Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-26
Massachusetts Troops ut the Battle of
Baton Rouge.

H'"'i 1ilc l'uSloh JouTDdl
Our correspondent at Baton Rouge. in an
account of the late battle at that point. thus
speaks of the behavior of the federal troops.
and especially those from Massachusetts,
All the federal troops engaged did their
duty well, and great praise is due to officers
and men, particularly to those of the regi-
ments which had but q few days before re-
turned from ViCksburg, worn out with fatigue
and sickness, and well nigh dispirited. Hos
pitfalls were rapidly cleared by all who could
carry musket, and the sick in quarters cheer
fully took their places in the ranks The Both
Massachusetts and Minis battery decided the
fate of the day, and fired the last shot. Col.
Dudley, of the Both Massachusetts, command
ed the whole of the right wing, Major White
more the 3Oth Massachusetts, and Lieut.. TrulI
Minis battery. In this wing there was also
the 9th Michigan and Browns battery, togeth-
er with the 9TH Vermont The Massachusetts
troops had bivouacked in field during the
night of the 4th, and when brought into line
of battle in the morning with Minis battery on
the left flank, were Immediately set in motion
to support the regiments already engaged.
By direction of Gen. Williams, the Both
Mass. moved now to this and now to that
point, from so many different directions came
the enemys fire, until final stand was made
directly IN front OF the camp of the 18th Yer
mont and in rear of that Of the 21st Indiana.
which was already occupied by the enemy,
who had charged through a graveyard and
corn field. Up to this moment the advance
of the enemy had not been checked, although
he had been badly cut up. The Massachu-
sets men, with the splendid battery of Minis.
under the command of Trull, now occupied
the centre of the line, and the TANKS were
hard pressed. The enemy came on with a
cheer until within fifty yards of the line In
front were woods filed with smoke, and the
sun was shining in tlA face of the men. Col.
Dudley perceived that the critical moment
had come, and intrepidly moved up and down
this line, everywhere inspiring confidence,
and rallyng the 9th Michigan and 7th YER
mont.
Under command of Major Whittemore,
who Unanswered his men as if on parade, the
30th fiat upon the ground bravely received
the enemy's fire, and then poured in their
volleys with terrific effect, nobly aided by the
grape and canister and shell which Trull
skllltully directed just before this, Capt KEEL
ty, gallant and brave officer, was shot at the
head of his company while skirmishing on the
right. Now the enemy was csnfounded
Minis battery had silenced the celebrated bat
terry Of Symmes, and by its left oblique fire
across the Massachusetts front, together with
the rapid and well sustained volevs of the
both Massachusetts, the day was won and the
enemy fled, leaving behind large numbers of
dead and wounded. A ride over the field af
ter the action showed hundreds of dead and
wounded men and horses, and the camp of
the 7th Vermont, in front of which the 3otb
stood, was completely riddled with bullets,
Though this was the first time the Both Mas
sachusetts and Minis battery had been under
iire, they yet displayed the GOODNESS and en-
durance of veterans.