fort stevens review

Fort Stevens Review Published by the Friends of Old Fort Stevens, An Oregon 501(c)3 Organization

Helping to Preserve the History of Oregon’s Fort Stevens State Park

(503) 861-2000 www.visitfortstevens.com foofs@teleport.com Now on Facebook

Summer 2017 Three Issues: Winter, Spring, Summer

CHECKOUTTHECIVILWARREENACTMENTSEPTEMBER2,3,4!!

What’sInAName?

ByD.Lindstrom

DayafterdayvisitorswalkbyBatteryPratt,situatedinthemiddleofthegunlineatFortStevensStatePark.BatteryPrattemplacedtwo6-inchriflesondisappearingcarriagesandwasactivebetween1900and1943.Thebattery’smostnotableeventoccurredoverSunday-Monday,June21-22,1942.OnSundayofficers,cannoneers,plotters,andspottersweregettingreadyforanimportantpracticeearlyMondaymorning.Oncesettledinattheirstationsforthenight,theirsleepwasunexpectedlyinterruptedbygroundshakingexplosions.Unbelievably,itwasrapidlyapparentthattheshellswerein-comingfromanenemysubmarine.Notmuchsleepwashadafterthat,andthescheduledpracticewascarriedoutMondaymorningasplanned.Theadrenalinwasrunninghigh.TheBatteryPrattboysprovedtheirworthandnailedthetargets.

Thisbattery;what’sinaname?WhowasPratt?TheCoastArtilleryCorpshadahabitofnaminggunbatteriesinhonorofreveredorfallencomrades.Soitwasthat“BatteryPrattwasnamedbyGeneralOrderNo.20,dated25January1906,inhonorofBrevetCaptain(1stLt.)JamesPepperPratt,11thUnitedStatesInfantry,whofoughtintheCivilWarandwaskilledatBethesdaChurch,Virginia,on29May1864whileservingasAdjutantofhisBattalion…”

Dowehaveastoryhereordon’twe?Let’sfindout.HisnameisintriguingandsinceBatteryPrattiscurrentlythefocusofmodestrestoration,itonlyseemsnaturalthatweshouldknowmoreaboutthisJamesPepperPratt.Hisstory

isappealingandsadatthesametime.Herepresentsthetragedyofeverywar,theslayingofthenation’syouth,herpromisingonesatthat.

JamesPrattwasbornonOctober9,1841inLogansport,IndianatoDanielandSophiaPratt.Hewastheoldestofthreechildren;abrotherCharlesandasister,Julia.DanielPrattwasasuccessfullawyerandagoodproviderforhisfamily.Hismotherpassedawayin1861.YoucouldsaythatJameswasaprivilegedchild.Allhisneedsweremetandthensome.Inspiteofhisadvantages,whichcanhaveacorruptinginfluence,hisparentsinstilledinhimrespectandcompassionforothersandaloveofliteratureandwriting.Hewasn’treallya“bookworm,”asheenjoyedfriendsandwasknowntobe“frankandcommunicative.”Jameswasmodestwithagreatsenseofhumorwhilebeingconcernedaboutfairnessforthe“wronged.”Nodoubthedevelopedthelatterattributesbywatchingandlisteningtohisfather.

Jamesattended“cityschools”inLogansport.Uponfinishingin1858,heenteredWabashCollegefoundinCrawfordsville,Indiana.Itwasasmallliberalartscollegeformenandstillistoday.(Wabashisoneofthreemale-onlycollagesstillremaininginthenation.)Perhapswiththethoughtofenteringalawpractice,JamestransferredtoYaleCollegein1859.Hecompletedhiscoursein1861andwentbacktoLogansportwiththoughtsofstudyingandpracticinglawinhisfather’soffice.

AtYale’s“TriennialMeetingoftheclassof1861,”whichtookplaceafterJames’deathin1864,asolemntributeandpoemwerepresentedinhishonor.

“Thoseofuswhoknewhimmostintimately,bearuniformtestimonynotonlythathewasamanofmuchmorethanordinaryability,forhewasagoodtalkerandagracefulyetearnestwriter,butalsothathewasafrank,genial,manlycompanion.Weremember,asifitwereyesterday,hisringing,heartylaugh,andthequick,readyhumor,thatwasneveratfaultforarepartee.”

AclassmatenotedthatJamesleftYaleinsadness,perhapsduetohismother’sillness.Oncehomethough,hedidn’tlinger.OnApril12,1861the“telegraphflashed”thatFortSumterwasattackedbysouthernforces.“ThestreetsofIndianawereblackwithbreathlessmultitudesstillawaitingtidingsoftheseventyloyalmeninanunfinishedfort,bombardedbytenthousandragingrebels!”(TheSoldierofIndiana…C.Merrill,1864).

Jamesdidn’thavetoserve.Hecouldhaveavoidedthewholething,butthatwasnottobe.Inspiteofhismother’sillnessandhisfather’sneeds,his“ready,generoussympathyforthesufferingandwronged,”heldsway.InOctober1861heheadeduptoIndianapolisandonthe28th,ofthatmonth,“enlistedasaprivateforthreeyearsinthe19thregimentoftheUnitedStatesRegulars.”

Forfourmonthshewaswiththeranksandwasnotedforhischeerfulness.Asoneexpressed,militarylifewasperhapshardforhimduetohis“previoushabitsofindulgenceandluxury.”Butthatwasnotthecase,andhecametotheattentionofPresidentLincoln.LincolnsentanominationtotheUSSenaterequestingthatJamesbecommissionedasalieutenantintheregulararmy,andsoitwas.Oncecommissioned,JamesspentoverayearinNewYorkandMassachusettsrecruitingformilitaryservice.Insodoingitissaidthathemadealotoffriends.Whilerecruitingwasassafeataskasanyonecouldaskfor,Jameswasnothappywithit.Inthespringof1863he“joyfullyhailedthesummonstojoinhisRegimentinthefield.”

InalettertohisfatherdatedApril17,1863,Jameswrote,“Ihadagloriousrideyesterdayafternoon…afriendofmine…andmyselftooktwosplendidanimalsbelongingtotheambulancecorps…Werushedbyregiments,divisions,andcorpsatamagnificentgallop…InanhourorsowewereinsightoftheRappahannock,andafterscrambling,reachedthetopofahilloverlookingthewholescene…Takenallinall,Ineversawafinersight—thetownitself—thebroadslope,withitsgreenwoodsandfields,andcrowningall,therebelcamps,andthefrowninglineofworks.”HisfatherreceivedanumberoftheselettersandJamessentstoriesabouthisexperiencestothehometownnewspaper.

AlmostimmediatelyJamesfellintoaleadershiprole.Once,whenhisCaptainwasabsent,mostlikelyatthebattleatChancellorsville,Jameswasincommandofhis5thArmy

CorpsCompany.InlateJuneof1863,asthingswererampingupforthebattleatGettysburg,themarchofthe5thCorpsfromtheRappahannockRivertoFrederickwasdifficult(Honor-Duty-Courage,byKarltonSmith).Lt.JamesPrattofthe11thUSInfantry,wrotetohisfatherthathisfeet“areonecompleteblister.ItwaswiththegreatestdifficultyIkeptalong,butIwasdeterminedtodoit.Idon’tthinkIcouldmarchanotherhourthough.”AfewdayslaterJameswrotethatbothhisshoesandsockswerewornout,thathisblisteringfeetwereunprotected.Hereported“weshallprobablycomeupontheRebelsbyto-morroweveningorthenextday.”(Smithattributesthisquotetothebook,TheSoldierofIndiana…butthecitedpagedoesn’tmatchup.)

OnJune29,the5thCorpscontinuednorthwithamarchoffifteenmilesfromFredericktoLibertyandeventuallyarrivedatHanover,PennsylvaniaonJuly1.ThefamousLittleRoundTopCivilWarencountersooncameintoplay.JamesparticipatedintheadvanceofRegularsfromthenorthslopeofLittleRoundToptoastonefenceontheedgeofawheatfield.Lt.Prattwrotethattheadvancewas,“overrocksandinthemarsh.Adozenpacesforward,andwecamewithinthisenfiladingfire.Menbegantofallveryfast,butthelinekeptsteadilyon.Wegainedtheotherside,andlaydown.”(Smithattributesthisquotetothebook,TheSoldierofIndiana…butthecitedpagedoesn’tmatchup.)

AtGettysburgJameswas“twicestruck,”buttheseriousnessofhisconditionisn’tknown.HeparticipatedintheBristoe-RappahannockStationcampaignoverOctoberandNovemberof1863.AtlastinDecemberhereceivedashortleaveofabsenceandheadedhometohisfather’shouseinLogansport.Afterwards,overthewinterhisregimentguardedtheOrangeandAlexandriaRailRoadwhichconnectedtheArmywithitsbaseofsupplies.Duetotheregiment’sfinereputation,theywerenotrelieveduntilGrantbeganhisadvanceonRichmond.OnNewYear’sday,January1864JameswaspromotedtoAdjutantofthe1stBattalionofhisregiment.Nowthingsbegantomovequickly.HeexperiencedtheWildernessbattle,severalothercontests,andcrossedVirginia’sPamunkeyRiver.HiscomradesnotedJames’braveryandhegained“creditforhisgallantconduct.”

InalettertothisfatherspanningMay4-10,1864Jameswrote,“IhavejustsentaroundGen.Meade’sbattleaddresstohistroops;asplendidcomposition.Weexpecteveryhourtogointoaction.Itwillbedesperate.Godgrantitmaybesuccessful.”May10,“Itlooksdark.Wehavebeenfightingsevendaysnow.Godgrantwemaywin.IfIamkilleddogetmybodyandburyitdecently,Good-by,JAMES”

“May13th,1864:MydearFather–Stillalive,buttheexcessivefatigueandfightinghavebeenterrific.Wehavebeenunderfireeversincethe5th.Theregimentlost83yesterday:only139left.Ithinkweshallfightagaintoday.Good-byeYourson,JAMES”

“Evening,May16th,1864:MyDearFather:––Stillinexistence.Wehadaheavyengagementonthe12th;lost83menandanofficer.Outof300menweonlyhave126left.Wearebadlyusedup,buthopetostanditthrough.Lovetoall,JuliaandCharlie.Youraffectionateson,JAMES”

“NearSpottsylvania,VAMay19,1864:MyDearFather:––Stillunhurtandingoodspirits.Wewereunderanawfulartilleryfireyesterday,butbehindgoodworksandwellprotected.Thedirtshoweredoverusthough…Thepicketlinesthismorningareonlyafewyardsapart.Wecandistinctlyseetheirmovements.Myhealthismuchbetter*…Outof345menweleftAlexandriawith,wehave160left,andsixofficerslessthanwestartedwith…Well,good-bye,Godgranttherightmaywin…Youraffectionateson,JAMES”*(Perhapsaref.tohisGettysburgwounds.)

“May24th,1864:MyDearFather:––WecrossedtheNorthAnnayesterday…Itwaswaistdeepandveryswiftwitharoughbottom,thecrossingwasveryslow…Ourdivisionwasthefirstofthearmyacross,andassoonastheyreachedthetopofthe…bankoftherivercommencedfire.Alloutofbreath,halfthecommandbarefoot,weformedandadvancedamileinsplendidline…Imusttellyouofalittlepersonalincidenthappeningyesterday…(an)infantrymanreported…thathehadseenabatterywheelintoposition…aboutthreequartersofamileinfrontofus…Iimmediatelyreportedthefactto…headquarters…”

Jamesvolunteeredtoinvestigate,andafterhesitationhewasgivenpermission.Herodehishorsearoundthesuspectedsitebyseveralmilesandwentwithintwentyyardsofthesupposedbattery,seeingnone,he“gotawholevolleyfromtheircavalry,andwasnearlycaptured.”Jamesaskedhisfathernottopublishthisletter.

AseriesofengagementstookplaceoverMay28-30,1864,sometwelvemilesnorthofRichmond,Virginia,theConfederacy’scapital.Grant’sArmywasattemptingtomaneuveraroundLee’srightflankandhadjustavoidedatrap.Onthe28th,UnionandConfederateinfantryarrivedinthevicinityofTotopotomyCreek.OnSundayafternoonthe29th,UnionforcesprobedGeneralLee’spositionalongthecreekandapparentlyasmallnumber,includingJames,crossedthecreekandapproachedBethesdaChurch.At5:00PMashotrangoutpiercingJamesPrattthroughtheheart.Hisdeathwasinstantaneous.

Hisbodywashurriedlycarriedfourmilesbacktothefieldhospitaltobeembalmed.Thatprovingimpractical,hewasgivenasoldier’sburial.AfellowsoldierwrotealettertooneofJames’Yaleclassmatessayinginpart,

“Hediedasoldier’sdeathandwasburiedinhisblanket,withasimpleboardtomarkhisrestingplace…PrattandIwerecompanionswhenchildreninschool,andsincewehavebeencompanionsonthelongandtediousmarch,andinthebattle-field.Ialwaysfoundhimagentlemanonduty,andasoldierinthehourofdangerandtrial.Hehasfought

hisfight,andoccupiesanhonoredgrave,thegraveofasoldier.”

So,thereyouhaveit,apromising23-yearoldmancutdownbeforehistime.Hadhelived,whatwouldhehaveaccomplished?This…this…isaquestionaskedoverandoveragainandaskedageafterage.James’storyisanoldone,astorythatneverends,ifonlyitwould.Now,asIpassbyBatteryPratt,theplacewillhaveanewmeaningforme,ahauntingoneatthat.

PostScript.AfterthesurrenderatAppomattox,James’

remainswereretrievedbyhisregiment.Hiscoffinwaswrappedintheregiment’soldbattleflag.Theyplaceditonacaissondrawnbysixhorsesprecededbyanescortandband.“WithmuffleddrumthemarchintoRichmondwasmadewithallthatwasleftofpoorPratt.”FromtherehisremainswereputaboardatrainforLogansport,Indiana.TheescortwasunderthecommandofBrevetCapt.IrvingB.Wright,assistedbyalieutenant,foursergeants,fourcorporals,andforty-twoprivates.JamesPrattwasre-internedonNovember12,1865inapropergravenexttohisbelovedmother.

1Lt.JamesPepperPratt1841–1864

ManythanksfortheassistanceofThelmaConrad,CassCountyHSExecutiveDirector,AmyVerda,IndianaHistoricalSociety,MikeStajduhar,CassCountyHistorian,&variouswebsites.

1917: 100 Years Ago Congress Declared War On Germany Photos on this page are from the photo archives of Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.

ThephotowastakenatFortStevensonWednesday,July15,1917.Bytheendof1917thecombinedstrengthoftheCoastDefensesoftheColumbiawasover1,550men.TheseconsistedoffourcompaniesofNationalGuardandfourcompaniesofregularArmy.Bytheendof1918allcompanieswerepartoftheUnitedStatesArmy.AsofOctober1917therewerenobuildingstohousethemenandofficers,sotheylivedintents.Conditionswereharsh.Byspring“woodframecantonmentbarracks”wereconstructed.Contagiousdiseasewereahugeproblemandnewdrafteeswerequarantinedfortwoweeks.Thentherewastheinfluenzaepidemicof1918.Twenty-threediedinOctoberandfourteeninNovember.Movingon,theChiefofCoastArtillerypointedoutthattheGermanfleetwasheldclosetoitsbase(s).Hespeculatedthatcoastalattackswouldcomefromsubmarinesandraidingships,all

ofwhichhadsmallcaliberguns.So,herecommendedthatsomelargecalibergunsarmingcoastalfortsbemadeavailableforrailwayorheavytruckmountsinFrance.FortStevenssurrenderedfoursuchgunsfromtheWestBatteryforaservicethatprovedunnecessary.Inthemeantime,coastalfortsweretomaintaintraining,maintenance,andimprovetheirfacilities.TrainingwasdonewiththeWesternFrontinmind.Asneeded,theintentwastohavemenreadytoincreaseandorreplacefallenCoastArtillerypersonnelinFrance.ThisWorldWarIeraphotowastakenatFortStevens.IntheforegroundistheCoastDefenseQuartermasterCorps.AsRegularArmy,theywereundertheleadershipofCaptainGeorgeBurtonwhorelivedCaptainL.G.Krook.Bothmenwerearmyreserveofficers.CaptainKrookwasnotwellandconfinedtoquarterswerehetookhisownlife.HeavypressurewasplacedonthesemenastheCoastDefensesoftheColumbiawerenotpreparedforthesuddeninfluxofseveralthousandmen.CaptainBurtonhadhisowndifficultiescopingwiththe“wartimepressuresofcantonmentconstructionandotherservicedemands.”AsecondQuartermasterreserveofficerwassenttohelphim.Asnotedabove,byOctober1917over1,550troopsarrived.AsofJune1918thatnumberswelledtoover2,500menandofficers;someofwhichcrewedthegunbatteriesacrosstheColumbiaRiver.

ThesetwoWWIphotosarefromtheFergusoncollection.Theyrevealacantonmentinsidetheearthworks.TotheleftcanbeseenarampandstairsleadingtotheBatteryFreeman’sgundeck.OntherightisaninteriorviewofFreeman.