CHAPTER XIII.
On the morning of the 6th we could see a heavy body of the rebels out on the prairie, near our pickets. We then began building rifle pits on the bank of the bayou. On the 11th we sent a brigade across to draw the rebels into a fight. Our men drove them back to Vermillionville, where they were reinforced. They followed our troops almost in range of our works. We opened up on them with two heavy batteries and they fell back. They were too smart to be drawn into a trap. The loss on both sides was slight, as this was simply an artillery duel.
On the 15th our entire force drew off and marched back seventeen miles. We went into camp on the shore of Lake Tias. This is a beautiful pool of water, three miles wide and nine miles long, with timber all along the edge. We had a strong rear guard all day, as the rebels were in sight.
On the 16th we marched to New Iberia, five miles distant, and went into camp. The Confederate army kept pretty well up on our track. On the 18th a force of them was in sight of our picket line. On the 19th our regiment crossed the bayou and got lumber to build winter quarters.
At four o’clock on the morning of November 29th, 1863, we got orders to fall in line and march out. After a march of an hour we heard the rattling of musketry. We charged on double quick time. Just as we got into the fight therebels surrendered. Our cavalry had surrounded them and had done the work for them.
We marched eleven officers and one hundred and nine privates into camp as prisoners of war. Our regiment was formed in hollow square and was given three cheers. The sound traveled for miles on the still morning air, and then the echo came back. Thus ended the battle of Lake Tias.
On the 21st our company was sent out on picket guard. The remainder of the regiment went out with a foraging train. After they had traveled about ten miles, they met three hundred mounted rebels, but they seeing that our boys meant business, pulled off, and gave our boys the right of way.
When they had loaded our wagon train with forage to its full capacity the boys returned to camp.
On the 22d our cavalry captured fifty prisoners. They were not organized in the rebel army, but called themselves “The Boat-burners.” That day was Thanksgiving and all the officers made speeches.
On the 24th we went out with some foraging trains and had a regular stampede. December 1st, 1863, we heard heavy cannonading at a distance. Our cavalry and two batteries were having an engagement with the rebels. They drove the rebels back to Vermillion Bayou, but there they met the main rebel army and our little force had to draw off and skip back.
On the 2d our cavalry went to St. Martinsville. They ran into a squad of home guards who were armed with shot guns. Our men drove them back and captured several prisoners. On the morning of the 4th we rafted lumber across the bayou and began building our winter quarters.
On the 7th the Nineteenth corps moved off for Brasier City and left us. On the 18th we drew a new stand of colors which was presented to the Twenty-fourth Indiana by Governor O. P. Morton. In the evening we went out foraging. We returned, both wagons and men loaded down with as much sugar as they could carry. The boys had just put all of the kettles to use inmaking candy when the order came to cook rations for a hard day’s march on the morrow.
On the 19th we marched twenty-five miles, en route to New Orleans. We went into camp on the edge of the bayou. On the 20th we marched seventeen miles and went into camp at Centerville. On the 21st we marched through Pattersonville. After a distance of twenty miles had been traveled, we went into camp at Berwick, opposite Brasier City.
On the morning of the 22d we crossed the bay, boarded a train and reached Algiers at six p. m. We got off of the cars and went into camp. This was one of the worst camp grounds that we had ever pitched a tent on. It had been raining almost every day, and the mud was knee deep all over the camp.
A report was circulated that we were going to cross the gulf, and just at that time a call was made for veteran volunteers. Two-thirds of our regiment re-enlisted.
Not over six men in each company were left in camp to do camp duty, as the boys had taken up quarters in New Orleans.
January 1st, 1864, we were sworn into the veteran corps and “The most of us drank stone blind, while Johnnie filled up the bowl.” We now had the times of our lives—those of us who had been spared.
Right here was a change, as we had placed ourselves under obligations for three years longer, if needed. We lay here in the rain and mud, no one knew what for.
On the 8th we drew our veteran bounty and our non-veterans were transferred to the Eleventh Indiana. When we parted with them it was like parting with brothers, but soon there was something to draw our attention from this.
It was a thirty day furlough, at home, where we could see our loved ones, whose loving arms had not clasped us to their tender hearts for so many long, weary days.
On the 14th we got on board the steamer “J. C. Swan.” We crossed over to New Orleans, and had quite a time getting all of the rest of the boys on board. On the morning of the 15th we searched the town over and gathered them up. We found some in the guard house. Several were getting somewhat tough, and were having a gay time.
On the morning of the 16th all on board, we pulled out for our homes. We were happy and in good spirits, for we now thought that we would see our friends once more.
We passed through Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. This is a nice little city, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi river. On the 17th we passed through Port Hudson and landed at Natchez to unload some freight.
On the 18th we passed Vicksburg. It still bore the signs and marks of the terrible struggle during the siege. On the 20th we passed Lake Providence and Napoleon, and arrived at Helena just at dark. On the 21st we passed Memphis, and on the 22d we passed Fort Pillow. On the 23d we ran past Island No. 10 and Columbus. We reached Cairo, Illinois, at dark. We had been seven days traveling about one thousand, one hundred miles, but we had had to tie up part of the time on account of the fog and high winds.
At twelve o’clock that night we boarded a train on the Illinois Central. We got to Mattoon, Illinois, at four o’clock on the evening of the 24th. Here we changed cars and took the Big Four railroad for Indianapolis, Indiana. We reached that city on the morning of the 25th.
On the 26th the ladies of Indianapolis gave us a grand reception and as good a dinner as we had eaten in many a day. This was served at the Soldiers’ Home. Here we met the Seventeenth and Forty-fourth Indiana veterans. In the afternoon we all marched down to the State House, where Governor Morton,General Hovey and other officers gave addresses. They gave the Indiana veterans much praise and honor. Three cheers also went up for them.
There was a great time that evening, as many of the boys had friends who had come there to meet them.
On the morning of the 27th our furloughs were all made out and we disbanded, going in different directions to our homes, where we would be free for thirty days. It seemed like we were living in a new world, as all was joy and happiness. There was rejoicing in many homes, but there was sorrow and mourning in many more homes, because of loved ones, who lay beneath the sod on some battle field in Dixie Land. These would never return to their homes and friends.
I boarded a train on the Indianapolis and Jeffersonville road. I changed cars at Seymour and ran to Mitchell in Lawrence county. From there I went on the Monon road to Lancaster. I reached my home on the 29th of January, 1864.
We spent many happy hours in the company of friends and loved ones, yet some of our boys met with trouble and were killed by their enemies at home. These were members of the order that were called “The Knights of the Golden Circle.” Their emblem was a butternut pin. They supported the cause of the Confederacy.
Ambrose Parish, of Company G, was killed by a man named McCart. Two of the boys who lived west of Paolia were killed.
Our stay at home soon passed away and on the 29th of February we all met at Vincennes and reported to the captains of our respective companies. The boys were all pretty wild. They tore up a printing press and scattered the type all over the street. The owner skipped for his life. It was reported that he published a rebel paper, but I think that he learned a lesson.
We got on board a train and went to Evansville. There wefound a good supper, which had been prepared by the ladies of the town. It was relished, as we all had good appetites.
On the morning of March 2d, 1864, we drew tents and marched out of town one and a half miles. We went in camp on the top of a hill near the coal mine. Almost all of the boys ran off and went back home. The officers were having a good time and we thought that we would have a time too. Often there were not enough in camp for a string guard.
On the 9th of March we drew our guns and equipage and began getting ready for business. At four p. m. we had dress parade for the first time in many days. On the 17th we marched into town and had a grand dress parade. This was a sight for some of the citizens, and the most of them came out to see us perform.
On the 23d we had battalion drill, and in the evening we were called in line by Major Grill. He took us to the brewery and said, “I am going to treat my mans if dey vill be good mans and stay in camp mit me.” We all marched past the beer kegs, cup in hand. Some of the boys, after drinking their beer, fell back in the rear and marched past the kegs again, getting another drink, and some gotseveral cupfulsof the liquor.
After several kegs had been emptied the Major noticed that some had emptied several cups. He roared out. “Stop dat you mans! You haf done already had enough.” Some of them certainly had plenty.
After the Major had paid out ten or twelve dollars to treat the boys, to keep them in camp, about twenty-five of them slipped out that night and went home.