The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-11-22
BATON ROUGE.
A Loyal Lsdy's Description Of the Battie-How
Her House was Turned Into Hospital


A Loyal Lady's Description of the Battie-How
Her House was Turned Into Hospital.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Permit me to add to the article in your pa
per regarding the battle of Baton Rouge-tha
glorious battle, fought and won by the bravest
of the bravei
Being a resident of that city at the time,
and witnessing the last charge made by the
little handful of General Buffers army against
the thousands of the enemy, feel | can say
many things connected with that event which
may prove of interest to many of your readers.
/ cannot describe the sensation which filed
my whole soul with trembling anxiety when,
on the morn of that memorable day. with my
family were awakened by the beating of the
long-roll calling to arms those who were ready
to respond to the call and march to the music
of the enemys guns-their cannons booming
and muskets clashing, telling the conflict was
at hand
We little knew what would be the result;
what moments, ali, hours, of anxious suspense
If the Federals were defeated, we would be
at the mercy of the Confederates. Notwith
standing we were advised several times by Ell
lott, of General Williams staff, and Colonel
Dudley, of the 30th Massachusetts,, who dashed
towards the house. {it being near the scene of
action, mounted on his beautiful black charger,
who seemed to know the mission on which he
was bound, and spoke with his eyes, simulta-
neously with his rider: You are in danger;
why don't you leave?" we remained until
the fight was nearly over, amid the balls hiss
ing and bounding past the house, and the
shells from the gunboats cutting the air and
filling it with frightful sounds, until we re-
ceiyed an emphatic order from Commander
Ransom, of the gunboat Keneo to repair to the
river Immediately.
Soon came shell through the house, shat
tering everything before US; we reluctantly
left. You can imagine why reluctantly. l
had dressed many wounds that day for those
who were able to walk or be brought with the
the aid of their comrades, and were lying in
che yard. 1t was hard to leave them.
We started in the carriage with marine at
the side, who had been sent to assist us in man
aging the horse, who reared and plunged when
the terrible sounding missiles came over our
heads. Fortunately a kind patting on the
neck partially subdued his fears until we
reached the boat.
1t is a satisfaction to me-the remembrance
that was there; still more, that had always
remained loyal to the Union. Yet, there is
sad remembrance, for there brave friends fell.
Not nearly enough has been said Of the vir-
tue of our soldiers and commanders of the diff
ferent regiments, especially the 2lst Indiana,
who were led into the field By Lieutenant
Colonel Keith. For some reason best known
TO himself their colonel did not venture far
Their than the picket, and, unsoldier-like, re-
turned to shield himself in his quarters.
Keith being wounded, Major Hayes-a pol
ished gentleman and an officer in the war with
Mexico-led the regiment until he fell; then
its adiutant-the brave Latham. There is no
language adequate to describe his courage!
When at my house the night before the battle
he said the ball had not been cast that would
kill him. Oh, how mistaken! for, while with
sword uplifted, bidding defiance to the enemy
and encouraging his comrades to the front, the
ball came; he fell, his body mangled, but his
soul scared to regions Of bliss his pinions
gided with the emblem of My God and coun-
try"-the last words we heard him speak
How | wish he had lived long enough to know
the victory
Many daring and brave men were there with
hearts filled with true patriotism, Jealous in the
cause of their country, dashing boldly into the
fight, without fear.
l must name the brave, heroic and fearless
| Carruth, commanding Everett's 9Th Massachu-
sets battery, only twenty-five years of age,
whose camp, being nearest to the place of at
| tack, was one of the first to mount his horse
and meet the enemy. / think to him and the
Indiana regiment chiefly belongs the honor of
winning the day. Hand-in hand they went
Carruth losing his horses from the cannon
and the Indianians joining him, replacing
the dead animals with their strength of hands
obliged to retreat.
i How little the Nation has realized that that
| hard-fought battle-beginning at four IN the
morning and lasting until ten-was the means
OF crushing the rebellion at the extreme South.
| No more attempts were made to fight there
| Although Taylor was one side of the river and
| Breckenridge on the other neither again dared
come in contact with such men as those of
| Farraguts feet and Buffers army.
1 wish there was room in your Daper for all
/ the worthy names. | know they have never
received the credit they are entitled to. Baton
| Rouge being so far away from the capital and
| cut Off from the means of communication, very
| little has been published. / think it has never
been known how many arose from their sick
1 beds TO answer that morning roll-call, anxious
to do more than duty, but were deferred by
! their feeble limbs, tottering as they struggled
| TO keep time to the drum which beat their
march; and, alas, with sad aud disappointed
| hearts were compelled to return to the hospital
All honor to them.
| Never can l forget that day. And as night
approached. one after the other of our soldier
| friends caTue to show they were safe and pro-
claim their victory. Shout after shout went
! up-the very children screaming with joy.
/ Some were unable TO speak, but the lingering
! pressure of the hand spoke enough
Could the lightning wires have sped the good
news to the Northern homes, what JOY would
have been there; even those who had lost their
/ friends would have rejoiced that through them
the victory had been achieved, and they we're
| clothed with glorious uniform and decorated
with the martyrs crown.
! If the editor thinks his readers will be inter-
ested in this slight sketch, shall be happy to
write again. Very sincerely,
M. E. S.,
Formerly Of Baton Rouge.
| WASHINGTON, D. G.
From Member Of Miniy's Brigade.
| To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE: