The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-07-19
THE BATTLE OF PLAINS STORE.
The Conduct Of the 18th Mass. Under an
Unexpected Assault.


The Conduct of the 4sth Mass. Under nm
Unexpected Assault.
Editor National Tribune: have been
reading with great interest your War
of the Rebellion" especially that part in
regard to the Opening of the Missis-
sippi." l had a humble part in that
campaign as Captain and Lieutenant
Colonel of the 4Sth Mass. Your story
will doubtless be put into book form.
The papers in which they are published
weekly will disappear, but the book will
remain in existence for many years and
be read by our descendants. and we.
none Of us, like to appear to our chill
dren as not performing our part in an
honorable manner and none of us like
to suffer for the shortcomings of others.
In your issue OF Jan. IL, 1906, i'm
speaking of the battle of Plains Store.
you say 1.-The 4Sth Mass. was not handled
we'll. and being exposed in column to
the artillery fire was thrown into con-
fusion" This is partially true. but it
does injustice to portion of the rcgi-
ment which stood fast and retired only
when the fight was over and the rebs
had retired from our front. The state
ment as you make it only applies to the
left wing of the regiment, which was
entirely separate from the right wing.
At the commencement Of the battle
the 4Sth Mass. was in reserve in the
rear. After the battle was supposed to
be over and the rebs had precipitately
retired the division excepting the 4Sth
Mass.) made preparation to bivouac in
the fields at the right and left of the
Bayou Sara road. section of the 5th
Z. 5. Battery was sent short distance
up the Port Hudson road. and The 4Sth
Mass was ordered up to its support.
Our Colonel (Stone) was told that the
Illinois cavalry were picketing on his
frnn he At
his left. and he was strictly cautioned
to take good care and not shoot those
plckets by mistake. The staff oIiiScr
who conducted the regiment to its po-
sition led them entirely outside the
picket line, with neither front nor flank
protected Cos. H and X were detached
and sent to the rear to guard the wag
ons, leaving only three companies (B.
T. and D. In the right wing. The right
wing, under Lieut.-Col. O'Brien, filed
into the woods on the rght-hand side
OF the road, and the left wing. under
Col. Stone, into the woods on the left
hand side OF the road; the battery in
the road between and slightly In ad-
vance. Scarcely had we taken our posi-
ton when the rebels commenced she'll
Ing US, and our battery returned the
fire. AS soon as the fire ceased a force
OF infantry passed around the left flank
and to the rear Of the left wing. and
fell upon them. The suddenness Of the
attack threw them into confusion, and
they retired in confusion. A portion Of
the rebel force crossed the road, and
attacked the flank and rear Of the right
wing Lieut.-Cc.. O'Brien attempted a
change OF front by throwing back his
left, but part Of the men became con-
fused. and the Lieutenant-Colonel or
dered q retreat. This order / did not
hear, and seeing some of my company
(B) about to fall back in confusion,
ordered them to stand fast, which they
did, and with a portion Of Cos. E and
D fell back In an orderly manner about
100 yards and took new position, and
with the rest of the regiment rallied on
the colors Geo. d..
Gen. Augur was near and witnessed
the occurrence. The next day the Gen.
eral sent for Lieut.-Col. O'Brien and
myself Cor, as he worded 1t. the Captain
of the company on the right to come
to his headquarters. and we went up,
expecting to be pretty well criticised,
but were relieved and gratified by be-
Ing complimented for the part sustain
ed by the company posted on the right
Der of men present led the General to
think there was but one company pres
ent in the action, and he complimented
ME for my GOODNESS under fire." and
gave me much credit for rallying my
company under very trying circum-
stances; also. kindly criticised Lieut.
Col. O'Brien for trying to make wheel
to the rear in the face of an aggressive
enemy and under fire for the first time.
He said: None but veterans could safe
ly attempt that; the Lieutenant-C Colonel
should have ordered his right forward
and met the enemy and taken the ag-
gressive, and he had confidence from
what he witnessed Of their steadiness
that the men would have supported
him" He said: THE men did as well
as any but veteran troops would do UNI
der similar circumstances; that a mis-
take was made when the regiment was
placed in its position with TANKS unpro-
tected."
have gone into these particulars be-
cause 1 feel very sensitive in the mat
ter, and. as l have previously said. do
not wish to suffer for others faults, and
] hope you can see your way clear. be-
fore the history Is published. TO make
some change in the wording. SO as not
to do injustice to men who do not
merit 1t.
IL you have access to the history of
the 1l6th y, Y. which was in the same
brigade and which very honorably did
Its part In this battle. you will find on
page 81 this: ct Is but just to say,
however. that two Git should be three)
companies under Lieut.-CoI. O'Brien did
not Join In the rout, but remained at
their post until reinforced. p.
StanwoOd, Captain, Co. b, and Lieuten-
antColonel. 4Sth Mass. West Newbury.