Book #4 Description
“Such a thing as success found no place to put up in a reasonable conclusion. There were 187 well men and 34 sick and convalescents.” Major Joseph D. Bullen commanded a hodgepodge of Yankees from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, as well as a small number of the Louisiana Native Guards and a group of freedmen who volunteered to defend Fort Butler at Donaldsonville. Most of these men had never seen action. Arrayed against them was a veteran force of over 1700 Texans, flushed with success after a string of stunning victories. Sunset on 27 June 1863 brought a chilling ultimatum from Confederate commander, General Thomas Green, that no prisoners would be taken. The attack, which came in the night, was described by Sgt. Archer of the 28th Maine as “a lively little battle.” It was a fight that, by all logic, Bullen ought to have lost. Thanks to a daring spy, however, Bullen had full knowledge of Green’s plan. He also had a Navy gunboat off-shore—which would make all the difference.