The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-24
GRAND GULF FIGHT.
What q Brigade Commander Thought the
Esd Wis. Could Do.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / was
deeply interested in the perusal of Comrade
Nj. A. Sweetman's communication in your
issue of Aug. %. His racy description OF
the different scenes that he saw and partici-
pated in during that memorable campaign
of Vicksburg makes his article well worth
the reading.
But in his description of the battle at
Grand Gulf between our gunboats and the
Notifications, there is slight mistake as to
the facts, which, though not very important,
/ wish to correct.
His description of the movements and ma
nuvering of the gunbo9ts during the battle
| is correct; but as to the steam tug, on board
of which was Gen. Grant, going down 10 re-
connoiter after the fort had ceased firing, and
then being met with a shower of balls and
shells dropping around the little tug, which
at once beat a very hasty retreat, was hardly
correct; and neither was that part about
| transport loaded with soldiers sent down to
| investigate the condition of affairs and ac-
| corded the same treatment given to Gen.
| Grants tug
Now, from the way he describes that scene
and from the fact that he did not reach Hard
Times Landing till 8 o'clock a. m. of April
90 he WAS too late in his arrival to clearly
comprehend what had already taken place
there. So he could not judge accurate y OF
what was going on two miles below him
down the river.
Ny regiment, with its brigade, under Gen.
Burbridges command, and Its division all
under Gen. A j. Smith, reached the land
ing on the evening of the 2Sth, and at day
break of the 29th were ordered on board two
transport boats lying side by side and firmly
lashed together. One steamer not being
sufficient to receive the whole division, the
two were thus used.
We took coffee and bareback, and when
the sun first appeared were cast out into the
river aud slowly floated after the gunboat,
as they preceded rs in order of battle one
half mile or more in advance.
Keeping the middle of the river for mile
from the landing cast anchor, and in full
view of the fort watched from the decks the
firht from the firing Of the first rebel gun
about o'clock a. m. to the closing scene at
2 r. m.
The morning was beautifully clear and
calm not ripple was on the surface of the
water other than made by the moving boats.
From the decks of our transports all eyes
were eagerly watching for the commence
ment OF The coming struggle.
The object of having our division on those
transports evidently was to land and take
possession of the fort should it capitulate.
As The battle progressed, and one after
another Of the batteries from the hill were
silcnccd by the gunboats, and as the fire
from the fort became less and less frequent,
we all expected orders to proceed and land
nj the fort. But it was not to be. About
IL o'clock Gen. Grants tug approached us
and we expected orders TO land. But the
General only came to know il there was a
Signal officer on board" There was and he
was taken on board the tug, which re-
turned to its former position above the gum
boats. Grant exchanged signals with them.
Still, our gunboats kept on moving by the
fort and giving il their broadsdes, while
only every half an hour or so came back at
them defiant shot, which our boats could
not silence.
For three hours no reply had come from
the fort except from that one gun. The flag
stih waved. 1t was terribly provoking to
us 10 stand there and know that there was
but one gun In that fort that dared DEFY
rs.
At last we saw Grants tug steaming to-
wards us again, and we were sure now of inn
poriant orders from him. But no shot and
shell from the rebel batteries had ever been
aimed at u.s. So Comrade Sweatman was
entirely wrong in stating that we or Gen.
Grant were forced to retire"
Grant came up, and calling Gen. Smith,
said: General, you may return to your
landing and disembark your troops. We
will march our men across this elbow Of
to land below the fort, and at night our gun
boats and transports viii pass their batteries.
IL was at this tim occurred that incident
in my army life which has now Induced me
to refer TO it while correcting Comrade
Sweetman's little mistakes
When Grant gave this order was stand
ing on the upper deck Of the steamer, sur
rounded by several officers, among whom was
our brigade commander, Gen. Burbridge.
When Grant ceased speaking, Burbridge adj
dressed him, and said
General, can't we land there to the right
OF the tort, and below the month of the Black,
and take that fort from the rear?"
Grant was not 90 feet from us, and we
could distinctly hear every word he said.
Taking his cigar from his lips. he replied:
Well, possibly we might; but think it's
safer and better TO march below, and, crossing
the river on our gunboats, take them in the
from another direction +" and his tug
proceeded TO the landing.
Then Burbridge spoke to the officer by his
side, that was between me and the General,
and said:
VI believe, by, that could land there
with single regiment of my brigade and
storm and take that fort in half an hour"
His brigade was formed by the 10Th KY,
S3d OHIO, Odd Wis, and the 10th Ind.
Which one of your regiments could do it,
General 2" that officer asked.
"The 23d Wis, sir, he replied. al say
the 23d Wis, though any of them could do
it; but that regiment would go just where
Col. Guppy would order it, and he'd order it
to - If he was ordered to-"
then spoke up: General, you are giving
my regiment very high praise, and / fear if
you should order it To land there, it would |
be, indeed, to order them and Col. Guppy |
into -"
80, of course" he replied, 81 shouldn't |
order them where / wouldn't go myself"
Now, have related that incident with the |
pride of an old soldier who feels il to be an |
honor to have served in any capacity with a |
regiment whose good qualities were SO highly |
esteemed by its Commanding General-J. |
w. ANGEL, Odd Wis, Iowa Falls, Iowa.
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