The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-16
AFTER 80 YEARS.
Baton Rouge battle-ground Visited by a
Comrade.

Baton Rouge ie-grUund Visited by a
Comrade.
IN URING the first days of September
\ had occasion to make business trip
- to our Capital city, aud while there
took the opportunity to visit the old
battle-ground. 1t will be remembered by the
few living who took an active part in that
memorable affair, that the battle of Baton
Rouge was fought On August 5, 1862. The
National and Magnolia Cemeteries occupy a
part of the ground contested for. but the place
in which the writer figured more conspicu-
ousIy was known as Magnolia Grove. Here
many of Indiana's noble sons gave up their
lives for their country. 1t was likewise the
battle-ground for a large number of Breck-
| inridge's men. Ii was in this grove that
the brave Gen. Williams fell. 1t has been
/ limited TO me at different times that Williams
| was killed by his own men, but this wish TO
| brand as untrue. The General fell but a few
| feet from me. and at that time we were too
busily occupied with the other fellows to think
of killing our own men. The 2Ist Ind. has
had enough to bear without having such q
dsstardy deed charged up against them.
About the last words heard Gen. Williams
utter were these: "Indisnians, you are brave
command of you" So saying he rode into
the thckest of the fight and soon fell, pierced
by rebel not Union, bullets.
Let met say right here that / am not attempt
| ing 10 write history of the battle. / was only
/ one Of 1,000 and could see no further than the
rest of my comrades. / can only claim that
| did nay duty, nothing more. Neither would l
attempt to snatch the lsnrels from a single
/ command Of our army, especially the 9th Mich.
| But in the language of Ben Butler to me- as
| lay wounded in the St James HOTEL in New
| Orleans; the General in passing through the
/ ward came upon four Hocsiers, and made in
quiry as to what regiment we belonged. Being
the nearest to him, replied, "21st Ind" "You
are brave boys; your regiment saved the day at
Baton Rouge" Then and there for the first
| time i found the tender place in old Ben's
| heart, for great tears were rolling down his
cheeks. But to my subject. 1t might be in
| teresting to many Of the boys to know that the
old hedge fence where We received our first
| fire still stands, although it has grown much
higher than it was in 1862. Here the brave
| Latham fell and Maj. Hays and many others
were wounded. The little cemetery through
which a part of the regiment passed, west Of
the hedge, is now known as Magnolia Cemetery.
and is beautiful place. nicely kept and only
surpassed by the National Cemetery, directly
| TO the south. Here / passed a few pleasant
| hours with the gentlemanly Superintendent
who was member Of the old 23d Ind.
This is certainly one OF the most magnificent
! plots of ground / have ever beheld. Shade
! trees have been planted at regular intervals,
| the walks are covered with sea-shells, the
grass is kept clipped close, and not leaf al
lowed to wither On the grounds. Towering
! shrubs are to be seen in conspicuous places and
some o: the tropical fruits are grown on the
grounds. The monuments are washed regu-
larly and tenderly cared for Here lies buried
! more than 5000 of our dead comrades the
| loyal, the brave and the true, who did their
part TO save our countrys honor. Why should
| not a grateful country hallow the spot with
her tenderest care? Magnolia Grove is all gone !;
few scattering houses occupy the ground.
| Thecity Dow reaches the cemetery, and a street.
| car line runs on the eastern limit of our old
campgronnd. This line runs out on Main
street beyond the old Catholic Cemetery, and
turns south by the front of the National Gene
terry. The old Government barracks have
been bought by the State and are used for q
university. The State House has been repair
ed, and looks just as nice as it did in 1862. A
railroad has been in operation for some years
between New Orleans and Memphis via Baton
Rouge, and passes up the river in front of the
State House, under the hill. There is SO lite
in history concerning the Goings of the Army
of the Gulf, / want to ask the Editor to give
the regiments actually engaged at Baton Rouge
the number killed and wounded also, if posi-.
bic, the numbers and loss on the other side.-
II. c. WILKIys Co. III, 2lst Ind. Crowley, La