The National tribune., 1885-09-17
CHICKASAW BAYOU.
The Part Blair,s Brigade TOOK in the Fight.

To THE EDITOR: l have been regular
reader of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for three
years ana have always heen particularly inter-
ested in reading the third page, or Fighting
Them Over" l have read of the exploits of
De Courcy'S Brigade, Smiths Brigade, and
others who had a hand in that memorable en-
gagement, but as yet / have never seen any
account Of Blair's Brigade, or their action at
Chickasaw Bayou or elsewhere.
Allow me, therefore the privilege of giving
your readers short account of our organization
and what became OF it. Blair's Brigade was
organized in ST. Louis, Mo-, in 1862, and COM
posed OF the 29th, 30th 31st and SD No, Gen.
Frank p. Blair commanding. We were united
at Helena. Ark, III December of that year and
Immediately Joined the expedition of Gen.
Sherman against Vicksjurg. Arriving at mouth
OF IaZOo River, We cautiously and with as
little noise as possible ascended that dark
winding stream 10 Johnson's Landing, below
Hainess Bluff. Not whistle sounded, not
bell was rung our boats we neared the
landing, lest we should give the alarm 10 the
enemy, who were not far off about that time
At ali events, IL was not much Of a surprise, for
We found them shortly after in a strong posi-
ton protected by ievee and intrenchments
from which they opened Oh US with shell at
lively rate.
The morning Of tie 29th (after nights rain)
the whole plantation Was cnvelOped i'll dense
fog. movement on our left brought on
severe engagement, in which the enemy were
driven to the hills across the bayou. DE Courcy's
Brigade was here hotly engaged, for | saw many
killed and wounded belonging to the 10th aud
42d Chic. Our brigade passed the ievee to the
woods overlooking the bayou and hills, LOCO
to LOO yards away AT this point our bri-
gade under fire for a short time and sus-
tained some loss, but IL was not till the follow
ing day that we were initiated into the mys-
teries o. real war and received our first baptism
of fire. During the forenoon but little was
done except preparing lor the grand assault
The enemy could be plainly seen massing their
men at the foot of the hill, and by p. M all
was ready for charge Our brigade was at
tached to hOrgan's Division, and occupied the
center. To our right were two batteries which
kept up an incesSanG fire while our brigade
emerged from the woods into the open marshy
ground. where the willows had been cut during
the night 10 make II possible TO pass through.
Up TO this time the enemy had replied but
feebly with artillery 10 our furious shelling
Nov they unmasked as our men advanced in
solid column without firing. Gen. Blair leads
his men on, while shell, gTapeshot and musket-
balls cut them down by the score. They reach
the bayou. The line of battle is in disorder,
but as fast the colors go down other brave
men lift them and go forward over the bloody
ground. The enemy give way from first line,
closely followed by our men through perfect
tornado Of shot and she'll deep ravine is
now thinned and broken. They reel and waver
for a minute and turn back, repulsed The
whole line gives way and We go back to the
woods where we started in on the charge The
enemy content themselves with following out
on the field with a few hundred cavalry and
taking in as many prisoners as they can
Our brigade lost heavily. Gen. Blair had a
close call, losing two horses in the charge.
Many of the officers of the different regiments
were killed and wounded, among the latter
Col. Thos. c. Fletcher, of the 3lst. My own
regiment (the 29th) lost at least half its men
and its regimental banner, presented by the
ladies of st. Louis, three brave men having
fallen while bearing it in the dreadful charge
On Chickasaw Bayou. Later VIC received
duplicate of the lost banner from the same fair
hands, which we carried through the siege of
FicksbuTg, Lookout Mountain. and from At
lanta 10 the sea.-J. X. TIsDALE, 29th Mo-,
Chillicothe, Mo.