Report
of the role of the 24th Missouri Infantry
in the capture of Fort DeRussy, Louisiana
From The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion,
Vol. 34
No. 49.
Report of Major Robert W. Fyan, Twenty-Fourth Missouri Infantry, of the capture of
Fort De Russy
HDQRS, TWENTY-FOURTH MISSOURI INFANTRY VOLS.
On board Sioux City, near Alexandria, La., March 17, 1864
CAPTAIN: In obedience to orders received this date from brigade headquarters, I beg
leave to make the following report of the part taken by the Twenty-fourth Missouri
Volunteers in the attack upon and capture of Fort De Russy on the 14th instant: At
or about 4 o'clock of the 14th instant the Twenty-fourth Missouri was ordered up
on double-quick, with instructions from the brigade commander to form on the left
of the road and take position so as to protect the battery (Third Indiana). In this
position we remained until the Third Indiana had exhausted all their ammunition,
and the Ninth Indiana Battery was brought up to relieve them, at which time Brigadier-General
Mower ordered us to fix bayonets and advance in line of battle. This order was obeyed,
until arriving at the edge of the timber in front of the west side of the fort, where
the regiment was halted sufficiently long to correctly align it, when it was ordered
to charge bayonets, an order that was obeyed not only with promptitude but with the
utmost furor. Not a half was made until our colors were planted on the walls and
the fort surrendered. The Twenty-fourth Missouri claims its colors were first on
the wall, and it the first inside the fortifications.
Our loss was 1 killed, 1 mortally wounded, 4 severely wounded, and 7 slightly wounded.
Where every man did his duty it would be impossible to make distinctions.
Respectfully submitted.
R. W.
Fyan
Major, Commanding
Regiment
