REPORT 14 Report of Col. Augustus C. Parry, Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry HDQRS. FORTY-SEVENTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,
SIR: In compliance with orders, I have the honor
to make the following report of the operations of the Forty-seventh Regiment
Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the late expedition through Muddy, Steele’s,
and Black Bayous:
Camp in front of Vicksburg, Miss., March 29, 1863 At 2.30 o’clock on the morning of March17, I received orders to have the Forty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in readiness to march at 7 a.m. the same day, with one day’s cooked rations in haversacks, and five day’s rations, with all necessary camp equipage, on board the steamer Silver Wave. At the appointed time, and by order, my regiment marched to the upper landing, when I was ordered to send all horses, including the 12-pounder howitzer battery, back to camp, which order I obeyed, and accordingly sent them back to camp, and my regiment embarked on the steamer Swallow. We then proceeded up the Mississippi River to Eagle Bend, and on March 18, at 10 a.m., was ordered to construct a bridge across two impassable crevasses in Muddy Bayou, for the troops to cross. Having received tools, as also help, from the One hundred and sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, we proceeded to execute the order and finish the bridge across the first deep water. Early on the morning of the 19th, we commenced the bridge over the second crevasse, and by noon of the same day had it finished, so that the troops could pass, and the First and Second Brigades crossed for embarkation up Steele’s Bayou. On the morning of the 20th, I received orders from Brig. Gen. Hugh Ewing to construct a wagon artillery road from Muddy Bayou to Steele’s Bayou, and to call on the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the pioneers, under command of Lieutenant (Samuel W.) Ashmead, for assistance, which was cheerfully complied with by both officers and men. The work commenced with energy on the part of the officers and men. On the morning of the 21st, we were still working on the artillery road, assisted by the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and pioneers. On the same evening we received orders that the whole brigade would move at 5 a.m. the next day, and that I should remain and finish the road. On the morning of the 22d instant, I put the Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry to work on the road. They made fine progress, considering the inclemency of the weather. It rained very hard all day, and on the morning of the 23d (still raining hard), having put my regiment to work to accomplish finishing the road, I received orders from Brig. Gen. Hugh Ewing, at 9.30 a.m. the same day, to embark and proceed up Steele’s Bayou and join the main body of the division, we having only 200 yards of the road to finish, which was accomplished about noon the same day, and arrived at our destination about dusk the same evening. The assistant surgeon was, by order, left at Eagle Bend to take care of the sick. About noon of the 24th instant, I received orders to have all the cotton in the neighborhood thrown into the bayou, and on reaching the boats have it taken upon Silver Wave. I immediately set my regiment to work throwing bales of cotton in the bayou, and, on reaching the steamer Silver Wave, had them pull it up on deck, having detailed two companies for that purpose. On my arrival at this point, I was ordered to detail two companies of my regiment for the support of a section of a battery of Illinois artillery. On the morning of the 25th, at 11 o’clock, I received orders to inspect arms and examine the ammunition also, and to order the companies which had been detailed back to the regiment, and to keep my men together for action. The four companies reported to me for duty during the afternoon of the 25th instant. On the morning of the 26th, at 8.30 a.m., I received orders to march my regiment to the lower landing and embark on a coal-barge and take the steamer Champion, which order will complied with. We arrived on the steamer at 2 p.m. same day. We moved down Steele’s Bayou some 10 miles, where we anchored for the night. Early on the morning of the 27th, the boat started on its way. On reaching Muddy Bayou, I sent to General Stuart to know if we should disembark from that point. I received orders to the contrary, but to continue down Steele’s Bayou, which we did. On reaching Yazoo River, we continued down this stream until reaching the Mississippi River; thence to Young’s Point, arriving here at 5 p.m. same day. I would beg leave to mention the names of Capt. George M. Ziegler, of Company C; Lieuts. Samuel F. Campbell, of Company G, and William H. Kimball, of Company I, for the faithful and untiring energy with which they worked on the artillery bridges and road, being most of the time up to their waists in mud and water assisting the men, who also deserve the highest praise. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A.C. PARRY
Capt. G. LOFLAND,
Colonel, Comdg. Forty-seventh Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
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