The National tribune., 1895-12-19
PORT HUDSON.
First and Last shots Fired by I'd Mass.
Light-Horse Battery.


speaking of the "feint" on Port Hudson
he gives it dignified name. Yes, it was
"feintn: in fact, | think it was the faintes
"feint" that occurred during the war. How
ever, it gave the boys chance to pack up
to march, to halt, to forward, to camp; to d.
ANYTHING, indeed. that was ordered by Ou
superiors, all of which we liked better thar
remaining in camp, idle. The battery t.
which l belonged did their share in all thu
work, and perhaps got nearer the objective
point, and certainly made more noise, thar
any other command. 1t happened in this
way: The army having halted and camped
| for the night, the Sergeants of the first sec
| tion-that is, the first and third detach-
ments-came to our quarters and quietly
told the drivers and cannoneers not to
turn ill.,"
"You will be wanted before midnight,
they said. 1--WE are going out on the road
we may have some fun"
So, about 10 p. M, we were told in whis-
pers to hitch up"; kind of speak
order, you see. When all was ready the
section moved out, giving the remainder of
the battery the grand sneak" as it were.
Lieut.. Marland was in command of the sec
ton, / think. He looked delicate and in
offensive, but he would fight the section or
the battery, if there were chance.
We arrived at a certain point on the road,
and, having passed through the woods, were
ordered to halt unlimber, and go into bat
terry. Said the Lieutenant to the guide:
"Where is Port Hudson?"
fright over dah," was the reply.
(which way is it? ?"
Right over dat away"
g How far is it ?"
Oh, right smart Always; / done trabel
plum down to de ribber from break OBJ day
to sun-up."
The gunners elevated the pieces and fired
few shots each, after (which all was still
and dark as before. The only loud words
spoken were the Lieutenants, when he
shouted
How do you like that?"
Echo seemed to answer, "Where are you
at 2"
Then we limbered mp, thinking of our
tents, and quietly stole away to camp and
turned in. In the morning orders to hitch
up were received, and the column was soon
on the march and in due time was back at
Baton Rouge. The General marched his
army up the hill, and then he marched them
down again." So we claim that the I'd
Mass. Light Battery fired the first shot at
Port Hudson.
During the siege of Port Hudson, and on
the occasion Of one of the many assaults on
the Notifications by the Federal army, there
was captured young soldier of the 165th
n. Y. (Zouaves). He was a bright active
lad, and while captive had his eyes open to
chances, especially to making his escape.
Among the things he saw was mill in
the town near the river, wherein they
ground all their corn, and as that was all
they had to eat, it occurred to him that il
would be misfortune to himself as well as
to the enemy if by any accident that mill
should be destroyed.
SO he paid closer attention than eve. to get
ting through the lines 10 reach his regiment
where ratiOns were better, both in quality
and quantity and near the end of the siege |
he was successful. In relating his expert |
ence, he said of the corn mill: "If they |
hadn't had that should have been obliged |
TO take my corn on the ear"
This having been reported to Headquar-
Lers, Gen. Banks sent for Capt Minis. and |
said to him: Send over section of your
battery to point opposite, and throw few
Of those percussion shells into that mill 1t
nay weaken their power of endurance.
The soldier vll 90 along to point out the
Mill. Of course, if you draw the fire of
hose heavy batteries you will retire and
eport back to camp
And so the first section, Lieut.. Hall COM
handing, made night march to a boat
anding some miles below, where steam
'oat was in readiness to "toten us across.
IN the other side we marched up, being
from view of the enemy by a very
ugh levee on that side of the river to a
'oint commanding good view of the town
opposite Then all hands went to work
With shovels, which we came provided with,
uttlng an embrasure and space in the levee
o work the gum thus making q good fort,
s 1t were, in short time.
We hauled the gun up the slope into posi-
ion. The men not engaged were lying on
he grassy slope of the levee watching the
feet of the she'll On the large building with
nearly fiat roof The Zouave was reclin-
lg on his side, with head and shoulders ex-
osed above the top of the levee, as were
everal of us.
There had been two or three shots fired.
hen Lieut.. Hall, looking through his field
lass, said Those were good line-shots.
ut little too high; Just put them in on l
he ground foOr.p Suddenly a puff of {
noke curled up from one of the water bat I
,ries, and 6-inch solid shot plowed fur .
,w across the top of the levee, and, to our J
orror and amazement, instantly killed our
lend, the soldier guide.
We retired quietly, after burying the body
len and there, making our way back by
lie same route by which we came, and took
ar place in line with the rest of the battery /.
time to march into Port Hudson, the !
lrrender having been made that day n
egotations to that end were going on the
~ before, while we were making the 7
tack on the corn mill, though, of course,
lknown to us. Pdo not remember the II
,me of the unfortunate soldier. During "
IT short acquaintance we called him "Zou- a
ou." If had my diary and other personal :,
'operty which those rebel thieves robbed :,
e of at Sabine Crossroads could give his :,
'me and other details of that sad affair AZ
1t is by the above facts that claim that r,
e I'd Mass. Lighthouse Battery fired the il
st and the last shot at Port Hudson, and Ii
ceived the last shot fired from Port W
udson, which proved fatal to the poor Zou- a
g of the 165th N. Y.-CHARLEs B. MAX
ELL, Corporal, Cd Mass. Lighthouse Bat II
~, Boston, Mass. :,
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE is the only h t'
dmpioa the soldiers hare among the great pa II
RS Of Tie country. The best scay to help all d