The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-08
THE LAST BATTLE.
The Fight at Palmetto Rancho.

10 THE L see Dy 1HE
TRIBUNE of Aug. q that there has been some
bad blood stirred up in regard to the conduct
of certain officers at the last battle of the war,
or battle of Palmetto Rancho fought on the
18th day of May, 1865.
The forces engaged on that day had for some
months been stationed on Brazos Island, or
Brazos Santiago Tex, and consisted of the Saith
Ind, 62d U. s. Cclored Inf. and small squad
of Texas cavalry.
On the 18th of May the day before the battle)
Col. Barrett with his command (the 62d colored
Infantry went on the mainland in search OF
beef cattle, and got into trouble with force OF
ConfederateS. Just at nightfall of that day
message was received at Brazos from Col. Bar
rett asking for re-enforcementS. The oath Ind.
and the aforementioned squad of Texas cavalry
were sent to his support. We crossed to the
mainland at Boqua-Chico near l O'Clock at
night, and at once set out for White Rancho.
on the Rio Grande River, and distant from
Boqua- Chico seven miles. This point we reached
just at break of day, where we found Col. Bar
rctt and his regiment. We were ordered to
make coffee and eat our usual bareback, etc.
We had scarcely got our coffee water warm when
we were ordered to fall in. and at once took up
our line of march on the Brownsville road.
After moving some two or three miles the
34th was halted, except one company, which,
as an advance-guard and skirmish-line, accom-
panied the CID perhaps mile farther, to Pal
metto Rancho, where shots were exchanged
quite lively. The rancho was fired and de-
stroyed, it having served as an outpost for the
Confederates.
At the rancho letter was picked up from
lady to her lover in the Confederate service.
Among other matters, she requested him on
his return home to bring her a pet Yankee. A
| number of our boys remarked that the young
lady might tame some of our number, but she
had given her lover a hard task. Almost stimuli
taneOus Y with the discovery of the burning
rancho at the point where we were stationed
courier frsm Col. Barrett came bearing orders
TO Col. Morrison to move the 3ith Ind. up to
Palmetto Rancho, where we again found him
with his reg iment, except one company, which
was skirmishing with the enemy. A few hun
dred yards in advance of this place, and in tho
direction of Brownsville, a line OF battle was
formed, the 34th Ind, as stated by Lieut. j. Ii.
Shade, having the advance We moved for
ward in line of battle few hundred yards to
the crest of ridge extending back from the
river, and at almost ri ght ang lie with that
stream. Here as stated BY Lieut.. Shade, dim
ner was taken by all who had any.
From this position We could plainly see the
skirmishers fighting. The Confederates here
became stubborn, as from cloud of dust In the
distance and i'll the direction of Brownsville,
they felt sure that re -enforcements were coming
to their aid. This surmise proved true, as in a
short time force of cavalry and artillery were
plainly seen and in a few moments more formed
in line of battle. They at once opened fire
upon us from both artillery and small-arms.
In the meantime, just before the Coniederates
opened fire, Col. Barrett formed the cd Col
Ored on the right of the 34th along the crest of
the ridge already mentioned. i was acting as
Surgeon of the 34th, and up to the time the cd
was formed on our right had taken position
on the extreme left of our regiment; but about
this time colorcd soldier was brought In from
the skirmish-line severely wounded. l accom-
panied him few PAGES to the rear, aud, in COM
pany with Dr. Allen, of the gid. dressed his
wound. The firing had by this time become
general along our entire line as well as that of
the enemy. On returning to our regiment was
making my way to the right of the Saith, which
would also bring me to the left of the 62d, and
near the headquarters of Col. Barrett, who was
in command of our entire force. had scarcely
reached the position above mentioned when
shot from the Confederate artillery passed
unpleasantly near Col. Barrett at once ordered
Col. Morrison to move his men back, and, as l
at the time understood, to the first position
spoken of by Lieut.. Shade, which order Col.
Harrison at once proceeded to obey. Having
heard the order of Col. Barrett began prepa-
rations to move back with tho wounded, but
before / got ready to move off both the Saith and
cd had disappeared over a hill some 200 or 300
yards in our rear. AS ! started with the
wounded from the field, the skirmishers were
falling back, and could hear them complain of
not having been relieved. l told our ambu-
lance driver to move out as rapidly as was safe,
and to select good track as possible, i'll order
that the ambulance might not be turned over.
After driving for a quarter to a half mile we
came up with the 34th, this regiment being in
the rear of the GID. Col. Morrison, on seeing
our ambulance, halted the 34th, and ordered
me to move it forward in advance of the regi
ment. While / was executing this order Col.
Barrett ordered Col. Morrison to double-quick
the 34th, which order Col. Morrison obeved,
but had not moved more than 200 yards when
the first line was reached, where the men
dropped back into a route step, and at once
called to Col. Barrett, who was near them, to
halt and let them fight the enemy. To this re-
quest Col. Barrett made no reply but put his
regiment-the 62G Colored-in the road and
Immediately in rear of the 34th. As to the 34th
or any of its men breaking through the cd
with its Colonel | fatty contradict the state
ment. / at no time saw Col. Morrison show
the white feather during the day, but on the
contrary he obeyed every order given him by
his superior, Col. Barrett, whose men were
made of fighting material, as we'll as those of
the 34th. But Col. Barrett, to say the least,
showed no ability as brigade commander.
What makes his case show up worse than all he
caused Col. Morrison's arrest and trial by
court martial as a means of hiding his own
shameful blunders, and again made failure, as
Col. Morrison was honorably acquitted, and, as
Lieut.. Shade states, was at once made COM
mander of brigade.
have been led to pen the above statements
in regard to the battle of Palmetto Rancho for
the reason that l was upon parts of the field
where Lieut.. Shade was not present, and /
think he will agree that have given some
light upon the matter that he did not witness.