30

REBEL RAM

ARKANSAS"-REMOVAL OF THE SICK.

sas

On the morning of the 15th of July the rebel ram "Arkanafter running through Admiral Davis' fleet of iron clads at, and below, the mouth of the Yazoo river, succeeded also in running through that portion of Farragut's fleet, which had previously passed Vicksburg and was lying at anchor in the stream on the opposite side of the peninsula, and in a short time was safely moored under the enemy's batteries. Our position, unprotected as we were, by any adequate force, was consequently greatly endangered, and a good deal of consternation prevailed. Had this formidable boat attacked us then, we could have offered no successful resistance, and our transports might easily have been destroyed.

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Apprehending an onset, orders were received from headquarters to disembark the sick, and move them across the peninsula so that they might be under the protection of the fleet. The execution of this unnecessary and injudicious order is referred to by Dr. Blanchard, as follows: By some means, I hardly know how, we got three "hundred sick and helpless men over to to the levee "opposite Vicksburg, without tents or blankets, and with"out food or medicines. Just at night it began to rain "in a drizzling sort of way, I managed to get a limited supply of crackers and tea, and spent the night wading through the mud distributing these articles of nourishment "which was all I could obtain. The next morning we receiv"ed orders to return to the transports."

Farragut, nettled by the fact that the "Arkansas" had safely run through his squadron, resolved that very night

ADMIRAL FARRAGUT-DEATH OF CAPT. BROOKS. 31

to re-run the rebel batteries and resume his original position below Vicksburg. About nine o'clock at night his ships got under weigh and shortly afterward the mortar boats and our own batteries opened a furious bombardment. The enemy anticipating Farragut's movement, at once set fire to numerous tar barrels and other combustibles, which cast a very bright illumination over the river in their immediate front, and as the vessels of the fleet came within range of the rebels' guns a terrific cannonade was begun. For over two hours the roar of three hundred pieces of the heaviest ordnance was continuous. By midnight the entire squadron had passed the batteries, and was safely anchored nearly opposite our transports. It was a most brilliant exploit, and an achievement well worthy of the heroic commander who conceived it.

Although the fleet was not seriously damaged, it was felt that our position was an untenable and exceedingly hazardous one; we were practically surrounded; our supplies were nearly exhausted, and it was with the greatest difficulty and danger that our line of communication was kept open. No vessel could reach us except under the convoy of one or two gun-boats, and it was finally determined that we should return to Baton Rouge.

One incident occurred at this time which greatly enhanced the general gloom and sorrow, and was occasioned by the tragic death of Capt. Lorenzo Brooks, of Company F, who was killed on the transport "Ceres," while in command of a party of soldiers who had been sent to return the negroes employed in the work upon "Butler Ditch." The "Ceres" was

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66

DEATH OF CAPT. BROOKS.

one of our hospital boats, and was selected for the purpose on account of her large deck space. Quite a number of our sick, including several disabled officers, were on board and preferred to remain rather than incur the risk of passing the night on shore in our pestilential encampment. Among the officers who accompanied the expedition were Col. Roberts, Capt. D. B. Peck (afterwards Colonel), Capts. Salmon, Dutton, John L. Moseley, and Lieuts. Harris and R. C. Gates, the names of the others I do not recall. The negroes were embarked about dark, and the " Ceres" started down the river. The result of her trip was thus described by a correspondent of the New York Times: "On the 22d of July the 'Ceres' was sent to a point about twelve miles below Vicksburg, "with three or four hundred negroes who had been in the employ of the government for the purpose of returning them "to their owners. After landing them, and while returning, "the 'Ceres' was fired into by field artillery, stationed along the shore, thirty-two shots being fired in quick succession, consisting of grape, six pound shot and shells. "Eight shots passed through the boat; one charge of grape 'lodged in the hull; one six pound round shot went through "the hull, six inches below the water line; six shots passed "through between the upper and lower decks, and one "through the cabin, killing Capt. Brooks." (See N. Y. Times, August 11th, 1862). This account is substantially corroborated by Col. Peck, who speaks of the affair as follows: * * * "I remained on board with the other sick "officers. The negroes were safely delivered about midand we were within about five miles

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night,

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แ

DEATH AND BURIAL OF CAPT. BROOKS.

*

* *

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"of our camp, on our return, when the rebels opened fire. upon us from a light battery placed where the river made "a sharp bend, and the current ran very strong. The second "shot struck the rail of the cabin deck and glanced upward, killing Capt. Brooks. Owing to the curve "in the river we were necessarily within range for a long "distance, and it is not surprising that we were struck twenty"three times out of thirty-two shots; eleven of these were "in the hull, and five of them below the water line. The "third shot struck the starboard engine, stopping it and of "course leaving us turning round in the face of the battery. Fortunately for us it was nothing more serious than the knocking of the eccentric lever rod out of place, and this being promptly put back in position we soon passed out of range. Our worst leaks were stopped by tearing up mat"trasses and clothing and stuffing up the holes. We had no "means of replying to the fire, except with muskets which "were of no use."

It seems the enemy had observed the embarkation on, and' departure of, the "Ceres" without an escort, and so ran a light battery down from Vicksburg and planted it at the point indicated by Col. Peck, with a view, no doubt, of sinking the transport on her return. But for the darkness of the night, and the fact that the lights were extinguished as soon as the firing began, the "Ceres" would probably have been totally destroyed, and all on board would have been killed or lost. Capt. Brooks was an efficient and popular officer, and his loss was severely felt. He was buried with military honors at Baton Rouge on the return of the regi

34 SENDING SICK TO BATON ROUGE-CAPT. KILBURN.

ment to that place, and subsequently his body was removed to his native place. The next day after this sad occurrence the entire command embarked upon the transports, and accompanied by the whole fleet proceeded down the river to Baton Rouge.

A few days before, a portion of the sick had been placed on board the steamer "Morning Light," under the command of Capt. John B. Kilburn of Company D, who furnishes me with the following statement:

"Some four days previous to the abandonment of Vicks"burg, I was detailed to take the sick of our regiment to "Baton Rouge. On my going aboard the "Morning Light" "I found the sick were being removed from where the upper "fleet lay to the boat. The day was consumed in getting "the sick and necessary subsistence on board. I was di"rected to proceed down the river without a convoy or even a hospital flag. On reporting my readiness to leave, however, I was instructed to wait further orders. We were "detained three days, and much suffering ensued, many of "the men dying. Just before the expedition started on its "return a gunboat was assigned to act as my escort, and "I was directed to keep far enough ahead of the fleet so "that the sick would not be disturbed by the guns, and not "to use our cannon except for protection. There were three "hundred and fifty of the sick from our regiment, and a few "from other regiments on board. Every available place on "the boat was occupied. The weather was intensely hot, "and much discomfort and suffering was experienced from "the crowded condition of the vessel. We left Vicksburg