The National tribune., 1889-09-26
AT Jacksonville.
Who Showed the White Feather Mt that Placei

Who Showed the White Feather ut that PIacei
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In answer to
Capt. Bennett. Ibid the Garrison at Johnson
vile, Tenn, Stampede2" / reply to the brave
Captain, that they did not add anything to the
defense Of the place, for the troops in and around
Johnsonville were not within one hait-mile of
the river while the gunboats were engaged;
aud in justice to my comrades that fought
on that day, will say j never saw a Drawer lot
of men than stood by the guns on the boats.
But, TO give G history Of the fight, Forrest had
cut off our communication to Padueah by river,
and on the 2sth of October, 1864, captured the
gunboat Undine and the transport Venus, there
being two 20 pound PARROTS on the Venus aud
manning the two vessels with select crew,
they were prepared 10 cut through and pass
Jacksonville aud 90 North.
On the 2d we gave them battle four miles be-
low Johnsonvlile, and recapIured the Venus
with the two Parrot guns. The Undne got
away below their batteries.
On Friday, Nov 4, the Undine came in sight
about four. miles from Jacksonville, followed
by Commander Fitch with nine Union gum
boats The Key West, Elm and Tawah, that
were lying at Johnsonyille, dropped down the
river and attacked the Undine, and the Con-
fedeTates ran her ashore and burned her. We
ran across a battery of 80 guns and fought all
the forenoon in plain view of Commander
FItchs relief fleet, but could not make juno
tion with them or get below. We returned to
Johnsonvillc about noon To make necessary re-
pairs on our boats, knowing well that the eud
had not come. About 2 o'clock Forrest had
complete range of our boats opposite Johnson
Vile, and opened on US while we were lying
at anchor in midstrcam. We did not have time
TO raise anchors TO get in line of battle, but
unshackled the chains and let the anchors go
Oh the run. As the Key West passed over her
anchor the wheel caught the anchor buoy and
reeled the chain around her wheel, and every
revolution the wheel made the anchor would
strike the stem OF the vessel, tearing out tim
bers and machinery. The Tawah towed her
ashore. She was so disabled that her crew
abandoned her az the wharf The Elm and
Tawah then engaged the encmy's batteries on
the opposite side of the river. The pilots could
not hold the boats from the shore on account
Of the broadside batteries being so much
stronger than the machinery. The Elm 1.-THE
vessel Of which / was one Of the crew. was on
fire some time before We had orders to abandon
her. A shell exploded in her dispensary and
set fire 20 the acids and oils that our Surgeon,
DIR. Dayton, had in IT,
As for leaving our wounded Ia the vessels to
be burned, there is not one grain of truth in it.
as Frank Y kclch, of Chicago. can testify il
living, for ] carried him from the boat. Aud
as for our officers men showing cowardice,
again say that it is false. Capt. Thompson,
commander Of the Elm, did not leave the
beat until all the wounded were taken ashore.
After going ashore officers of these same col
ored troops begged and pleaded with Us TO man
the guns in the forts. AZ we knew how 10 use
them. Those were the arms offered us by this
brave officer. Why did not Capt Bennett
bring his company Of sharpshooters out Of the
woods in the rear Of Johnsonville and protect
the place or drive Forrest away, so be could not
harm the gunboats2 He no doubt would not
now be labOTing under the iitlc of Breyet Major
If he had done this, his name would no doubt be
handed down 10 posterity as the bTavest man
that the country ever produced. IL was a great
pity he did not bob up during our four days'
fighting, trying to keep Forrest away from
Johnsonville. Again, he says we were offered
arms and refused them. We did refuse to fight
under any officers but our own.
took party Of sailors into the fort and
worked the two 20.pouad PARROTS that we had
captured from 4 o'clock until dark, while the
gunners that were assigned TO them were in
the ditch outside Of the fort. Where was Capt
Bennett all this time? Again he says: " 1t
was the officers and men Of these gunboats and
Government employees who retreated hastily
10 Nashville On foot and spread the false report
about Forrest crossing the river utterly refusing
10 stay and fight with u.s." Where was Capt.
Bennett theuf Still IN the woods in the rear
We did not leave Johns0nviile until part Of
SehOheldB command had arrived and taken
possession OF the works around J0hnsonyilie.
Was IL not this Captains command that drove
US from the burning stores at the point of the
bayonet, while we were trying to get a few
hardtackf For VIC had nothing TO eat for "a
hours. Yet Captain Of cOloFed company
had crawled out Of the trenches after 10 had
become dark to protect the Government stores
against hungry sailors for fear that they would
pull out some OF the burning boxes 10 satisfy
their hunger. This transpired during the
burning Of the stores on the wharf, near the
Government warehouses.
Should this meet the eye Of any Of my old
shipmatcs, they can youch for the truth Of my
statement that the troops ashore did not do
anything to protect the place.
There are parties living in this place that
have told me that Forrest feared the gunboat
men ashore more than lac did the whole Of the
forces in the garrison. He had a large train Of
pontOons, and would have crossed the river TO
Johns0nviile during the night Of Nov. 4, 1864
but he knew that the crews Of the three gun
boats were there aud would drive him from
his purpose. The small boats belonging TO the
Dndine were in his possession and lac crossed
party four miles above JOhnsonVile on the
night OF Nov 4, who were in aud around John
sonvlllc during the night, returning 10 Forrest
with the statement that there were In John
sonville 1870 gunboat men and one regiment
Of niggers" ia the fort. His expression was
that he did not fear the niRgers. but tho gun
boat men showed pluck, and would deter him
from forthcoming the river
VIM. q. Laidlaw, now Member of Congress
from the oath New York District was a mem
Der Of the crew Of the Tawah, aud can yonch
for the above. j would like 10 hear from any
member Of the Films crew.--W. H. LAEGsTos,
y. D., U. D. :. Elm, Louisiana, Mo.