From The Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies in the War of the Rebellion,
Vol. 34
No. 46.
Report of Col. James I. Gilbert, 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of the capture of
Fort DeRussy
HDQRS. TWENTY-SEVENTH REGT. IOWA VOL. INFY.
On Board Steamer Diadem, Alexandria, La., March 17, 1864
CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders from headquarters Second Brigade, Third Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps, I have the honor to report that while on the march near the
town of Marksville, La., on the 14th day of March, 1864, the Twenty-seventh Iowa
Volunteer Infantry was ordered to halt in the town as provost guards until the army
had passed through, after which we were to resume our march. When the column had
moved by I assembled the guards and moved rapidly forward, keeping well closed up
on the train just in my advance. When cannonading commenced the remainder of the
brigade to which my regiment was attached were in the advance, having moved forward
while we were on duty as provost guards in the town of Marksville. I immediately
sent forward Lieutenant Peck, acting adjutant, to Colonel Shaw, commanding brigade,
requesting him that I might be permitted to take my place in the brigade. Lieutenant
Peck returned and reported to me that he had failed to find Colonel Shaw. I sent
him a second time. The request was granted, and we were directed to move forward.
We were ordered to relieve the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, and moved up to do so, but
at that moment a simultaneous charge was ordered. It was a long way to the fort (DeRussy).
The ground over which we must charge was well cleared of trees. Many logs lay on
the ground, and several ditches were to be crossed. At the command, "Forward, double-quick,
march!" the entire regiment sprang forward with a will, moving too rapidly at times
for a long charge, but all the time under apparent good control. We sprang into the
ditch on the east and south sides of the fort, and mounted the parapet in all haste.
When the fort was surrendered a part of my regiment, with others of other regiments,
joined in a fire of musketry, and with them united in a wild, ringing, vociferous
yell of joy. It was the first time we had ever charged upon an enemy's works, and
it has not been reported to me that any officer or soldier failed to do his duty
and to do it well. Our list of casualties is as follows: Robert Beck, private, Company
G,* dangerously wounded in the left breast by accidental discharge of gun.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. I. GILBERT
Colonel, Commanding
Regiment
Capt. C. T. GRANGER
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General
* The casualty was actually Jacob Beck, Robert Beck's brother. He died on March
22, aboard the hospital boat Woodford at Alexandria.
