CHAPTER VIII.

THE NINTH'S HEAVY LOSSES NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS.— GREAT SUFFERING WHILE AT WORK ON THE "CUT- OFF" CANAL THE BATTLE OF BATON ROUGE COL. CAHILL OF THE NINTH ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE UNION FORCES ON THE DEATH OF GEN. WILLIAMS HIS OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT THE REBELS ARE DEFEATED.

THE city of Vicksburg, Miss., located at a bend on the east side of the Mississippi, above Baton Rogue, La., had been strongly fortified by the rebels. It commanded the river at that point and blockaded navi¬gation up and down. Heavy batteries had been erected on the bluffs overlooking the river.

The Union commanders decided to reopen navigation by cutting a canal across the peninsular at Vicksburg, thus changing the course of the river, isolating the city and enabling the Union forces to avoid the batteries of the enemy. The Ninth Connecticut was a part of the expeditionary force, under Gen. Wiliams, for this purpose. Under date of Baton Rouge, June 17, 1862, Col. Cahill issued a regi¬mental order to the Ninth, covering the embarkation of the command. This order provided that the latter should go aboard as follows:

On the steamer Diana: the Field and Staff; Band and Field Music; Company D, Company E, Company F, Company I. On steamer Burton: Company B, Company C, Company G; Capt. Wright of Company G, to be in command. On steamer Sallie Robinson: Company A, Company K, Company H; Capt. Sawyer of Company H, to be in com¬mand.

Says the Croffut-Morris work: "Coming in sight of batteries which the rebels had posted here and there to command the river, the infantry would go ashore and attack by land on the flank, driving the enemy from the position, and enabling the fleet to pass up. The Ninth was several times engaged in these operations, and ren¬dered much service. The vessels went to the very guns of Vicksburg, when the brigade was landed on the west side of the river, and advanced to Young's Station, oppo¬site the city.

"Here Commodore Farragut had already arrived, and had set large numbers of soldiers and negroes at work digging the famous canal for a new channel of the river; and the regiment of Williams' brigade at once joined enthusiastically in the excavation for the cut-off. Col. Cahill of the Ninth was the ranking colonel, and com¬manded in the absence of Gen. Williams.

"Here the Ninth again suffered greatly. There was nothing to eat for weeks but pork and hard-tack; no water to drink but the muddy water of the Mississippi. The swamp reeked with malaria, and the men slept upon the mud. The supply of quinine, that panacea for all the soldier's aches and ills, was exausted; there was little medicine of any sort. Requisitions were sent as far as New Orleans; but the medical Dogberry declined to honor them on the ground of 'irregularity.' Almost the whole of the Ninth regiment was at one time on the sick-list with fever caused by exposure and privation. The poor fellows died sometimes at the fearful rate of a score a week; and out of the * * * Connecticut members present, the state catalogue of troops shows that one hundred and fifty-three died during this season, —a mortality not equalled by any other of our regiments within a similar period.

"After a month of this deadly service, the engineers discovered that the water was falling and would not flow through their canal; and the work was abandoned.

Williams' brigade returned down the river again about the 1st of August; Breckinridge pursuing along the shore. On the boat Algerine left behind were three hundred sick, in charge of Surgeon Gallagher of the Ninth. * * * "

One of the Ninth's officers, in a brief sketch of the regiment some years ago, speaking of the period of which we are treating, states that "In June the Ninth joined the expeditionary corps under Gen. Thomas Wil¬liams, for the destruction of 'Camp Moore.' From this place the regiment went to a point on the Missis¬sippi river opposite Vicksburg, and on June 25th was put to work, with other regiments, in cutting the famous canal which was expected to isolate Vicksburg by divert¬ing the river away from its wharves and rendering them unapproachable to shipping. During the continuance of this work, a force of twenty picked men, under Capt. Healy and Lieutenant Patrick T. Claffee, [both of Co. C], was crossed over the river under cover of darkness, and remained in the swamp under the guns of Vicks¬burg for eight days. The work was finally abandoned as not feasible, though not until the Ninth had suffered severe loss from the terrible exposure of the men."

Col. Cahill, of the Ninth, wrote: "When Gen. Wil¬liams prepared to go up the river, I was taken from Gen. J. W. Phelps' command, then at Camp Parapet, and ordered to report to Gen. Williams and with him occu¬pied Baton Rogue; made the summer campaign of 1862 up the river, landing at Grand Gulf and other points, driv¬ing the enemy from his works, and went into position before Vicksburg, acting in connection with Admiral Farragut in the first siege of that place."

"Early in June," writes Capt. Lawrence O'Brien, "the Ninth went on an expedition to West Baton Rouge and spent two days on the plantation of Col. Allen (Con¬federate). We returned to Baton Rouge, and June 18, started on the expedition to Vicksburg. Our steamers

CAPT. LAWRENCE O’BRIEN

would travel by day, and put into shore for the night. On June 24, we landed below Ellis Cliffs, to attack a battery which annoyed our boats as they passed. On our approach, the enemy ran away and we went in pursuit, bent upon capturing the battery. The march in the heat was very distressing upon all engaged. Next day we went up Bayou Pierre and marched around to the rear of Grand Gulf, a place the enemy had fortified, but here, also, he decamped, going on a train. We got sight of the train and would have captured it, but for the over-caution of the General in halting more than an hour on the appearance of a small body of the enemy's cavalry. The latter had been surprised while foraging on a plan¬tation which was well stocked. These cavalrymen quickly decamped.

"While we were waiting, Nims' battery furnished amusement, racing with the horses and mules of the plantation. The men had the most difficulty after mount¬ing the mules to stay on their backs. It was midday and the sun was intensely hot, but the colored people were of great service to us, helping to get good drinking water. The march was a circuit of fifteen miles, the most part being through wild cane fields and we were very tired when we reached Grand Gulf. It was night, and when all our people were on board, the town was set on fire and as we left it, the blaze lighted up the country for miles."

Speaking of the Ninth's heavy loss by disease at Vicks-burg, Capt. O'Brien states: "We could not give a funeral escort to the dead; the few who were able to do guard and picket duty could not attend to any extra duty. Gen. Williams was not in sympathy with his men. He exacted the most rigid discipline. Notwithstanding the great amount of sickness prevailing, he ordered the brigade to parade every day, in marching order, with knapsacks packed. I saw men drop out of the line exhausted, and when we returned many of them would

be dead. This drill and parading was done when the thermometer registered no to 115 in the shade." The Ninth lost a valuable officer, July 21, 1862, by the death of First Lieut. Frederick M. Fairchild of Bridge¬port. He belonged to Company K, and had enlisted into the regiment Feb. 18, 1862. He had previously been first sergeant of Company H, First Connecticut regiment.

The Fourth Massachusetts Light Battery did not accompany the Ninth regiment to Vicksburg, but remained with other organizations at Baton Rouge. We quote from the diary of Corporal Peabody. Writing under date of July 26, 1862, he says: "Saturday. At a very early hour this morning, the expedition commanded by Gen. Williams arrived from Vicksburg, Miss., on the steamers Sallie Robinson, Diana, Louisiana Belle, and N. Burton. The troops that came down on these steamers were the Seventh Vermont, Ninth Connecticut, Thirtieth Massachusetts and Fourth Wisconsin regiments, the Sec-ond Massachusetts battery and two sections of the Sixth Massachusetts battery. About 6 o'clock, these troops began disembarking and moved to their respective camps. Officers and men all look as if they had seen hard service, and many of them are sick from disease contracted while digging the cut-off on the point of land opposite Vicks-burg. Between 11 and 12 a. m., Farragut's fleet arrived down from the same place and anchored in the river in front of the city. This strong reinforcement to this gar-rison, causes considerable excitement among the popu-lation of the city, who have been on the streets from an early hour this morning watching every move of our troops. Teams have been driving through the streets all day, conveying to the different camps the equipage of the troops just arrived. To-night our troops are dis-tributed as follows: The Sixth Michigan, Fourth Wis-consin, Ninth Connecticut, and Fourteenth Maine regi-ments occupy the barracks. The Thirtieth Massachu-

setts regiment occupies the State Capitol. The Twenty-first Indiana and Seventh Vermont regiments, with the Second and Sixth Massachusetts batteries and Magee's Massachusetts cavalry, are encamped near Magnolia cemetery. Gen. Williams has re-occupied the comman¬dant's house at the arsenal and has assumed command of the post.

"July 31, [1862], * * * The troops arrived promptly, [at the race course, Baton Rouge], and line being formed at once, at 7 a. m. we moved forward in review. The troops in line, from right to left, were the Sixth Michigan, Fourth Wisconsin, Twenty-first Indi¬ana, Ninth Connecticut, Seventh Vermont, Fourteenth Maine, and Thirtieth Massachusetts regiments; the Sec¬ond, Fourth, and Sixth Massachusetts batteries; also a section of small guns attached to the Twenty-first Indi¬ana regiment, manned by their own men under the com¬mand of Second Lieut. James H. Brown, of Company F; and Magee's company of Massachusetts cavalry. Review ended, inspection followed, this duty being per¬formed by Gen. Williams, most thoroughly. * * *

"August 1, Friday. Day opened fine. At 5 a. m., battery harnessed and marched to the race-course for drill and inspection. The regiments turned out in small force this morning. Not a regiment of infantry present with over 200 men, the Fourth Wisconsin being the smallest, numbering 60 men. Two sections represent the Second Massachusetts, and one section the Sixth Massa¬chusetts, battery. * * * "August 2. Saturday. Morning came in pleasant. At 5 a. m., battery * * * marched to the race-course for inspection and drill. Passed the Fourth Wisconsin, Sixth Michigan and Ninth Connecticut marching out. These regiments turn out a small number of men this morning, owing to the prevalence of sickness. Arriving on the ground promptly on time, we found Gen. Williams and staff already there. Line was quickly formed, the 8

review was of short duration and then inspection was held. Inspection over, the troops were drilled in vari¬ous evolutions under the eye of the General, until 7 a. m., when all were dismissed to camp. * * * Sickness among the troops here is very prevalent and several soldiers die each day. Nearly one-half of this garrison is in the hands of surgeons. Rumors fill the air that a force of rebels, from 7,000 to 10,000 strong, is advanc¬ing from Camp Moore, to attack this post. Should the rumors prove true and the 'Johnnies' capture us, they will not only get the troops, but $2,000,000 of govern¬ment property. Gen. Williams is expecting something as he keeps out on all roads strong scouting parties. In order to be prepared for all emergencies, the Thirtieth Massachusetts regiment, 350 men, was ordered from the State House this p. m., to a camp in the sub¬urbs. In the barracks, the troops are held in readiness to move in a moment. Such is the vigilance of our post commander.

"August 4. Monday. Troops called to arms at 1 o'clock this morning. * * * Under arms until sun¬rise, but no enemy appearing the line was dismissed. * * * At sunset a negro came in and reported to Gen. Wil¬liams that a force of the enemy, about 8,000 strong, was encamped at Corinth bridge, on the Clinton road, ten miles from the city, and would surely attack his troops in the morning. To-night the weather is fine. Every¬thing is perfectly quiet about our lines and in the city. There is no excitement among our soldiers, although most all are expecting to be attacked, within a few hours, by a force almost three times our strength. Of about 5,000 troops here, nearly one-half are in the hospitals. To assist us in the coming battle we have three gun¬boats. * * * "

The Confederate force to attack Baton Rouge was commanded by Major Gen. John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, who had been vice-president of the United

States. His force was divided into two divisions, the first being commanded by Brig. Gen. Charles Clark, of Mississippi, and the second by Brig. Gen. Daniel Rug-gles, "a renegade native of Massachusetts and an old army officer." The Confederate troops comprised regi¬ments from Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana. They left Camp Moore, eighty miles away, July 29, 1862, and advanced to the attack. Aug. 4, they arrived at Corinth bridge, ten miles away.

At daylight on the morning of Aug. 5, 1862, the battle of Baton Rouge began. Gen. Williams was killed during the engagement and the command of the Union forces thereupon devolved on Col. Cahill of the Ninth, Lieut. Col. Richard Fitz Gibbon commanding the regiment. The following is Col. Cahill's official report of the bat¬tle:

BATON ROUGE, August 9, 1862.

To Captain R. J. Davis, A. A. General, Department of the Gulf:—

SIR—Being called to the command of the force at Baton Rouge, on the occasion of the action August 5, by the unfortunate death of General Williams, it becomes my duty to report the circumstances of the glorious vic¬tory. Rumors of the advance of the enemy in heavy force had prevailed for some days. On the afternoon of August 4, General Williams called the attention of the comman¬dants of regiments and batteries to the probability of an attack at an early hour in the morning. The Fourteenth Maine, Col. A. Nickerson; the Twenty-first Indiana, under Lieut. Col. Keith; the Sixth Michigan, under Act¬ing Lieut. Col. Clark; and the Seventh Vermont, Col. Roberts, were encamped, the first with its right resting on the intersection of the Greenwell Springs road, and fronting on a road running to the intersection of the Bayou Sara and Clinton roads. These encampments were in heavy timber. The Twenty-first Indiana were encamped on about the same line front, and on the right of the Greenwell Springs road. On nearly the same line front, but still further to the right, at the intersection of the Gay Cut and Perkins roads, were the Sixth Michigan.

The Seventh Vermont were some distance to the rear, and between the Sixth Michigan and Twenty-first Indi¬ana, with the camp fronting the city. Everett's battery, under Lieut. Carruth, was in bivouac, on the right of the Fourteenth Maine, and on the right of the Twenty-first Indiana. Still further to the right were the guns in charge of the Twenty-first Indiana. On the extreme right, the guns of Nims' battery, under Lieut. , were brought into position early in the action on the right. The Thir¬tieth Massachusetts, under Colonel Dudley, were brought up from their quarters in the Capitol on the night of the 4th, and took position on the left of the Sixth Michigan. On the extreme left, in advance of the left bank of the Bayou Gap, with an oblique front towards the intersection of the Bayou Sara and Clinton roads, with two pieces of Manning's battery, were the Ninth Con¬necticut and Fourth Wisconsin. The remaining guns of Manning's battery were in position on the right bank of the bed of Bayou Gap. This was the real line of de¬fence for the left flank, covering the north and east of the arsenal grounds. General Williams, in his instructions to myself and Lieut. Col. Bean, commanding 4th Wis¬consin Volunteers, was very clear and positive in his or¬ders to hold this position at all hazards, as he anticipated the enemy would advance (under cover of the fire from the ram Arkansas, with the gunboats from the Red river), through the open grounds of the Sawmill and Dough¬erty's Plantation, and take possession of the Manae ground. The above mentioned advance on the left bank of the Bayou was only ordered by General Williams, after a lengthy consideration, on the evening of the 4th instant, with the intention of checking an advance on the same position by the Bayou Sara and Clinton roads; and for that reason we only brought forward the light how¬itzers of Manning's battery to the advance positions, leaving the heavy guns on the original line.

At early daylight on the morning of August 5, the enemy threw his whole force on the camps of the Four¬teenth Maine, Twenty-first Indiana and Sixth Michigan, with the batteries attached to each regiment. These troops stood their ground nobly, meeting the tremendous force thrown upon them with unflinching bravery. On looking over the battle ground since the engagement, I cannot conceive how it was possible for so many men to

have been engaged in so small a space of ground. The attack was nearly simultaneous; but the first fire in line from the enemy's right was directed on the Fourteenth Maine, and was instantly answered by that regiment by a solid line volley, which must have done terrible execution. The companies of the Twenty-first Indiana, which were in the advance as pickets, had fallen back in order. The whole regiment advanced toward the Magnolia cemetery, and east of it. At this time Major Hayes was seriously wounded, and was taken from the field. The regiment worked, advancing and retiring, and changing front as the enemy showed himself through the smoke. At nearly the close of the action Lieutenant Colonel Keith, commanding the regiment, had to leave the field, badly wounded, leaving the regiment, without a field officer, in command of Capt. Grimsey. It was at this stage of the battle that General Williams fell, mortally wounded. He had just said to the men of the Twenty-first, "Boys, your field officers are all gone. I will lead you." The men answered with three cheers for the General. The sounds had scarcely died away when he fell. The General had previously issued an order for the line to fall back, and the artillery having done so the regiments retired in good order to the positions now oc¬cupied. For details of movements and conduct of the regiments and batteries, I would refer you to the accom¬panying reports. I will only trespass on the patience of the commanding General further to say what the offi¬cers commanding regiments and corps cannot say for themselves—that more undaunted bravery, coolness and skill, in the handling of their commands, has not been displayed on any battle field than on that of Baton Rouge and that, too, by officers who never before handled troops in a fight. From the 21st Indiana and 6th Michigan myself, in common with others, expected a great deal, and were not disappointed, but when I look back a few short months, and bring to my mind the arrival of the 14th Maine at Ship Island, and to-day consider the work done by that regiment in the action, the smoothness and steadiness of its evolutions on difficult ground and under fire from the veterans of the Confederate service, I can only say that, for his efforts in building up his regiment, the most serious task of a commander, and his conduct in the field, Col. Nickerson, of the 14th Maine, deserves

the highest praise. To the impetuous Lt. Col. Keith, of the 21 st Indiana, no words of mine can do justice. He was everywhere, in every place, working his men through tents, trees and underbrush like a veteran, and when seri¬ously wounded and [about to be] taken from the field he would not give up, but moved around among his officers and men, counselling and assisting in everything, to the injury and irritation of his wounds. Col. Roberts, of the 7th Vermont, fell mortally wounded, and has since died. He was a gentleman of a generous nature and of culti¬vated mind.

Col. Nickerson, of the 14th Maine, had his horse shot from under him by a discharge of grape. He sprang from under his dying steed, and waving his sword, called upon his men for one more charge. The men sprang forward, with three roaring cheers, and drove back the advancing foe. At this time the gallant Captain French, of Company K, 14th Maine, received his terrible wound. The charge was made in the presence of Gen. Williams, who complimented the men very highly. Captain French was placed on board the unfortunate steamer Whitman, and was lost when she went down. His name deserves special mention. The conduct of the officers and men of the several batteries was everything that could be looked for by the commanding General. The various batteries were very much reduced by sickness and deaths, and, even with the assistance of details from the infantry, were worked short-handed. Lieutenant Hall, in command of the second piece of Nims' battery, wishes special mention made of the successful rally by men of the Twenty-first Indiana and three men of the Ninth Connecticut, who, with the assistance of Private Tyler, who left his sick bed and acted as sergeant, gunner, etc., and Privates Shield and Clogston, as also Sergeant Cheever, who left the hospital sick to do his duty, rallied and brought off the gun, when every man and horse was shot down and the piece in the hands of the enemy. The names of the pri¬vates of infantry engaged in this gallant exploit will be forwarded as soon as ascertained. The Ninth Connecti¬cut and Fourth Wisconsin Volunteers were brought up from their position early in the action, and were placed, by General Williams' order, in line across the grounds of the Orphan asylum, immediately in rear of the camps of the Twenty-first Indiana and Fourteenth Maine. The

regiments moved with alacrity and obeyed all orders promptly.

Captain Silas W. Sawyer, of Company H, Ninth regi¬ment, Connecticut Volunteers, deserves mention for his bold reconnoissance on the morning of the 6th. Going out on the Bayou Sara road three miles, and finding no trace of the presence of the enemy, he took a cattle path through the woods, coming out on the Clinton road be¬yond the original line of our pickets. He scoured the country to Reed's plantation, in scouting around which he found one of the enemy's caissons, near by another, and in a short time he discovered all four. Crossing over to Bernard's plantation, he found another and a damaged ambulance. Returning to headquarters, he proceeded, by order of Colonel Paine, commanding a detachment of men and horses from Manning's battery, and a platoon of his own company, and brought them in. In conclu¬sion I would beg leave to call the attention of the General commanding to the services of Lieut. Henry H. Elliott, Ninth New York Volunteers, lieutenant and acting as¬sistant adjutant on General Williams' staff. Of his cool¬ness and intrepidity in action every officer in the action can bear witness, as also to the still more trying duties of the details of his official business. I am under deep obligations to him for his cheerful and zealous services for the time I remained in command. I enclose copies of correspondence between myself and Lieut. Elliott. Col¬onel McMillan, of the Twenty-first Indiana, has been un¬well for some time. His counsel and advice have been freely offered on every occasion. All of which is respectfully submitted.
THOMAS W. CAHILL,
Colonel Commanding at Baton Rouge.

The loss of the Ninth in this engagement was 1 killed, 9 wounded, and 4 missing—14. Lieut. Col. Fitz Gibbon, who commanded the Ninth during the conflict, made a report to Adjutant General J. D. Williams, of Connecti¬cut, of the part taken by the regiment in the battle. This report is dated "Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 9th, 1862," and reads as follows:

"In accordance with General Orders No. 2, I herewith submit my report of the engagement of the 5th inst. About three o'clock on the morning of the 5th inst., the 9th Regiment Conn. Vols., according to previous instruc¬tions, marched under command of Col. Cahill, and took position on the left of the line of the defence, the 4th Wisconsin on the left, and two howitzers of Manning's 4th Massachusetts battery on the right of the 9th Con¬necticut.

"The position assigned was one admirably calculated for military movements, being situated on a hill overlook¬ing the 'Bayou Gros,' and about half way between the river and 'Bayou Sara.' About four o'clock picket firing was heard on the right, followed immediately by heavy volleys of musketry and discharges of artillery. The posi¬tion of the enemy could be determined only from the firing, owing to a heavy fog. As the centre was the prin¬cipal point of attack, this regiment and the battery was moved to its support. To complete this manoeuvre, this regiment marched along the 'North road' until it came within range of the enemy's guns, when it filed across the road in the midst of a shower of grape and canister, and formed in line of battle in a corn-field, the battery open¬ing fire from the road. The enemy at this juncture ap¬peared directly in front, yelling and firing volleys of musketry, which, however, did but little damage, the shot mostly going over us, owing to the proximity of the enemy, who on delivering his fire fell back. The left flank being exposed we were ordered to its defence, and the regiment resumed its first position, which it retained the remainder of the day and night.

"Major Frye, having been sent to the right for orders, returned with the sad intelligence of the death of General Williams, when Col. Cahill, being senior officer present, assumed command of the brigade. By his order, Col. Nickerson, of the 14th Maine, took command of the left wing, including this regiment. Receiving information

that our left was about to be attacked, Everett's battery was sent to its support, five men from this regiment being detailed as artillerists, in addition to fifty previously de¬tailed to Nims' battery. The threatened attack, how¬ever, was not made, and the regiment retained its posi¬tion. Throughout the day this regiment was ably sup¬ported by the 4th Wisconsin, Lt. Col. Bean commanding. On the morning of the 6th inst. Capt. S. W. Sawyer, of Co. H, with a detachment of his men, captured and brought in five caissons filled with ammunition.

"The officers and men of the regiment deserve credit for their good conduct, under the disadvantage of having but twelve line officers in the field, most of the others being on detached service, and some sick in hospital. Adjutant Kattenstroth and Sergeant-Major Curtis ren¬dered efficient service. We took twenty-four prisoners, one a commissioned officer, belonging mostly to the 4th Louisiana Regiment, of whom fourteen were wounded.

"Our loss is small, owing mostly to the overshooting of the enemy. The casualties are:

Killed ..........1
Wounded ......9
Missing ..........4"

Writes Capt. Lawrence O'Brien of the Ninth: "I was in command of the provost guard of the city, and when the battle opened I called in all the details and later marched out to the south side of the penitentiary. A little beyond, Gen. Williams' body was being removed to the rear. Lieut. Henry H. Elliott told me that tbe General being killed, Col. Thomas W. Cahill was in command, and asked me if I knew where he was? I pointed out the place."

Wrote Corporal Peabody of the Fourth Massachusetts battery: "Upon the death of Gen. Williams, Col. Cahill

of the Ninth Connecticut regiment assumed command of the troops. Col. Dudley remained in command of the right wing, while Col. Nickerson of the Fourteenth Maine succeeded Col. Cahill in command of the left wing. The enemy, after this last repulse, evincing little ambition for more slaughter, but contentedly keeping under cover of the forest beyond Magnolia cemetery, caused a lull in the fight. It was now about 9 o'clock, the troops were almost worn out after five hours' desperate fighting, our commanding General was dead on the field, the weather was intensely hot. "In this condition of affairs, Col. Cahill ordered a new line to be formed 200 yards in rear of the first line. The enemy seeing this backward move, sprang from his cover, but all the batteries opening, he saw that we still intended to fight, and fell back again. About 10 a. m., Col. Cahill ordered another move rearward, the troops forming line about 350 yards from the enemy. This line extended across the city, the gunboats covering our flanks. * *

* As the Union line is now formed, our battery is on the left flank, supported by the Fourth Wisconsin regi¬ ment on the left, the Twenty-first Indiana regiment, grouped in our rear, and Lieut. Brown's section of mule battery extending the left of our line of guns. Stretch¬ ing away to the right for a half mile, and occupying all the roads leading east, are the Second and Sixth Massa¬ chusetts batteries, supported by the Fourteenth Maine, Seventh Vermont, Sixth Michigan, Thirtieth Massachu¬ setts and Ninth Connecticut regiments, while Magee's cavalry is in front closely watching the enemy. * * *

"Col. Cahill, at his headquarters in a house a few yards to the left rear of our battery, is kept well informed of the movements of the enemy by Private Ralph O. Rowley, of Magee's cavalry, a brave boy only 20 years old. * * Thus ended the battle of Baton Rouge. * * *

With all of their superior force, all veterans of Shiloh, the enemy was unable to force our second line, but 350 yards

in rear of our first. The desperate resistance they met, their heavy loss of men, seemed to paralyze all further action and they were content to remain at a respectful distance, and at night burned the few camps they had captured, destroying very little of the vast amount of government property in the city."

The total loss of the Union forces in the battle was 84 killed, and 374 wounded,—458. The next day, Aug. 6, 1862, a force of negroes was put at work burying the dead of both sides.

The wounded of both armies were picked up and taken to hospitals in Baton Rouge.