Just ahead . . . lay the 28th Louisiana, also shaken by the bombardment. "The troops . . . were raw," wrote Taylor. "As shot and shell tore over the breastwork behind which they were lying, much consternation was exhibited, and it was manifest that an assault, however feeble, would break a part of the line." Taylor decided to make a grand--yet perilous--gesture to encourage his men. He mounted atop the works, coolly rolled a cigarette, put it to his lips, lit it, and calmly puffed away as he strode down the length of the regiment. One of the Louisiana officers, inspired by his war chief's actions, offered to climb a nearby tree and get a better look at the enemy. "I gave him my field glass, and this plucky youngster sat in his tree as quietly as in a chimney corner," Taylor continued, "though the branches were shot away." Taking heart, the men of the 28th Louisiana stood to their task. At the far right of the line, even the normally unflappable Tom Green sent word that "his corner was uncomfortably hot." Taylor left the 28th Louisiana and headed toward the Texans and surveyed the situation, quickly agreeing with the Colonel. The Val Verde Battery had been hit hard and its commander, Captain Joseph Draper Sayers, severely wounded. Major Brent ordered the guns withdrawn. Satisfied that he had done all he could, Taylor assured Green that "there were no places on our line particularly cool, and that there was nothing to be done but submit to the pounding." Excerpted from Thunder Across the Swamp: The Fight for the Lower Mississippi, February-May 1863 by Donald S. Frazier All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
