Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-10-20
The Red River Campaign.
Official Report from the Sth Regiment

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Wisconsin i:
S1R:-Believing that brief narrative of
the principal part taken BY my regiment, in
this, just completed, seventy-Four days Red
River Expedition, may be of interest to YOU
and to its friends, principally from the fact of
its being cut off, for weeks, from all commu-
nication with home, I send herewith list
of casualties, and have the honor to make the
following
REPORT:
After the return of Maj. General ". I.
Sherman's great Mississippi raid, March 9th,
the regiment expected surely to go home on
its veteran furlough, and could have done SO,
if it had not been the especial desire of Gen.
Sherman, that the regiment should accomps-
ny Gen. A J. Smiths Red River Expedition,
which | was assured would return after the
expiration of thirty days.
Gen. A. j. Smiths force consisted of Sc
lected detachments from the lst and Sd di-
visions Of the 10th A. c., 1900 men, Brig.
Gen. J. A. Mower, commanding, and $500
men from the 18th A. c., Brig. Gen. kilby
Smith, commanding.
We left Vicksburg March 10th. The
morning OF the 18th We had passed down the
Mississippi, up the Red, and down the .Ateh-
afalaya Rivers; debarked at Simmsport, La,
and our brigade-2d brigade, lst division-at
s 4. NJ. charged brigade of rebels who oc
cupied Fort Scurry, four miles north of
Simmsport, at the confluence of Yellow
Bayou with Bayou de Glaise. The enemy
retired before u.s. We captured, however,
twenty-five prisoners and some war stores,
and pursued him several miles. For diver
sion, we countermarched to Simmsport, and
at twelve VI. marched again in the same d.
rection. The whole expedition marched up
along Bayou de Glaise to Fort de Russy, on
Red River, thirty-fve miles, by 2. N. of the
Isfohewing day. The fort was imnso lately
invested, three regiments in front of the
second line charging the work, the whole ar
my being under fire, and took it in three min
utes Our trophies were, eleven large guns,
many war stores, small arms, and 800 priso-
ners. Our feet here joined US, and we pro
ceeded the next morning to Alexandria,
which, upon our approach, was evacuated.
Gen. Smith having to await the arrival of
Gen. Banks army from the Gulf, employed
the time by sending my regiment, with four
others, under Brig. Gen. Mower twenty-five
miles northeastward, up along Bayou Rapi-
das to Henderson Hill, where the enemy
were in strong position, with artillery.
This was severe march. 1t rained inces-
sanity and the men had to march through
mud in many places knee deep. However
the march was accomplished in u hours. 1t
was found impracticable to attack the enemy
in front, and a small force being left in front
to attract his attention, Gen. Mower crossed
the bayou with four regiments, made a de
tour Of 10 miles around in the rear of the en-
envy through canebrake swamps, and by II
o'clock at midnight came upon the enemy
and captured him, $50 strong-men and Off
cers--4 guns and 400 horses and other mum
tons of war. Gen. Taylor (rebeD was but
4 miles distant with II 900 men, and this feat
was accomplished by rapid marching through
swamps where it was believed by the enemy
a passage could not be made, and also getting
between Taylor and. the force that we cap
tured.
After marching back to Alexandria, on the
morning of the 26th Of March our army
(Smith's) again marched up along the same
route SO miles, to Point Cotile, on Red river
We waited at this point the passage of Gen.
Banks army by road, and on the morning of
April I'd, our army steamed up Red river for
Grand Ecore, so miles distant, where it was
expected to find the enemy in force in strong
position. Arrived opposite Grand Ecore on
the evening of the Sd, deployed four of my
ed, however, without much show of resist
ance. ...-. ...
The river at this time commenced falling
| rapidly; and much fear was entertained about
our supply communication. However, Gen.
| Banks army having passed on in advance,
toward Pleasant Hill and Mansfield, for
Shreveport, through the Piney Woods, Ga
| barren region,) our army marched in the
same direction, on the morning of the 7th,
Is miles through much rain and mud, and on
the Sth continued our march 16 miles farther
to Pleasant Hill. This day, Is miles in ad-
vance of US, at Mansfeld-Sabine Cross
Roads-a part of Gen. Banks army were
badly defeated, and driven back in disorder
on Pleasant Hill.
The next day, Gen. Smiths army, with a
part of Gen. Banks, awaited the attack of
the enemy, and after four hours hard fighting
he was driven from the field III great disor-
der. Ny regiment having been posted to
prevent a flank movement Of the enemy, was
double quicked to the front, and arrived Just
at dark, in time to pursue the enemy from
the field. After this victorious battle re-
treat of the whole army was ordered, and we
again marched to Grand Ecore.
April 2lst the whole army commenced its
retreat upon Alexandria. At Nachitoches,
my regiment was thrown to tie left and front
and held bridge against the enemy, he hay
ing, in large force, got between US and Alex
andria, and also upon our TANKS.
The movement to Alexandria was attended
with much hardship and many annoyances.
On the morning of the oath our brigade and
my regiment were not the rearmost one,
however, the enemy having attacked our
rear guard vigorously, it was double quicked
two miles to the rear, and advanced rapidly
against him, when he fed in confusion. On
the eve of the oath, Gen. Banks 18th and
18th Army Corps were in front ten miles,
contendlng with large rebel force for the
passage of the Cane River. Gen. A. J.
Smiths army brought up the rear and were
hating at Cloutierville, awaiting the pro-
cedure OF the corps IN our front, when we
were again vigorously attacked from the rear
with musketry and artillery. My regiment.
with Others were marched one and half
miles to the rear and right I had lust
crossed an open field, one and half miles
wide, and gained thick wood, and COM
meneed to deploy my skirmishers, when the
enemy (who endeavored to get the edge of
the timber before | did, opened on me with
artillery and musketry. After an hours
stubborn fighting, he was driven back in con-
fusion. lost several wounded in this affair
Inc march was continued night and day for
Alexandria, which place we reached on the
10th, previous to which, at Henderson HilI
our cavalry being pressed upon our right
flank, my regiment was ordered TO its sup
port.
The evacuation Of the river being now de-
termlned upon, it was necessary to dam the
river so as to throw more water into certain
channel to allow our navy to cross the bar
just above the city. Gen. Smiths army was
moved up Bayou Rapides to keep at bay the
enemy, who were annoying US from every d.
rectlon, until the whole army and feet were
in readiness to leave the river May Sd we