William Wing Loring: Operations at Fort Pemberton

GENERAL: Iron-clad turret-boat Chillicothe came down and attacked us this morning at 10 o’clock. Two of our shots struck her. Firing kept up half an hour, when the boat withdrew. Enemy reported in force landing above about 2 miles, on the opposite side of the Talla-hatchee. I have ordered a regiment and battery from [L.] Tilghman to Chockachuma, on the Yalabusha, and himself to take the balance of his command to Yazoo City as rapidly as possible. If you can spare other troops and heavy arms, would advise sending them to Yazoo City, and block the river there strongly, in hopes of resisting them at this point. Please order ammunition to be sent, and order Lieutenant Harrod, engineers, at Yazoo City, now at Vicksburg.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FORT PEMBERTON,
March 11, 1863.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

GENERAL: Another of the enemy’s iron-clads attacked this position this afternoon, and was repelled with injury. Our 32-pounder shot nearly exhausted; they are our main reliance. Received this evening extraordinary dispatch from Major Mayo. For some reason unknown to us, he takes upon himself the responsibility of refusing to send ammunition. The requisition, approved by me, was made in accordance with your order, with great care, and by actual measurement of each gun. I bear it is too late to send us. The requisition by Colonel [T. N.] Waul was in accordance with the invoices sent him of the guns. There was no material difference between the two requisitions.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

JACKSON, March 14, 1863.

To General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,
Chattanooga, Tenn.:

The above just received from General Loring.

J. C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FORT PEMBERTON,
March 14, 1863—8 p.m.

To Lieutenant General Pemberton,

Enemy remained quiet until 3 p.m., when they opened from their land batteries, which was briskly returned by us. Lasted but few minutes. Evidently to try strength of our guns.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
March 16, 1863.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

GENERAL: From information and observation, think the enemy number between 5,000 and 10,000. Am of opinion it is but the advance of a very powerful force. Two of the largest class boats have just come down through the Pass. I think it will require the heaviest guns to resist them. They are now erecting land batteries with heavy guns. I have ordered three more regiments from Yazoo City to protect my flanks by preventing the crossing of Tallahatchee in my rear and reaching Yazoo in my front. Both are difficult for the enemy to do, owing to overflows. Would advise the sending of columbiads to Yazoo City. If you have a competent engineer to spare, I would like him ordered here. Dr. Voorhies arrived yesterday.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FORT PEMBERTON,
March 16, 1863—9 p.m.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

The enemy, with one iron-clad covered with cotton and sides protected by cotton on raft, opened upon us at 12.30 o’clock to-day. The iron-clad retired in about forty-five minutes. The land battery kept up the fire until sunset. No loss on our side. We are unable to prevent land batteries from increasing, because we are fearful of not receiving more ammunition in time. Have ordered another raft constructed on Yazoo, opposite here, and works thrown up on other side river. If I can have one week, will effect it.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
March 17, 1863—10 a.m.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

Yours of 16th received. If I can hold the enemy back a week, will have another raft constructed in Yazoo River opposite this and works thrown up on the other side. Still have strong hopes of the enemy being unable to force the obstructions here. Principal fear is that they may turn one of my flanks, particularly my left front. In order to counteract an attempt in that direction, I have ordered Brigadier-General [J. C.] Moore to move up near the point referred to with the remainder of his brigade. In accordance with your suggestion, I hope then to be able to check the enemy’s force; but as heavy additions are reported being made to their force, it will take one correspondingly large to successfully meet them.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FORT PEMBERTON,
March 17, 1863.

To Lieutenant-General Pemberton,

Up to this hour, 9 p.m., the enemy made no demonstration to-day. Got information from Panola and from scouts on Coldwater relative to the two large class boats. Have done all that could be done up to this time to intercept transports. Have given instructions to parties at Panola and up Tallahatchee, at Cassidy Bayou, to have round rafts made and floated down the river into fleet, covered with burning cotton.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
March 18, 1863—9 a.m.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

GENERAL: My information is positive that the expedition now coming against us is a most formidable one. Have made up our minds to fight it to the bitter end. You may look for nothing but a series of hardly fought battles throughout the whole length of the Yazoo. I must have all the strength here that I can possibly get. Send heavy guns and plenty of ammunition. If we had received ammunition in time, could have prevented the erection of land batteries, but, as it was, could not afford to spend our supply and leave none for their assault. At the same time, I would urge the most vigorous measures for defense of Yazoo City. Lend us and send three heavy guns and plenty of ammunition. I have ordered the guns at Yazoo City up here. Please send order to Yazoo City; also have not the cipher, and do not understand. Send also artillerists for our guns; we need them badly, and have none at all.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FORT PEMBERTON,
March 20, 1863—11 a.m.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

In consequence of the crippled condition of their gunboats, the injury done to their land batteries, and, from all we can learn, their great loss of life, the enemy have commenced a precipitate retreat up the Tallahatchee, abandoning the position of their land batteries. I have ordered pursuit upon their rear and both flanks.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

FORT PEMBERTON,
March 20, 1863—5 p.m.

To Lieutenant-General Pemberton,

I start a fully-clad cotton boat down to-night, keeping one here in case of accident. Enemy in full run, as fast as steam can carry him, and my men after him. This place capable of very strong defense; should be made perfect, and I have given orders to have it so. The engineer officer ordered by you has not yet reported, as the enemy is steaming away from here as fast as he can. I will, if you wish it, go to the Sunflower and stop him.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FORT PEMBERTON,
Near Greenwood, Miss., March 22, 1863.

To Maj. R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAJOR: I beg leave to submit the following report of Operations on the Yazoo and Tallahatchee Rivers: In accordance with your instructions, I left Jackson, Miss., on the morning of February 17 last, with the view to finding some suitable place on the Yazoo or Tallahatchee whereat to erect works and place obstructions to the passage down of the enemy. An examination of the two rivers from Yazoo City to 100 miles above here satisfied me that this position was the only one offering the slightest advantage for defensive works, and having previously ordered Major [Minor] Meriwether, of the engineers, to this place, determined to avail myself of its strong points. Accordingly, a line of works composed of cotton bales and earth was thrown up, extending from the Yazoo to the Tallahatchee, and a raft constructed by the able and united labors of Maj. Thomas Weldon and Mr. John McFarland, and with great skill placed in the Tallahatchee on our right. These necessary arrangements were prosecuted with the utmost diligence day and night; and notwithstanding every exertion to perfect our defenses, the enemy made his descent of the river and found us but poorly prepared to receive him.

On Wednesday (March 11), the enemy made his appearance before us with nine gunboats and twenty-four transports, a land force of 7,000 infantry and artillery. The raft in an unfinished state was hastily swung across the Tallahatchee, and the Confederate States steamer Star of the West sunk behind it. My inspector-general, Capt. John D. Myrick, was placed in command of the batteries, and we awaited the assault.

At 10 a.m. the formidable iron-clad Chillicothe steamed around the bend of the river in our front, as though it was intended to rush upon the raft and destroy it. A well-directed shell from our 32-pounder fell upon her turret, and she sensibly diminished her speed. This was followed by a solid shot from an 18-pounder rifle, which also struck, and the Chillicothe backed up stream until her hull was hidden around the bend, save her bow and that portion of her which contained the 11-inch guns. She then opened fire, and cannonading was kept up for an hour, when the gunboat withdrew, having been struck several tunes by three of our guns.

At 4 o’clock in the afternoon the fight was resumed by another gunboat, which we supposed to be the iron-clad De Kalb. After two hours hard fighting, the boat withdrew. During the day, Colonel [T. N.] Waul, commanding post, sent out a detachment of his Legion as skirmishers, who engaged a large body of the enemy’s infantry and cavalry and drove them back to their transports.

Thursday (the 12th), the enemy was engaged in erecting a battery upon a point in front, thickly wooded, which we could not prevent in consequence of the scarcity of ammunition.

On Friday morning, at 10 o’clock, the enemy again opened upon our works from two gunboats abreast, their land batteries, and a 13.inch mortar. We promptly responded with every gun we had in position, and the fight raged furiously the entire day, night putting an end to it.

It was in this day’s engagement that an 11 inch shell from the Chillicothe passed through the parapet, displaced a cotton bale, and ignited a tub of cartridges in the magazine of the Whitworth gun. The fire was communicated by the fuse. Fortunately the shell itself did not explode. By this casualty Lieut. [J. Q.] Wall, of the Pointe Couple Artillery, in command of the gun, was slightly [wounded], and 15 of his detachment were burned, some badly.

In this day’s engagement we experienced our only loss. A shell exploded over the of our guns, wounding 3 of the gunners, one of whom died in a few hours.

Our troops labored the entire night in repairing damages to the parapet and strengthening the works. Saturday was quiet until 4 p.m., when we were engaged by their land batteries and a gunboat spiritedly for about half an hour.

Sunday was occupied by the enemy and ourselves in adding strength to our respective works. Monday, as we afterward discovered, was fixed by the enemy for a grand assault with their entire force upon our works. Accordingly, the gunboat Chillicothe (the other ironclad having been disabled in Friday’s engagement) got into position, bow on, at 1,200 yards range, and with their land batteries and sharpshooters the day’s work began. In about twenty minutes after the engagement commenced, a shot from one of our heavy guns penetrated the Chillicothe and so badly injured her that the proposed assault was abandoned and she withdrew, leaving the land batteries and sharpshooters to keep up the fight until sunset.

Our loss during the engagement was 1 killed and 4 wounded, and 16 severely burned or injured by the explosion of our magazine. Total of casualties, 21.

A significant silence characterized their movements the three following days, although we could see them plainly at their batteries.

On Friday, before day, they abandoned their breastworks and commenced a rapid retreat up the river. Thus was conducted the battle of the Tallahatchee.

While I am thankful for the perfectly successful result of our labors here, I wish to express my obligations to Col. T. N. Waul, Texas Legion, for his energy, promptness, and good judgment in the discharge of his duty with his Legion in the fortifications during the engagements. I was greatly indebted to him for the assistance he rendered on so many occasions, and which contributed to our frequent successes.

Col. Ashbel Smith, commanding Second Texas, in charge of the right of our defenses, with great gallantry and skill prevented the enemy turning that flank.

Lieut. Col. W. N. Brown, commanding Twentieth Mississippi, and Capt. H. Cantey, also of the Twentieth, for important aid in collecting material for our raft while in readiness to defend the works.

Col. D. R. Russell, Twentieth Mississippi, during the last engagement, and General Tilghman subsequently (though the enemy was still in our front), rendered every possible aid. The general, in command of our left flank, kept the enemy apprehensive of their rear.

I cannot speak in too much praise of the courage, coolness, and efficiency of Capt. John D. Myrick, my aide and acting chief of artillery, not only under the fire of the enemy in battle, but at the critical moment of the explosion of our magazine. In the midst of it, when every one was appalled, he stood unfalteringly, and with great heroism rallied his men to their guns.

Captain [B. J.] Hogue, Lieuts. W. S. Wheaties, [J. Q.] Wall, and Captain [W. H.] Hedden, artillery; Sergt. E. Fullerton, of Hedden’s battery; Lieutenant Moon, engineers, and Sergt. J. Hennerberry, Company A, Twenty-second Louisiana Volunteers, commanded guns, and served them with great skill and courage. Sergts. David Eaton and Hugh Moldoon, belonging to the Navy, are mentioned for their accuracy as gunners and courage as men.

Before and after the enemy appeared, the weather was inclement, and when all depended upon the greatest energy, none rendered better service or were more exposed than the following officers: Maj. George McKnight, assistant adjutant-general Dr. A. H.] Voorhies, chief surgeon; Captain Armstead, ordnance [officer]; Captain [Belton] Mickle, quartermaster; Major Meriwether and Captain [Powhatan] Robinson, engineers; Dr. [E.] Randall, Captains [Samuel] Carter and [B. F.] Stirling and [H.] Wickeland, and Lieutenant [Peter] Schwander, Waul’s Legion.

I would here remark that this expedition was the prominent one of a great plan for the attack of Vicksburg in rear. It was to move rapidly down the Yazoo River to the mouth of Sunflower; there await another expedition down that river; the two united were to meet a third up the Yazoo; the three to force the raft at Snyder’s Bluff; united, to turn Vicksburg. After many months of secret preparations, they were certain of success. With but little time to fortify, they were determinedly met and forced to an ignominious retreat, leaving behind them evidences that their loss was great in men and material—a check which will undoubtedly prevent a further invasion of the State of Mississippi by the way of Tallahatchee and Yazoo Rivers.

With respect, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
March 23, 1863—4.30 p.m.

To General J. C. Pemberton,

The enemy in force with their gunboats have again made their appearance, opening fire at 2.15 and immediately ceasing fire.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
April 1, 1863.

To General J. C. Pemberton,

Enemy re-enforcing, and erecting a battery today of three 32-pounders.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
April 2, 1863.

To General J. C. Pemberton,

The enemy are sending their boats to the Pass for re-enforcements. They are receiving heavy guns. Can any heavy guns be sent here?

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

JACKSON,
April 3, 1863.

To Major-General LORING,
Fort Pemberton, via Grenada:

I am expecting more heavy guns, but have none now to lend you.

J. C. PEMBERTON,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

FORT PEMBERTON,
April 3, 1863.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

The enemy got another large re-enforcement to-day, at least 3,000. This fight, from the preparations making by the enemy, will be desperate. I therefore think we should have an additional quantity of ammunition sent at once for our guns. We are compelled to use our shot to prevent the enemy erecting batteries in our front, and I will cover the amount by requisition. Send one hundred rockets.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

FORT PEMBERTON,
April 4, 1863.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

FORT PEMBERTON,
April 5, 1863.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

The enemy commenced embarking last night at 10 o’clock, and before day this morning were in rapid retreat, after re-enforcing yesterday 10,000 men. Having our works strengthened, we commenced shelling their camps and transports, and kept it up for two days and at intervals during the night. Yesterday we made a reconnaissance in force from our left flank, alarming them very much. A party we have up the river, under Captain Mott, with a field piece, fired three shots into a transport loaded with troops yesterday, doing considerable damage among them, and disabling the boat. These no doubt influenced their retreat. I do not know yet how far they have gone. Will send another telegram shortly.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

FORT PEMBERTON,
April 6, 1863.

To Lieut. Gen. J. C. Pemberton,

The enemy are moving up the Tallahatchee, toward the mouth of Coldwater. The information is not sufficient yet to make it certain that they are going to the Mississippi River. The probability is that it is their intention to do so. We are certain that our shells and shot did great execution in their crowded camps before leaving.

W. W. LORING,
Major-General.

FORT PEMBERTON,
Near Greenwood, April 12, 1863.

To Maj. R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

MAJOR: I had the honor to make to you a report of the Operations of this command up to March 22, 1863.

The enemy, after getting 100 miles up the Tallahatchee, was heavily re-enforced and returned, fully determined to make a deadly attack upon these works. During their short absence we greatly strengthened our lines, and were fully prepared to give them a warm reception. We waited a short time after their arrival, in the hope that they would muster courage to attack us, but it seems that it failed them in the critical moment. We then commenced the offensive by driving away their laboring parties from the works intended for bakeries, and getting our lines of fire upon their camps and the direction of their forces for the support of their pickets.

We commenced shelling on the evening of April 2, and continued through the 3d and 4th. In the mean time a forced reconnaissance was made from our left by General Maury. A considerable force was also displayed upon our right. While our fire was destructive to their crowded camps, our action from right to left alarmed them very much, and on the night of April 4 they commenced embarking, and by daylight they were in rapid retreat up the river. We can hear of them steaming toward the Pass. How far they have got we are not fully advised, but think that they will go entirely through to the Mississippi. I beg leave here to mention that, in consequence of the extensive overflow of both sides of the Tallahatchee and Coldwater Rivers, it was impossible to get to the rivers, except in small canoes. Enterprising and gallant officers of this command—Col. A. E. Reynolds, Twenty-sixth Mississippi regiment, Lieutenant Henry, Second Texas, and Capt. George [W.] Mort, commanding a detachment of McCulloch’s—made their boats for the purpose. The latter fortunately reached the enemy and fired upon then, with small-arms, killing several, and upon on occasion fired three shots from a field piece, which was sent him, into a transport loaded with troops, disabling the transport and doing considerable execution. I have also to mention that a party of State troops, under the command of Major Lidell, fired into them, and on several occasions our cavalry on this side of the river annoyed them. In order to strike them in the future successfully, I would recommend that large canoes be ordered. They can be readily made along the river, and guns usually used by the Navy; 6 or 12 pounders, breech-loading, be obtained for the purpose. I have no doubt that two regiments, scattered along the Tallahatchee, Coldwater, and Sunflower, under men of energy and courage, would break up any expedition the enemy might send here in future.