The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River

J D, I'm afraid I don't have anything as specific as you require. However, for what it may be worth, here are notes from my files that may bear on your topic. Please note that Wm Bozic is very knowledgeable about Likens' Texas Cavalry and could offer more details. He is a poster on the Texas board.

Other resources
William Bozic, “History of the 35th Texas Cavalry Regiment;

Civil War Letters of Louis Lehmann: With Alexander Terrell’s and James B. Likens’ Texas Cavalry Regiments, 1863–1864. By Edmund Louis Burnett. (Hillsboro, Tex.: Hill College Press, 2011. Pp. 252. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. ISBN 9780912172019,
Terrell's Texas Cavalry / by John W. Spencer

My notes:

9/22/64 to Magruder-Gen Boggs has been instructed, in replying to your communications; to enclose copies of reports from Gen Buckner relative to the movements of the enemy in his district. The withdrawal of the investing force from Mobile & the arrival of large reinforcements at Morganza amid Berwick Bay give Gen Buckner occupation for the little force left in his district. Bagby has been driven across the Atchafalaya, which line is at present occupied by the enemy.

9/24/64 E Millett cdg sqdrn 32nd [36th] Tex Cav to Maj J P Smith AAG-On Niblett’s Bluff Rd 25 miles west of Opelousas-Ref to being on picket chasing conscripts & jayhawkers-Got word of enemy crossing Atchafalaya & are trying to be prepared to move accordingly. Thompson’s Bn already marched for Opelousas
[Maj J P Smith, AAG, Hqs Cav, Dist of W La]

9/29/64 Hqs Debray’s Bgde, Murdock’s Plantation-letter to Dept Hqs recommending Lt Sherwood of 32nd Tex as AAG…
Following the Red River campaign, the Thirty-fifth Tex Cav stayed in Louisiana and engaged the enemy in several skirmishes in September, including Williamsport, Atchafalaya Bayou, and Morganza.

Likens’ Tex Cav Regt [35th]
Skirmish, Willia… La. (16) Sept. 16, 1864
Operations near Morganza, La. (11) Sept. 17 - 25, 1864
Skirmish, Atchafalaya Bayou, La. (15) Sept. 17, 1864
Skirmishes, Bayou Alabama & Morgan's Perry, La. Sept. 20, 1864
Skirmish, Atchafalaya Bayou, La. (15) Sept. 20, 1864
Skirmish near Morganza, La. (11) Sept. 21, 1864

In Sept, 1864, Terrell commanded a Bgde of three Tex Cav Regts forming the advance line of Confederate positions in west La. Gen Bagby returned & assumed command by the end of the year with Terrell returning to the 34th Tex.

11/5/64 Alexandria, Wright Schaumburg to Buckner, endorsed by Gallaher-Terrell’s Tex Bgde of Cav camped near Lecompte continues depredations on the people in that neighborhood notwithstanding your letter ordering its correction. They are a plague to the country they should have protected

Terrell’s Regt performed picket duty along the Atchafalaya River during the fall & early winter & fought several skirmishes with soldiers stationed at Morganza.
Nov 64 Inspector criticizes Terrell’s performance as a cdr who said the Bgde lacked discipline & committed depredations on the people of the area. In fact, from want of discipline & restrain they roam the surrounding country at will.
Terrell’s Bgde spent the winter of 64/65 at Alexandria, La till they moved to Grand Ecore in Feb, 65.

11/16/64 Union report-I have the honor to submit to your consideration a statement of the information received at this office this 16th day of Nov from the following source, the statement of T F. Chapman, scout, New Orleans, Nov 16: Mr. Chapman, who was detained in arrest at Alexandria fifty-seven days, left that place on the 1st.
Gen Bagby's Hqs were four miles this side of Alexandria.
Col A. W. Terrell's Bgde was encamped eighteen miles from Alexandria, on the road from that place to Cheneyville. It was reported that Col Terrell was ordered to Black or White River, La. On his retreat from the Atchafalaya, Sept 20, Col Terrell destroyed $1,000,000 worth of public property, including a pontoon bridge.
The Bgde commanded by Brig-Gen Brent, including the 2nd & 4th La, have been relieved on the line of the Atchafalaya by Brig Gen X. B. Debray's Bgde. Mr. Chapman met the 2nd La eight miles below Big Cane, en route for Black or White River. The 4th La is under similar orders. The 2nd is said to number 750 & the 4th 1,300. This estimate must be far too high.
Col Gould's & Col Woods' Regts, of Debray's Bgde, are at or near Simsport, & their liens extend down the Atchafalaya to Bayou Current, or Mrs. Gordon's plantation, eighteen miles. Col Myers' Regt, Debray's Bgde, guard the Atchafalaya at Morgan's Ferry from Mrs. Gordon's plantation, seven miles upriver, to Lyon's Ferry, sixteen miles down the river. Capt Lane commands at Morgan's Ferry with sixty or seventy men. The main force of Col Myers' Regt is twelve miles from Morgan's Ferry on Bayou Rouge at Falkner's Ferry. Gen Debray's Hqs are at the forks of the road, three miles west from Falkner's Ferry.

12/11 Col Vincent, 2nd La Cav will detail a Sqdrn to replace sqdrn from Debray’s command at Evergreen

12/20/64 Union report-The 23rd Texas Cav left the line of the Atchafalaya for Alexandria on the 12th. The 2nd La Cav arrived at the Atchafalaya on the 13th or 14th, &, posting one company at Morgan’s Ferry, departed for Alexandria. The negroes through this section & around Grossetete are being conscripted & sent to Alexandria, either to fortify that point, or, as is strenuously asserted, to be organized & armed. There seems to be a concentration of troops to a certain extent at Alexandria. It is reported to be for the purpose of fortifying. Gen Buckner commands there. Gen Bagby is four miles south of Alexandria. Gen Debray has left the Atchafalaya & moved above Alexandria

Jan 65 Union report-Lt Adams to AAG, Military Division of West Ms: I have the honor to submit to your consideration the following report of information received at this office: … Major-Gen Bagby, cdg all the Cav in Buckner’s district, has his Hqs at Mr. Williams’ plantation four miles in the rear of Alexandria. Informant heard nothing about any movements of troops; thinks they are not in condition to move.

Messages In This Thread

Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River *NM*
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River *NM*
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River *NM*
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River *NM*
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River *NM*
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River
Re: Action on the Atchafalaya River