The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Misidentified Louisiana soldiers?

I thought perhaps that the report of their capture might have reported the wrong unit, not so. See:

11 15 1863 Federal expedition from Vidalia to Trinity, LA.
11/15-16/1863

1st Battalion Louisiana State Guards Cavalry
A Union force skirmished with part of the battalion at Trinity on November 15, surprising and capturing about 14 men.
http://www.acadiansingray.com/1st%20State%20Gds.%20Bn.%20Cav.htm

…..

NOVEMBER 15-18, 1863.-Expedition from Vidalia to Trinity, La.
Report of Colonel Bernard G. Farrar, Thirtieth Missouri Infantry.
POST OF VIDALIA, LA., November 18, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the details of the expedition, made in obedience to your orders, into the enemy's lines on the west side of the Mississippi River.

Having obtained 18 mounted men and a single raft from Captain Lochbihler's Missouri company of pontoniers, in addition to 98 mounted men of the Thirtieth Missouri Volunteer Infantry and 14 mounted sergeants of the Second Mississippi (African descent) Volunteer Artillery, I started out from Vidalia at 3.30 o'clock on the 15th day of November, my whole force amounting to 8 officers and 140 enlisted men.

We crossed Cross Bayou on the Trinity road, and marched on that road to within 5 miles of Trinity. We then turned south on a plantation road, and kept such roads until we arrived at the banks of Black River, about 2 1/2 miles below Trinity.

Here I ordered the horses and mules to be picketed, and left the pontoniers as guard over the same. In about a half hour the pontoon raft was placed in the river, and we commenced to cross afoot. At 4 o'clock an aggregate of 75 men had crossed, and the remainder of the men were missing, having either left to get fodder for their animals or shirked their duty at a time when they could not be hunted up. It being already 4 o'clock, and the object of the expedition (the capture of thecamp on Colton's plantation, 6 miles distant from the river), being only attainable by a perfect surprise at night, I was forced either to march immediately, in order to arrive there before daybreak, with only 75 men, or to wait until a fortunate opportunity was offered. To have pursued the first course would have been too hazardous, reliable report setting the number of rebels in the camp on Colton's plantation, at the least calculation, at 100 men. The last and most disagreeable alternative was unavoidable, under the circumstances.

In order to avoid having made an altogether fruitless expedition, it was determined upon to capture the picket station at Trinity, which was reported to be 1 captain and 17 men. I marched my command to within 500 yards of their barracks, and then went with a party of 20 men to capture them. Their 2 pickets were taken without firing a shot. Their barracks were then surrounded and 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 10 privates surrendered themselves prisoners of war. They belong to Major White's [?] First Louisiana Cavalry Battalion. In addition to the 14 prisoners and the arms that were thought fit to be brought along (7 muskets and 1 Colt's navy revolver), there were captured 10 horses and 6 bridles and saddles.

From the statement of the prisoners, it appears that the officer commanding the party had gone to headquarters in camp, Colton's plantation. After firing the barracks, I returned to our place of disembarkation and recrossed the river. After half an hour's rest, I ordered the line of march to be taken up, and arrived at Cross Bayou at noon.

While the main force had already recommended its march, and the last load of the rear guard had but just crossed the bayou, a party of rebels fired upon them from ambush. The horses of my command being pretty well ridden down, and those of the enemy's fresh, I deemed it useless to recross the bayou and attack or pursue them, and I therefore ordered the rear guard to follow the main force.

I arrived at Vidalia, La., at 3.30 o'clock on the 16th day of November, having traveled 70 miles in twenty-four hours, and had no casualties in my command. The bearing of the officers and men who crossed Black River with me deserves my sincere commendation and approbation. The pontoniers were efficient in their duty and truly commendable for their soldierly behavior.

I remain, captain, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
BERNARD G. FARRAR,
Colonel, Commanding.
OR V26, Pt. 1 pp. 452/3

Messages In This Thread

Misidentified Louisiana soldiers?
Re: Misidentified Louisiana soldiers?
Re: Misidentified Louisiana soldiers?
Re: Misidentified Louisiana soldiers?
Re: Misidentified Louisiana soldiers?