The National tribune., 1901-08-15
COL. PAYNE.
A 4th Wis. Cavalryman Writes of Events at
Baton Rouge.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In The
National Tribune of Aug. 3 Comrade Lis
comb, Co. +, 4th Wis. Cav, commenting
on the article by Comrade Wilkins, 21st
Ind, in The National Tribune of May
IL, says: why cannot comrades de-
scribe battles and army scenes as they
saw them, without rejecting upon the
honesty or ability of others who write
of the sameE l will not attempt to an
gwer more definitely than to say that the
lapse of so many years since the battles
were fought and scenes enacted which
are SO graphically described in the col
umns of The National Tribune, our recol-
lections of the events seem to be partially
dimmed to everything except that i'll
which our squad, company or regiment
had an active part, and nothing is more
natural in describing the events than that
we should at least try to put the best
foot forward and make the best possible
showing for 'our boys" No member of
the 4th Wis. or 9th Mich. will attempt
to detract one iota from the bravery and
heroism displayed by the Dist Ind. on
Aug. 5, 1862. But when Comrade Viii
kins says, Had Col. Paine come to the
relief of the Dist Ind," etc, he strikes
chord Of latent jealousy in the breast of
every member of the 4th Wis, and awak-
ems feeling that an injustice is done, in
that it is an indirect charge of cowardice
against that regiment and Col. Paine.
Comrade Wilkins will remember that the
line of battle was formed with the 18th
Wis on the left, its left resting on or near
the bayou and extending to the right
through the cemetery. l do not claim to
know the location of other regiments in
the line, but | do know, or was credibly
informed to that effect, that from in
formation received by Gen. Williams he
expected the heaviest attack would be on
his left, and by Breckinridge's right, but
the sequel showed Breckenridge changed
his point of attack, and the Dist Ind, in
stead of the 4th Wis, had to bear the
hardest shock of the battle, and right
nobly did they meet it,
Now, as to why Col Paine did not go
to the relief of the 21st Ind. Comrade
Liscomb says: Doubtless Col. Paine
obcyed orders" That is exactly what he
did. While in front of Vicksburg in June
and July, 1862, what was known as Will
iams's ditch was dug across the PENN
sula opposite the city, the object being
to change the current of the river and
leave the city an inland town. The ditch
was dug by detail of a full regiment at
time. During tour of the 4th Wis.
at digging it rained almost necessarily,
and the regiment reached camp, below the
city, at IL o'clock p. NJ, wet, hungry,
tired, muddy, with rusty guns, and only
the fatigue uniform they wore in the
ditch, and were confronted with an order
from Gen. Williams to be in line for in
spection at 5 o'clock a. m, with clean |
uniforms, bright guns and freshly black
ened shoes. Col. Paine protested but it |
was of no avail, and not more than |
score of the 4th Wis. boys were in line
for inspection, and they were not up to
the requirements of the order. Col. Paine's |
humanity to his men in that instance re-
suited in his being placed under arrest |
and being sent to New Orleans for trial
by eourt-martial. On receipt of the news |
of the battle at Baton Rouge and death
Of Gen. Williams, Gen. Butler relieved |
Col. Paine from arrest and sent him back
to Baton Rouge as commander of the
post, in which position he remained until |
the evacuation of Baton Rouge later in
the season.-D. N. MANSON, Go. b, 4th
Wis. Cav. sos Warren ST., Wausan,
Wis. /