The National tribune., 1901-08-15
OUTNUMBERED THREE TO ONE.
Gallant Defense of Eaton Rouge Against
Overwhelming Numbers.

Overwhelming Numbers.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: l hardly
agree with Comrade Kelsey, 9th Conn,
that Breckenridge would have captured
Baton Rouge but for the Gunboats. From
the center to extreme right of line the two
forces were in such close proximity that
the fire from the boats would have been
as likely to destroy friend as foe. There
was good artillery work on that occasion,
as Minis I'd Mass. Battery and Manning :
4th Mass. Battery were hotly engaged, as
the large number of dead rebels would in
dicate-about 800 buried by our force.
The Federal loss was 80 killed and 80
wounded.
Browns Battery, on extreme right, was
silenced early in the game. Probably the
brigade in our immediate front thought
made such a fuss that the battery mules
became disguised and ''lit OUT with the
ammunition. Cos. A, G and +, 9Th Mich,
were with the battery.
The flag bearer of the 9th La. came up,
put his hand on gun, and was shot down.
Others tried to keep the flag up without
success. -Four fell at the same spot.
Others, apparently decided they did not
want the old flag, anyway. Thos. Swift,
Co. f, 9th Mich, brought it in. The 2lst
Ind. and the other seven companies of the
9th Mich. were holly engaged.
The 18th Me. was in it for keeps"
They were forced out of their camp, but
retoOk it. The 4th Wis. was near the left,
under heavy fire, but was not allowed to
return it, presumably by order of Gen.
W illiams. l did not see all this; in fact, L
saw little except in our own immediate
vicinity. Soon after the battle, the gun
boats interviewed the Confederates while
hunting for water; advised them there was
plenty some miles back. They took the
hint without an audible murmur. Our
forces captured many prisoners.
After. the battle | was taken to the
hospital. While waiting my turn l heard
the SurgeOn-in- Chief ask a rebel Leuten-
ant where he would have his leg taken off ;
above or below the knee. He replied: III
not have it off at all; l am going back
into the Confederate army" The Surgeon,
G. V. MottraIn, our first Regimental Sur
geon, said: You will go ON one leg, if
you do; must come off to save your life.
Boys, put him on the table"
One of the prisoners said Breckenridge
promised them warm breakfast when
they reached Baton Rouge. Did you get
it? Eyes, we did, and it was red-hot
one" Tie same reb said Breckenridge
started from Jackson, Miss, with 20,UU0
men. Many of them, probably 5000, fell
out along line of march, on account of not
NtolHtI. IAty US,
certainly three to one.
An incident rather amusing, or other
wise, took place early in the engagement.
A regiment became panic-stricken and in
dulged in a stampede-broke for the river,
possibly to support the gunboats. They
ran down the street on which was located
the post hospital. Surgeon Mottram
saw them coming, and ran out to head
them off. He was knocked down. After
they had passed he returned to the hospi
tai, declaring it was the last run away
regiment he was going to stop.
The stampede was unaccountable as the
regiment was q good one. Gen. Butler
was severe with that regiment on account
of their resigning their position in the line.
Baton Rouge was ordered evacuated
Aug. 20. The battle took place Aug. ..
Evidently we were not driven out. There
was much sickness. Every regiment was
greatly depleted in strength; dead march
in the air as a rule. At the evacuation the
writer with many others was sent to hospi-
tai in New Orleans.-J. w. BANKS, Ser
geant, Co. f, 9th Mich, Fenton, Mich.