New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-08-12
1875
Tho la title Of Baton Rouge.

Tho Battle Of Baton Rouge.
The Baton Rouge Adrocate refers to q
bloody day in that city in 1862 in the fol
lowing language:
the battle Of Baton Rouge was fought
! The federals we're commanded by General
| Williams and the COnfederates we're under
! the command Of General John G. Breckin.
! ridge. 1he Confederates left their camp at
Comite bridge after dark on the evening OF
the fourth and marched in on the Greenwell
Springs road. They arrived at Thompson
ing on the fifth, and at about daylight
1 attacked the federal lines. General Viii
| liams was killed early in the action. On
the side Of the Confedesates General II. w.
Allen aid General Clarke were wounded.
Major Todd, gallant Confederate officer
and brother Of Mrs. President Lincoln,
was killed in this fight In the absence OF
official data We are at this moment unable
to give full details concerning the affair.
In absence of the details of the affair
which the Adr0e0te is unable to give, the
following general order may be read with
interest at this time:
HEADQUARTERS DRpAE-zEs. Or rax GrLr. I
New Orleans. August 9. 1862.
General Orders No 81.
Soldiers Of the Army of tie Gulf-YOur
! successes have heretofore been substantial
| ly blOOdless.
| Taking and holding the most important
I strategic and commercial positions with the
| gallant navy, by the wisdom of your com.
binations and the moral power Of your
arms, it has been left for the past few days
| to baptize you in blood.
! The Spanish conqueroc of Mexico won
| imperishable renOwn by landing in that
| country and burning has transport ships to
| cut Oft all hope Of retreat. You, more wise
and economical. but with equal providence
| against retreat, sent yours home.
Organized to operate on the sea-cOast,
! Rouge, the capital of the State Of Lonisi-
! ana, more than $50 miles into the interior.
Attacked there by division Of our rebel
enemies, under command of a Major General
! recreant to loyal Kentucky, whom eome of
US would have honOred before his apostacy,
Of dOubly superior numbers, you have re-
pulsed in the open field his myrmidons, who
took advantage of your sickness, from the
malaria OF the marshes Of Vicksburg, to
make cowardiy attack.
The brigade at Baton Rouge has routed
the enemy.
He has lost three Brisadier Generals,
killed, wounded and prisoners; many
colonies and field officers. He has more
than 1000 killed and wounded.
Iou have captured three pieces Of artil
lery, six caissons. two stand OF colors and
a large number of prisoners.
You have buried his dead on the field of
battle and are caring for his wounded.
You have convinced him that you are never
80 sick as not to fight your enemy it be de.
sires the contest.
You have shown him tina. if he can not
take an outpost after weeks of preparation,
what would be his fate with the main body.
If your General should say he was proud
of you, it would only be to praise himself;
In this battle the Northeas: and the
Northwest mingled their blood on the field,
as they had long ago joined their hearts, in
support of the Union.
Michigan stood by Maine, Massachusetts
supported Indiana, Wisconsin aided Yer
mont. while Connecticut. represented BY
the sons Of the evergreen shamrock, fought
as our fathers did at Boyne Water.
While we all mourn the loss Of many
brave comrades, we, who we're absent, envy
them the privilege Of dying upon the battle
field for our country. under the starry tolds
OF her victorious flag.
The colors and guidons of the several corps
engaged in this contest will have inscribed
on them ''Baton Rouge
To complete the victory. the iron.clad
steamer Arkansas, the last naval hope of the
rebellion, hardly awaited the gallant attack
OF the Essex, but followed the example of
her sisters. the Merrimac. the Manassas, the
Mississippi. and the Louisiana, by her own
destruction.
By command of Major General Butler.
R. S. DAVIS,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant
General.
General Buffers order regarding the
death Of the gallant Williams, is one of the
most graphic and simply eloquent tributes
ever penned by general officer in honor
of fallen subordinate. This order was
given to the adjutant in the Generals
handwriting, and it is a model for COM
position Of it's kind, brief and elegant:
HEApouARrERs. DEPARTMENT OF THE GCLPi
New Orleans. August :. 1862. :
General Orders No. So
The Commanding General announces to
the Army of the Gulf, the sad event of the
death Of Brigadier General Thomas Viii
liams, commanding Second Brigade. in
camp, at Baton Rouge.
The victorious achieveme ment-the repulse
of the division OF Major General Breckin
ridge. by the troops led On by General Viii.
Arkansas, by Captain Porter, of the navy
is made sorrowful by the fall Of our brave.
gallant and successful fellow soldier.
General Williams graduated at West !
Point in 1887; at once Joined the Fourth ]
Artillery in Florida, where he served with |
distinction; was thrice breveted for gallant |
and merit0rious services in Mexico. as a I!
o<nfT - 60
was that of soldier devoted to his coun. !
try's service. His country mourns in SYM !
pathy with his wife and children. now that |
countrys care and precious charge.
We. his companions in arms, who had |
learned to love him, weep the true friend. |
the gallant gentleman. the brave soldier,
the accomplished officer, the pure patriot
and victorious hero, and the devoted
Christian. All, and more, went out when
Williams died. BY singular felicity, the !
of his death illustrated each OF
these generous qualities.
The chivalric American gentleman, he
gave up the vantage of the cover OF the
houses Of the city-forming his lines in the
open tield-lest the women and children OF
mis- enemies should be hurt in the fight!
A good general, he made his dispositions
and prepared for battle at the break OF day,
when he met his foe:
A brave soldier, he received his death
hot leading his men!
A patriot hero, he was lighting the battle
,f his country. and died as went up the
,heer of victory!
A Christian, he sleeps in the hope Of
blessed Redeemer!
His virtues We can not exceed-hls eX-
lmple we may emulate-snd, mourning his
,eath. We pray, '.may our last end be like
lis."
The customary tribute Of mourning will