The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-06-06
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quanied with his merits, as gentleman and
a soldier, as any other man living. And al
though we are now standing in opposite 4
ranks, I cannot forget the days and nights
we have stood side by side, facing the COM
mon enemy Of our country, sharing the same
faiigues, dangers, and privaions, and partic-
! ipating in the same pleasures and enjoyments.
The feelings and sympsthies springing from
such associations in the days Of our youth
can never be removed or impaired by adifTe-
renee OF opinion with regard TO men or rnea-
sures, when each may we'll believe the other
equally sincere as himself, and where tho
most ardent desire of both 10 10 sustain the
honor, the happiness and prosperity of our,
country. @ats q harH22o yisqeaHa
"Soon after my appointment in tho army
of the United Staes, as lieutenant, in the
I fall Of 1914, was ordered 70 Join the COM
pany of Capt. Butler of the 44th regiment
Of infantry, then at Nashville, Tennessee
When | arrived, and reported myself, found
the company under orders 10 JOIN our reg-
ment in the south. The march, mostly
through an unsettled wilderness, was con-
Quoted by Capt. Butler with his usual promp-
titude and energy, and by forced and rapid
movements we arrived al Fort Montgomery,
the headquarters Of Gen. Jackson, a short
distance above the Florida line, just in time
to follow our beloved general in his bold en-
terprse to drive the enemy from his strong
position in q neutral territory. The van
guard Of the army destined for the invasion
of Louisiana had made Pensacola its head
quarters, and the British navy in the Gulf Of
Mexico had rendezyoused in that beautiful
bay. 'o1@ai
"The penetrating sagacity Of Gen. jack
son discovered the advantage Of the posi-
ton assumed by the British forces, and with
decision and energy which never faltered,
he resolved to find his enemy, even under
the flag of neutral power. This was done
by prompt and rapid march, surprising and
cutting off all the advanced pickets, until we
arrived within gun-shot Of the fort At Pensa-
cola. The army Of Gen. jackson was then
so iuconsiderabe as to render reinforce
ment of a single company, commanded by
such an officer as Capt. Butler, an important
acquisition And although there were seve@
raj companies Of regular troops ordered to
march from Tennessee at the same time,
Capt. Buffers, by his extraordinary energy
and promptitude, was the only one which ar
rived in time 10 join this expedition. His
company formed a part of the centre column
Of attack at Pensacola. The street we en-
tered was defended by battery in 'front.'
which fred on lis necessarily, while several.
strong block.houses, on our hanks, discharg-
ed upon u, small arms and artillery. But a
gallant land rapid charge soon carried the
guns in front, and the town Immediately sur
rendered. Tng f
ain this fight Capt. Butler led on his COM
pany with his usual intrepIdity. He bad
one officer, Lieut.. Flournoy, severely woun-
ded, and several non. commissioned officers
killed and wounded. ~
"From Pensacola, after tile object of the
expedition was completed, by another prompt
and rapid movement, we arrived at New Or
leans few weeks before the appearance Of
the enemy.
"On the 23d of December signal-gun announ.
ced the approach of the enemy. The previous
night they had surprised and captured one
of our pickets; had ascended bayou, dsem-
barked, and had taken possession of the left
bank Of the Mississippi, within six miles Of
New Orleans. The energy Of every officer
was put IN fequistion, to concentrate our
forces in time TO meet the enemy. Capt.
Butler was one of the FIRST TO arrive at tho
Generals quarters, and ask instructionsT
they were received and promptly executed.
Our regiment, stationed on the opposite side,
was transported across the river. All the
available forces Of our army not much ex-
ceedng fifteen hundred men, were con-
centrated in the city; and while the sun
went down the line of battle was formed;
and ever officer took the station assigned
hi m in the fight. The infantry formed on
the open square, in front of the Cathedral,
waiting in anxious expectation for the order
TO move. During this momentary pause,
while the enemy was expec cted 10 enter the
city, a scene Of deep and thrilling interest
was presented. Every gallery, porch aud
window around the square were filled with
the fair forms Of beauty, in silent anxiety
and alarm, waving their handkerchiefs to
the gallant and devoted hand which stood
before them, prepared to die, or defend them
from the rude intrusion Of foreign soldiery.
II was scene calculated TO awaken emo
tons never to be forgotten, II appealed TO
the chivalry and patriotism Of every officer
and soldier--it inspired every heart, and
nerved every arm for battle. From this inn
pressive scene the army matched to meet
the enemy, and about eight o'clock at night
they were surprised in their encampment,
on the banks of the Mississippi.
our line was formedin silence
within short distance OF the enemy;a rap
id charge was made into their camp, and a
desperate conflict ensued. After a deter
mined resistance the enemy gave way, but
d;snuting eyery inch of ground we gained.