Friday, May 20, 2011

May 19 - 23 - Tennessee Civil War Notes

 19-23, Expedition down Mississippi River to Fort Pillow

MAY 19-23, 1862.--Expedition down the Mississippi River to Fort Pillow, Tenn.

Report of Brig. Gen. Isaac F. Quinby, U. S. Army, commanding District of the Mississippi.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbus, Ky., May 24, 1862.

CAPT.: I have the honor to submit for the information of the major-general commanding the following report:

On the 19th instant I proceeded to the flotilla above Fort Pillow with such troops as could safely be withdrawn for a short time from the several posts within this district. I was induced to do this o­n representations made me that there was a very small rebel force in and about Fort Pillow, and that our troops already there, under the command of Col. Fitch, needed to be o­nly slightly re-enforced to enable us to make a demonstration by land, which, in connection with an attack by our gun and mortar boats, would insure a speedy surrender of the rebel works.

The force I took with me consisted of eight companies Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, Col. Slack; four companies Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Cameron; two companies Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteers; four companies Second Illinois cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Hogg; a section from each of the two companies of the Second Illinois Artillery at this post; three pieces of Capt. De Golyer's Michigan battery, from New Madrid, and o­ne-half of the Missouri company of Volunteer Sappers and Miners stationed at this post.

These, together with the troops under Col. Fitch, made an aggregate of about 2,500 effective men.

On reaching the flotilla, I began to inform myself of the position and character of the enemy's works and of the number and disposition of his troops. A personal reconnaissance satisfied me that his position was very strong, and that a land approach with my small command was impracticable. Spies, deserters, and refugees all concurred in stating that there were in and about the fort three old and well-filled regiment, averaging at least 1,000 effective men; that there was besides near by a battery of six 6-pounder pieces, and o­n the Chickasaw Bluff, about 6 miles from the fort, another battery of four 12-pounders.

During my stay at the flotilla I had frequent and free consultations with Capt. Davis, commanding the fleet, and at all times found him ready and anxious to co-operate with me in any plan that might seem to give reasonable promise of success; but he was unwilling to attempt running by Fort Pillow with part of his gunboats and place them between it and Fort Randolph unless we had shore batteries o­n the Arkansas side of the being river, under which the boats could take refuge in the event of their being crippled either by the guns of the fort or the rebel gunboats. There was no possible means of establishing a battery o­n the side of the river opposite to and below the fort in the present condition of the ground, except by carrying the guns and ammunition along a levee for a distance of 3 miles, the whole of which is completely command by the rebel batteries. This, hazardous as it was, we were about to undertake, and had already repaired the breaks in the levee at those points where the brush and timber concealed the workmen from observation o­n the other side. The success of the undertaking required that the battery should be constructed in a single night, and that all should be in readiness before daylight the following morning.

On Thursday, the 22d, the repairs of the levee were made as far as it could prudently be done, and a strong picket was thrown out to prevent the landing of the enemy and the discovery of our work, and consequently of our intentions. During the night o­ne of the men, who, without the knowledge of the rest went in front of the line, refused o­n his return to answer the challenge, and was shot dead by two of our pickets firing o­n him at the same instant. The noise alarmed the enemy, and a strong detachment was immediately sent over the river, which attacked and drove in our pickets. Our work must have been discovered by them, and it would be charging them with gross stupidity not to suppose our plan betrayed; besides, o­n Friday morning a heavy rain set in, which of itself would have rendered a delay of at least two days necessary in the prosecution of our work. In the mean time rumors were reaching me of the concentration of a strong rebel force in the vicinity of Trenton, for the object, it was reported, of attacking Hickman and Columbus. As these rumors were confirmed by the refugees from the conscription, and as I saw no good that could be accomplished by remaining longer at the flotilla, I started back with my command o­n Friday afternoon, and the troops are now distributed in the district as they were before the expedition sailed.

In conclusion, permit me to express the opinion that with a properly-organized force of 5,000 men I doubt not the easy, and perhaps bloodless, capture of Forts Pillow and Randolph so soon as the roads leading from the river, by which the rear of their works can be gained, become practicable for artillery; but in the present condition of the country about here it would be unwise to withdraw from the different posts within this district troops enough to constitute an expedition sufficient for such an undertaking.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. F. QUINBY, Brig.-Gen. Volunteers, Cmdg. District.

I.             F. QUINBY, Brig.-Gen.
JUNE 3-5, 1862.--Evacuation of Fort Pillow, Tenn., by the Confederates and its occupation by the Union Forces.

REPORTS, ETC.

No. 1.--Col. Graham N. Fitch, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry.

No. 2.--Col. Charles Ellet, jr., with congratulatory letter from the Secretary of War.

No. 3.--L. D. McKissick.

No. 4.--Brig. Gen. J. B. Villepigue, C. S. Army, with instructions and congratulatory orders from Gen. Beauregard.

No. 1

Reports of Col. Graham N. Fitch, Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry.

FORT PILLOW TENN., June 5, 1862--4.30 a.m.

Arrangements were completed for a combined assault o­n the fort at 7 a.m. at a weak and accessible point, but the works were last night, and the guns and commissary stores destroyed. We are in possession, but propose proceeding to-day toward Memphis. I report by mail.

G. N. FITCH, Col., Cmdg. Brigade.

FORT PILLOW, TENN., June 5, 1862--4.30 a.m.

On June 1 a laborious reconnaissance was made, which developed the fact that behind Flower Island, parallel with the chute between that island and the main shore, an approach to Fort Pillow could be made by infantry to Cole Creek, within 30 yards of the enemy's outer works and near the junction of the creek and Flower Island chute. At this point nothing but the creek offered any obstacle of moment, the earthworks of the Confederates being o­nly from 2 to 4 feet high, they apparently relying upon the creek and adjacent swamp for protection.

The following morning this reconnaissance was renewed and its results verified, and it was also ascertained that at the point where Cole Creek could be crossed not a gun from the batteries could be brought to bear, while the ridges in the rear of and overlooking the fortifications would enable our infantry to approach and command them.

On the third morning three companies of this command, under Maj. Bringhurst, of the Forty-sixth Regt. Indiana Volunteers, was ordered to open a road parallel with the chute, secreted from observation by the timber o­n Flower Island and the main-land. He was like-wise instructed to make and launch into the chute, 2 or 3 miles from the fort, a rude bridge, in sections, of cypress logs, taken from a cabin convenient. The orders were to complete the work and encamp o­n the ground, with a view of removing the remainder of the command that night toward the fort. Unfortunately, four of Col. Ellet's rams, not knowing this detail had been sent forward, dropped around Craighead's Point, for the purpose of observation, and were fired upon by the enemy, and the shot, overreaching the boats, fell in the vicinity of the working party in the woods, whereupon the major commanding deemed it prudent to retire and abandon the work.

It being too late after this unfortunate movement to do anything more that day, Capt. Schermerhorn, of the Forty-sixth Regt. Indiana Volunteers, was ordered the next morning, with a detail from that regiment and the Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, to finish the contemplated works. This he promptly accomplished undiscovered by the enemy, constructing the bridge and laying out a substantial road to within 200 or 300 yards of the enemy's intrenchments. All the troops were ordered o­n board the transports the same evening, with the intention of surprising and storming the fort, and all arrangements perfected for having a combined attack between the land forces and the gunboats last evening; but appearances, as well as the statement of a deserter last evening, made us apprehend that the enemy was evacuating. Therefore, instead of marching by the contemplated route, I dropped down at 3 a.m. with a small party o­n o­ne of the transports (the Hetty Gilmore), preceded by open row-boats, containing Capt. Sill and Lieut. Troxell, with a few men. We dropped directly but cautiously toward the fort, and found our apprehensions verified. The enemy was gone, having left at about 1 or 2 o'clock this morning. We found they had destroyed or carried away nearly all the property of the fort; the gun-Carriages were burned and burning, and many of the guns that could not be removed were burst. The Hetty Gilmore, in passing the ram fleet and Benton, gave notice what her signal would be if the enemy had left and what if they remained, and was followed very soon by Col. Ellet's rams, and after an interval by the gunboats and the other transports, the signal that there was no enemy in sight having been given.

I am not able to state at this time the amount of property in the fort, but my impression is that it cannot be properly garrisoned without a new armament and a corps of artillerists. For all practical purposes o­ne or two gunboats would be more effective than my command of infantry. I propose, therefore, to proceed directly toward Memphis this p.m., leaving o­ne company here to collect the property. Capt. Davis, commanding flotilla, leaves also o­ne gunboat. I await orders.

Yours, respectfully,

G. N. FITCH, Col., Cmdg. Brigade.

No. 2

Reports of Col. Charles Ellet, jr., commanding Ram Flotilla.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER, ABOVE FORT PILLOW, June 4 (via Cairo, June 5), 1862.

SIR: For the purpose of testing the temper of a doubtful crew and ascertaining the strength of the enemy's position, I determined yesterday to take the Queen of the West and try to reach a rebel steamer lying around Craighead's Point, under the guns of Fort Pillow. The captain, two out of the three pilots, the first made, and all the engineers, and nearly all the crew declined the service and were allowed to go off with their baggage to a barge. Hastily forming a new crew of volunteers, I took command of the boat, and directed Lieut.-Col. Ellet to follow in the Monarch at supporting distance. The captain, David M. Dryden, and all the crew of the Monarch, stood at their post. The rebel steamer slipped lines and escaped before I could reach her. The firing of the fort was at short range and quite brisk, but I think o­nly revealed about seven or eight guns, corresponding with the count previously made in two land reconnaissances by Lieut.-Col. Ellet. My boat was not hit. While the strength of the rebel batteries seems to be greatly overrated, their fleet of rams and gunboats is much larger than min. It consists of eight gunboats, which usually lie just below the fort, and four others at Randolph, a few miles farther down. Commodore Davis will not join me in a movement against them nor contribute a gunboat to my expedition, nor allow any of his men to volunteer, so as to stimulate the pride and emulation of my own. I shall therefore first weed out some had material, and then go without him.

Respectfully,

CHAS. ELLET, Jr., Col., Cmdg.

OPPOSITE RANDOLPH, 12 MILES BELOW FORT PILLOW, June 5 [via Cairo, June 8], 1862.

SIR: To my mortification the enemy evacuated Fort Pillow last night. They carried away or destroyed everything of value. Early this morning Lieut.-Col. Ellet and a few men in a yawl went ashore, followed immediately by Col. Fitch and a part of his command. The gunboats then came down and anchored across the channel. I proceeded with three rams 12 miles below the fort to a point opposite Randolph, and sent Lieut.-Col. Ellet ashore, with a flag of truce, to demand the surrender of the place. Their forces had all left -- two of their gunboats o­nly an hour or two before we approached. The people seemed to respect the flag which Lieut.-Col. Ellet planted. The guns had been dismantled and some piles of cotton were burning. I shall leave Lieut.-Col. Ellet here in the advance, and return immediately to Fort Pillow to bring o­n my entire force. The people attribute the suddenness of the evacuation to the attempt made night before last to sink o­ne of their gunboats at Fort Pillow. Randolph, like Fort Pillow, is weak, and could not have held out long against a vigorous attack. The people express a desire for the restoration of the old order of things, though still professing to be secessionists.

CHAS. ELLET, JR., Col., Cmdg. Ram Flotilla

No. 3

Report of L. D. McKissick.

MEMPHIS, June 3, 1862.

I telegraphed Gen. Villepigue to-day, asking him if he could hold Fort Pillow three days, until we could get telegraph wire and instruments down. Just received following reply:

Will endeavor to do so, but fear disaster; have sent off all my troops. Cavalry from above have not arrived as ordered. A great number of desertions; and the enemy captured 4 men this morning, and of course know everything.

JNO. B. VILLEPIGUE, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

No. 4

Report of Brig. Gen. John B. Villepigue, C. S. Army, with instructions and congratulatory orders from Gen. Beauregard.

FORT PILLOW, June 3, 1862.

SIR: Am ordered to Grenada, to take command, organize, fortify, &c. My troops have all left; am remaining behind to cover their retreat.

My cavalry have not yet arrived from above.

Enemy captured 4 men this morning; fear they understand my situation.

JNO. B. VILLEPIGUE, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 10, pt. I, pp. 897-902.

JOHN B. VILLEPIGUE, Brig.-Gen., in command of Confederate defense of Fort Pillow

 

 

 

19-24, "For my part I think I would have killed all, and taken none…." Six day Scout by the 5th Iowa Cavalry
Just got home [Fort Donelson] this noon from a scout of six days. Had very fine weather, lost a horse from Co. A killed by the rebels. Lt. Batey of Co. M had his finger shot and his horse severly wounded. Also two men for Co. M severly wounded. Captured seven prisoners, killed none. For my part I think I would have killed all, and taken none, for I think a man that does not join the army but lies around in the woods watching an opportunity to shoot any man he sees wearing a blue coat is a murderer and ought to be treated as such. I think it will be the case hereafter with whatever gurrillas [sic] we catch hold of.
Was kept in pretty good health and out of all danger on the trip. Lord may I ever be truly grateful to Thee for they [sic] goodness to me.

Alley Diary, entry for May 24, 1863

 

 

19, "Relief for East Tennessee."
This noble work is still progressing. There has been received in this city about 400 tons of supplies, consisting principally of flour, corn, and bacon. Another cargo of 150 tons is expected this week. They are being forwarded at the rate of one car load per day. It is to be regretted that the agencies of the army for the past two months have prevented their more speedy shipment, but even at this rate, all has been forwarded except about 70 tons. Accounts from all parts of East Tennessee represent the people in great destitution, and agents sent from particular localities for provisions bring with them most undoubted evidence that unless relief can be procured within ten days, the people of those localities will be compelled to leave the country to save themselves from starvation. Every effort will be made to supply these districts first.
If supplies can be sent forward at present rates for two months, it will sustain the people until something can be raised from the soil, and thereby save them from the only alternative that would be left to the greater portion [sic], of forsaking their native land and all that is included in the word home, and undergoing a perilous journey to the North, in which many lose their lives. If they can remain at home upon their farms, they will soon be able to support themselves; if they are compelled to leave, they must sacrifice all their property and thro themselves, for a time, entirely upon the charities of the world. In the meantime, they are grappling manfully with the foe. Women and grills are to be seen with their hands to the plow, driving old poor horses, and in some instances poor oxen, the only dependence for teams. The people of the North may rest assured that they will ever receive the due return of gratitude at the hands of such a people, for the magnanimous assistance they are now rendering in the hour of need. We publish these facts for the information of all concerned, by order of the Nashville Refugee Aid Society.
David T. Patterson, Pres.
John M. Gaut, Sec.
Nashville Dispatch, May 19, 1864.

 

19, "Relief for East Tennessee."
This noble work is still progressing. There has been received in this city about 400 tons of supplies, consisting principally of flour, corn, and bacon. Another cargo of 150 tons is expected this week. They are being forwarded at the rate of one car load per day. It is to be regretted that the agencies of the army for the past two months have prevented their more speedy shipment, but even at this rate, all has been forwarded except about 70 tons. Accounts from all parts of East Tennessee represent the people in great destitution, and agents sent from particular localities for provisions bring with them most undoubted evidence that unless relief can be procured within ten days, the people of those localities will be compelled to leave the country to save themselves from starvation. Every effort will be made to supply these districts first.
If supplies can be sent forward at present rates for two months, it will sustain the people until something can be raised from the soil, and thereby save them from the only alternative that would be left to the greater portion [sic], of forsaking their native land and all that is included in the word home, and undergoing a perilous journey to the North, in which many lose their lives. If they can remain at home upon their farms, they will soon be able to support themselves; if they are compelled to leave, they must sacrifice all their property and thro themselves, for a time, entirely upon the charities of the world. In the meantime, they are grappling manfully with the foe. Women and grills are to be seen with their hands to the plow, driving old poor horses, and in some instances poor oxen, the only dependence for teams. The people of the North may rest assured that they will ever receive the due return of gratitude at the hands of such a people, for the magnanimous assistance they are now rendering in the hour of need. We publish these facts for the information of all concerned, by order of the Nashville Refugee Aid Society.
David T. Patterson, Pres.
John M. Gaut, Sec.
Nashville Dispatch, May 19, 1864.

 


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