April 10, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Bayou Boeuf Correspondence.
HEADQUARTERS, GEN. WEITZEL’S COMMAND,
BAYOU BOEUF, La., March 30, 1863.
Although the main body of this division of the Nineteenth army corps has fallen back to this point, still a strong force occupies Brashear City, seven miles in front, from which point the enemy’s pickets can be frequently seen and information often had of their movements. Their attempts to get into our rear with small parties, and annoy us by burning bridges, tearing up track, &c., were effectively checkmated by the movements of our ever watchful commander, and we now hold a position from which we can observe all they do, and where it is impossible for them to annoy us by raids. Venture upon an attack they dare not. Nothing would please us better if they would; but they prefer to burrow in their intrenchments, never coming out except in small parties on foraging, or rather stealing excursions, and in hopes of picking up an occasional venturesome picket or obtaining a few conscripts.
I regret, however, to have to record an affair that occurred on Saturday last, which has caused us the loss of a valuable boat, with her armament, several valuable lives, and a number of our best troops taken prisoners. This disaster was caused by failing to carry out the instructions of the Commanding General, who knew the danger and directed the expedition in a manner to accomplish all he desired without incurring any risk. Nothing proves more certainly that bravery without prudence and discrimination is valueless than the result of this expedition. The facts of the case are as follows: – General Weitzel received information last week that a steamer had succeeded in running out of the Teche into Atchafalaya river, and escaped into the upper rivers through Grand Lake; also that a force of the enemy were in position across the narrow neck of land between the Atchafalaya river and Grand Lake. Wishing to learn if it were true, and believing that if the reports were correct he could succeed in capturing the entire force of the enemy, he organized an expedition for that purpose, and if the plan he proposed had been carried out as directed important information would have been gained without loss of life or even a man wounded.
The United States steamer Diana, Acting Master Peterson commanding, was detailed for that purpose, and two companies embarked on board of her, one of which was Company A, Twelfth Connecticut regiment, under command of Lieutenant Bulkley, and the other Company F, One Hundred and Sixtieth New York regiment, Capt. Jewett commanding. Lieutenant Francis, of the Twelfth Connecticut, went with the party as a volunteer. General Weitzel’s instructions were to proceed into Grand Lake by the right branch of the Atchafalaya, and then to move along the south shore, endeavoring to communicate with any one from whom they might obtain information, and to go as far as where the left branch, of the Atchafalaya empties into Grand Lake, but no further, and to return the same way. The expedition left Brashear City at ten o’clock A. M., on the 28th, and reached the end of the route without accident, having obtained all the information desired, which proved the reports General Weitzel had received to be untrue. When ready to return, Acting Master Peterson determined to return by way of the Atchafalaya river, passing the village of Pattersonville. He was remonstrated with by Lieutenant Allen, of General Weitzel staff, and cautioned regarding his not carrying out instructions and the risk he was running; but all to no purpose, he saying that with his battery he could whip anything the enemy could bring to bear against him.
You will observe on the accompanying sketch that the Atchafalaya, where it runs by Pattersonville, is very narrow; a boat in the channel way is within short pistol shot of either shore, and every advantage is with an attacking force on land. As the Diana proceeded on her way Captain Peterson was frequently urged to return, but he turned a deaf ear to everything said to him. After they had passed Pattersonville a large force of the enemy was observed on the river bank, composed of artillery, cavalry and infantry. The attention of the captain was called to the fact; but he laughed at the idea of their being able to do him any harm. The boat had gone but a little distance further before it was opened upon from ahead, abeam and astern, with a murderous fire of shot, shell, grape, canister and musketry, which was promptly returned by our forces. But it was a one-sided affair. Captain Peterson was shot through the heart, and fell dead upon the deck; his executive officer, Acting Master’s Mate Hall, shared the same fate; Lieutenant Francis, of the Twelfth Connecticut, was killed, and Lieutenant Allen, of the General’s staff, badly wounded in the back and arm. The fight was hotly maintained by our side, and the action was continued until the Diana ran ashore and became unmanageable, when further resistance was found to be in vain, and she was surrendered, with all on board, a few only escaping to the other side of the river.
THE CAPTURE OF THE DIANA.
MAP OF THE VICINITY OF BERWICK AND BRASHEAR CITIES, SHOWING THE POSITION WHERE THE DIANA WAS CAPTURED.
As soon as the firing was heard at Brashear, the United States steamer Calhoun was despatched to the assistance of the Diana, but she ran ashore before reaching the point, and much of her coal and stores had to be thrown overboard before she could be got afloat. The Diana was a good river boat, and a most serviceable one in the shoal bayous and creeks of this State. Her armament consisted of one thirty-pounder Parrott rifle, two thirty-two pounders of thirty-three hundred weight, smooth bore, and two twelve pounder boat howitzers, besides a full supply of small arms. The arms of the troops also fell into the hands of the enemy.
A flag of truce went up on Sunday to learn the number of killed and wounded and the condition of our men. Lieutenant Allen was found at the residence of a surgeon in Pattersonville, doing well and being well cared for. A number of ladies were in attendance upon him. One of our surgeons extracted the ball from his arm. No reliable information was received, but our loss was set down at nine killed, twenty-seven wounded, and one hundred and seventy prisoners. I shall, I hope, have all the names in time to send to New Orleans for the steamer of Wednesday.
The enemy were no doubt watching our movements, and hoped that we might venture down the Atchafalaya into the trap they had set for us. Captain Peterson did so, and paid the penalty of his rashness by losing his life. The enemy are immensely benefitted by the capture of the Diana and her armament. She will prove of great use to them, and she is now beyond the reach of any forces that may be sent to recapture her and where she can be thoroughly repaired.
We are expecting an additional force of gunboats to operate on these waters. They will not arrive before they are wanted, and it is hoped they will be managed in future with a little prudence, instead of being lost to us in detail by running into the jaws of the enemy when no good is expected to result from it. The Estralla was not here when the Diana was captured, she having gone down to the mouth of the Atchafalaya to pilot in another gunboat, now hourly expected. One Monitor in these waters would be of more service than all the […..] shells” of the squadron. Wishing for one is, I suppose all we can do, until the waters fall so low that they can be of no service.