The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-28

ance Of courage and enterprise, though
these qualities were not directed with
much military skill or a comprehen-
sive view of the situation. In Gen.
Pope's operations Gen. Banks fought a
brilliant little battle, Aug. 8, at Cedar
Mountain, where, though StonewalI
Jackson's forces were at least double
those OF Bankss, Banks attacked Jack
sons right, commanded by Gen. Ewell,
with such impetuousity that he turned
Jackson's flank and threw his whole
line into confusion. Stonewall Jack
son himself bears full testimony to the
spirit and courage with which Banks's
troops had attacked him, throwing two
or three Of his brigades into the great
est confusion. BY bringing up fresh
troops Jackson was able to check
Banks and finally to force him a little
was 80 impressed by the vigor of the
blow that he retreated to Gordonsvi.le.
This was some slight satisfaction for
the blows which Jackson had inflicted
upon Banks's column in the Valley.
When the army fell back to Wash
mand OF the defenses of the city, where
he remained until ordered to SUPER
sede Butler. 1t is said that this as
signment was wholly unexpected by
Banks, and certainly unsolicited by
him. The offer came directly from the
ICSioCIIt, diu was d SuTpTlSe. ne was
told that there would be sent with him,
under Gen. Emory, troops from Balti-
more and elsewhere, which were al
ready gathering on the transports at
Fort Monroe, while an additional force
OF 10000 men would be sent from Bos-
ton and New York as soon as possible.
1t was expected that these troops would
meet somewhere between Vicksburg
and Port Hudson with the force that
McClernand was to lead down the
Mississippi. 1t will be remembered
that about the same time Gen. McCler-
nand had succeeded in getting an or
der from the President to proceed to
the West and raise in Illinois, Indiana.
Wisconsin and Iowa new regiments to
form an army for opening the Missis-
sippi.
Sailing of the Expedition.
In all, including the eight regiments
under Emory, there were 80 regiments
OF infantry. six batteries Of artillery and
one battalion Of cavalry sent to REIN
iorce the army at New Orleans. OF
these II regiments OF infantry were en-
listed for nine months. To transport
this force so great a distance required
an immense fleet, which was called into
being by the genius of Commodore VAN
derbilt, who, as he said, "laid hands
upon everything that could float or
steam." In the Judgment Of many of
the luckless passengers on board some
or thesa vessels could neither float nor
steam. Each vessel before being put
III commission was carefully inspected
by board of officers, and 1t was ex-
pected that each should carry, in addi-
ton to the troops and their officers, an
officer OF the 1nspector-Generars De-
partment and Quartermaster. These
were very necessary precautions, as 1t
appeared later. Necessarily many of
the vessels were unsuited to the long
voyage, and were only gotten through
safely by the utmost care and great
exertion. AS each vessel was loaded
| she was sent to sea with sealed orders
| directing her master and the command
| ing officer of the troops to make the
| best Of their way to Ship Island and
there wait further orders. At the same
time Gen. Emory's force, embarkine
at Hampton Roads, set out under the
convoy of the man-of-war Augusta for
the same destination. The convoy was
quite necessary, because the noted
Semmes. I'm command Of the Alabama
was lowering about the coast Semmes
had been Informed that the expedition
was intended for Galveston, and would
| probably be there about the middle ot
January. when he planned to slip in
upon them I'm the middle Of the night
and rapidly sink the transports laden
with troops. He actually did go tc
| Galveston on the 18th of January, but
only succeeded in destroying the poor
old Hatteras. The slowest transports
could only make about five miles ar
/ hour, and these were sent off first, with
the faster ships following. Gen. Banks
Eoisted his flag on the North Star and
sailed from New York Dec. 4, arriving
on the morning Of Dec. 13 at Ship Island
where he was greeted by magnificent
spectacle Of the rest of his feet lying
at anchor. The next day with flags
flying. bands playing and the decks blue
with their load OF soldiers. the feet