The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-04
DISASTER ON THE TENNESSEE
RIVER.
COL. HOGE' EXPEDITION.
A Miserably Managed Affair.
correspondence Of the Nashville Union.

Correspondence Oh the M86QVllle Union.
g.. .. JoHSsov1LLE, Tenn, Oct -, 1864.
am indebted to Captain J. G. Wood
ruff, A. A. A. g., for the following
particulars relative to portion of the ex-
petition up the Tennessee river, under
command of Major General Washburn,
the troops on the fotilla being under the
immediate command of Col. Hoge, of the
18th illinois. I regret to say, from what
learn, that the whole affair was most
miserably managed. The feet arrived at
this point on Tuesday, the Sd inst. After
taking aboard supplies, it started up the
river at noon on the 4th, and reached Cliff
ton on Sunday morning; after short de-
lay it again moved forward till opposite
PASSPORT, which, point it reached early
Monday evening. In regard to the land
ing of the feet reports are contradictory,
and I feel justified in giving the two YER
sions, that I may not unwittingly do injus-
tice to the innocent. One is, that the
gunboats after laying opposite Passport for
a short time, and discovering no signs of
the enemy, signalled the transports con-
tanning the troops to approach and land.
The other is, that the gunboats were side
by side, or nearly so, with the remainder
of the fleet, keeping the transports be-
tween themselves and the enemy.
But one thing is certain, the boats land
ed with the utmost indiscretion, as l have
heard an officer remark, they could not
have landed more carelessly or with less
regard to discipline, if they had been 60
ing into port at Louisville. The men had
scarcely commenced disembarking when
terrific fire opened upon them from bat
terry of seven or eight we'll manned guns,
but too effectively situated on an elevated
knoll. The battery was completely
masked, and the Inflated boys had not the
slightest idea of its location, or of the
presence of any enemy, till the hail of
shot and shell stormed through their
ranks. 1t is surprising that in an expedi-
ton, conducted as secretly as this one had
previously been, there was not at least
enough sound judgment, if not Of military
caution, to send out reconnaissance
few miles below the point of landing, and
ascertain something of the enemy's situa-
ton, without plunging band of brave
boys unguardedly into the jaws of the
lion.
The havoc was fearful. Without dis
cipline or organization, not yet having
b I'd time to form on the bank un-
der the CALLING fire of the enemy's guns,
naught else could be expected. During
the panic necessarily created, the cry was
raised, "We are ordered to return to the
boats.' No one knew who issued the Or
der, and the few officers that retained
enough GOODNESS to rally their men, per-
sisted in their endeavors, Notwithstanding
the terrible defamation of their ranks,
properly paying no heed to a command
that was fatherless. The boats immedi-
ately showed off, leaving the gallant few
still upon the shore A number of men
were drowned in attempting to reach the
boats.
1t is utterly Impossible to learn the
number killed, the reports ave SO conflict
ing. will make ro1ca guess and put
the killed, wounded and missing at 100,
which believe will cover the mark.
A s..ell struck caisson on the Aurora,
exploded and killed the Captain of the YES
sci, Pat. Marshal, severely burning sew
eral others standing in the vicinity, some
of whom have since died. The Color
Sergeant of the 61st colored regiment was
shot into the river while attempting to
leap ashore, with the colors under his
arms.
Capt. Hoyt, one of the most gallant Of
fcers of the expedition, it is supposed has
been captured with party of six men.
The burned, MANNED and wounded Off
GERS and men form truly horrible spec
tacle. One would almost sicken at the
sight. Nearly all the burnt saw are
sightless, their faces being burned to a
crisp. Had one-half the shells exploded,
the fatality would have been far more ter
rible. The beautiful boat City of Pekin,
as well as the Aurora and Kenton, are
riddled by the shells.
But the worst feature in the whole in
glorious defeat was that the transports
were situated between the gunbOats and
the enemy, and these last, as stated by
several officers of rank, killed more of
our own troops and did more damage to
our lien than to the enemy