The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-16
SMITHS GuERRILLAs.
Some of the Work Done by Them in the
Red River Campaign.

l
Red River Campaign.
= WAS delighted to read the commuuica-
tion of Comrade r, G. Smith, Major OF the
Il 10th H., regarding the services per-
formed by A. J. smiths Guerrillas on the
Red River campaign. 1t is true, as the com.
rade states, we (old AIS boysl are getting old
and gray, those that are left, but the memory
| of those scenes we passed through On that ex-
petition are indelibly stamped on my mind.
belonged to Co. E. 9th Iowa, Second Brigade,
Second Division, Sixteenth Corps. Our brigade
was composed of the 18th, 9th, 32d Iowa, and
Oath No.: was commanded at that time by COL
VIM. T. Shaw, of the 14th Iowa, and drawer or
better man never.drew sword in defense of his
country. Our brigade battery, the Sd Ind,
commanded by Lieut.. Grier, was veteran
organization, and was rated as one of the best
in the service; in fact, the whole command Of
A. j. Smith (some 10000 strong, that left
Vicksburg, Miss, March 8, 1864 to assist Banks
in capturing Shreveport, La, were As fine
body OF troops as ever gave battle to an insoient
rebel foe. We were not part of FranklIn's
forces but an independent organization, belong
ing to the Army of the Tennessee, sent to co.
operate with Banks in the reduction OF
Shreveport.
1t is mystery to me why history can so per-
vert facts as stated on page 673 of Prof. S. M.
Newman's Encyclopedia Of American History,
where it states Franklins forces captured Fort
miles away, was the van of Gen. Banks's
army, which came from New Orleans La. The
fort in question was captured March IA, 1882,
about p M, by our brigade Col Shaw's).
remember | was among the first to reach the
parapet of the fort, and in looking in other
directions saw troops approaching, but we had
the rebel flag before they got their hand in the
pie. Of course the other boys would have done
as we'll as we. but our brigade was nearer the
fort and got there first
Our battery was the first field-guns that
opened fire on the rebel Notifications. We
reached Alexandria next day, and remained
there some 10 days, then proceeded up the
river to Grand Cove and in few days marched
out to Pleasant Hill. Now, mark you, here
we first saw Gen. franklin, and here for the
first time Gen. A. J. Smith reported to him for
duty, April 8. 1864. at a. m. And yet &C
cording to history franklin had captured Fort
De Russey, and, of course, we (Smith's Chicken
thieves) had done nothing.
1t was grand good thing for Bankss army
that Smiths command reached them the morn
ing Of April 9, 1864 Bankss men were dis
pirited by defeat at Sabine Crossroads the day
previous april 81. We stood between Banks's
army and destruction, and hurled back the
proud, exultant rebel hosts Of Kirby Smith,
Dick Taylor, Price, Raines, and Others, who,
flushed with victory, were determined to capt
ure Banks's 1000 supply and ammunition
tr&bn, anu WoufQ nave uOne 30, Uut oHNItH
boys in blue successfully prevented the direfui
catastrophe. know what am talking about,
for was there myself.
Again, at Cane River, Marksville, Prairie,
and Yellow Bayou, we added new luster to our
arms and especially at the Bayou May 10, 1854,
as Comrade 2. c. Smith says, where some 5000
of us fought from early dawn till night against
more than double our number of foes That
was truly dark dismal day to us, and. though
we were reinforced at night, the reinforce.
ments were removed next morning. and we
were left to be overpowered or to beat back the
rebel army as best we might. Bat the Johnny
rebs had received such severe drnbbing at
our hands on the 18th that they did not put in
an appearance until the morning of the Goth of
May, by which time we had crossed Yellow
Bayou and taken up our pontoon bridge. Our
brigade being rear-guard, our battery sd Ind.)
fired the last shots at the rebel cavalry in the
distance as We babe adfeu to the Red River
country. Perhaps l may be considered egotis-
tic in speaking of my brigade though l don't
wish to be considered so. wish not to dim
the laurels of any of Gen. Smiths noble boys,
where all did nobly, but our brigade lost more
men in killed, wounded and missing than any
other brigade in that campaign.-Jo Fl.
BELL, Co. Z, 9th Iowa, Extra, Iowa.