Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[701] mortal, and the least motion causing great agony, he was left on the field at his own request, his aid, Lieutenant Yerger, remaining with him. The next morning they gave themselves up to the enemy. I cannot speak in terms too strong of the skill, coolness, and courage of General Clark. He played the part of a perfect soldier. Brigadier-General Ruggles conducted the attack on the left with uncommon rapidity and precision, and exhibited throughout the qualities of a brave and experienced officer. In addition to the officers of my staff already mentioned, I desire to express my acknowledgments of the zeal and gallantry of Major Wilson, Chief of Artillery, Major Hope, Inspector-General, whose horse was shot under him, Captain Nocquet, Chief of Engineers, Lieutenant Breckinridge, Aide-de-Camp, and Doctor Pendleton, Medical Director, assisted by Doctor Weatherly, on temporary service. A number of gentlemen from Louisiana and elsewhere, rendered efficient service as volunteers, among whom were Lieutenant-Colonel Pinckney, Mr. Addison, and Captain Bird, of. Louisiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Brewer, of Kentucky, and Mr. William B. Hamilton, of Mississippi. The thanks of the army are due to the Hon. Thomas J. Davidson, for his attention to the hospitals, and to all the inhabitants of that part of Louisiana for their devotion to our sick and wounded. Colonel Pond and Major DeBaum, in command of partisan rangers, were efficient before and after the battle, in observing and harassing the enemy. The inability of General Clark and the failure of several officers to make reports, may prevent full justice to the conduct of the First division. Any omission here, will, when brought to my notice, be embodied in a supplemental report. The report of General Ruggles is very full, as to all that occurred on the left. I send herewith a list of the officers and men specially mentioned in the division, brigade, and regimental reports, for gallant conduct, with the request that it be published and the names brought to the favorable notice of the government. I transmit, also, the reports of the subordinate commanders, and the returns of the killed and wounded. It will be seen that our casualties amounted to four hundred and sixty-seven. I have reason to believe that the loss of the enemy was much greater. We captured two flags and a few prisoners. Nothing was left by us but one caisson, which was so much injured as to be wholly unserviceable, one of the enemy's being brought off in its place. After the battle, the enemy, who had previously been plundering, burning houses, and other property, stealing negroes, and seizing citizens through a large region of country, never ventured to send out another marauding force. Our pickets continued to extend to the immediate vicinity of Baton Rouge, and very soon the enemy abandoned the place, and retired to New Orleans. A few days after the engagement, knowing the desire of the Major-General commanding to secure a strong position on the Mississippi, below the month of Red River, I occupied Port Hudson with a portion of the troops under the command of Brigadier-General Ruggles. The next day I received orders to remove all the troops to that point. Brigadier-General Bowen, who had just arrived, was left with his command on the Comite River, to observe Baton Rouge from that quarter, to protect our hospitals, and to cover the line of communication between Clinton and Camp Moore. I directed General Ruggles to select eligible positions at Port Hudson for heavy batteries, and ordered Captain Nocquet, Chief Engineer, to report to him temporarily for this duty. Upon my arrival there, I found that rapid progress had been made, and some of the works under charge of Captain Nocquet, were ready to receive the guns, which the Major-General commanding wrote me were on the way. Port Hudson is one of the strongest points on the Mississippi, which Baton Rouge is not, and batteries there will command the river more completely than at Vicksburg. On the nineteenth day of August, in obedience to orders from the headquarters of the department, I moved from Port Hudson for Jackson, Mississippi, with a portion of the force, leaving Brigadier-General Ruggles in command with------troops. In concluding this report, I have to express my obligations for the prompt and cordial support which I received at all times from the Major-General commanding the department.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

I omitted to mention that the Fifteenth Mississippi, Major Binford, was not brought into action. This admirable regiment, much reduced by long and gallant services, was held as a reserve.

Sir: I have the honor to submit, for the consideration of the Major-General commanding the forces, the following report of the part taken by my division in the action of the fifth instant, at Baton Rouge:

The Second division was composed of two brigades, the First consisting of the Third Kentucky regiment, Captain Bowman; Sixth Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Cofer; Seventh Kentucky, Colonel Crossland; and Thirty-fifth Alabama, Colonel Robertson. The Second brigade, of the Fourth Louisiana regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Hunter; battalion of Thirtieth Louisiana regiment, Colonel J. H. Breaux; battalion of Stewart's Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel Boyd; and Confederate light battery, Captain J. O. Semmes with two companies mounted men, and some two