Battle of Richmond, Madison Parish, LA June 15, 1863

Compiled and Notes Added by Richard P. Sevier (dicksevier@comcast.net)

Official Confederate and Union Reports

From

The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies

Volume XXXVI - 1880

CONFEDERATE REPORTS

(None found, yet)

UNION REPORTS

Actual Battle Report - Gen. Mower

Actual Battle Report - Col. Hubbard

Post Battle Report - Admiral Porter

Report from page 1 of June 24, 1863 New York Times

CHAP. XXXVI. OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN LOUISIANA. Pp. 451-452

Report of Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower, U. S. Army, Second Brigade,

Third division, Fifteenth Army Corps, of action (15th) near Richmond.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG, THIRD Div., FIFTEENTH A. C.,

Young's Point, La., June 17, 1863.

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the recent expedition to Richmond, La., in compliance with orders of General Grant:

On the morning of the 14th instant, I moved out from this place on the Duckport road with my brigade and Barrett's battery, the Sixty-third Illinois, and a detachment of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, under Major Shaw.

We encamped the night of the 14th on the plantation of Mrs. Ames (Amis), about 6 miles this side of Richmond.

On the morning of the 15th, we moved on, and at about 6 a. m., at the junction of the Duckport and Milliken's Bend roads, united my force with the Marine Brigade, under Brigadier-General Ellet. The pickets of the enemy were stationed at the junction of these roads, but retired without opposition. Moving on, when within about 2 miles of Richmond, the enemy were found to be in position on the plain in rear of a hedge of willows and a wide ditch, with their skirmishers in their advance. The advance regiment of my brigade, the Fifth Minnesota, was immediately deployed as skirmishers, and the other regiments formed in line of battle behind them, with the artillery placed in intervals in the lines, and a section on the left flank. These dispositions being made, the whole force advanced in the same order, and the skirmishers opened the engagement. The enemy's skirmishers were driven in, and their line of battle poured a volley or two upon our skirmishers. My artillery then opened, and in a short time the enemy was driven back across the plain and the bayou to the turn, where their second position was taken. I then advanced my line to the willow hedge and ditch. The battery of the enemy, consisting of four guns, then opened upon us, but without serious effect. My battery, in conjunction with that of the Marine Brigade, replied, and a lively artillery engagement was kept up between the forces for about one hour. This not accomplishing the object desired, I left the battery in position, with orders to fire at intervals, to keep the enemy engaged, and left as their support one regiment; the other regiments I moved by the right flank into the woods that bound the plain on the west, and, throwing forward skirmishers, advanced by the flank along the edge of the woods, so that I might, if possible, dislodge the enemy by turning their left flank. We proceeded with no opposition, except a few shells from the enemy's battery, and my skirmishers reached the bayou, about three-quarters of a mile west of the town, and found no enemy within view. Moving by the east, by the side of the bayou, we came to town, and found the enemy had fired the bridge across the bayou and left. The destruction of the bridge had progressed too far to admit of crossing the artillery. The cavalry forded the stream and pursued the enemy about 6 miles on the road toward Delhi, and brought in 25 prisoners; a small quantity of stores was found, and a few arms.

The town was destroyed. Several hours being required to make the bridge passable, and the enemy being already so far on the retreat, I deemed an attempt at further pursuit impracticable.

My loss was 1 man killed and 8 men wounded. I inclose (sic) a list of their names.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOS. A. MOWER,

Brigadier- General.

Capt. J. K. PIERSON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.

CHAP. XXXVI. OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN LOUISIANA. Pp. 452-453

Report of Col. Lucius F. Hubbard, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, of action, (15th) at Richmond.

HDQRS. FIFTH REGIMENT MINNESOTA VOL. INFANTRY,

Young's Point, La., June 20, 1863.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part sustained by the Fifth Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the action at Richmond, La., on the 15th instant:

On the 9th of the month, the brigade to which the Fifth Minnesota is attached was ordered to move from Haynes' Bluff to Young's Point, with a view of strengthening the garrison at the latter place, which was being threatened by a body of the enemy operating from the interior, and that had already made an attack at Milliken's Bend. The re-enforcements thus sent induced the enemy to fall back to Richmond, 20 miles west, from which place it was ordered that he be dislodged and driven out.

The force sent out for this purpose, consisting of two brigades, left Young's Point on the morning of the 14th, and bivouacked that night within 5 miles of Richmond.

At daylight on the morning of the 15th, the column moved forward, the Fifth Minnesota being in advance. The first picket of the enemy was encountered within 2 miles of the town, but a reconnaissance disclosed the fact that there was a considerable force in line of battle near the edge of a body of timber less than a mile to the rear of this outpost.

As soon as the probable location of the enemy was determined, I was ordered by General Mower to deploy six companies of my regiment as skirmishers, using the remaining four as a reserve, and move forward to ascertain more definitely the position the enemy occupied and his probable strength. The approach to the locality in which the enemy was posted led across a smooth, open field, which afforded no cover for the skirmishers whatever; hence the men were greatly exposed and their movements fully apparent to the enemy. Through this open field, about half a mile in front of the main body of the enemy, and running parallel with my line of skirmishers, was a deep ditch, skirted by a thick growth of bushes and small timber, under cover of which the rebel skirmishers, supported by a regiment of infantry, were posted.

When within 30 yards of this cover, and in point-blank range of the enemy's guns, we received a heavy volley from his skirmishers and the regiment in reserve. The men at once fell flat upon the ground, the weeds and tall grass affording them partial protection. A sharp skirmish fight ensued of perhaps twenty minutes' duration, during which a charge of the enemy, made with a design of capturing the skirmishers, was repulsed.

By this time our main column had formed line of battle and advanced to within supporting distance of the position we occupied. The rebel skirmishers now retired upon their main body, which had also fallen back and taken a position on the opposite bank of a bayou that separated us from the town. I again advanced, moving in the face of a fire of grape and canister from a battery the enemy had in position on the bank of the bayou, and, when within easy range of his sharpshooters, halted. Two batteries of artillery were now brought forward and opened upon the guns of the enemy. A sharp artillery fight followed, lasting more than an hour, during which the enemy effected an evacuation of the place, retreating on the road to Delhi. He had burned the bridge across the bayou and obstructed the road, rendering an immediate pursuit impracticable.

The village of Richmond was destroyed by order, and the following day the column countermarched to Young's Point.

The regiment bore itself with its usual gallantry and much to the satisfaction of the general commanding.

The following is a list of the casualties the regiment sustained in the action: 8 men Wounded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. F. HUBBARD,

Colonel, Commanding.

Col. OSCAR MALMROS,

Adjutant- General, Minnesota.

CHAP. XXXVI. OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN LOUISIANA. Pp. 454-455

Report of Admiral Porter to General Grant June 16, 1863

MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, FLAG-SHIP BLACK HAWK,

June 16,1863.

DEAR GENERAL: Rather than be idle, and thinking it a good plan not to let the rebels be enjoying themselves too much at Richmond, I dispatched General Ellet to the commanding officer, to see if he would not lend a hand to drive the rebels away. So they started yesterday morning at early daylight, with about 2,000 men, all told, and found the rebels strongly posted at Richmond, with 4,000 men and six pieces of artillery.

After an hour's fight, in which nobody was badly hurt (I believe) on our side., the rebels cleared out, and Richmond was burned in the row. Eleven prisoners fell into our hands. From them we learn that there are 6,000 men at Delhi, but without transportation. They left their wagons in Alexandria. From all I can learn, they expect more troops to join them, more field pieces, and their wagons.

They have signals going on all around here. I have the names of a number of houses where the signals are made from, and Ellet's cavalry will go out to-morrow and arrest them all. My idea is that this force is intended to co-operate with Vicksburg at the proper time. With the boats, flats, and coal barges they have they can transport their whole force to this side from Vicksburg in six hours, and if this party should suddenly seize the Point we could not prevent it. I am keeping a strong force of gunboats here, and shall keep the brigade ready to land at a moment's notice. The Benton will be above the canal every night, and the other boats when they return up the river. I shall also have the Osage in time to dash down amongst them if they try anything of the kind; still, with all that, the thing can be done. I do not know what else would bring these fellows here in such a hurry, and why they avoid a fight so. They lost 98 killed at Milliken's Bend, according to their own account, and a proportional number of wounded; also some horses. I tell you what I suppose to be their plans; you may see something else in the movement.

I caught a messenger from Vicksburg night before last slipping out in a canoe. I keep a picket boat out on the Mississippi side, above the canal, and the fellow was floating by, lying down. He would tell nothing; we only know that he threw his package overboard, and we could not get it. He says there are sixty days' provisions in Vicksburg, which we know cannot be so. Says we have killed nobody and done no damage, which is bosh.

I have told Captain Walker to supply 32-pounder guns, if you want any, at Haynes' Bluff. Will have carriages in a day or two for those there if you want them, though the guns are very heavy, and will be difficult to transport.

Everything is quiet up the river. Hearing that Price was advancing on Helena, I sent a force of gunboats there.

Very truly, yours,

DAVID D. PORTER,

Acting Rear-Admiral.

General GRANT.

Report from page one of June 24, 1863 New York Times

Young’s Point, Wednesday, June 17

Via Cairo, Tuesday, June 23.

The Marine brigade under Gen. ELLET, accompanied by Gen. MOORE (Mower), made a reconnoissance (sic) to Richmond on the 16^th (should be 15^th) with 2,300 men, drove 3,500 rebels out of place, captured 30 prisoners, and burned the town. Our loss was slight.

For a map of Richmond see Richmond 1839.