The National tribune., 1883-06-28
Our correspondent who signs himself "Co F."
Twelfth Illinois, should have appended his
name to his letter if he wished it to receive
attention.-ED.]
THE SIXTEENTH CORPS,
And Something About the Hard Marching 1t Did
In the South.
To the Editor NATIoYAL TR1BuNE:

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
have read with great interest the letters which
you publish from comrades of the various COM
nlands which took part in the from 1861 to 1865,
and have been anxicusly looking for something
from some who III the same command as
myself l belonged to General A. j. Smiths COM
mand, Joe Mowers Third division, Sixteenth
Army Corps. which certainly did more marching
and travelling around than any other command in
the service. We also did some fighting, but we
could get the Johnnies to stay in front of
long enough TO get acquainted with them. In
February, 1864, went with Sherman from
Vicksburg TO Meridian, where we tore up the rail-
roads for about seventy-fve miles, and then, hav
ing returned TO Niclzsburg were loaned to Banks
for the Red River expedition. We were first taken
to point ON the Atchatalaya, where we disem-
barised, and next day marched thiFi three miles
and carried Fort De Russey by assault, just the
sun was going down, capturing about 100 prison.
and several pieces of artillery. small arms, pro-
visions. sc. EInbarking on the transports again,
were sent to Alexandria, and while waiting
for Banks to up, General Mower went out
Bayou Rapids and captured 800 rebels while they
were asleep, without firing gun. From Alexan-
dria went by boat To Grand Ecore, and from
there proceeded to Pleasant Hill and totally de-
feated Dick Taylor's command thus saving Banks
with what wagons and artillery he had left. from
being captured Had cur victory been followed
up at Pleasant Hill, Shreveport would have been
taken and the war in the Frans-Mississippi De-
paytment would have been 1T an end. From
Pleasant Hill we marched back to Grand Ecore
anu thence up the river TO the relief of the gunboats
and transports. We got them out of bad fix and
came back to Grand Eeore, whence we marched to
Atehafllaya, fighting almost all the time and the
last two days having quite respectable affair at
htnsula and yellow Bayou. At the latter place
my regiment lost more than half its number
in killed and wounded and other regiments lost
nearly as heavily. We Were now again embarked
on the boats aud headed up the Mississippi. On
our way we took a two days trip around Lake
Chicot. where encountered Marnladukc, and
had quite fight before he away. AT Memphis
landed, aad marched out rs fiar as Tupelo
where net General Forrest and gave him the
first good licking he had We then went
AiemDhls
started out into Mississippi but after getting far
rs Oxford, marched back to that city. From Mem
phis we were dispatched to st. Louis Mo, and
thence started out after Pap Price. On this trip
made the most remarkable march that have ever
any record of travelling 500 miles in less
tian thirty days. We were finally Withdrawn from
Missouri and sent 10 Nashville where took part
III the great battle on the l5ta end 10th OF DeceG
ber 1854, which, as farsas our regiment was con-
cerned was the easiest fight We're ever engaged
in, although held the center of the line and
were IN the front rank all The time. From Nash
vile we set out IN pursuit OF Hood and marched to
Clifton on the Tennessee River, where we again
took transports and went up 10 PASSPORT The
boys OF \. j. Smiths command viii never forget
tl!St place Rations were extremely scarce for
several days. Here corps reurganized. and
we were put into the Second division, while the
division OF the Seventeenta Corps, that had been
with usall the time sGce started the Red River
trip, WAS formally transferred To onr corps. AT
PASSPORT we again took transports and went down
the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers TO the Gulf,
where we were transferred to ocean steamer
and taken 20 Dauphin Island. we remained there
about one month and then went by transport up
Fish River to the head OF navigation, and marched
across to Spanish Fort and Bakeiy, where sat
Gown for 3 regular siege.
At noon on the Stil of April, 1865, everything
being IN readiness, the gunboats siege guns, field
batteries ana morfors opened lire spanish Fort
with 800 guns in all and there was one continuous
OF artillery until the next morning at daylight
when the firing ceased and the place carried by
assault by McAurtnur's division, Sixteenth Army
Corps. AT O'Clock D. m, Ballely was assaulted
and taken, with 3,70o prisoners. On the 10TH Mo-
bile surrendered to detachment OF the One Hun
dred and Fourteenth Illinois infantry On the same
morning the news of Lees surrender was all the
talk among the boys, though knew the
source of tile report and do not know TO this day
who brought the news, though all believed it to be
true. We were glad the and proud
OF the part had taken in suppTessng the rebel
lion. On the 18th of April we started on the road
to Montgomery, our faces turned, at last, towards
home. Our road lay through the big pine woods
Tor several days, with no enemy III front to dispute
our passage. On the 18th, division being IA the
rear of the corps we heard all ut once the faint
booming of artillery in 'front.' and soon il was
heard still nearer and everyone Thought we had
struck some more Johnnies and a regular battle
was being fought. Nearer and nearer the sound
of the cannon came, and then heard faint voeys
OF nlusSetry, the rattle OF which came closer and
closer until It seemed to pfoceed from the brigade
Just IN front of ours, when courier came dashi,lg
along the road shouting that Lee had surrendered
aild JEFF Davis WIS fugitive and we ali fired our
guns IN the air, and the regiments and batteries in
our rear did the same. There was more home talk
that night in camp than had been heard before
curing the war we all thought we would soon be
home again among parents, brothers and
sisters and other peoples sisters, but regiment
WAS doomed to disappointment On the 9th we
received the sad news of the assassination of our
beloved President, which cast gloom over the
whole command. On the 18th we entered Mont
gomery, the first capital of the Confederacy, and
here our corps was broken up and scattered. My
own regiment remained at Montgomery until
april L 1896. when sent to Springfield, H.,
and mustered out of service
SAMUEL ScoTT,
Co. b, 5Sth H. infantry vols.
RAPIDS Cry, DAK. TER.