Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 37.djvu/188

180 The battle of May 16th, 1864, at Drewry's Bluff was the culminating and well designed execution of Beauregard's well conceived plan that bottled up Butler the blusterer. The plan was so well made that but for the failure of General Whiting with his division to execute Beauregard's idea, Butler would not only have been bottled as he was, but much more seriously damaged, perhaps destroyed. There seems to be the difference of opinion on this point.

General Beauregard says of General Ransom and his division in the battle of the 16th May:

"Ransom moved at 4:45 A. M., being somewhat delayed by a dense fog which lasted several hours after dawn, and occasioned some embarrassment. * * * He was soon engaged, carrying at 6 A. M., with some loss, the enemy's line of breastworks in his front, his troops moving splendidly to the assault, and capturing five stand of colors and some 500 prisoners. The brigades most heavily engaged were Grade's and Kemper's opposed to the enemy's right, the former turning his flank." (See War Records, Vol. 36, Part 2, p. 201).

Major-General Robert Ransom says in his report:

"The conduct of the troops throughout was unquestionable, but the brigades of General Gracie and Colonel Terry (Kemper's), deserves special notice; also the regiment of Colonel Lewis, which he so gallantly led at double-quick against the enemy. It has been impossible to get reports from subordinates, and I wish this meagre outline may answer for immediate requirements." (Vol. 36, Part 2, War Records, p. 213).

General Ranson adds on a postscript that "on taking the breastworks, five stand of colors, one brigadier-general and about 400 prisoners were captured."

As the official reports of the battle at Drewry's Bluff, of May 1 6, 1864, do not state what particular part was taken by the brigades of Ransom's Division, other than a few references of the major-general commanding, the differences between Gracie's men and those of Colonel Terry cannot be settled by these