IMPORTANT FROM NEW-ORLEANS: Full Particulars of the Battle at Baton Rouge; Complete Victory of the National Forces (8/19/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 8/19/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

By the arrival of the steamers North Star and Roanoke we have intelligence from New-Orleans to Aug. 10.

The action at Baton Rouge terminated in the complete victory of the National forces, which fought with desperate bravery against overwhelming numbers.

The following extract from a letter, written by a National surgeon, gives a summary of the circumstances of the attack:

"From 5,000 to 10,000 rebels, under Gen. BRECKINRIDGE, attacked about 3,000 Union soldiers, stationed on the outskirts of Baton Rouge, at 4 A.M., on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

The fight lasted until 10 o'clock, when the rebels were badly repulsed and retreated in a rout. Gen. WILLIAMS was shot through the heart while rallying his right wing, which was being driven in by superior numbers.

The Vermont Regiment behaved badly, except its officers. The Colonel was killed. The Twenty-first Indiana, Thirtieth Massachusetts, Ninth Connecticut, and Fourth Wisconsin, did most of the fighting, and nobly too.

Lieut.-Col. KEITH, of the Twenty-first Indiana, was wounded through the right shoulder. Adjt. HOWE, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, was shot through both legs; many have to lose one by amputation. Lieut. NORCROSS, from Lowel, of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, arose from his sick bed, and joined his Company in the thickest of the fight, and with his own hands saved one field-piece, about to be taken by the rebels. Many of our officers are wounded, and our total loss in killed, wounded and missing, (as yet not accurately known,) probably 300 will cover all.

The rebel loss is very great, as witnessed by myself. I saw 83 dead rebels in one small corn-field.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4086489/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Important from New-Orleans: Full Particulars of the Battle at Baton Rouge – 2-4
A Victory in Arkansas: The Rebels Under Gen. Hindman Defeated – 4
Important from Nashville: The Rebels Threatening the City – 4
From Gen. Pope’s Army: Our Troops all Ready for an Advance – 5
The Army of Virginia: The Killed and Wounded at Cedar Mountain – 5-8
The Battle at Tazewell: The Fight which the Rebels Claim as a Great Victory – 8
News from Washington: The Mystery Regarding Army Movements Cleared Up – 8-9
Important Movement: The Entire Evacuation of Harrison’s Landing – 9
Editorial: The Army of the Potomac – 9
Release of Gen. Stone – 9
Editorial: The Priest, the Soldier and the War – 9-10
Editorial: The Defeat of Breckinridge at Baton Rouge – 10
The Orleans Princes – 10
Dodging to the Last – 10

[Magnatron]

This was the lead-up to the campaign and battle that my great-great-great uncle was killed in known as the Battle of Plains Store — part of the Port Hudson campaign.

His regiment, the NY 116th, was advancing on Confederate positions behind a Massachusetts regiment. The Massachusetts regiment lost nerve, turned and ran to the rear, directly through the 116th. In the ensuing confusion, a Confederate line pivoted behind the 116th and opened fire.

My uncle was struck in the lower back into his abdomen. He survived the gunshot, but died in hospital of infection three days later. He was buried with others in a ditch, and their graves are lost to history.

My uncle had just turned 18 when he enlisted in Buffalo. He married his school sweetheart and shipped out the next day. The battle was his first. He never saw his wife again.

We have a very good regimental history of the 116th that was written immediately after the war by my uncle’s captain.