Battle of Baton Rouge (1862)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Baton Rouge (Magnolia Cemetery)
partof=the American Civil War


caption=A line engraving of the battle published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862
date=August 5, 1862
place=Baton Rouge, Louisiana
casus=
territory=
result=Union victory
combatant1= flagicon|USA|1861 United States (Union)
combatant2= flagicon|CSA|1861 CSA (Confederacy)
commander2=John C. Breckinridge
commander1=Thomas Williams†
Thomas W. Cahill
strength2=2600
strength1=2500
casualties2= 478 dead
casualties1= 371 dead
notes=

The Battle of Baton Rouge (or Magnolia Cemetery) was a ground and naval battle in the American Civil War fought in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, on August 5, 1862. The Union victory haulted Confederate attempts to recapture the capitol city of Louisiana. cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/abpp/battles/la003.htm |title=CWSAC Battle Summaries - Baton Rouge |accessdate=2008-04-09 |work=American Battlefield Protection Program |publisher=U.S. National Park Service ]

Background

On April 25, 1862, the day before New Orleans fell to the U.S. Navy fleet under Admiral David Farragut, the Confederate state government decided to abandon Baton Rouge, moving first to Opelousas, and then to Shreveport. All cotton in the area was set afire to prevent it falling into Union hands. On May 9, Navy Commander James S. Palmer of the federal gunboat "Iroquois" landed at the town wharf and took possession, without resistance, of the Pentagon Barracks and the arsenal. Two weeks later, a party of guerrillas attacked a rowboat carrying a naval officer. In retaliation, Farragut's flagship, the "Hartford", bombarded the town, causing civilian casualties and damaging St. Joseph's Church and other buildings. On May 29, U.S. Brigadier General Thomas Williams arrived with six regiments of infantry, two artillery batteries, and a troop of cavalry, and began the occupation of Baton Rouge.

During the summer, Major General Earl Van Dorn, commander of Confederate forces east of the Mississippi, resisted a Union bombardment of Vicksburg. The Confederate rams "Arkansas", "North Carolina", "Davis", and "New Orleans", had arrived down the Yazoo River along with several gunboats and other ships and inflicted damage on the Union gunships, and was anchored in Vicksburg. Van Dorn desired to regain Baton Rouge. It was thought that re-taking Baton Rouge would be key to driving the Union out of Louisiana, as they could then launch attacks along the Red River on Union occupied territory as well as threaten Union control of New Orleans.

5,000 men entrained from Vicksburg for Camp Moore, led by Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, on July 27, 1862. They were joined by a small infantry division led by David Ruggles at the camp. Simultaneously, the Confederate fleet was sailing down the Mississippi River, on its way to engage the Union ships near Baton Rouge. The men had a significant amount of equipment or supplies, and were well fed. General Williams reportedly had word of the forces' departure from Camp Moore on July 28. On August 4, after information was again received of the imminent arrival of the enemy, Union troops were formed up a mile out of Baton Rouge. However the Union men at Baton Rouge were not experienced and were in training camp for only two weeks before being sent to Baton Rouge. The troops had few supplies because most were in New Orleans, which was considered more important.

Battle

Breckinridge moved to the Comite River, 10 miles east of Baton Rouge, by August 4, and then marched the men closer at night. The Confederates lost the element of surprise when they were discovered by Union sentries. Despite this, the attack was launched at daybreak on August 5.

The Union troops were in the center of Baton Rouge, while the Confederates were lined up in two divisions, north of the city. The action occurred around Florida Street, and began with the Confederates pushing their opponents all the way across town. Bitter fighting took place, especially around Magnolia Cemetery. The Union commander, Brigadier General Thomas Williams, was killed in action. Colonel Thomas W. Cahill took over.

The colonel led a retreat back to prepared defensive lines near the Penitentiary, under the protection of the Union warships. The Confederate troops began coming under fire from the gunboats. The Confederate ram Arkansas arrived not long after but her engines failed just four miles above the city. Her commander ordered her set afire to prevent her capture. Without any prospect of naval support, Breckenridge was unable to attack the Union positions and withdrew. Union troops evacuated the city a week later, concerned for the safety of New Orleans, but returned that autumn. Confederates occupied Port Hudson, which they held for almost another year.

Order of battle

Union Army
Brig Gen Thomas Williams (killed)
Col Thomas W. Cahill

"Infantry Regiments"
*9th Connecticut Infantry
*21st Indiana
*14th Maine Infantry
*30th Massachusetts Infantry
*6th Michigan Infantry
*7th Vermont Infantry
*4th Wisconsin Infantry

"Artillery"
*Indiana Battery
*2nd Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery
*4th Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery
*6th Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery

Union Navy
*USS "Hartford"
*USS "Westfield"
*USS "Jackson"
*USS "Cayuga"
*USS "Katahdin"
*USS "Brooklyn"
*USS "Clifton"
*USS "Sciota"
*USS "Kineo"
*USS "Essex"

Confederate Army
Maj Gen John C. Breckinridge

"Infantry Regiments"
*4th Alabama
*31st Alabama
*35th Alabama
*3rd Kentucky
*4th Kentucky
*5th Kentucky
*6th Kentucky
*7th Kentucky
*4th Louisiana
*30th Louisiana
*Stewart's Louisiana Battalion
*22nd Mississippi
*31st Mississippi
*19th Tennessee

"Artillery"
*Pettus' Mississippi Battery
*Confederate Light

References

*cite book |author=Winters, John W. |title=The Civil War in Louisiana |publisher=Louisiana State University Press |location=Baton Rouge |year=1991 |pages= |isbn=0-8071-1725-0 |oclc= |doi=

External links

* [http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1862/september/baton-rouge-battle.htm A "Harper's Weekly" account of the battle]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/ABPP/battles/la003.htm National Park Service battle description]
* [http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/pottery/1080/baton_rouge_la_28may62.htm Complete Order of Battle]