CHAPTER III.
Departure from Fortress Monroe—Sea-voyage—Arrival at Ship Island—Christmas Day—Embark for New Orleans—Up the Mississippi—Land at Carrollton—Camp Kearney—Col. Ingraham in command of Brigade—Plaquemine Expedition—Unpleasant Duty—Break Camp, preparatory to taking the Field.
Departure from Fortress Monroe—Sea-voyage—Arrival at Ship Island—Christmas Day—Embark for New Orleans—Up the Mississippi—Land at Carrollton—Camp Kearney—Col. Ingraham in command of Brigade—Plaquemine Expedition—Unpleasant Duty—Break Camp, preparatory to taking the Field.
letter T
THURSDAY morning, Dec. 8, everything was astir in Hampton Roads. Important little tug-boats sputtered and whistled; quartermasters’ boats brought off their last supplies of fresh bread and meat; and tardy officers joined their regiments. About nine o’clock,A. M., the Atlantic weighed anchor, and led the way to sea, followed, at intervals, by the Ericcsson, the Spaulding, the Arago, the Pocahontas, and others of the fleet. Slowly steaming between Fortress Monroe and the Rips Raps, their decks covered with troops, and their flags blowing out clear in the fresh breeze, the ships presented a fine sight. About four o’clock, the Baltic weighed anchor, and followed the fleet, the gun-boat Augusta bringing up the rear, as convoy. Of course, the destination was the great theme, and rumorsflew thick and fast, but nothing definite was learned.
The weather was very beautiful; and the men thronged the deck, reading, writing, and watching the movements of the strange fishes and birds which occasionally made their appearance. There was comparatively little sea-sickness, and the general health of the regiment was good. The cooking facilities were poor. The galley, in which coffee was boiled, and salt-beef cooked for a thousand men, was of the smallest proportions; and those who went through that voyage have a vivid remembrance of “big Charlie” bending over the meat-boiler. Notwithstanding the inconveniences, there was little grumbling; and the division commander expressed himself well pleased at the orderly conduct of the men. Charleston, Pensacola, and Mobile were passed, and still the ship kept on her course. At length, the appearance of a large fleet, hovering around a low island, told that the destination was reached. The place of rendezvous proved to be Ship Island, much to the disgust of the regiment, who had conceived a strong dislike against this place. In truth, it looked as if a large wave might wash the whole concern, with its military storehouses and fort, into the Gulf of Mexico.Here it was learned that New Orleans was the destination; and, as the Baltic drew too much water to cross the bar off the mouth of the Mississippi, the Thirty Eighth had to land on the island, and await the return of some of the lighter draft transports. Part of the regiment disembarked on the evening of the 13th, and the remainder followed the next day; glad enough to be once more on terra firma, if this sand-bank could be so denominated. Although near midwinter, the temperature was mild; and the beach was soon covered with bathers, enjoying the luxury of a good plunge in the water after such a long sea-service. There was no chance to be dirty while here. Tin dippers and plates shone with a lustre that would have excited the admiration of a Knickerbocker housewife; and the muskets were bright and polished. The sand was everywhere, and must have assisted the stomach wonderfully in digesting the antediluvian hard-tack occasionally issued.
There was a good deal of fatigue work to do here, unloading stores, and transporting ammunition; and even the drilling through the sand was unusually fatiguing. At this time, there was a number of political prisoners on the island, rendering service to the government, and strengtheningtheir own muscles, by pounding stones. Some of them had been prominent citizens in New Orleans, and had been banished to this place, by order of Gen. Butler, for acts of disloyalty to the Union. The soldiers of the Thirty Eighth looked upon these persons as “the right men in the right place,” and cordially endorsed the policy of “Old Ben.”
A number of the larger transports had been unable to cross the bar; and the island was dotted with canvas villages. Drilling was resumed by the various regiments, and prosecuted vigorously, although the marching in the sand was fatiguing. Christmas was now near at hand. On the evening of the 23d, after brigade drill, the colonel addressed the regiment briefly, stating that they would probably spend Christmas there, and that he wished them to enjoy the day as well as they could under the circumstances. The camp was to be given up to the regiment from ten o’clock,A. M., till “tattoo;” they were to elect their own field, staff, and line officers; make their own camp-regulations, and hold the regimental officers to a strict observance of them, punishing any violation of them with confinement in the guard-house. The men entered into the proposal with spirit.Committees were appointed from the different companies, line officers elected; and the camp scoured for materials with which to get up a mock parade. Santa Claus did not make his appearance. The jolly old saint, in his fur cap, would have been sadly out of place in that sunny clime. One poor fellow, in a fit of absent-mindedness, hung up his stocking in his tent, but indignantly rejected the idea that the army pastry found therein was from the old friend of his boyhood. He thought the other “Nick” had more dealings with the commissary department. The day opened with a good breakfast of baked beans. After breakfast, the regiment was drawn up around the colonel’s tent, when the Christmas service of the Episcopal Church was read by Col. Ingraham, the band and a volunteer choir assisting in making the service interesting. The camp was then “turned over” to the regiment, the colonel holding the power in reserve to check the proceedings if they became disorderly. The regular guard being relieved, a new guard and police detail was at once made out, selected from the ranks of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. In the forenoon, a burlesque dress-parade took place, which furnished much amusement to all concerned;and, considering the limited materials on the island, was quite successful. The series of orders read by the adjutant’s clerk wereslightlypersonal, and good-humoredly embodied the complaints of the men against certain obnoxious changes in the drill, and regarding other regimental matters. During the day, the officers were nearly all under arrest for some violation of the “orders of the day.” One Timothy Ingraham was taken to the guard-house for attempting to leave camp without a pass. Giving a satisfactory excuse, he was released. Other officers were not as fortunate; and some of them worked out the penalty of their offences with the shovel. The Christmas dinner consisted of a bountiful supply of salt-beef and hard-tack, washed down with cold water. The afternoon was spent in rambling over the island, each one enjoying himself in his own way. About five o’clock, a dress-parade took place, conducted exclusively by enlisted men, each company doing its best to make the parade creditable. The officers loaned their uniforms for the occasion to those selected to command the regiment and companies; and they acknowledged that the reputation for drill which the regiment enjoyed at this time did not suffer during the temporarytransfer of authority. During the evening, someamusing courts-martialtook place; but, as it is not the purpose of the writer of this sketch to “tell tales out of school,” the mere mention of it will be sufficient to bring the scene before the minds of those who participated in the events of the day. “Tattoo” dissolved the spell. The companies fell in for roll-call, the guard went on again, and shortly after nine o’clock, the lights were all out, and perfect quiet reigned in the camp. Nothing occurred during the entire day to mar the peacefulness of the festival. There had been no quarrelling, no drunkenness, and no infraction of military rule.
On the evening of the 28th, the long-looked for transports made their appearance. There was an immediate inspection of knapsacks; but personal property had dwindled down to a small compass, and there were few articles to be left behind. The cooks were busy all night preparing rations; and orders were given to be ready to start at ten in the morning. At noon, the tents were struck; but there being a large amount of commissary stores to put on board, the regiment did not embark till midnight; those not on duty grouped around the camp-fires, “laying up sleep” for the future.As the regiment marched to the wharf, the band played “Yankee Doodle,” bringing many of Gen. Butler’sprotegésto the doors and windows of their quarters. Embarking on the transport Northern Light,—a large California packet-steamer, much better adapted to convey troops comfortably than the majority of government vessels,—the men gladly sought their canvas-bottom bunks; and about sunrise, on the morning of the 30th, the steamship weighed anchor, and steered for New Orleans. Although the residence on the island had not been an unpleasant one, none were sorry to see its outlines fade in the distance, or wished to revisit it. On the morning of the 31st, the ship crossed the bar, and entered the Mississippi; few on board then anticipating the long months that were to pass before their eyes would be gladdened by the sight of the blue water again. The sail up the Mississippi on this last day of the year was an interesting one to Northern eyes. The large plantations of corn and cane, dotted over with negroes, looking like so many charred stumps on a partially cleared field; the orange-trees laden with fruit; the mansions of the wealthy planters, half hidden by fresh-looking shrubbery; the rows of neat, white-washed negro cabins; the tall chimneys ofthe sugar-mills in the rear; with the back-ground of forest-trees, gray with the Spanish moss,—formed a picture in striking contrast to the winter-scenery the northern-bred volunteers had been accustomed to.
Two sunken gun-boats near Forts Philip and Jackson reminded the Thirty Eighth that they were in the same department with “old Farragut,” and that, in any co-operation between the land and sea forces, the army would have to look to its laurels. On the way up the river, another transport was passed, containing the Forty Seventh Massachusetts; and the two regiments exchanged friendly greetings. Being the last day of the month, the regular inspection and muster took place on the deck of the steamer; and, to show the good health of the regiment on entering the Department of the Gulf, it may be stated that one company, which left Boston over four months previously with ninety-five enlisted men, mustered ninety-one for inspection,—four having been left behind, sick, at Fortress Monroe.
A little after dark, the long line of lights was seen glimmering on the river-edge, marking the outlines of New Orleans. The steamer cast anchor in the stream near the upper part of thecity; and the deck was soon deserted by all except the guard, who paced their beats, “watching” the old year out, and the new year in.
At noon, the ship steamed up the river to Carrollton, one of the suburban towns of New Orleans, where the regiment landed. It was the first day of January; but the orange-trees were in bloom, the roses perfumed the air, and the vegetables were growing vigorously. This was the “Sunny South” indeed. The new camp had at one time been occupied by rebel troops, and was well adapted for drilling. On one side of the Thirty Eighth, the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York were encamped, and, on the other side, the One Hundred and Seventy Fifth; beyond which, were the Forty Seventh Massachusetts. Between the Thirty Eighth and the One Hundred and Sixteenth, a friendship sprung up, which lasted during the entire term of service; and although the One Hundred and Sixteenth were soon transferred to another brigade, and afterward to another division, whenever the two regiments met on a campaign, friendly greetings were exchanged; and this, notwithstanding the fact that they were rivals, each aspiring to take the lead in drill and efficiency.
While at Carrollton, Col. Ingraham took command of a brigade, and never rejoined the regiment. He participated in the first part of the Tèche campaign; but, being unable to endure field service in the climate of Louisiana, was appointed Provost Marshal at Washington, in which position he gave such satisfaction that he was retained in service by special order after the regiment was mustered out, and brevetted as brigadier-general. A few days after arriving at Carrollton, the regiment experienced its first Louisiana rain-storm. The camp-ground was soon intersected by miniature bayous; and, as the drains were not in good order, some of the streets were completely flooded; while the tents, being old, afforded but little shelter from the storm. The company streets, after one of these winter-rains, were like so many mortar-beds. Much has been written about the Virginia mud, in connection with the Army of the Potomac; but, if it equalled that of Louisiana, the face of the country in that part of Virginia must have been greatly changed by the movements of the armies; and the mixing of soil will afford matter for study for future agriculturists. As soon as the regiment was fairly settled in camp, drills were resumed with vigor. During the stay on Ship Island, themanual of arms had been changed: the old system was now restored, much to the satisfaction of the men. On the 6th of the month, Gen. Banks, accompanied by Gens. T. W. Sherman and Emory, visited the camp. The regiment was engaged in battalion drill, at the time; and, as the visitors approached, were drawn up into line to receive them. Then, the Thirty Eighth, as far as regarded appearance, were in their prime. Disease had not yet thinned the ranks; four months’ drill, under competent field and line officers, had brought them to a high standard in the manual of arms and in battalion movements; Adjutant Loring had paid particular attention to the personal neatness of the men; and the men were not yet discouraged by those gloomy accounts which afterward came from the North, showing a want of faith in the ability of the army to put down the rebellion, and an unwillingness to strengthen it by reinforcements of good men. As spring drew near, the camp was full of rumors in regard to the coming campaign; and three days’ rations were kept cooked most of the time.
At midnight, on the 11th, sudden orders came to “fall in” for sixty rounds of cartridges each; to pack knapsacks, and put two days’ rations in thehaversacks. It was rumored that the rebels operating up the river had been largely reinforced by troops from Richmond, under Longstreet, and that theThirty Eighth wereto join the main body of the Army of the Gulf. The knapsacks were to be packed, and left behind, and the camp left standing, the troops going into the field in light marching order. After waiting until the middle of the forenoon, the orders were countermanded, the extra cartridges returned, and drill resumed.
On the 24th of January, the Thirty First Massachusetts, Col. Gooding, who had been doing duty at the forts, arrived, and went into camp near the Thirty Eighth, Col. Gooding taking command of the brigade. At this time, brick ovens were built in the camp, and the regiment had their baked beans regularly Sunday mornings.
During the first week in February, the division drilled together at Camp Parapet, near Carrollton. On the 3d, the One Hundred and Sixteenth struck tents, and marched off in the direction of Baton Rouge; and, in a few days, their camp was occupied by the Fifty Third Massachusetts,—a nine-months’ regiment, who were in the third brigade until their term of service expired.
On the morning of the 10th of February, the knapsacks were again packed preparatory to a move; but the tents were left standing, and the camp put in charge of the light-duty men, of which there were then a large number.
When the regiment first arrived at Carrollton, the general health was unusually good; but the change in the water, the dampness of the low land, and the frequent guard-duty had made their mark, and thinned the ranks.
It was nearly dark before the regiment embarked on the first of the numerous river-boats with which they afterward became so familiar. A thick fog came up during the night; and, in the morning, the boat was found to be snugly moored to the river-bank, near a large plantation, the mansion-house being then occupied as a signal-station; but the fog cleared up during the forenoon, and the boat proceeded on her voyage. The sail was a pleasant one, and was greatly enjoyed; and, as the river had risen since the arrival of the regiment at New Orleans, it presented a nobler appearance than at that time. Plantation after plantation stretched along the banks, on both sides of the river; but few of them showed any signs of activity. The residences of many of the plantersindicated taste and refinement; and, in some instances, the negro cabins had a very attractive and picturesque appearance. These plantations may have belonged to men of the St. Clare school; but no Evas were seen sporting among the roses, or Uncle Toms “keeping an eye on things.” During the afternoon, Jefferson College was passed, and, still later, a large convent, prettily situated near the river, with grounds tastefully laid out. About midnight, the boat arrived at Plaquemine, an old-fashioned, dilapidated looking town, but which is said to have been a thriving place before the rebellion, when the Mississippi was covered with steamers, and the products of the cotton and cane-fields were filling the coffers of the plantation princes. The few citizens who remained had evidently not lost their hope of the ultimate success of the South; for Confederate paper was worth half as much as greenbacks.
Sunday afternoon, Feb. 15, the Louisiana Belle arrived at Plaquemine, having on board Gen. Emory and staff; and she was soon followed by another boat, with the One Hundred and Fifty Sixth New York, and Col. Ingraham and staff. A gun-boat started with them, but broke down on the way, and put back for repairs. A portion of theThirty Eighth being on the upper deck of the transport, and exposed to the weather, quarters were procured for Cos. C and F in unoccupied houses on shore. It was after dark when they landed, and raining hard. The mud was knee-deep in the streets, and the night pitchy dark. After floundering along for half an hour or more, it turned out that the guide had lost his way, and the two companies had to countermarch, and retrace their steps part of the way. In after times, many a laugh was had over the misfortunes of that night; but, at the time, Mr. Webster and Mr. Worcester would have been astonished at the capabilities of the English language in furnishing expletives. Finally, the house that had been selected for quarters was found; and all except the unlucky guards were soon oblivious of the mishaps of military life. Afterward, several of the remaining companies were transferred to quarters in the town.
The regiment drilled, as usual, at Plaquemine; and the men often wondered when that lazy soldier-life they had heard so much about was going to begin; for, hitherto, with drill, guard-duty, fatigue, and rifle-cleaning, they barely had time to answer their letters from home.
In the meantime, the gun-boat had arrived; anda number of men acquainted with boat-service had been detailed from the regiment, and sent up the Bayou Plaquemine in launches, on a reconnoitring expedition. While awaiting the return of the boats, the sugar-houses in the vicinity were visited, and candy-making became the order of the evenings. In the succeeding months, the molasses-candy expedition was often recalled, and its incidents talked of over the camp and picket fires.
The reconnoitring party returned with the information that the bayou was completely obstructed by piles and immense drifts of logs, and that it would be impossible to force a passage through. In consequence of this report, the troops again embarked, and the transport headed down the river, reaching the landing at Carrollton at six o’clock on the evening of the 19th. In the morning, the march was taken up for Camp Kearney, where everything was found in order, although the camp bore evidence of having been pretty well flooded by the rains of the previous week. A mail had arrived during the absence of the regiment, and it had been sent up the river, to the disappointment of every one. Numerous absurd rumors concerning disaster to the regiment had been brought down the river, and one had found its wayinto the New Orleans papers, to the effect that nine companies of the Thirty Eighth had been captured. Acting upon this information, the sutler had packed up his wares, and gone to another regiment, concluding that his chances of money-making in the Thirty Eighth were at an end.
Immediately upon arriving in camp again, the tents were struck, and the floors taken up, that the sun might dry up the dampness. On Sunday, Feb. 22, divine service was performed in the camp by Col. Ingraham, the band, and a select choir from the ranks, assisting; and the day was further honored by the firing of a national salute from Camp Parapet.
On the 26th, by the advice of the surgeon, the regiment were to have “a rest, not more than three hundred men having come out the day before for battalion drill;” but in the afternoon, however, an order came from brigade head-quarters for the regiment to have skirmish drill. Capt. Rundlet, being in command at the time, deployed the left wing as skirmishers, drilling them especially in the movement of “lying down;” the right wing, in the meantime, remaining in reserve. This order did not increase the popularity of the brigade commander. On the last day of the month, theregiment was again mustered for pay. On that day, also, a number of boxes reached camp, which had been sent to the regiment when at Fortress Monroe. They had been intended for Thanksgiving, but did not reach their destination until the fleet had sailed; and three months’ confinement had reduced the turkeys and chickens to skeletons, and the puddings and pies had not increased in flavor.
During the month, the regiment lost several valuable members from disease. On the 3d, Orderly Sergt. Samuel J. Gore, of Co. E, died of typhoid fever, and was buried under arms; and on the 4th, Sergt. Charles A. Howard, of Co. A, died of the same disease. Sergt. Howard received a commission as lieutenant in another regiment a day or two before he died. On the 3d of March, the Sergeant-major, Walter W. Nourse, added another to the list from this fatal disease. Sergt. Nourse came out as 1st Sergt. of Co. F, and was the pet of that company, as well as a favorite with the whole regiment. Resolutions expressive of their sympathy were forwarded by Co. F to his bereaved friends; and they also testified their respect for their comrade, by having his body embalmed, and sent home, where imposing funeral obsequies tookplace upon its arrival, and touching tributes to his memory were published in the newspapers.
During the first week in March, a regimental well was dug; and marching orders were at once expected, for, hitherto, these events had followed each other in close order; and the rule was not now to be broken. On the 4th, the cooks had orders to cook rations. The next day, drill was dispensed with, and orders were issued to pack knapsacks, and be ready to move at a moment’s notice. Somewhat experienced in marching orders, the men made themselves quite easy over it, not expecting to get away for several days. Consequently, they were taken completely by surprise to hear the “assembly” just after dark, followed immediately by the “orderly’s call” and the “officers’ call;” and there was quite a hubbub in the camp. At first, there was supposed to be trouble in New Orleans; and the men were elated at the prospect of having something to do. That morning, one company had brought out but twenty-eight men for drill,—thirty-five reporting sick, and a number being detailed,—but, in a few minutes after the assembly was heard, sixty men were in line, equipped for active service; and the same spirit was shown in all the other companies. Itwas soon learned that the duty to be performed was near home, and was not relished so well. There had been some trouble in the One Hundred and Seventy Fifth New York; the men refusing to go on the campaign until they were paid, they not having received any money since their enlistment. Their camp was surrounded by the other regiments of the brigade with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets; but, after a short address from the brigade commander, the men of the One Hundred and Seventy Fifth returned to duty, and the Thirty Eighth and the other regiments were released from their unpleasant task.
The next morning opened with a drizzling rain. At noon, orders were given to strike the tents on one side of the company streets, and put the knapsacks in those of the other side; and this was barely done, when the rain began to pour in torrents, and continued to do so for the remainder of the day. Three days’ rations were put in the haversacks, and all the regimental baggage packed. The One Hundred and Seventy Fifth had started in the morning; and the Fifty Third broke camp in the midst of the rain, and marched to the levee; but the Thirty Eighth lingered until evening, when orders came to strike all the remainingtents, and take the baggage to the cars, which passed near the camp. The mud grew deeper and deeper, as the men wallowed through it; and, as the night was very dark, it was a difficult task to keep in the track. A large detail had been sent to store the baggage on board of the transports, and there were so many on the sick-list that it took the remainder nearly all night to load the cars. The few hours before morning were spent around the camp-fires; and, at sunrise, the regiment marched to the levee, stacked arms on the sidewalk opposite, and proceeded to put the remainder of the baggage, quartermaster’s stores, &c., on board of the St. Mary’s. It was a very carnival of mud; and soon every one was coated with it. About noon, the regiment embarked; and tired, sleepy, muddy, and packed like sardines, the men coiled themselves up in all shapes, and slept soundly in the hot sun. The boat arrived at Baton Rouge the next morning, and found the river full of gun-boats, mortar-boats, and transports; and signs that the campaign was about to open were everywhere apparent. Landing on the levee, the Thirty Eighth marched through the streets of the old capital of Louisiana to the Theatre Building, where they were quartered.Although the climate and the unwholesome water had begun to do its work, the regiment was still comparatively strong, some companies taking near seventy men into the field; and the long rows of stacked muskets on the floor of the Theatre had a martial look, and spoke of work in the future.