Today in History:

285 Series I Volume XLIX-I Serial 103 - Mobile Bay Campaign Part I

Page 285 THE MOBILE CAMPAIGN.

ion, which was hardly serviceable. On the first day's march from Pensacola it began to rain and continued almost without intermission for forty-eight hours, rendering the condition of the roads almost impassable. The condition of the men during this long rain-storm was miserable in the extreme, being unable to dry their clothing during the time, and owing to the flat condition of the ground unable to find a dry place to sleep or rest. But little sickness resulted from this exposure and the spirit of the troops was not depressed in the least. From this point the roads had to be covered with corduroy bridge for many miles, and while half the command were engaged in laying it the other half were assisting the artillery and wagon trains. On the 25th we reached the vicinity of Bluff Springs where we found Brigadier-General Clanton, with a small force, prepared to oppose our farther progress. Brigadier-General Lucas, commanding cavalry forces, ordered the First Louisiana Cavalry to charge, which it did in fine style, killing several and capturing General Clanton with 140 men. General Clanton was wounded through the body and left with the other wounded of his command in small house near the battle-field. Doctor Grigsby surgeon, C. S. Army, was left with a sufficient number of attendants to care for the wounded. Our casualties were slight, only two being killed and a few slightly wounded, who were taken with the command in ambulances. On the 26th the whole command was put on one-fourth rations and large details were employed each day in laying corduroy bridges, while others were assisting in extricating artillery and wagons from the mud. In many places the trains had to be moved entirely by the men, it being utterly impossible for the animals to get through. We reached Stockton on the 30th, where we found large quantities of corn and a grist-mill, and the command halted twenty-four hours, in order that a supply of meal might be obtained.

on the 1st of April we arrived in the vicinity of Blakely, having marched a distance of 120 miles over the worst, of roads, many estimating that thirty miles of corduroy bridge were made. For several days the troops were on one-fourth rations, were working every day as well as marching for days without dry clothing, and yet there was scarcely any sickness, nearly every man being able to take his place in the ranks when the advance was made. Field hospitals were established in the rear of the center of each division, the corps of operation reported promptly, and everything made ready to care for the wounded. The hospitals had to be moved several times on account of the shells from the rebel gun-boats reaching so far to the rear, but finally secure positions were secured, that for General Andrews' division near Mr. O. Sibley's house, and that for General Hawkins' division near the house of Mr. Wilson, on the Stockton road. The ambulances were stationed in localities secure and easy of access from the several regiments, and the wounded promptly removed from the field to the ambulance stations on hand litters. General Hawkins' division suffered severely on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd from shells thrown from the rebel gun-boats, but after they were driven off the daily list of casualties was small until the evening of April 9, when the works were carried by assault and hundreds of wounded were hurried to the hospitals. Finding the hospital accommodations in General Andrews' division were inadequate, I had the wounded removed to the house of Mr. O. Sibley, where there was plenty of shelter and excellent water in abundance. By 10 p.m. all the wounded had been removed from the field and before morning every man had received attention. The wounded were not exposed to


Page 285 THE MOBILE CAMPAIGN.