159TH REGIMENT, N.Y.S.V.
During the latter part of October, 1862, negotiations were made by which the 167th Regiment, Colonel HOMER A. NELSON, in Camp at Hudson, was consolidated with the 159th Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel EDWARD L. MOLINEUX, in camp at Brooklyn. The consolidated Regiment was designated the 159th, Colonel NELSON retaining command. The Regiment left "Camp-Kelly," Hudson, on the 30th day of October, proceeded on board the steamer Connecticut, arrived in New York next morning, and marched to Park Barracks. Remained there until November 1st, when we were mustered, into the United States service by Lieutenant R.B. Smith, U.S.A. Left Park Barracks and marched to Castle Garden; from there proceeded by steamboat to Staten Island, and went into Camp at New Dorp. Next day pitched our tents and had things very comfortable.
Colonel Nelson having been elected to Congress from his District, Lieutenant Colonel E.L. Molineux was appointed Colonel, and took command of the Regiment, which he virtually had from the first.
November 24th the Regiment broke Camp and was placed on board U.S. steam transport Northern Light, pier No. 3, North River, and remained at the wharf until December 2d, when we hauled into the stream. Early on the morning of the 4th weighed anchor, and the 159th Regiment put to sea. On the 13th we reached Ship Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, having enjoyed a tolerable good passage for the season of the year, being more fortunate than other ships of the expedition, some of them having suffered considerable from rough weather off Cape Hatteras.
December 14th reached New Orleans, and anchored in the stream over night.--The following day pursued our course up the river to Baton Rouge, and arrived there on the 17th. The enemy, learning of our approach in force, concluded to evacuate, while our monitors gave them a parting salute, and the same day the Stars and Stripes were hoisted to the breeze from the Capitol, amid the shouts and cheers of the gratified soldiers.
Now the work began of making thorough soldiers of men, the greater portion of whom never used fire arms before, at least not in the manner required by the service. Squad, Company, Battalion, and Brigade drill, with any quantity of discipline considered essential to fit men for the campaigning and hardships visible in the distance, were gone through with.
Perhaps few in the volunteer service, none of whom could boast of very much practical experience, were better adapted than Colonel Molineux for this severe task; very quick, energetic, ambitious to do his own duty and to keep every man in his command busy, was the true secret of his success as a disciplinarian.
For nearly three months the men were kept steadily under instruction, and became quite proficient in the use of the musket, and all the essential discipline to make an effective army.
On the 13th of March, 1863, broke camp, and the army moved up to the rear of Port Hudson. Colonel Molineux having command of a provisional Brigade with Nims' Massachusetts Battery, went up the Clinton Road, while the main army proceeded down the Port Hudson Road about eighteen miles, skirmishing the Rebels the whole way, driving their pickets and scouts as they advanced.
At this time Port Hudson was strongly manned, there being from 23,000 to 25,000 men in that natural stronghold. Manoeuvred about this quarter until the 20th, when we again joined the main body of the army on the Port Hudson Road, returning to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
This movement was made to attract the attention of the enemy, and enable Admiral Farragut's boats to proceed up the river past the fort that here impeded his passage. This was a bold but brilliantly successful move, that only an "iron Farragut" could have accomplished. This blind enabled General Banks to more successfully pursue his future designs, as the enemy had been led to suppose by the formidable movements around Port Hudson that a general attack was to be made at once to reduce the place. Subsequent events exhibited the picture in a different light.
From the 20th to the 28th of March we were kept in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Finally, the suspense was removed and we proceeded on board the transport ship Laurel Hill, to Donaldsonville, La., where we landed in a drizzling rain, about 10 o'clock, P.M., with mother earth for a couch and the broad, moist sky for a canopy. Active campaigning was now fairly inaugurated.
On the 31st of March the troops moved for Thibodeaux, La. The 159th was detailed in charge of supplies and Regimental property, and proceeded by boat up the Bayou Lafourche, arriving at Thibodeaux April 1st. On the 3d we moved to the Railroad Station at Terra Bone, taking the cars for Bayou Bueff, where we arrived on the 4th. Remained here until the 9th. Arrived at Brasher City, La., on the 11th, in company with the 13th Connecticut, 26th Maine, and a detachment of Cavalry. Boarded river steamer Laurel Hill, and proceeded up Berwick Bay, into Grand Lake, accompanied by Grover's Division, numbering about 8,000 men. Had with us three small gun-boats, moving cautiously. Reached the Bend without disaster, the gun-boats shelling the woods and covering the landing of the troops, which took place on the morning of the 13th. Skirmishing lines were thrown out immediately. The Lake is three or four miles wide at this place, and is called Shell Bend. Having all ashore and everything in good order, the enemy in sight, we retired for the rest we needed, little realizing the hard fight before us. Lay in skirmish line all night. A few of our men were wounded.
At early dawn of the 14th of April, the lines advanced without breakfast, marching about a mile and a half. The enemy was strongly posted in a wood at a bend in the Bayou. Covered by the gun-boats, the 25th and 13th Connecticut and 26th Maine, commanded by Colonel Birge, were skirmishing briskly in front. Colonel Molineux was ordered to take his Regiment, the 159th, and advance and charge the woods.
We advanced in good style over a plowed cane-field in line, passing over the 26th Maine, who were lying down. Passed the skirmish line of the 25th Connecticut, who were under cover of the cane on our right. Several of our men fell in the advance. Reached within pistol shot of the fence and wood where the enemy was concealed. Scarcely one could be seen while they poured a most effective fire on us, but we steadily advanced 'till ordered to lay down. At this time the men were nearly exhausted, marching at double quick over rough ground with heavy knapsacks; it took a little time to catch fresh wind and unburthen ourselves of our heavy load. We could not have stopped at a more uncomfortable place, for the enemy gave it to us hot and sweet, while we did not have a chance to see them. They came out of the wood through the cane to the rear of our right flank, and right on top of us. We no doubt would have layed there 'till every man of us was shot had not the order come to fall back to the left. Several of our men were taken prisoners, the enemy rushing upon us while rising up from our position, and poured a most deadly fire into us with fearful effect. The 91st N.Y.S. Volunteers coming down to our aid, the rebels skedaddled, but not without some loss and a number taken prisoners.
Col. Molineux was severely wounded in the mouth, Lieut-Col. Draper and Adjutant Lathrop were killed; the Colonel, Lieut-Colonel and Adjutant were nobly doing their duty in the advance, leading their men. No officers could have done better or been more brave. They were picked out by the enemy's sharpshooters posted in the trees near by.
The victory was ours, though the Regiment paid dearly for this, their maiden fight. Second Lieutenant Lockwood, of Company G, was killed while nobly leading his Company. Lieutenants Plunket and Price were mortally wounded. Lieutenant Manley, of Company A, was killed, and Lieutenant Tieman and Captain Petit were slightly wounded. Our total killed, wounded and missing amounted to 112, viz: 6 officers, 23 men killed; 2 officers, 69 men wounded, and 12 men prisoners. Major Burt, who was on General Grover's staff, now assumed command of the Regiment.
The 91st N.Y.S. Volunteers were to have advanced with us on the right, but misunderstanding the order, they failed to advance, causing us to be flanked and receive a heavy enfilading fire by which we suffered so much.
Our Division was to fall on the rear of the enemy, when they were driven from their entrenched position, at Bislin, south of Franklin. The strong resistance at Irish Bend was to make good their escape, which they effected at the loss of a large number of prisoners.
April 15th, marched up Teche 18-1/2 miles, the main column, under General Banks, in advance. Arrived at New Iberia, where Mills and Ashton, of Company K, who were taken prisoners at Irish Bend, joined the Regiment, the enemy having paroled them.
Arrived at Vermillion Bayou, and finding the bridges burned, had to reconstruct them. The Regiment was now detailed to collect cattle through the prairie and drive them to Berwick City. We collected about three thousand head.
A detachment of the Regiment left us to gather up cotton and other property laying about loose. Arrived safely at Berwick City, and returned in charge of a wagon train which we left at Opolosus, and reported to the Division Commander at Barrie's Landing, on the Teche, eight miles from Opolosus.
May 5th broke camp and marched to Little Washington, La., and from there to Wells' Plantation, where we went into camp. Left Welles' Farm and marched to Simsport, a distance of eighty miles, where we arrived on the 18th, and crossed the Mississippi, landing at Boyou Sara, on the night of the 21st.
The 24th day of May brought us close to the enemy's outer works in front of Port Hudson, after marching the distance of eight hundred miles from the 28th day of March to the 24th day of May.
Our position now placed us under a heavy fire and shelling from the fort. The enemy well knowing the Road we were obliged to advance on, poured an accurate fire upon our line. But few casualties occurred, although some narrow and hair-breadth escapes happened.
On the 25th of May, skirmishing all day. Result, four of our men killed. At noon our men were relieved from picket, and the Regiment ordered to the right of our Division. A general movement was made along the lines, and our Regiment was selected to attack a portion of the enemy's works, and storm it. The 25th Connecticut Volunteers was consolidated with us, commanded by Major Burt. It was necessary to make a circuitous route three miles through the woods to the right, to reach the position to be attacked, exposed the whole way to a continued and terrific fire of shot and shell; but our boys unflinchingly pressed on through ravines, over felled trees, and all sorts of intricacies natural and artificial. The final assault was to be made upon an almost perpendicular slope. "Forward!" was the word, and persistently we advanced, reaching just under and near the parapet, but the fire was like hail; the Color Bearer was shot dead and the color staff shot from his hands, but it was again secured and brought off. We lay in this position for some hours unable to advance or retreat; it seemed almost impossible for one to escape under such a fire. A number of our men remained in this position until after dark, when the firing ceased. Shortly after midnight, the enemy supposing we still lay close to their works, sallied out and poured a heavy volley into the position from which we had been very prudently removed but a short time previous. We captured one Captain and eight sharpshooters in ambush outside the works; this was but little, yet it furnished some satisfaction for our loss. This was in advance of any previous attack, several of which were made during the day. Our loss on this eventful day was 21 men killed and 38 wounded. From this time until June 14th we were almost continually in the rifle pits.
