The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-02-28
A WAR Renaissance.
CAPTURE OF FLORENCE, ALA, OCTOBER. 1864

Ca, General j. p. dOOu ARMY was III
the Tuscumbia bottom, opposite Florence,
Ala. 1t was beautiful Sabbath afternoon
about p. n. when | received an order IN
person from General r. L. Gibson, COM
handing the Louisiana Brigade, to cross
the Tennessee River and capture Florence,
so General Hood could lay pontoon
bridge on tomorrow. | asked where
Florence was. Was referred to the ferry
man, who gave me the information. Aslo
said the river was 865 feet wide and there
were fully one thousand Federal troops on
the river and about Florence. | asked the
General how was to cross. He said four
pontoon boats would be here soon. They
came; could only seat sixteen men and one
officer in each boat, so that gave me sirty-
four men and four officers-total sixty
eight in all to cross such a wide river in
the face of one thousand troops.. told
General Gibson was ready. He replied,
ga signal gun will fire about p. m. for
you to move" Now there was brick
warehouse on the Federal side of the river
that could have been loopholed in few
minutes, and my command prevented from
ever landing. While my men were making
paddles went to the bank Of the river,
and the Yankees were going about in their
shirt sleeves, They either did not know of
an army SO close by, or did not care. 1t
seemed to me they were totally indifferent.
My orders to the men and officers were,
"no gun to be fired without my order, and
no matter what was on the other side, even
twenty dollar gold pieces, nothing was to
be picked up till after we captured the
town. The signal gun fired, my four
boats were launched in good style into the
river. | accompanied the third boat with
Ensign Kennedy carrying the colors. Two
batteries Of our artillery opened on the
enemy and kept up hot fire till l landed,
which did without loss. After landing l
deployed my sixtyfour men as skirmish-
ers. About this time a belated Federal
cavalryman came within my pistol shot,
my opportunity to get good horse, and
captured him and rode into Florence. Had
to cease firing on the Yankees to keep from
killing the ladies of Florence, who came out
in numbers, and at $50 p. m. the beautiful
town of Florence was in our possession,
the enemy fleeing out on the Huntsville
| and Nashville pike; also the Coffeeville
road. had one man killed. thought it
wonderful good luck to get through as well
as did, in the face of SO many obstacles.
At once the roads leading from Florence
were picketed, and after other troops had
CROSSED the river committee of ladies,
with the Confederate Senator, had my
regiment given twenty four hours leave of
absence, as the ''victors of Florence"
and right royalty were we all taken care of.
On following Tuesday received orders to
go out and find the enemy and see what he
was doing. On the trip was accompanied
| by Captain Sam Haden (now DR.. Sam
Haden, editor of the Texas Baptist, of
Dallas, Texas) who was mounted on a
mule, another capture from the enemy.
had also with me two of my sharpshooters
who were provided with twenty four hours
rations. Before starting | got from our
Confederate Senator map of the roads
leading into each other, so could, if nee
essary, take advantage of and get out of
trouble. When about six miles from
Florence picked up glove or gauntlet,
and found it warm inside. | said to Capt
Haden, ''some Yankees close by We
rode up to Mr.. Wilson's residence asked
him if any Yankees were close about. AS
wore an overcoat much the color of the
Yankee overcoats, he replied, 81 may be
talking to one now.'' l opened my coat,
and when he saw the gray uniform he
wondered where we came from. Had not
heard of the capture of Florence. His
grandson, a boy about twelve years of age,
was with his grandfather. After little
chat he told US three officers had just gone
up the road, and as we were about to move
up the road after them, Mr.. Wilson said,
"Colonel, we have dinner at 2 O'Clock,
suppose you all dine with u.s." This invi-
tation was promptly accepted, and we rode
on, the two sharpshooters walking close by.
About three-eights of a mile from Wilson's
home there was considerable of a hill, and
some distance further was big red clay
hill, with depression in the road between
these hills. Nearing the big red hill
heard the tramp of horses. got off my
horse and crawling near the top of the hill
saw troop of cavalry apDroachinp in