From The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion,
Vol. 34
No. 38.
Report of Col. William F. Lynch, Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry, commanding First
Brigade, Third Division, of the capture of Fort De Russy.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 16TH ARMY CORPS,
Alexandria, La., March 18,
1864
GENERAL: I have the honor to submit the following report relative to the part taken
by my command in the engagement of the 14th of March, 1864, which resulted in the
capture of Fort De Russy, La.:
My brigade left Simsport at 9.30 p.m. March 13, and with a rest of only four hours
reached the town of Marksville, La., at about 2.30 p.m. of the 14th; distance from
Simsport, 33 miles. The position of the brigade upon the line of march was in the
rear of our division. When about 1 mile beyond Marksville heavy cannonading was heard
about 1 ¼ miles in the front. My command was at this time well closed up, it having
been previously reported that the enemy was in our vicinity. Orders were soon received
to push forward and take position to support the Third Indiana Battery, which was
then already in position and vigorously replying to the fire of the enemy. Rapidly
my command advanced for about an eighth of a mile and formed line in front of the
fort and about half a mile from it, the Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteers taking position
upon the right of the main road, the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Volunteers
on the left, the Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry Volunteers and Ninth Indiana Battery
on a line and immediately in the rear. In this manner and under a heavy fire of shrapnel
and grape, I pushed forward my line, but had advanced but a short distance when I
received orders from you to move to the left flank, file right, and take position
upon the right flank of the enemy's works-our left. Moved the infantry in the manner
directed for nearly a mile, when I again formed line of battle in sight of the enemy's
works and less than 100 yards from the fort. The Ninth Indiana Battery, at the commencement
of this change in our position, was detached by the chief of artillery and pushed
forward to the front of the fort to relieve the Third Indiana Battery, having done
which they opened on the enemy, doing excellent service. On being again in line,
threw forward three companies of skirmishers, who opened a brisk fire upon the enemy,
which fire was speedily replied to from behind the enemy's works. Under orders my
whole line then opened fire, and the battle from right to left of the brigade commenced
in good earnest. At this time a short pause was made to enable the right to advance
to the assault, the order being that the right would advance so soon as the attack
became general. I then ordered an advance with bayonets fixed, and with a yell that
echoed through the timber my brigade sprang forward, down the slope, up the hill,
through the abatis, over the moat, and up the wall they clambered, and in less than
ten minutes from the time the order was given to charge the stars and stripes waved
in triumph over the works of Fort De Russy.
To my immediate staff officers I return my sincere thanks for their unflinching bravery
and hearty co-operation during the brief but sanguinary struggle. To the officers
commanding the several regiments forming my brigade, and to the officers and men
in their several commands, I give my warmest thanks for their bravery and efficiency
in the execution of all orders, when in a state of almost utter exhaustion, the result
of an unprecedented march, and while under the galling fire which was for a time
directed against them. Where all were brave, it is impossible to particularize individual
bravery. All did well and nobly. I thank them. To Capt. M. O'Donnell, of your staff,
I beg leave to return my thanks for the very valuable assistance rendered at the
beginning of the engagement. Among the casualties was that of Lieut. James Carey,
Company H, Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry, a brave and gallant young officer; fell
severely wounded while urging his men forward. To the Eighty-ninth Indiana and One
hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry belong the credit of being the first to
enter the fort, and to the Fifty-eighth Illinois belongs the glory of planting the
first flag within the enemy's Works, although those of the Eighty-ninth Indiana were
but a few seconds behind. It is a matter of small import who were the first to enter
or the first to hoist the flag, when there is no measure of time so short as will
enable one to discriminate to which regiment of the First Brigade belongs the credit;
enough it is to say, that to the First Brigade of the Third Division belongs the
credit of being the first to enter the fort, and the first to plant our nation's
flag thereon.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. F. LYNCH,
Colonel Fifty-eighth Illinois Infy., Comdg. First Brigade.
Brig. Gen. JOSEPH A. MOWER,
Comdg. First and Third Divisions, 16th Army Corps.
