Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-06-25
The Red River Campaign.
Official Report from the sth Regiment.
RED RIVER LANDING, LA.(
Mav Qod 1894

May 22d, 1854.
HIS Ezcellsuey, Hon. jams 4. Zeris Sos. q
WssconsEa
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 of, for weeks, from all commu-
nication with home, / send herewith list
of casualties, and have the honor to make the
following
REPORT:
After the return of Maj General W. T.
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 1st and Sd di-
visions of the 18th 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 Atch-
afalaya Rivers; debarked at Simmsport, La,
and our brigade-2d brigade, 1st divisional
A. 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 US. We captured, however,
twenty-five prisoners and some war stores,
4 4 L. Ill
sion, we countermarched to Simmsport, and
at twelve NJ marched again in the same d.
rection. The whole expedition marched up
along Bayou de Glaise to Fort de Russy, on
Red River, thirty five miles, by P. NJ. of the
following day. The fort was Immediately
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 we're, eleven large guns,
many war stores, small arms, and 300 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 Gull, 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 II 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 de
tour of 15 miles around in the rear of the en-
envy through canebrake swamps, and by IL
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.
tions of war. Gen. Taylor (rebeD was but
miles distant with II, 900 men, and this feat
was accomplished by rapid marching through
swamps where it was believed by the enemy
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 33 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, 80 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, l deployed four of my
companies as skirmishers. The enemy retir-
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, IA
barren region,) our army marched in the
fhn of fha
Is miles through much rain and mud, and on
the 9Th continued our march l6 miles farther
| to Pleasant Hill This day, Is miles in adj
vance of us, at Mansfeld-Sabine Cross
Roads, 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 in great disor-
der. Ny regiment having been posted to
prevent a flank movement of the enemy, was
| double -auicked 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 21st the whole army commenced its
retreat upon Alexandria. At Nachitoches,
my regiment Was turOhu W TIE leII anu lFOLI
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
nv 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
10th Army Corps were in front ten miles,
contending 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 a hal
miles to the rear and right. l had just
| crossed an open field, ono and a 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
i fusion. lost several wounded in this affair
| The march was continued night and day fol-
| Alexandra, which place we reached on the
/ 26th, previous to which, at Henderson Hill
our cavalry being pressed upon our right
flank, my regiment was ordered to its sup
port.
The evacuation of the river being now de-