The National tribune., 1906-07-19
THE BATTLE OF PLAINS STORE.
The Conduct of the 4Sth Mass. Under al
Unexpected Assault.

The Conduct of the 4Sth Mass. Under an
Unexpected Assault.
Editor National Tribune: have beer
reading with great interest your War
of the Rebellion" especially that part in
regard to the Opening of the Missis-
sippi." 1 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 ike
to suffer for the shortcomings of others
In your issue of Jan. IL, 1906, in
speaking of the battle of Plains Store
you say the 4Sth Mass. was not handled
well, and being exposed in column to
the artillery fire, was thrown into con-
fusion" This is partially true. but il
does injustice 10 portion of the rcSi-
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
be over and the rebs had precipitately
retired the division excepting the 4Sth
Mass.) made preparation to bivouac iii
the fields at the right and left of the
Bayou Sara road. A section of the 5th
u s Battery was sent d 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
right and front and the 114th y. Y. on
his left, and he was strictly cautioned
to take good care and not shoot those
pickets by mistake. The staff uItucT
who conducted the regiment to its po-
sition led them entirely outside the
picket line, with neither front nor flank
protected Cos. III and X were detached
and sent to the rear to guard the wag-
ons, leaving only three companies (B,
= E and d. in the right wing The right
wing, under Lieut.-Col. o. Brien, filed
into the woods on the right-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
1tIl upon lie Suu0tIHtSS Ol 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-Col. 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 a retreat. This order / did not
hear, and seeing some of my company
fB) about to fall back in confusion,
ordered them to stand fast. which they
did, and with portion Of Cos. E and
D fell back in an orderly manner about
100 yards and took a new position, and
with the rest of the regiment rallied or
the colors eco. 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 it. 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
in yesterdays battle. The small num-
ber of men present led the General tC
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 un0er very trying Clrcufn
stances; also. kindly criticised Lieut.
Col. O'Brien for trying to make whee
10 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-Colone
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 steadines:
that the men would have supported
him" He said: THE men did as vel
as any but veteran troops would do un-
der similar circumstances; that q mis-
take was made when the regiment wa!
placed in its position with fianks unpro'
tected."
| have gone into these particulars be
cause 1 feel very sensitive in the mat
ter, and, as / have previously said, i do
not wish to suffer for others faults, anC
! hope you can see your way clear. be
fore the history Is published. to make
some change in the wording. so as no
to do injustice to men who do no
merit 1t.
IL you have access 10 the history O.
the lleth \. Y, which was in the same
brigade and which very honorably die
Its part In this battle, you vii: find OF
page 81 this: at is but just 20 say
however, that two Ut should he three
companies under Lieut.-Col. O'Brien die
not Join in the rout. but remained a
their post until reinforced. ."-Eben p
Stanwood, Captain, Co. B, and Lieuten
ant-Colonel, 4Sth Mass, West Newbury
Mass