Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/314

 308 Southern Historical Society Papers.

army had landed at Baton Rouge, re-occupying and fortifying the city.

GENERAL BANKS' S ADVANCE.

During the months of January and February troops arrived in considerable number. Three brigades were formed; one given to General Beall, composed principally of troops from his own State (Arkansas), and the other commands were assumed by Brigadier- Generals S. B. Maxey and John Gregg, of Texas. In March an- other brigade arrived commanded by Brigadier-General Rust The enemy finally exhibited signs of activity, and about the loth of March it became known that General Banks would make a demon- stration of some kind. He did move out of Baton Rouge on the 1 2th and approached us with his whole force. It was confidently expected that he would attack us with some vigor, and our dispo- sitions were according made on the 13th.

General Gregg held the right of our line of intrenchments, Gen- eral Maxey the centre and General Beall the left. General Rust's brigade was in advance.

On the afternoon and during the night of the 14th, Rust's brigade, in the woods before our lines, felt the enemy's advance and tried, but in vain, to draw him on.

General Rust sent in requesting permission to make his way around Banks's right flank and rear, while the balance of the troops sallied forth and attacked in front. This permission was refused; in the hope of drawing the enemy into an assault.

Meanwhile the fleet moved up as follows :

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MARSHALL J. SMITH's REPORT OF THE BAT- TLE AT PORT HUDSON ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH I4TH, 1863.

Port Hudson, Louisiana, March 15th, 1863.

To Major- General Frank Gardner:

General, — Yesterday morning the Federal fleet consisting of the

Steamship Hartford, 26 9-inch and i lo-inch guns.

Gunboat Kineo, i ii-inch and 4 32-pounders.

.Steamship Richmond, 23 g-inch guns.

fiunboat Gennessee, with battery of ii-inch and 9-inch guns, num- ber not known.