A Wisconsin Yankee in Confederate Bayou Country: The Civil War Reminiscences of a Union General

6. In Command at Baton Rouge

In Command at Baton Rouge 99 and my own in the winter of 1861–62; that is to say from the bayou north of the tannery, around by the tannery and penitentiary, to the vicinity of the State house. The army was awaiting a second attack, and there was an alarm before morning, which proved to be false. I spent the night inspecting the lines, rectifying the positions, and preparing for an attack in the morning. I was aided by Lt. Weitzel of the U.S. Engineers, a most accomplished officer, who was subsequently promoted to the rank of BrigadierGeneral of Volunteers, and served with great distinction as brigade and division commander, in the Army of the Gulf. Baton Rouge, August 7, 1862 The enemy did not attack. I issued the following order to restore confidence among the troops that a reliable command structure was in place: General Orders No. 1 Pursuant to orders of Major-General Butler, dated 6th instant, the undersigned assumes command of all the troops at this post. The present acting staff officers remain in the discharge of their duties. Existing orders continue in force until changed. The sick and wounded will be forthwith sent to New Orleans, in charge of Asst. Surgeon French of the 6th Mich. Regiment. Pursuant to orders of Major-General Butler, dated 6th instant, Lieut.-Col. Clark, Major Bacon, and Captains Griffin and Wheeler of the 6th Mich. Regt., will forthwith resume their commands. Commanders of regiments and corps will forthwith report casualties of the last action. Halbert E. Paine Col. Commanding Brigade I called upon Commodore Farragut, on the Hartford, and made arrangements for cooperation with the fleet, in the event of another attack; detailed Maj. Boardman, 4th Wisconsin regiment, to superintend the boxing and removal to New Orleans of the statue of Washington, the library and the paintings found in the Statehouse. He selected Private Hyslop, Company G, 4th Wisconsin, to box the statue. It was sent to Washington and deposited in the Patent office. Hyslop was subsequently killed near 100 A Wisconsin Yankee in Confederate Bayou Country Baton Rouge, in a hand-to-hand cavalry fight. We buried large numbers of the rebel dead, mainly in and near the eastern cemetery, also many of our own artillery horses. Our force consists of the 21st Indiana, 7th Vermont , 4th Wisconsin, 6th Michigan, 14th Maine, 30th Massachusetts, and 9th Connecticut regiments of infantry, the 2d, 4th and 6th batteries of Massachusetts artillery, and Magee’s cavalry. But the number of men who, under ordinary circumstances, would have been regarded as fit for duty was very small, and confined mainly to those regiments and corps which did not take part in the second Vicksburg expedition, viz. the 21st Indiana, 6th Michigan, and 14th Maine regiments of infantry, the 4th Massachusetts battery, and Magee’s cavalry. These troops held the advanced positions, and on them and the 2d and 6th Massachusetts batteries fell the brunt of the battle. We completed reconnaissance on all the roads leading into Baton Rouge. During the day I concluded to send the sick and wounded to New Orleans, in charge of Asst. Surgeon Green of the 7th Vermont regiment. Baton Rouge, August 8, 1862 The following letter from Gen. Butler, which transformed my perspective on defensive preparations at Baton Rouge, was received: Headquarters, Department of the Gulf New Orleans, August 7th, 1862 Colonel: I have the report of Col. Cahill of the affair at Baton Rouge. From it I am inclined to change the opinion which I had when you met me with Lieut. Weitzel. Do not evacuate Baton Rouge—at least at present. Let Lt. Weitzel examine and determine the best positions for holding the town. Take advantage of the village and buildings for that purpose, aided by temporary earthworks and abatis, if necessary, in conjunction. The political importance of the place has decided me, under the change of appearing facts. Breckenridge has 12 regiments, 14 pieces of cannon, effective strength about 5000 men, and that is the entire force he has anywhere under his command. Let Lt. Weitzel report to these headquarters as soon as he can. Send back most of the transports and all of the wounded and prisoners. Let each officer commanding a regiment make a detailed report of the facts of the day. In Command at Baton Rouge 101 Let Col. Cahill make a full report, as commanding the action...