the 26th of January, and
anchored in Warsaw Sound the same evening. The next morning he entered
the Little Tybee river, or Freeborn Cut, and at half-past one passed up
that river above Fort Pulaski, and within long range of the rebel guns,
but was unmolested, as they were not prepared for an enemy on that side.
After passing the high land on Wilmington Island, the principal one on
their route, they were arrested by a heavy double row of piles, driven
across the channel. The island was now carefully explored, and found to
have been deserted. The launches were also dispatched to examine the
numerous creeks leading to the river, and to explore the main stream. At
five o’clock five rebel steamers made their appearance in the Savannah
river to reconnoitre the proceedings of the Federal fleet. At this hour
Captain Ammen made his way through the marsh and cut the telegraph wire
communicating with Fort Pulaski.
Captain John Wright, who had been dispatched by Flag-officer Dupont with
a number of gunboats up the Wright river on the left of the Savannah, by
the route previously explored, made his appearance on Tuesday, the 28th,
and by means of the new army signals communication was opened between
the two fleets. At eleven o’clock, the rebel steamers again made their
appearance in the Savannah, and attempted to pass below the fort, when a
spirited engagement commenced between them and the two Federal fleets.
Three of the rebel steamers succeeded in passing, but the other two were
driven back disabled.
The attempt to reach the Savannah river with the gunboats having been
abandoned, measures were undertaken to blockade the river, and interrupt
communication between Fort Pulaski and Savannah, by land approaches, and
the establishment of batteries on the banks of the river. It was
resolved to erect a battery on Jones Island, the rear of which could be
reached by the national flotilla. The first attempt was made on the
night of February 7th, but owing to storms and other causes, it was not
successful. A few days after, General Sherman issued orders for a second
expedition to Jones Island, and, if practicable, erect a battery there,
so as to command the Savannah river. This was to be done without the
assistance of the naval forces.
The expedition was placed under the command of Brigadier-General Viele,
and consisted of the Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, Colonel Perry,
two companies of volunteer engineers, and two companies of the Third
Rhode Island artillery. The troops, with six large guns, (thirty-two
pounders,) were embarked in flatboats at Dawfuskie Island, and in tow of
light-draught steamboats. The expedition reached Jones Island, a
preliminary reconnoissance was made of all the points on the island, and
a site at Venus Point was selected for the erection of a fortification.
The swampy character of the soil seemed to forbid the landing of troops
on the island, much more to erect batteries and mount heavy guns
thereon. It was determined, however, to erect the battery at the point
already designated, and to carry the guns a distance of a mile through
the swamp. To facilitate matters, Colonel Perry undertook the
construction of a corduroy road from the place where the troops landed
on the Mud river side of Jones Island to Venus Point. The road was
constructed, and by the untiring labor of the troops, the guns were at
last placed in battery.
While the construction of the road was going on, another detachment of
Colonel Perry’s regiment attempted to erect breastworks to cover the
guns. The mud, as fast as it was piled up for the battery, slipped and
sunk away; but the platforms were laid and the guns mounted. The guns
were landed on a wharf made of bags filled with sand, and long planks
laid across them. Tramways were laid along the marsh, constructed of
planks thirty feet long, placed in parallel lines; two sets of these
parallels were used for each gun, and as fast as the pieces were taken
over one set, it was taken up and placed still further in advance. Holes
were drilled in the planks, and ropes looped through the holes, so that
the planks might be more easily dragged by the troops. In this manner
the guns were conveyed across Jones Island to the chosen position.
Colonel Perry, Lieutenant J. H. Wilson, of the United States Engineers,
and Lieutenant Horace Porter, of the Ordnance Department, superintended
the removal of the guns. On the first night the heavy guns were dragged
two hundred yards. The second night the work proceeded, and the guns
were dragged the remainder of the route, and before morning all were in
position. The work of tugging the guns was performed entirely by the
Forty-eighth New York regiment, commanded by Colonel Perry. In the
morning a rebel gunboat came down the river to reconnoitre, and
doubtless was amazed to find the Federal fort confronting her; but by
hugging the western shore she was enabled to pass the guns on Jones
Island without serious injury. This demonstrated the necessity of
another battery on the west end of Bird Island, in the middle of the
river opposite, which was subsequently erected, and the river thus
effectually blockaded. On the 15th, four rebel gunboats attacked the
batteries on Venus Point, Jones Island, but were all driven back, and
one of them disabled.
By the erection of these batteries Fort Pulaski was cut off from all
supplies and reinforcements; and General Hunter now commenced the
erection of batteries for the reduction of the fort.
NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA.
The comprehensive scheme of the rebel leaders was not confined to the
mere occupancy of the Cotton States, or the entire section of the Union
south of the Ohio river, but included within its future all the vast
domain west of the Mississippi and south of Kansas. The restoration of
peace, and the independence of the Southern Confederacy, would then
enable it to carry its victorious arms into Mexico, and a vast empire
would be erected, subject to the control of the Confederate government.
In order to accomplish these purposes with the greatest promptitude, it
was determined to take possession of New Mexico and Arizona at an early
day, and bodies of armed men were dispatched from Texas upon this
errand.
They reached the Territories during the month of July, 1861; one portion
of the invading force entering Arizona, and the other took their line of
march toward Santa Fé, in New Mexico, under the command of
Brigadier-General H. H. Sibley. There was no military organization of
the _inhabitants_ of either New Mexico or Arizona to favor the rebel
cause, excepting, perhaps a very few recent emigrants from Texas or
other Southern States, who joined the invading forces—the _natives_ were
for the most part loyal.
Fort Fillmore, then under command of Major Lynde, of the United States
army, who had seven hundred regulars for its defence, was surrendered or
betrayed on August 2d, to a force of Texan troops inferior to his own.
The men were paroled, and finally brought to the east, where they were
stationed by the Government at various posts on the northern lakes.
Subsequently Forts Davis, Bliss and Stanton were easily captured by the
rebel chieftains. The want of military organization among the people,
their unprotected towns, and the scarcity of arms, prevented any
effective resistance, and they were compelled to submit to the invasion,
while waiting anxiously for the relief which they felt assured the
Government would send.
At length the Governor of New Mexico, Henry Connelly, issued a vigorous
and stirring proclamation, on the 9th of September, calling upon the
citizens to enrol themselves for the defence of their homes against the
invaders, who were coming to subdue them to the rule of the Texan
authorities. He ordered an organization of the militia in the several
counties of the State, and the Adjutant-General was instructed to carry
the orders into effect.
On the 9th of November, New Mexico was constituted a military
department, and Colonel E. R. S. Canby, of the United States army, was
appointed to the command. Colonel Canby immediately entered upon his
duties, and pushed his work with so much energy, that by the end of
December he had retaken Forts Craig and Stanton. Federal forces also
held Fort Massachusetts to the north, and Fort Union, on the south-east
of Santa Fé, the capital of the Territory.
On the 2d of December, the Legislature assembled, and the Governor
recommended the adoption of measures to secure the loyal adhesion of
such of the Indian tribes as had not been betrayed into the hands of the
Confederate agents. While loyal to the Government in their sentiments,
they found themselves apparently cut off from its protection and
support, under the circumstances in which they were placed; and pressed
on all sides, they were somewhat divided. While some remained loyal, and
were willing to enlist in the Federal service, others joined the
Confederates; but the great body desired to pursue a course which would
be entirely neutral.
On the 30th of December, General Sibley, the rebel commander, issued a
proclamation from his headquarters, notifying the people that he took
possession of New Mexico in behalf of, and for the benefit of the
Confederate States. He declared, that “by geographical position, by
similarity of institutions, by commercial interests, and by future
destinies, New Mexico pertains to the Confederacy.” General Sibley also
declared the United States tax laws abolished.
BATTLE OF VALVENDE.
FEBRUARY 21, 1862.
Colonel Canby had no intention of remaining inactive while the rebel
leader was thus earnestly endeavoring to persuade the people into
willing submission to Confederate power, or of permitting him by an
apparent triumph to exercise his authority for the subversion of the
legitimate government. He accordingly prepared for the important
business of expelling him from the territory, determined to accomplish
this, whatever effort it might involve. The rebels, on their way through
the territory, followed the valley of the Rio Grande, and consequently
would be obliged to pass Fort Craig. At this place Colonel Canby
resolved to dispute their advance. His force was composed in part of
United States regulars, and in part of New Mexican volunteers. With
these he descended the river to meet the invaders. They were informed of
his approach, and on the 19th crossed the river in order to take a
position on the other side, from which they could shell the fort, and
obtain command of the stream above it, by which movement they could cut
off his communications. On the afternoon of the 19th, Colonel Canby
ordered the detachments of the Fifth, Seventh and Tenth United States
Infantry, under Captains Selden and Wingate, and Colonels Carson’s and
Pino’s regiments of volunteers to cross the river and occupy an
elevation opposite the fort, which would otherwise be appropriated by
the rebels. On the afternoon of the 20th, Captain McRae’s battery and
the cavalry under Major Duncan were ordered to cross the river, and were
brought into position. The enemy were thus cut off from the river, and
suffered from want of water. Their mules were so much exhausted that it
was found necessary to double the teams in order to draw the wagons; but
this resort at last failed, and the animals gave out entirely. The
rebels finding the desperate strait to which they were reduced, opened a
heavy cannonade upon the Federal troops. Being protected by the
elevations between them and the enemy, the Union troops suffered no
injury, except one man, who was wounded by a fragment from a ball, which
struck a rock, and was shattered by the blow. The night closed on the
antagonists. About two hundred mules were captured by the Union scouts,
and a number of wagons burned.
On the morning of the 21st, at about eight o’clock, Colonel Canby
ordered Colonel Roberts, with his cavalry, Colonel Valdez’s cavalry,
Colonel Carson’s volunteers, the regular infantry, and Captain McRae’s
and Lieutenant Hall’s batteries to proceed up the west bank of the Rio
Grande, and prevent the Texans from reaching the water, at the only
point where the river was fordable by the sloping banks. This position
was seven miles north of the fort, and when Colonel Roberts’ command
reached it, he found that the enemy had gained the water first. Colonel
Roberts immediately opened his batteries upon them, on which they
retreated with a loss of twenty-five or thirty killed, and one cannon.
The gun was dismounted, spiked, and rendered unfit for use. Colonel
Roberts then crossed the river, and held his position until the issue of
the battle was decided.
After one o’clock Colonel Canby came upon the ground with his staff,
followed by Colonel Pino’s regiment of volunteers, and took the command
in person. Up to this time the fighting had been principally with the
batteries. Captain McRae’s battery occupied the left, and Lieutenant
Hall’s battery the right of the line. On the left flank, and within
about a hundred yards of McRae’s battery, was a piece of woods, where
bodies of the enemy were seen to collect, but out of range of the guns.
Two companies of regulars and two companies of volunteers were assigned
to support this battery. Lieutenant Hall’s guns were to be supported by
the cavalry and Colonel Carson’s volunteers.
Thus disposed, Colonel Canby intended to make an advance, when suddenly
a brisk fire of musketry was opened towards the right of the field. This
was entirely unexpected, but the object was soon discovered to be a ruse
to divert attention from an attempt which was immediately made to take
the batteries. Advancing to the front, in two divisions, the enemy
rushed on and made their charges against the batteries in the most
determined and gallant manner. The charge against Lieutenant Hall’s
battery was made by the cavalry, who dashed forward with an unbroken
front, in the face of the destructive fire to which they were exposed.
Standing true to their posts, the experienced gunners worked their
pieces with such deadly effect, that the enemy was appalled by the
carnage, and compelled to retire from the field.
The charge upon McRae’s battery was made on foot, and was never
surpassed for the cool and deliberate determination with which the rebel
infantry pressed forward undismayed to their work. The iron hail belched
forth from the guns swept through their ranks, opening a pathway through
the columns, which closed up and moved onward, apparently heedless of
the losses they sustained. Volley after volley from the batteries poured
destruction on the advancing foe. But still they came on steadily under
the fire, pouring forth in return volley upon volley, and closing with
their revolvers and bayonets, until the last brave man was shot down
while standing faithfully by his gun. During all this time the New
Mexicans remained inactive, and when once convinced of the danger they
were in, fled in haste, leaving the thrice heroic McRae alone with his
gunners, who fell one by one till he stood alone before the enemy. When
this fearless man saw that he was utterly abandoned, he sat down, with
sublime coolness, on one of his useless guns, with his face to the
enemy, waiting for the glorious death which soon came to his relief. A
ball struck him on the forehead, and he fell by the gun his courage had
defended to the last.
Captain Plimpton’s regulars stood their ground and fought until one-half
their number were wounded, or dead and dying on the field, when they
were compelled to retire.
When the battery was lost, the day was decided in favor of the enemy,
and the Federal forces retreated to Fort Craig.
Colonel Canby had in the engagement about 1,500 men, consisting of
regulars and volunteers. The force of the enemy, under Colonel Steele,
was from 1,500 to 2,000. Our loss, according to the best information,
was 50 or 60 killed, and about 140 wounded. The loss of the enemy was
estimated at from 100 to 200 killed and wounded. Captain Rossel, of the
regulars, was taken by the Texans, his horse having been drowned in
crossing the river.
THE BATTLE OF APACHE CAÑON.
MARCH 28, 1862.
The immediate consequence of the battle of Valvende was that the
insurgents marched directly past Fort Craig, which for want of men and
provisions they were powerless to invest or capture, direct on
Albuquerque and Santa Fé, which fell into their power without
resistance. Albuquerque was the depot of United States Government
stores, most of which was removed on the advance of the insurgents, and
the rest destroyed. The occupation of Santa Fé was followed by the
proclamation of a provisional government, which however never entered
into practical operation. Fort Craig still remained in the rebel rear,
and Fort Union in the possession of the national troops, on the
north-east, from which direction reinforcements might be expected. The
policy of the insurgents was therefore either to capture Fort Union
before relief could arrive, or maintain their position, isolating Fort
Craig until that post should be compelled to surrender for want of
supplies.
Meantime, news of the critical condition of affairs having reached the
Colorado territory and Kansas, troops were at once organized to go to
the relief of the threatened positions. By forced marches, scarcely
paralleled in history, a Colorado regiment 950 strong, under Colonel
Hough, reached Fort Union on the 13th of March. Here he gathered around
him all the troops available, or possible to obtain, and marched for
Santa Fé, to give battle to the invaders. The latter moved their forces
forward to meet him. The numbers on both sides were nearly equal—between
1,200 and 1,500. They met at a point called Apache Pass.
[Illustration: UNION HEROES RENO. FRANKLIN. MCCLERNAND. DUPONT. WILKES.]
The main fight took place at Apache Cañon, eighty miles from Fort Union,
and twenty miles from Santa Fé. Three battalions, one under Major
Chivington, one under Captain Lewis, and one under Captain Wynkoop,
advanced to the cañon, on the 28th, when the pickets reported no enemy
in sight. The command then advanced, when shots were fired at them by
the Texans, who were in ambush and succeeded in killing four privates.
The Union men, under Hough, rushed on them, killing 20 or 30 Texans,
wounding many of them, and taking seven prisoners, four officers and
three privates. Major Chivington’s command, which went ahead and
surprised the Texan pickets, taking 67 prisoners, and 64 provision
wagons, now arrived, and a plan of action was determined upon. It was to
meet the enemy in front and flank them at the same time.