enemy's presence should any appear. After proceeding some distance we came in sight of a herd of cattle and soon headed them toward our lines. We did not make much progress before the enemy appeared with a larger force that compelled us to retreat and the beeves were recaptured. The vessel off shore promptly came to our rescue and shelled our opponents, but they could not be prevented from driving off the cattle to a place of safety.
A large Federal force, represented by all branches of the service, was then concentrated in the vicinity of Brownsville, and the commodious buildings at Fort Brown, on the banks of the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras, were occupied by them. An invasion of Texas was in contemplation that was to be conducted on a large scale by two armies, one on Red River and the other on the Rio Grande, both acting in concert, but the battles of Mans- field and Pleasant H'ill changed these plans and Texas
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was spared from witnessing the havoc incident to the ravages of war.
After Banks' army was defeated on Red River and driven back to Morganza, on the Mississippi River, the western division, that was to have participated in the invasion of Texas from the west, was ordered to rendezvous at that point in Louisiana. Only five companies of the First Texas Cavalry were included in the order, and Companies A, B and C remained in Brownsville under the command of Captain Zoeller until the close of the war, when they were reunited with the regiment.
When we arrived at Morganza the encampment of General Banks' army of 80,000 men extended along the river a distance of about ten miles and the line of outposts was, necessarily, about twenty miles long. A reorganization of the army was in progress and it was understood that preparations were being made for another advance into Texas. During that period the picket line was constantly harassed by the enemy's scouts and they sustained many losses, although they had a strong support and were always on the alert. Every day a dozen or more of the poor fellows were either killed, wounded, or captured, and it seemed as if it was impossible to restrain the Rebs, who seemed to be always ready to attack our front. These fatalities do not figure in history, but it is an actual fact that the Confederates caused more losses to the Union army in that encampment than was sustained by the American forces in the recent Spanish war.
The Confederates occupied a fortification on Bayou Atchafalaya, about twenty-five miles distant and west of our position, which gave them a strong support. When the attacks became insufferable it was determined to drive them from that location, and, if possible, force them to abandon the country east of that stream. For that purpose a force numbering about three thousand infantry, with four or five batteries and one thousand cavalry, was
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sent against them with orders to treat all Confederate scouts as guerrillas and show no mercy to those who should fall in their hands.
The excuse for vigorous action and the adoption of harsh penalties was justified by the report that the Confederates had hung several Federal soldiers; but the reason for doing so was unknown, and if it was a fact the circumstances did not warrant such extremely harsh measures, though many acts are perpetrated in time of war which are unjustifiable. Possibly they were executed as spies or deserters, but it is more probable that they were foragers who were depredating on the citizens, and hanging was too good for them.
A detachment of sixty men from the First Texas Cavalry was placed under the command of Lieutenant Lilly of Company A, and eight of them were selected from Company H. My disappointment because I was not one of them led me to offer my services as a volunteer and they were accepted. I was anxious to go because we all thought that it was the first movement towards the invasion of Texas and my confidence led me to believe that we would march direct to San Antonio. Fearing that there would be no more fighting, I was anxious to participate in one engagement so that I could tell my friends in Texas that I took part in a battle. When I was chosen in another man's place I was delighted and I considered it a very great favor.
We left our encampment about three o'clock in the morning and our detachment led the advance with a part of a New York regiment of cavalry in our rear. We were chosen for the post of honor because the First Texas Cavalry had the reputation of being very good horsemen. We rode about twenty miles before we came in contact with the enemy's pickets. They gave us a warm reception, and held us in check for half an hour, in which time about thirty of our men were killed and many wounded. After the first attack reinforcements of in
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fantry rapidly advanced and a charge was made which routed the enemy. We pursued them about five miles, or until we were under the fire of the fort, and we then skirmished until our entire force was concentrated.
Our troops were sheltered behind a levee and the enemy was strongly fortified on the opposite side of the Atchafalaya with their cannon commanding the bridge. The fight lasted about four hours, during which time a heavy infantry and artillery fire was maintained on both sides. The Federal loss in killed and wounded was considerable, and I saw enough fighting to satisfy me, but I did my part without making myself conspicuous. My first shock was received when I saw Major Black, a gallant officer, who commanded a battalion of Illinois infantry, shot from the top of the levee and roll down the embankment. The retreat was ordered none too soon for me, and I never afterwards was foolish enough to volunteer when a detail was needed, on which occasions I was always glad when my name did not appear.
After the invasion of Texas was abandoned, the encampment at Morganza was broken up and the five com- panies of the First Texas Cavalry were stationed successively at Natchez, Brookhaven and Baton Rouge. Subsequently, when the war was brought to a close, they were ordered to New Orleans, where they, were joined by Companies A, B, and C> that had been left in Brownsville. They had performed efficient service on the western borders of Texas under the command of Captain Zoeller, and they participated in the last battle that was fought for the Union. The engagement took place the 13th day of May, 1865, below Brownsville, at Palo Alto, which is now known as the " White Ranch." It was not much of a fight, but it is worthy of notice because it happened seven days after the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Confederacy was surrendered by General Kirby Smith, consequently it was the last battle of the war.
After the companies of the regiment were reunited,
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Company H, which until then was known as an inde- pendent organization, was disbanded and the men en- rolled in the companies of their choice, otherwise they would not have been entitled to pensions and other emolu- ments of the service. I became a member of Company C, commanded by Captain Zoeller, who now is a prosperous farmer and ranchman and resides at Waring, Texas. The regiment marched over-land to San Antonio, Texas, where on the 28th of October, 1865, the men were honorably discharged from the army.
Before dismissing the subject, I wish to pay a just tribute to the character and services of my commander, and it will be appropriate to do so in this connection.
Captain Zoeller claims a long list of ancestors who were prominently connected with military life in Germany, therefore, he was instinctively a soldier and the profession of arms was not repulsive to him. He was conscientious in his views with reference to the political troubles that arose in 1861, and he not only opposed secession at the ballot box, but he entered the army and was active in defense of the Union during the great Civil War.
His talents and qualifications recommended him for pro- motion, and as a captain of cavalry his superior horsemanship and gallantry made him conspicuous on all occasions where his services could be made effective. As an officer he recognized the fact that obedience was the first duty of a soldier, and he exerted himself to instill his principles into the minds of his men. As a disciplinarian he was strict but kind and considerate to those who served under him, consequently he won their respect and confidence. The estimation in which his abilities and
