Category Archives: 12th Maine Infantry
Diary of James R. Holt, Co. G, 12th Maine Infantry: 1 Nov 1862 thru 31 May 1863
This diary was kept by Pvt. James Redlon Holt (1845-1864), a 16 year-old youngster when he enlisted on 15 November 1861 with Co. G, 12th Maine Infantry. James was the son of Rev. Dudley Barker Holt and Susan M. Redlon from Gorham, Maine, who grudgingly must have given their consent to let him collect a bounty and enter into the service.
In the sweltering heat of Louisiana, where the 12th Maine was stranded for most of its service, James poured his heart onto paper. But just as the light at the end of the tunnel seemed near, with mustering out on the horizon, fate had a cruel twist in store. The regiment was called back East, only to face the brutal carnage of the 3rd Battle of Winchester in September 1864, where James met a tragic end on 19 September 1864—“killed by a cannon ball”—just two months before completing his three-year enlistment. What a visceral reminder of the brutality of war and the fragility of life!
Serving with James and mentioned in some of his letters was his Uncle Darius Holt (1820-1875) who enlisted at the age of 42 and served several months until his health failed and he was discharged for disability. Darius was living in Minot with his wife, Mercy Ann (Lord) Holt (1828-1902) and six children when he enlisted.
This diary is from the private collection of a Holt family descendant and scans were sent to me for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent. A dozen of James’ letters were recently published on Spared & Shared from the same source. To read those letters, see—1862-64: James Redlon Holt to Dudley Barker Holt.
The first year of James’ diary can be read here: Diary of James R. Holt, Co. G, 12th Maine Infantry: 1 Nov 1861 thru 31 Oct 1862
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Saturday, November 1, 1862—Have cold in my head. Pleasant. Went to Carrollton to get some clothes but couldn’t. They have stoves there now & live well. Live easy & have little to do.
Sunday, 2nd—Feel well. October weather. Capt. Sawyer of Co. H, 9th Connecticut, went to lake today, taking charge of the train, bringing Proctor, Armstrong, &c. & a lot of arms. Guess there’ll be better management now.
Monday, 3rd—Have slight cold & headache. Train ran today only to accommodate the boys at the lake. About 300 came here wishing to go down but couldn’t. They bother us all the time with their questions & don’t seem satisfied when we tell them we know nothing about it. Well let them go. That’s all we have to do.
Tuesday, 4th—Health & weather decent. Train ran but carried none who had not a pass from Butler. Received a letter from home & two papers. All well. Old Maine has gone ahead of all other states. She is the 1st and almost the only one to fill her quota without a draft.
Wednesday, 5th—Have slight cold. Fine day. Train is not regulated yet. It is said our regiment was paid off today.
Thursday, 6th—Health same. Cold. Wrote some. Capt. Robinson came here & paid me $26.50. Sent $16 home.
Friday, 7th—Cold no better. Fair & cold. Money most gone.
Saturday, 8th—Health & weather same. The Opelousas train which was conveying powder to Gen. [Godfrey] Weitzel blew up killing 11 & wounding 30 of the 13th Connecticut & 8th New Hampshire.
Sunday, 9th—Health & weather same. Dull times.
Monday, 10th—Feel well. Pleasant. Went to Carrollton & drew some clothing. They have mounted quite a number of heavy guns on the parapet. I have nothing to do but enjoy myself as I can.
Tuesday, 11th—Have a slight cold. Fair.
Wednesday, November 12 [1862]—Feel same. Cloudy & rainy.
Thursday, 13th—Have slight cold. Warm & rainy. Dull.
Friday, 14th—Haveslight cold in head. Rainy. Dull.
Saturday, 15th—Have bad cold. Warm & rainy. Out of 10. I kept to [ ] this time. I’ve only four left. Spent half for books so it’s not entirely lost.
Sunday, 16th—Health & weather same. Mighty dull. Since I came here I’ve read Authur Conway, Robert Oaklands, Waverley, New England’s Tale, Captain’s Ward, & Lanman’s Alleghanies.
Monday, 17th—Heath same & weather ditto. [ ]
Tuesday, 18th—Health & weather same. Lieutenant of 9th [Connecticut] goes with the train so we’ve nothing to do. Our regiment goes off tomorrow. Wish I could go too but I can’t. All of our boys are sick here.
Wednesday, 19th—Health same. Cloudy. Nothing to do. Regiment moved off somewhere.
Thursday, 20th—Health & weather same.
Friday, 21st—When I awoke this morning I felt weak & had no appetite. Have the diarrhea quite bad. Went up to the Crescent City Press & returning took a look at Reading Press where Tom is but didn’t go in. Having bought a Virgil Lexicon, I’m reading that now.
Saturday, 22nd—Diarrhea still bad. Pleasant. By Marion, we have [news that] dates to 12th November from New York. Potomac Army still progressing. Gen. McClellan has been relieved by Burnside per Presidential order. This is mean anyhow. After all he has done, he is left without command. It seems as though some dire fiend was pursuing him, depriving him of the pleasure of expected victory. It is honor enough, however, to any one man to have been so beloved by his men. His parting from them is said to have exceeded anything ever recorded in history (save that of Napoleon parting from his generals) in solemnity. But the noble young general makes no complaint, quietly submitting to his superiors. It may be just, but I look upon it as another yielding of our President to Radicals.
Sunday, 23rd—Diarrhea still continues. Pleasant [day]. When I awoke this morning, a policeman came and told us that our sergeant was in the calaboose. About 9 last night as he was walking down to the market, a policeman asked him if he had a pass. He replied in the negative. Well, says the policeman, let’s go see the clerk & he’ll give you one. He went. They shoved him in the ‘boose. We’ve got him out since though. Went to see Tom but found the [Reading] Press shut up. Heard that they had been in Parish Prison on account of some $1,000 worth of goods being stolen but they’ve since been removed as innocent.
Monday, 24th—Diarrhea well, yet weak. Pleasant [day] When up town today, I saw a squad of young girls of St. Mary’s Asylum marching along Camp Street accompanied by two or three matrons. They were all dressed in black with white aprons & grey shaker bonnets. The matrons had on queer looking concerns, much like a quaker hat on back side before. There was about 100—quite a pleasing sight.
Tuesday, 25th—Well but weak. Fair [weather]. Business in this city is quite lively; but few are unemployed. Wish I was with the regiment. Wrote to Leroy.
Wednesday, 26th—Feel weak. Headaches. Chilly. Begin to feel lonesome so far from the regiment.
Thursday, 27th—Have slight cold in head. Fair. Dull staying here with nothing to do. We are in an out of the way place so it is very dull but I make out to stand it by studying Dutch [German] & Virgil.
Friday, 28th—Health & weather same. After I’d gone to bed, Lieut. Packard came up with two letters & three papers to the 6th instant. All well and happy [at home]. Many of my old schoolmates of the 7th Maine are dead.
Saturday, 29th—Health & weather same. Stick pretty well to quarters & do little but read and study German.
Sunday, 30th—Health & weather the same. Do nothing.
Monday, December 1, 1862—Have slight diarrhea. Cloudy & warm. Dull times.
Tuesday, 2nd—Health same. Cloudy all day. Rain at night. Times very dull.
Wednesday, 3rd—Feel well. Rainy. Had toothache. [Benjamin] Flanders of the 1st & [Michael] Hahn of the 2nd District, Union men are elected Representatives to Congress. Thus has this part of Louisiana escaped emancipation. This is the right way for all to do.
Thursday, 4th—Health & weather same. As for grub, we draw our rations & cook them ourselves, so with plenty of cero, oranges, sugar, potatoes, fish, &c. which we get for nothing, we live well. The police are beginning to put in force the regulations in regard to the dogs. Two or three loads pass here every morning. Poisoned sausage does the work but I’m afraid another kind of sausage—that is, dog meat will soon appear.
Friday, 5th—Feel well except bad toothache which keeps me awake most all night. Received one letter 7 one paper from home. All well to the 21st ult.
Saturday, 6th—Health same. Cool weather here. Dull.
Sunday, 7th—Health good. Fair & cool. The following order issued on the 5th:
Office Provost Marshall General. By direction of Commanding General, “All persons registered enemies of the U. S., both men and women with their families, who desire to go within the Rebel lines and not return, will report themselves by letter to the Provost Marshall General’s Office before the 10th of December when conveyance will be found them. They will be allowed to take personal clothing only, not to exceed $50 in value for each adult. All persons desiring to go within the rebel lines & not return, because they prefer to live there, will report in the same manner for the same purpose. J. H. French, Prov. Marsh.
Everyone would naturally suppose from the large number enrolled as enemies, the greater part would gladly avail themselves of the opportunity, but it is not so. Of the thousands thus enrolled, only 50 have as yet applied. Why is this? Why do these villains who daily curse Butler’s mildness (which they style tyranny) still desire & share with the loyal part the many blessings they now enjoy? Do they fear the conscription that awaits them, or is it starvation they shun? God only knows, but we can easily guess. Never before was such magnanimity displayed by an injured government to its erring subjects. But let those traitors look out for they know not what awaits them. Old Ben is quite up to act their game & will not let them off so very easy.
Monday, 8th—Health good. Pleasant. After cruising about the city till 10 o’clock, I made one of a party with a band who serenaded Benjamin F. Flanders, the Representative Elect from the District. He called us in, for we were few, and treated us to brandy, whiskey, &c. We had a good time talking, singing, &c. till two. Mr. Flanders is a grey headed & bearded man, tall and good looking. I guess this District has got a good man to represent her in the coming Congress. Hope the damned Radicals will find enough like him to defeat their hellish plans. They are resolved to put down slavery or destroy the Union.
Tuesday, 9th—Health & weather same. Some talk of our being relieved soon. I don’t care how soon. Our regiment is part at College Point, part at Bonnet-Carré, & our company at Prenier [Prieur?] & Desair [Desiré] on Jackson Railroad. Wrote home.
[Editor’s Note: College Point was located about 40 miles upriver from New Orleans in St. James Parish, named for the prominent bend in the river where Jefferson College and a Catholic convent school were established. Bonnet-Carré was roughly 33 to 40 miles above New Orleans on the east/north bank of the Mississippi River in the German Coast region (near present day Norco and Montz).]
Wednesday, 10th—Health & weather same. 200 have reported to leave the Federal lines. Just read [Alexander] Pope’s Homer’s Odyssey. Quite a fine production.
Thursday, 11th—Lame in my back. Tooth aches. Moderately cool & rainy. Nothing to do.
Friday, 12th—Health & weather same. Read “The Revenge” by Greenbow [?]. Smutty but interesting.
Saturday, 13th—Health & weather same. President’s Annual Message has arrived. Little too sanguine, I think, of the result of his emancipation schemes but it can do little harm to try it on, [even] if it does no good.
Sunday, December 14—Lame in back. Dull & cloudy. Nine steamers filled with Bank’s men came in tonight so it seems that wherever he goes, he’s not going to make Galveston his rendezvous as at first supposed.
Monday, 15th—Feel well. Fair. About 10 a.m. received orders to report to Co. A to go to the regiment tomorrow. All our regiment is to be got together except perhaps Cos. H & D. Reckon will have a chance to fight soon. Went to the Varieties Theatre [on Gravier Street] last night & saw the Swiss Cottage & Soldier’s Daughter acted. Thought it quite good though perhaps I should not if it had not been the first I ever saw. At any rate, I got my quarter’s worth. I’ll go again when I can though Lord only knows when.
Tuesday, 16th—Have a slight cold. Chilly. Stayed here at Co. A’s quarters all day. At noon today, Gen. Butler committed his command to Banks, by order from Washington. All is to be changed, no doubt. What will become of us, I know not. This exchange is probably a part of the Abolition program which is to put Republican generals in all the important commands. But though they may prosper in this awhile, they’ll find out their error. Like Gen. McClellan, Butler has won a name which all the Abolitionists out of hell can’t injure. He has made out of the most important, wealthy strongholds of the Rebels, one of the quietest, best, and most loyal in the land. The Abolitionists may consign him to private life during the war, but that will only be adding the last stone to their already tottering edifice. Soon—but not too soon—Abolitionism will have its end. Gen. Butler’s fair fame cannot be tarnished by these vile beasts. He has already endeared himself to all the loyal people of the land—especially of New Orleans. Gen. Banks has heretofore done well & I hope he may still, but I can never feel for him that respect that I have for Ben. Banks seems to me to be the tool of villains who would sooner see the Union fall than lose a single plank from their vile platform. But let us trust in God & keep our powder dry?
Wednesday, 17—Have slight cold. Remained here all day.
Thursaday, 18th—Health good. Chilly & fair. Started at 8 a.m. with all our baggage on foot. It is 6 miles & as we rested but twice, it was quite hard. But we weathered it & reached there at 10. Went aboard the Laurel Hill—a large stout river boat. Billy Wilson’s boys came aboard here so we didn’t get ready to start till 9 p.m. They are a rough looking set [who were] fighting among themselves all the time, officers & men alike. It was mighty cold. At Bonnet-Carré, took in Co. C & about midnight we arrived at a place ten miles above where Cos. I & F were.
Friday, 19th—Feel rather stiff & lame. Quite warm. Having taken Cos. I & F aboard we started at sunrise. Saving that the river is lower & wider than in spring, the country looks very like that for twenty miles below New Orleans, though there are a few better mansions & more houses. It makes quite a pretty scene. The smooth, quiet, and huge river flows between two strips of cleared land about one mile wide covered with pretty villas & waving cane with a background of thick green woods.
Arrived at Jefferson College at noon where we took in the rest of the regiment. This is a pleasant little village. Billy’s boys scattered abroad, knocking down niggers, stealing all they could find & kicking up particular hell. One sergeant was shot by an officer. Nothing of consequence was seen after we left till we reached Baton Rouge at 8 p.m. Received two letters & 6 papers [from home]. All well.
Saturday, 20th—Feel well. Went into camp near the battleground one and a half miles from the river. Baton Rouge is nearly deserted. There are a few fine houses in it. It is on a bluff about 10 feet above high water. Saw the Essex [gunboat]. She is rusty so she looks like a house top covered with slate. Laid on our arms all night as it is aid the Rebels are not far off. Very cold.
Sunday, 21st—Have bad cold. Quite warm. At 4 a.m. we were awakened by the firing of three guns & fell into line of battle but no Rebels appeared. No one seemed afraid to turn out. At parade tonight, orders for two hours drill were given. We sleep on arms no more till further orders. Col. [Halbert E.] Paine [4th Wisconsin] commanding. The field we are on is about 80 rods (440 yards) square covered with grass. Close to the wood. There are graves all about here. 4th Wisconsin & two batteries came here today with 2nd Louisiana. Let the Rebels come if they will & if they don’t, we must go after them.
Monday, 22nd—Health & weather same. I went to the Penitentiary & brought off a moss mattress which makes a fine bed. One drill. 133rd New York came in here.
Tuesday, 23rd—Health same. Foggy all day & rainy at night. On brigade guard 1st time in 5 months though got some wet. Had easy time. 173rd New York came in here. Live on hard bread, coffee, salt junk & beef & poor at that. Wrote to Darius.
Wednesday, 24th—Feel well though stiff. The cavalry brought in some guerrillas & a lot of cattle & cotton. We are turned out at 10 by the New York Band beating reveille at 10 instead of 8:30. One man shot on picket tonight in the 2nd Louisiana. He saw & fired on a lot of niggers & then ran to the reserve, when a sergeant halted him & shot him as he did not answer.
Thursday, 25th [December 1862]—Feel well. Fair. Today is Christmas & so I’ll tell what we had to eat. Breakfast—beans, coffee & hard bread. Dinner—Pork. Supper—Fresh meat. The cavalry brings in all kinds of animals & things.
Friday, 26th—Well. Fair in morning & rainy rest of the day. Our company is on picket today. I was lucky enough to stand only two hours. We were half mile from camp. We got plenty of molasses, cow meat, calf and sheep. It rained all night & I had to sleep as I could under the fence.
Saturday, 27th—Feel same. Cleared off at noon so we got it all on picket. Relieved at 10 & then had to prepare for tomorrow’s inspection.
Sunday, 28th—Feel better. Hot & cloudy. Were inspected by & passed in review before Col. Paine, Acting General. Have about 15,000 here. News from the North says Burnside, after taking Fredericksburg, had to fall back. Guess they’ll want McClellan soon.
Monday, 29th—Health same. Fair day. Wet night. Our cavalry had a small skirmish with the Rebels today, losing one and having eight wounded. Rebel loss 8. They took a team loaded with boiler for Confederate gunboat. Guess we’ll go there soon. Had a brigade drill today. We acted like the devil.
Tuesday, 30th—Little lame. Quite cool. Did better on drill today. Paid off two month pay.
Wednesday, 31st—Have cold and am lame. Very cold for this country. Water skimmed over. 13th Connecticut came in. We shall probably leave soon. This is the last of the year. One year ago today I was at Camp Chase, Massachusetts, where—though twice as cold—I did not feel it so much as I do here. Received one letter & five papers.
Thursday, January 1, 1863—Feel quite well tough have little cold. Pleasant. 4th Wisconsin has left & the 22nd Maine, 131st New York, and 6th New York came in. Billy [Wilson] commands us now. Sent $20 & lent $2.
Friday, 2nd—Feel sick. Warm & cloudy. Lost $4.45 mitspielen [gambling].
Saturday, 3rd—Feel same. Rainy & warm. Heavy thunder. Went as escort to Bob Young who died yesterday. Dan Taylor & Joe Longley died while I was in the city. Have 135 left.
Sunday, 4th—Feel same. Fair & chilly. Three companies were out last night cutting the trees & building barricades. ‘Tis said to be only murdering cavalry to send them out as picket for the Rebels lying in the woods pick them off. We send out infantry now which is much better.
Monday, 5th—Feel same. Rainy all day. All kinds of rumors are abroad about the Potomac Army.
Tuesday, 6th—Had orders to go on picket today but as we got into line, we were ordered to pack up and be ready to go on board the gunboat Albatross which took us to Plaquemine City, twenty miles down on the other side where the Rebels have lately troubled our transports. Four companies [of the[ 52nd Massachusetts are here. We camped at the Market, a few rods from the levee. Plaquemine is a fine little city of 4,000 inhabitants. It is in form of a triangle between the river & the Bayou Plaquemine which is a creek running out of the river down to Berwick’s Bay & bids fair to be one day the main channel of the Mississippi. It runs half a mile on Bayou and one-quarter on river. The houses are low except one dozen or so & nearly all wood, painted white. There are two churches, 6 or 10 stores and two or three taverns & a market. There is quite a pretty village of large plantation houses across the Bayou. The people dress coarse & plain & live mostly on corn meal & meat of all kinds but have no flour or other luxuries.
Wednesday, 7th—Feel same. Fair. While I was washing my clothes this [morning] down at the river, our company was ordered on picket so when I got back, I found them gone & followed. Was put on the bayou. Got no sleep. The niggers sold us plenty of corn bread & molasses for hard tack. The planter near us sent us just the same as he had himself for each meal. He did well for himself as he would have lost his fine lot of chickens and geese tonight if he had not done thus. I was very cold.
Thursday, 8th—Feel same except cough. Warm & fair. Rainy at night. We’ve lived well since we came here. Plenty chickens, pigs, geese, being got for nothing.
Friday, 9th—Feel better. Cough little. Rainy. Turned out at 11. Were turned out by the cavalry who reported that they had been fired upon by rebels who after firing several times, they left without crossing the bayou so we didn’t find any as we expected. Slept on arms & turned out at 2 but by false alarm. Have still plenty of plunder.
Saturday, 10th—Health same. Fair. Had baked chicken. Six men went out foraging & brought in a lot of cattle, meal, &c. so will live well enough. Cavalry took one of the Rebel signal corps today. Wrote home.
Sunday, 11th—Health & weather same. Had roasted pig. Report says Vicksburg is taken & that they are bombarding Port Hudson though it is not sure.
Monday, 12th—Health & weather same. Moved from the market to a place about ten rods from the mouth of the bayou, so we are in a corner with the bayou and [Mississippi] River and the other open, so the Rebs can come only in front. All kinds of rumors.
Tuesday, 13th—Health & weather same. On guard at quarters. had easy time. They are building barricades on all exposed streets (four in number) of logs. good for infantry and cavalry, but [of] no account for artillery. Our troops at Baton Rouge are drawing in towards the city as the Rebels are not far off. They are making embankments, &c.
Wednesday, 14th—Feel same. Rainy & warm.
Thursday, 15th—Health & weather same. Cold at night. On picket with company today. Stood 8 hours. Not paid.
Friday, 16th—Have some cold & slight cough. Very cold. Ground frozen.
Saturday, 17th. Feel same. Warm. We’ve got a lot of chickens & geese over the Bayou & as we were going after more, Capt. Robinson came along & stopped us. But we’ll do awhile.
Sunday, 18th—Heath & weather same. Received two letters & lots of papers. Rains at night.
Monday, January 19th [1863]—Feel same. Tooth aches. Rainy. Plenty of ducks &c. for a week.
Tuesday, 20th—Health & tooth same. Fair & cold. Our boys crossed the bayou today & got 40 hens, 8 ducks, 2 geese, and 1 turkey. The old planters looked blank, but, but of no use. I do but little but read except when I am helping fix things & cut wood.
Wednesday, 21st—Tooth easier. Health same. Fair days and cold nights. Little done.
Thursday, 22nd—Health & tooth same. Fair & cold. A cavalry man being across the bayou with four others was shot by one on plantation yesterday night.
Friday, 23rd—Health same. Tooth ached all night & day. On picket. Stood 10 hours. River is rising & the bayou is filled with driftwood which makes great noise. Another cavalry shot by his mate.
Saturday, 24th—Feel sick all over. Tooth uneasy.
Sunday, 25th—Got some cold. Tooth bad. Fair & mild.
Monday, 26th—Feel about sick. Hot & chilly. Tooth aches. On guard. Cold & rainy. Heard sounds like chopping wood & felling trees over bayou which I took to be Rebels preparing to cross. Since found ’twas a jam breaking.
Tuesday, 27th—Better. Tooth easy. Fair & cold. Quiet.
Wednesday, 28th—Feel same. Still cold & fair. See by papers that Gen. Butler was enthusiastically received at home & is an Abolitionist. Well so be it. As for me, I hate the niggers more & more. They are so damned saucy to privates. Many officers think more of them than us. The cavalry & one gun crew from the Albatross went down two miles & drove off Rebel picket & burnt their camp. No loss.
Thursday, 29th—Health & weather same. Had pig for dinner. Dull.
Friday, 30th—Have slight rheumatism. Otherwise well. Fair. I’ve never yet found fault with my grub but I will & I can prove all I say. Our Acting Quartermaster is Lieut. [Charles H. Buswell, Co. I. He received everything & all the government allows. But he sells beef, half hard bread, half candles, half coffee, &c to the citizens, not for best of purposes to [ ] for my pages. He & other officers take rations to pay their pleasure expenses so we get hard bread & half pound poor hog & water strained through coffee a day which is meaner than convicts get. They feed lots of niggers on our scanty rations. I wish to God they were in the lowest pit of hell on double rations of fire & brimstone.
Saturday, 31st—Health the same. Cloudy & warm. On picket. Stood 3 hours. Plenty of reading.
Sunday, February 1st, 1863—Feel same. Rainy & warm. Grub bad. There are little boys who come to get our extra bread who say the Rebs never used them so well. They lived on corn bread & meet & kept them away.
Monday, 2nd—Health & weather same. It is fun to see our officers, Captain & all, rush for the bar when the boat comes along. Lieut. Phillips was drunk—not the first time. Soldiers can get none.
Tuesday, 3rd—Health good. Cold & fair. Have & probably shall have bad grub. If one of us complains, plenty of them are ready to swear all is right as they curry favors of officers.
Wednesday, 4th—Worse. Rainy & warm. See by papers Gen. Banks has ordered all the niggers of the Department to be put to work on plantations, &c. which shows that they are getting troublesome. I suppose he is mad because one of them stole from him. He also proposes to the planters to make arrangements to pay their niggers, promising to enforce obedience & respect. I think it will go well.
Thursday, 5th—No better. Water froze tonight in our tent with fire half the night. 5,000 Rebs taken with Arkansas Post.
Friday, 6th—Health & weather same. Fair & mild. Paine’s Brigade came here today & went towards Indian Village, part by land and part by water. Got lots of chickens. We hope who got them stayed till dark as orders were given not to let them cross bayou. Had orders to go to Baton Rouge in 1st steamer.
Sunday, 8th—Better. Warm & fair. About noon the Eastern Queen came up with our Colonel & Lt. Colonel. I little thought when I saw the Eastern Queen for the first time four years ago that when I next saw her, would be on the Mississippi & I a soldier. At 6 p.m. the Merville came along & taking us on board, left at 8 in 3 hours was at Baton Rouge. Lay on board all night.
Monday, 9th—Went ashore & to camp in rear & to left of Orphan Asylum in Wilson’s Brigade with 6th & 131st New York. 22nd Maine paid two months today. Wrote home & sent $3 to father. We’ll have to drill now. Better. Warm & fair.
Tuesday, 10th [February 1863]— Health same. Hot & fair. Had very hard drill for so hot a day. Old Billy [Wilson] is a hard one. The Provost guard raise the devil with fellows here. Received a letter from [brother] Gran[ville Holt].
Wednesday, 11th—Have slight cough. Dewey & foggy mornings & dry & fair rest of the day. Had Battalion Drill. The officers & some of the men seem to have forgotten all they knew.
Thursday, 12th—Health same. Showers. One of our company, James O’Donnell by name, came in from hospital today. He & bunkee were with a small detachment on Jackson Railroad at Desair Station & when they came off (being relieved by some of the 31st Massachusetts), [John] Casey (his bunkee) left his cartridge box and after he had gone six miles down the railroad, the two set out to get it. They went on happily & carelessly till they got nearly to the station when seeing three men approaching, they said good evening (supposing them 31st Mass.) & [the greeting] ’twas returned. Time about 8 p.m. As they had on Yankee uniforms, they got close to our boys before they recognized them. They then ordered our boys to give up their guns which Casey was about to do as Jim had none, when O’Donnell said, “Don’t let them have the gun, Casey, & grabbed it when he was struck on the head with the butt of a musket & felled to the ground. Casey then wheeled & ran. The Rebs fired after him but missed & he got back after wandering here and there through the swamp. O’Donnell was then struck on the knee which brought him to & told to get up, which he did & was again struck on left arm. They took him a little way above on railroad. O’Donnell asked them what they were going to do with him & was told he would soon see.
Thinking it his only he hope, he sprang away from them & ran into woods & into a duck pond where he lay—only his head above water three hours. Then, all being still, he crawled on hands and knees to a shed & crawled beneath but some hogs drove him out, smelling his blood & then he crawled along and got into the shed in some hay & slept. When he awoke, it was light & the place was still. He tried to get up but he was so weak that he fell as fast as he raised himself up on his knees. He knew that unless he got help soon, he must die so he yelled as loud as he could & an old Dutchman [German] came out & told him to lie still and he would help him. So he brought out some beef tea & brandy &told him to try and get along till night and he would see what he could do. At night, he and two others and a young fellow of the 31st Massachusetts & his sergeant, both severely wounded, were taken aboard a little schooner & taken to New Orleans where they were well care for. But the sergeant died. He said he & 15 privates under a lieutenant were attacked by guerrillas, two shot and one killed & the rest took to woods. Some got away & some were taken. Guerrillas were called good Union men Capt. Robinson when he was there & treated as such. They were very cruel to prisoners but paroled them. Baton Rouge is looking livelier.
Friday, 13th—Health same. Hot & fair. Rain at night. Inspection. Gen. inspected us. Nine months men here are of little account. They say they didn’t enlist to fight but for bounty. Many Wide Awakes [among them]. They are mad if you say fight.
Saturday, 14th—Health same. Damp. Hot, &c. Nothing special. Troops arriving daily.
Sunday, 15th—Health & weather same. Rainy at night. Usual inspection.
Monday, 16th—Health decent. On picket. Damp but warm all day. Little rain in night.
Tuesday, 17—Health same. Rainy, windy, & warm. Sergt. [William] Bearce is made 1st Lieutenant & Sergt. Co. A [made] 2nd Lieutenant of our company. Lovejoy acts as Orderly [Sergeant]. Guess they’ll do well. Our company gave $40 for sword & sash for Bearce. I gave nothing.
Wednesday, 18th—Have a cold in head & cough. Gen. [William] Dwight commands our Brigade, the 1st of [Gen. Cuvier] Grover’s Division. Had hard drill. Troops still come. Two pickets shot. Signs of moving soon to fight.
Thursday, 19th—Health same. Fair & mild. On guard. Received letter & paper of January 31st. All well at home. Had drill. It seems as if our officers knew less every day. They care only to gratify their lusts & passions & the men taking pattering from them. [only] a very few like Packarrd and Appleton take a little pains. Wrote home.
Saturday, 21st—Better. Rainy all day & cool at night.
Sunday, 22nd—About so so. Fair & cool. Usual inspection. Orders that no man of suspicious character can have a pass. Hatteras has been sunk by [Confederate] Alabama
Monday, 23rd—Have slight cold. Fair & cool. Usual drill. Sent $10 by letter today.
Tuesday, 24th—Health same. Warm & fair. Target practice at which I do badly.
Wednesday, 25th—Health same. Cloudy. Rainy & hot. A man who ran away from Rebs last May & enlisted in Co. C was taken prisoner at Ponchatoula, recognized at Camp Moore, taken to Port Hudson, tried & sentenced to be shot. By the kindness of a sentry who took his irons off, he escaped & after three days, arrived here, nearly naked, trim and handcuffed. He says there are 12,000 at Port Hudson and strong earthworks.
Thursday, 26th—Better. Cloudy all day. Rainy after three p.m. On guard at Lt. Colonel’s. Fair on 1st tour. Rain 2nd in adjutant’s tent. Got drink of whiskey. Stood only 4 hours. No newsy mails.
Friday, 27th—Cloudy but no rain till night. Slight cold. Reports of the presence of Queen of the West made a little stir among fleet. Mortars all down below Essex.
Saturday, 28th—Well as ever. Rainy till noon, then fair. Mustered. Gen. Hooker commands Potomac Army. Hope he’ll do well but I fear he won’t.
Sunday, March 1, 1863—Have slight cold. Cold & fair. Usual inspection. Plenty rows.
Monday, 2nd—About sick. Chilly & fair. Usual drill.
Tuesday, 3rd—Worse. Chilly & fair. Hit target for once.
Wednesday, 4th—Health & weather same. Received 5 papers.
Thursday, 5th—Health & weather same. Gen. Dwight and in afternoon Gen. Augur reviewed us. Gen. [Christopher Columbus] Augur is a fine looking officer, grey-bearded. Dwight—a damned shit.
Friday, 6th—Have bad cold. Rainy. On picket but being on reserve, I had to stand none. Received one letter & two papers from home.
Saturday, 7th—Worse. Cloudy. Trees are beginning to leaf out & some have already. Troops keep coming.
Sunday, 8th—Same health. Warm & fair. Have orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at any time so I guess we’ll go soon. Wrote home.
Monday, 9th—Better. Fair & warm. Have orders to be ready to go by tomorrow morning. Have 60 rounds ammunition, two days cooked rations, packed extra clothing in box.
Tuesday, 10th—Bad cough. Rain little. Struck half tents so we had to pitch our shelter tents we just received. Troops still coming. All sorts of rumors.
Wednesday, 11th—Feel same. We will not leave till all the fleet get up. The folly is order of march. First, 6th New York; Second, Battery third, 22nd Maine; fourth, 131st New York; fifth, 12th Maine. He (Dwight) says we’ve only to approach the enemy to see him run. I reckon so (over the left).
Thursday, 12th—Health & weather same. Gen. Banks inspected us & all the rest. He is an insignificant looking man—short, squint eyed, &c. Gen. Grover is fine looking though rough, red complexion, & hair. The fleet is all here.
Friday, 13th—Better. Weather same. On guard as I came off at 12, we received orders to get ready & in one hour we started in the prescribed order, and marched very fast for four miles which we made in an hour & then we went at a hop, skip, hobble & crawl pace three miles further on Port Hudson Road over one bayou to a plantation seven miles from Baton Rouge and encamped. On guard again. Got about two hours sleep. Feel tired. All the troops are in motion. Dudley’s Brigade was within three miles of Port Hudson & drove in rebs pickets and returned.
Saturday, 14th—Stiff & weak. Routed at 4 and started at 6. Marched on same road seven miles more to Springfield Church & halted. Awful hard. Knapsacks cut our shoulders & our feet blistered. A few fell out but none of our regiment. Billy Wilson’s [6th N. Y.] men threw away their knapsacks. Our regiment is close to the little white church in a pretty grove, open fields around where others are. Few shots in afternoon on river. Suppose fleet. Turned out at midnight by a terrific firing when at 1st seemed close by. But as ’twas Bearce called us, we soon turned in & went to sleep.
Sunday, 15th—Health same. Hot in forenoon. Routed at 2 and firing soon ceased. About 4:30 we saw a great fire down river & heard quite a number of guns & by and by a great explosion. Many comments excited by it. Started back at 2 & went five miles without halting but three times. Then it began to rain & we kept on three miles further in a pelting rain & went into a flooded field for the night, collected rails, built a rousing fire & sat by it all night. Slept but little. It rained by spells all night. They say that Banks has accomplished all he started to. Farragut in the Hartford &the Albatross passed Port Hudson & the [USS] Mississippi is blown up. Hope so.
[Editor’s Note: On the night of March 14 into the early hours of March 15, 1863, Union Admiral David Farragut attempted to run a fleet of seven warships past the heavy Confederate artillery batteries at Port Hudson, Louisiana. The midnight operation resulted in a fierce engagement where five Federal ships were disabled, and the warship USS Mississippi ran aground and was burned by its crew. Only the Hartford and the Albatross made it past the bluffs.]
Monday, 16th—Worse. Fair [weather]. Moved to a drier place in woods but as soon as we got things fixed, we left & went towards the river & encamped on a field near Bayou Menticini, half mile from the river. Got boards & made floors so we are comfortable. Have plenty fresh meat of all kinds. Have coffee one [ ] a day instead of three as we should. Well, so it goes.
Tuesday, 17th—Well, except slight cough. Fair [weather]. Started at 11 p.m. taking only tents & blankets, went back to the church. Our Brigade going alone. The field stunk awfully from carcasses wasted by us on the road. It seems as though the Rebels must have plenty to eat. Had easy march. When we got nearly there, there was some skirmishing between our cavalry & advance company and the Rebs who were trying to get off some cotton. Two of them were taken, lost one. When we got to the church, we heard the Rebel long roll beating three-fourths of a mile off. We saw a nigger wench on horseback and took her. On examination, it turned out to be a white boy about 16 or 18. He said if we had not caught him, we should not have got back again very easy. Learning there was a large Rebel force nearby, we only stopped to let the 80 teams of 400 bales of cotton get off, which took, had coffee & started back as that was all we had come for.
Had a hard time of it marching through the mud as it was about 9 when we started. No moon and few stars. Perhaps we have done all that was expected. At least we have $50,000 worth of cotton. Got back at 11:30 stiff, tired & sore. Pitched tents on our floors & went to bed. Marching is new business for me but I get along quite well though my feet get a little sore. Guess I’ll get used to it by and by. I pity the Potomac fellows if they keep this up much.
Wednesday, 18th—Tired & stiff. Hot & fair. Laid still all day. Get nothing but hard bread, coffee, and meat when other regiments get as much as ever. This is all owing to our quartermaster—a snarly, mean, shit-ass. The Colonel is good but lacks force.
Thursday, 19th—Well except a cough. Hot. Stayed here today. Had short inspection. At parade, received congratulations of Grover & curses of Dwight, who may yet meet William’s fate [alleged to have been shot by his own men when in battle].
Friday, March 20th—Health & weather same. Left at 2 p.m. & marched to our old camp in Baton Rouge in three hours, stopping only once. Put up tents and slept all night.
Saturday, 27th—Health same. Cloudy. Went on picket on Clinton Road two miles off. Our regiment moved today with Brigade on Hamburg Road close to picket. Up nearly all night. Dark & cloudy. Guerrillas fired on our cavalry advance picket killing two and two escaped.
Sunday, 22nd—Health & weather same. Rainy night. Our Colonel is to be Brigadier General & we go with him to Thibodeaux. Hope to get rid of Dwight soon.
Just read Cooper’s The Headsman. It would be fine as a book of travels but tho’ the story & plot are good, yet the action is too much clogged with description to keep up the interest of novel readers. It is very instructive. Read also Randolph’s Cabin & Parlor, being a reply to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I believe it is a truthful picture of & no apologist for slavery & it shows also that there is much worse slavery in North. It would be well I think for the Abolitionists to pluck the beam out of their own eye, that cleanse themselves at first & then they may talk against slavery. Wrote home. Received two papers.
Monday, 23rd—Feel same. Rainy. Better grub. It is reported that the Queen of the West & 6 Rebel transports are taken. Our ground here is low, rough, and muddy. But we [have a] decent floor.
Tuesday, 24—Feel same. Clear. Moved from our camp to one near the Gas Works, much better & drier than the other. By orders on parade, Col. Kimball assumes command of the 2nd Brigade, Grover’s Division, consisting of 12th Maine, 24th Connecticut, 52nd Massachusetts, & 41st Massachusetts. Dean is Adjutant General. Goddard is quartermaster of the Brigade, &c. Plaquemine Buswell is our quartermaster. Guess we’ll starve entirely. Old Phillips (our new adjutant) was half drunk on parade. He dropped his papers, cut corners & faced wrong. Received one letter.
Wednesday, 25th—Weather same. Health good. Received clothing we boxed up when we started for Port Hudson. Quiet.
Thursday, 26th—Health & weather same. Left at 4, having packed all but blanket, extra shirt, and knapsacks, and went in boat to Donaldsonville where the rest of the Division went today.
Friday, 27th—Health same. Hot. Went ashore and camped on Bayou Lafourche half a mile down. Pitched large tents.
Saturday, 28th—Bad cold. Chilly. On guard.
Sunday, 29th—Ditto.
Monday, March 30th [1863]—Health and weather same. Put knapsacks on teams & started at 9 a.m. and went down bayou with whole Division. Went 12 miles near to Napoleonville & camped at 2. Our regiment did well. Many others fell out.
Tuesday, 31st—Started early & went 13 miles near to Labadieville & camped at 12. Same as to holding out.
Wednesday, April 1st 1863—Health good. Fair. Started early. Marched by Thibodaux at 11 & at 12 went into camp on Opelousas Railroad, close to the station on road. Hardest of the two days. Nearly all the 52nd Massachusetts fell out [but] we held out well. Scenery along the bayou is very pretty as nearly all the houses [which] are good & painted white with fine yards & pretty gardens & groves, green fields, and greener woods in rear with a pretty little bayou running quietly between. Weitzel is at Brashear 70 miles off.
Thursday, 2nd—Stayed here today. Well except diarrhea, Get plenty of wild hog. All have gone but ours & 3rd Brigade & we have orders to be ready.
Friday, 3rd—Still here. Well. Fair. Third Brigade’s gone.
Saturday, 4th—Left here taking cars for Bayou Boeuf which is 58 miles off. Pitched large tents. All rest are here.
Sunday, 5th—Lay quiet. Health so so. Hot.
Monday, 6th—Lay quiet. Health so so. Hot.
Tuesday, 7th—Lay quiet. Health so so. Emory gone.
Wednesday, 8th—Lay quiet. Health so so. [Gen.] Paine gone down.
Thursday, 9th—Started and went 12 miles to Brashear City on Berwick’s Bay & pretty little town. Received a letter from Darius. [Am] well. [Weather] fair.
Friday, 10th—Health same. Fair. Wrote home. Received letter & papers. At night our whole Division went on boats. Our brigade, half on Arizona, rest on Laurel Hill, Estrella, Calhoun, St. Marys, &c. [Gens.] Emory & Weitzel went across the Bay and go by land.
Saturday, 11th—Health & weather same. Boats started at six and went up the lakes & passes, us ahead, till just in the entrance of the Lake Chetimaches we grounded & had to lay there till all had gone by & then the Calhoun tied to get us off but couldn’t and left us. Heavy firing after three p.m. till dark. Went ashore on a little place where a cooper lived & then the Arizona tried to get off but couldn’t. At 11 p.m. we tried to pull her off but couldn’t & went to sleep.
Sunday, 12th—Rose early. Fair & well. And on 2nd trial, got the vessel off, went aboard & by 3:30 p.m., landed on a plantation three miles from Irish Bend. Our boys in morn had landed & drove off the Rebs. Stopped a little way inland, but at 5 heard musketry & had to go two miles across Bayou Teche & Teche road to an open cornfield facing dark woods in which Rebs are. Lay down on arms & slept. Some rain to wet us. All we had to ear is hard bread as we’ve had no time to cook any. Got some wet. There are woods all around us within two miles. Fine chance for Rebels in woods.
Monday, 13th—Rose early & started by 5 a.m. & went along Bayou Road. Soon heard heavy firing & musketry but a high hedge kept us from seeing it. In 30 minutes we came in sight of a large open field on which our men were (the 2nd Brigade) firing on Rebels who were posted in woods, nearly thus:
At first the 26th Maine went in with Battery with 13th [Connecticut] on the road at left. They came very near being flanked on right, when the 22nd Maine went up but fell back in disorder, & the 25th Connecticut & 159th New York took their place & all charged at once, driving Rebels. Just then we came up & joined them. We threw off our knapsacks, formed in line & rushed through the woods, but soon a conical shell came tearing through the trees a few feet ahead of us & we were ordered back & our company went down to Bayou to pick off [Confederate gunboat] Diana‘s gunners if she came along. She sent all kinds of stuff at us but hurt no one as we got behind trees. ‘Twas skittish business anyway to hear them yell, scream and whistle around. At 3 p.m., we heard a great explosion & soon learned the Diana had blown up [scuttled by retreating Rebels]. We got our knapsacks & encamped for night, just beyond the battlefield. Our loss in killed & wounded was 300 nearly. Probably rebels about 200 & 300 prisoners. Weitzel holds Franklin and Rebels are in flight.
Tuesday, 14th—Well. Fair. Started at six and went 18 miles up Teche Road near Indian Village & camped. Country low, level, and decorated with houses & woods & fertile fields. Awful tired. Ran in with many prisoners. All look well ^ dressed well. Plenty cattle & mules & corn. Our whole force is now together. Weitzel & Emory took 1,000 prisoners.
Wednesday, 15th—Started early & marched 15 miles & camped on bayou four miles from Generet. Tired & stiff. Fair. Scanty grub tho’ plenty around. We get some pig, chicken, eggs, &c. Scenery as pretty as yesterday’s. Cavalry had skirmish.
Thursday, 16th—[I’m] well. [Weather] fair. Marched 12 miles to New Iberia which we reached 3 p.m. and at 5 started with part of the 41st Massachusetts & 24th Connecticut under [W. K.] Kimball, leaving everything but rubbers, taking one and a half days rations & went one mile on wrong road, then six miles over a rough, low, boggy prairie, having several times to wade deep mud holes. We couldn’t see a house or anything else, but our road & hardly that. Encamped at 12 p.m., cold, tired, & stiff & slept.
Friday, 17th—Well. Fair. At sunrise started without breakfast, went four miles to the Plank Road which goes to Petite Anse Island where the salt works are. It is one mile long, ten feet wide, so no teams can pass but had regulators to go each way, as I saw by a notice at a kind of toll house. It crosses a large swamp covered with long rushes & weeds & water full of alligators & snakes & then the little bayou which runs around the island. One of our boys shot a great alligator here. The view of the island from Plank Road is beautiful. It rises in three hills, the highest 300 feet high & lowest 100 feet, Beautiful variegated with field & wood. From highest hill, the Gulf is seen. To the rear, the island extends for miles in a low salt marsh half covered with water. The island contains 2,000 to 3,000 acres owned nearly all by Judge Avery who discovered & worked the mine which has paid him well.
Reached the [salt] works about 9 a.m. They consist of about one dozen pits of various sizes covered with rude sheds, several houses, and one tool shop & carpenters’ shops. We burned the building and rolled all the barrels in the pits, worked about one hour. Tho’ we’ve made complete work of it, yet in a few hours, they can get salt again. After finishing up this part, we went to Judge Avery’s farmhouse & helped ourselves & got a fine meal. Plenty of all kinds. The salt looked like ice—is very good and pure. All the water here is brackish. Marched back again & reached New Iberia at 9 p.m. The place is an open prairie & has many houses, somewhat boggy. Oxen, mules, sheep & feed in abundance and in common. Many were brought off. Each officer had one and each company had a team of three mules. Feel very tired & stiff. Our grub is out so we have to do with fresh meet and mush.
[Editor’s Note: In 1863, the salt works on Petite Anse Island (now known as Avery Island, Louisiana) served as a vital, highly strategic rock salt source for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, producing millions of pounds of salt before Union forces under Colonel W.K. Kimball seized and destroyed the facility in April 1863. Transport relied on the raised plank road through the surrounding cypress swamp and salt marsh, where wagons operated on strict single-direction hourly schedules before transferring barrels onto bayou steamboats. At least 500 enslaved people were put to work manually excavating and processing the salt deposits. Union troops captured the works on 17-April 1863, burning 18 buildings, smashing mining equipment, and destroying hundreds of barrels of prepared salt.]
Saturday, 18th—Have diarrhea. Fair. Started at 10:30 & marched 8 miles by 2 p.m. & then halted one hour to get dinner. Made pig 7 potatoes—very good. Rode one hour. Started again & went 8 miles to Vermillionville where we encamped at 8. Had mush & meat. As a bridge was burned here, Grover’s and all were delayed till tonight building it. They had some skirmishing. Saw several dead cavalry horses on our route today. which lay thro’ a prairie with a few plantations. We have left the Teche & are between Black and Vermillion Bayous. Rain at night.
Sunday, 19th—Started at 9 in the rain. Marched thro’ Lafayette—a little village, 16 miles on Opelousas Road & encamped just over a little bayou at 5:30 a.m. Very hard marching as ’twas very muddy tho’ it is cleared off by 10. Scenery similar to yesterday, Received four hard breads & fresh grub enough but no coffee or whiskey which all others have. The trouble is we have too few teams. We march too much in middle of the day.
Monday, 20th—Well & fair. Got coffee. Started at 9 a.m. & marched very slowly, halting every few minutes. Waded thro’ one small bayou barefooted. Stopped half mile this side of Opelousas (having come 7 miles) at 6 near a pretty grove. Scenery more uneven & woody & pretty. Plenty fresh grub. Not tired. Captain got whiskey for us but he gave it to a few of his pigeons.
Tuesday, 27th—Have diarrhea. Got hard bread & coffee & nothing else. Find plenty fresh stuff. Cruised about all day as the regiment didn’t move. Pretty place. Houses & farms by themselves, each separated by woods. Wagons with grub have come. Hope will have better now. Our knapsacks were sent away. My other things were stolen. Blanket, tent, pants, socks, & shirt.
Wednesday, 22nd—Have diarrhea. Fair. Went to a house one and a half mile off belonging to a judge who has run off & I got Brooks’ Ovid & a little memorandum. A lot of splendid furniture is spoiled. Live well. Went on picket at 5 p.m.
Thursday, 23rd—Diarrhea bad. [Weather] fair. Got up at 4 & went to a plantation one and a half miles off & got fowl & garden stuff. It is said that Vicksburg, Charleston, & Richmond are taken & Gen. Banks says in an order that we’ll get home in three months. I guess so (over the left). Someone cut the levee at Thibodeaux, thus stopping the cars.
Friday, 24th—Diarrhea bad. Fair. Washed & went off to a plantation which is deserted where I got Campbell’s Poems, & Life of Putnam. Reviewed by Banks. Have plenty bread & fresh meat but no salt, soap, or whiskey. We need soap most as we can’t keep clean without. Some are lousy but I am not. Make tent of rubber, sleep on blanket.
Saturday, 25th—Diarrhea bad. Hot & fair. Lay still all day reading Life of Putnam & Campbell’s Poems, which I think very fine—especially Gertrude of Wyoming & Glencoe. On parade tonight. Banks orders very strict punishment against plundering, &c. Guess ’twill not work very well tho’.
Sunday, 26th—Health better. Fair. Started at 6:30 a.m. & marched 8 miles when a bayou bridge broke under the cavalry who were crossing, killing several horses. We were delayed four hours & then went one mile further to Barres Landing on Bayou Courtableau, which we reached by 4 p.m. Got nothing but coffee and bread to eat. A great amount of cotton has been confiscated & brought here, which is being hauled in as fast as possible to be taken by bayou to New Orleans.
Monday, [27th]—About well. Some rain. Went on a foraging scout but got nothing. On picket. Slept from 10 till 4. We will remain here till all the cotton is gone. River boats are taking it off. All the boats have artillery and infantry to protect them against guerrillas. Charleston is not taken but we lost the Keokuk in the attack.
Tuesday, 28th—Well. Fair. Got badly poisoned between my legs by using leaves when I had diarrhea so I can hardly walk. Received one letter. Commenced reading Brooks’ Ovid. They are getting all the sugar and cotton they can find. Hundreds of bales and barrels are piled here and hundreds come in daily. Guess we’ll stop a month or so.
Wednesday, 29th—Well except poison. Fair. Got soap. Have plenty [ ]. Wrote home. Received letter & paper, handkerchief and stamps. News about so-so.
Thursday, 30th—Well. Fair & hot. Mustered. Over 1,000 teams are hauling here and thousands of bails are here.
Friday, May 1, 1863—Slight toothache. Pain. 13th Connecticut came in today having the Rebel flag [that] once belonged to the St. Mary’s Cannoneers, presented by ladies of Franklin and taken at Irish Bend. The niggers who follow us are the dregs of the race, the best & smartest having sense enough to stay at home. Some say they had a skirmish at Washington, Louisiana, today taking 200. Have four hours drill which is useless.
Saturday, 2nd—Have piles. Fair [weather]. Cotton still comes in.
Sunday, 3rd—Health and weather same. Inspection. Begin to feel like moving. Dull staying here.
Monday. 4th—Health & weather same. On picket. Slept after 11 as well as mosquitoes would let me. 900 cavalry arrived at Baton Rouge lately from Memphis.
Tuesday, 5th—Health good. Fair. Taken off picket at 8 a.m. & found preparations being made to leave. 3rd Brigade left at 11 and we fell in at one but started at 2:30. Only 24th Connecticut & us going in our Brigade. Marched slowly & stopped often till sunset when we reached Washington past 8 p.m. and then crossed Bayou & put on five miles & camped. Was awful tired & so were all. Passed about 600 niggers. It is said that Capt. [Howard] Dwight [younger brother of Gen. William Dwight] was shot on this road by guerrillas altho’ he surrendered. Very dusty. Land on route apparently new corn two and a half feet high & other things in proportion. Only few houses & those good except at Washington which is low & dirty & small. Read Shakespeare’s Tempest & three other pieces—very good.
Wednesday, 6th. Well, but foot sore. Started at 5 a.m. & marched 15 miles & halted at 11 a.m. one hour to eat, and then went five miles more, going into camp at 2:30. Much cotton burnt on the way. Stopped in a cornfield after crossing Bayou Boeuf. Took the corn for bed. Not very dusty. This bayou has banks 20 feet high at high water. Cleared one mile back each side with woods in rear. Quite a number of pretty plantations averaging one or two a mile. Many slab huts.
Thursday, 7th—Well. Sore feet. Fair. Started at 6 making 15 miles by 3:30, halting 7 times. Passed thro’ a country of scattering plantations. Little cotton or sugar plantations—mostly corn. Plenty cotton in store. Some mud houses along road, being a frame filled with mud for boards. Not dusty. Passed little village of Holmesville. Quite tired. Get plenty to eat. [Generals] Dwight, Emory & Weitzel are ahead. Banks passed today. 159th New York came up with us having come from Washington 35 miles in 24 hours.
Friday, 8th—Well, but stiff & sore. Started at 5:30 a.m. and marched till 11 when halted for dinner one hour. Then started & marched til 1:30, crossing Alexandria Railroad & Bayou Boeuf & camped on Thompson’s Plantation. Same scenery as before. Bayou is very crooked & as the road follows, we’ve had to go three miles to get two ahead. Marched 15 miles. Passed through Chaneyville at ten—a pretty little village nearly deserted.
Saturday, 9th—Slight diarrhea. Stayed here all day. Heavy firing was heard after ten to the east. I guess it is at Port Hudson.
Sunday, 10th—Health & weather same. Fixed up a hut of branches & twigs. Hear firing towards Port Hudson. Getting ready to leave. Hot days and cold nights.
Monday, 11th—Started at 8 a.m. & marched four miles to Well’s Plantation on same bayou. Made a board house. At parade, orders were read against marauding. Offenders to be sent to New Orleans to clean streets. Guess it won’t work. Received six papers and one letter. All well [at home].
Tuesday, 12th—Diarrhea. Have sore heel. Fair till sunset, when it rained two hours, wetting me thro’ my boards.
Wednesday, 13th—Well, tho’ I have a boil on heel. Fixed my tent. It is said Port Hudson is taken. Well, I reckon also that Farragut is captured. Guess so. Orders to start at 4 tomorrow. Reveille to be at 3 a.m.
Thursday, 14th—Started at 4:30 & marched briskly, stopping every three miles, thro’ Chaneyville, crossed Bayou & went into camp. It began to rain when we were about halfway ^rained by spells till sunset. Marched 12 miles. Just as we fixed up a squall came up which sent the rain thro’ my tent. But little tired tho’ foot was bad. Slept well. Went with one foot bare.
Friday, May 15th [1863]—Started at 7, tho’ the head of column left at 5 as our train is five miles long. Passed 8 miles along the bayou & then struck off to northeast & soon came to old bayou—a sluggish stream. Went 8 miles & camped. As I gad to go barefoot, the march for the last six miles was all I could endure. I was just going to the ambulance when we halted. Land here seems rough & new. Few plantations & many poor houses. Fair [weather]. [Am] well
Saturday, 16th—Foot sore. As I got socks, I wear shoes. Walked along bayou 5 miles & then left & soon struck Bayou Des Glaises—a very large stream. Houses mixed in character. Arrived at Moreauville at 11 a.m. It is a little place of six houses (1 shop & 1 coffee house). Marched 15 miles. As we go along the niggers come out & sit & stand gaping at us. No man who has a mother would ever call one of those ape-like things a man. Corn planted all about. Some cotton in field & store. As we were in advance we went very fast averaging three miles an hour. Other regiments call us devils. Feet ached badly & I was so bad off, I couldn’t look around for something good to eat so had to take government grub.
Sunday, 17th—Started at six and marched in rear to Yellow Bayou which we crossed & went one mile beyond to Atchafalaya Bayou at Simmesport which contains five houses—two being coffee houses—and one tavern. Country is rough & low & boggy. Encamped at 11 having come 12 miles. Well, but foot still sore. Some men and wagons crossed bayou on flats. Found a Rebel mail here & papers.
Monday, 18th—[Am] well, feet still sore. Crossed Bayou at 10 a.m. It is 200 yards wide. Marched one mile to a splendid plantation higher up the bayou. It has a beautiful two story wood house painted white with green trimmings, with yard of pretty trees & flowers, fine stables, & neat slave huts. We are in a pretty place just above, all surrounded with trees. So much stealing was carried [on] that we had to fall in, but Kimball interceded with Andrews, commanding general, and we stayed. Received Harpers [Weekly Magazine] of April 28th. A man who has spent the last 9 years in Shreveport and vicinity, brother to one of our company, German by birth, has just arrived from Alexandria where he had served as Engineer for Rebs. He knows Weitzel & was at school & in the army with Sigel. He says when we left Franklin, troops at Alexandria blew [up] their fort on account of a rumor that we were near. All that gives courage to the Rebels is Northern Copperheads. He has seen letters sent to our soldiers who were taken [prisoners], telling them to desert for something was soon to be done.
They had about 7500 men at & about Franklin. Thinks Vicksburg & Port Hudson will fall, their only hope being to reach Bragg. Flour was $125 per barrel at Alexandria. Rebels have gunboats & fortifications at Shreveport. They reported great victories just before we came along. He says every northern man at the outset had his choice to enlist or leave & as he couldn’t leave, was forced to enlist. He says he knows whole regiments of good Union men. Harpers Weekly, which I received tonight, is the best & most straight forward & honest paper I know of. Always bold & cheerful. Saw a copy of the Southern Illustrated News today. Its general reading is good but the paper is poor & only two pictures, one portrait and the other comic. Price 25 cents a number. Of the Franklin fight, Rebels say we were repulsed & that Banks has sent to New Orleans for surgeons, &c.
Tuesday, 19th—Little diarrhea. Detailed & mounted guard but didn’t go on as company was called for picket. Just as we’d got ready, we had orders not to go. Had such pain in stomach, I never slept till 2 a.m. New from North to 8th, discouraging. Hooker has received just such a repulse as Burnsides did. Yet I still have hope & put my trust in that God who rules the storm & sways the destiny of nations.
Wednesday, 20th—Diarrhea bad. Fair [weather]. On guard at Genreal’s quarters—a pretty place close to the Bayou with pretty shade trees. In front appears the Bayou with pretty green woods all around. Some firing to the southeast from 10 till 4. It seems our forces mean to keep the Rebels busy at Port Hudson. Bet we have to place ourselves between Vicksburg and Port Hudson to keep reinforcements coming there when Grant attacks.
Thursday, 21st—Have slight cold. Had orders at 9 a.m. to march as soon as possible. Went aboard St. Maurice (which with the Empire Parish took Grover’s two brigades) at 12. Went up Bayou which is boarded with pretty groves six miles to Old River, the ancient channel of the Mississippi, half full of mud & willows. Then on four miles without seeing a house to the great Mississippi. Had heavy showers. As we came upon the broad bottom of the mighty yellow God, we saw the Hartford, safe and sound as ever. The land on west side is low and covered with trees. The other [side] is high bluff, 20 to 100 feet or more, gradually sloping down to the river. Several pretty houses in sight. Came close to the west side and fastened up at 4 p.m. Just then the Estrella came on followed by old Sachem with Banks, followed by the Bee. Banks came near & said, “Both transports follow us to Bayou Sara.” We then started & reached the Bayou at 9—so dark I could see nothing but river boats. Landed & our company & H & K under our Robinson, [went] on a scout, met nothing & at 12 midnight posted pickets, stayed awake till 3 7 then lay down. Had severe pain in bowels but got better after a while. There are few houses on the river coming down. Our Adjutant was so drunk that he could hardly go. Saw many fine houses & quite a number destroyed.
Friday, 22nd—Went back to regiment after breakfast. It was one mile from Bayou. This a large, pretty village, well shaded, tho’ rough. Our boys found plenty Mississippi rum, but well as I love good liquor, I couldn’t see it. Left at 11 in advance. Skirmishers out. After we had gone two miles or so on the Port Hudson Road, the Rebel cavalry picket fired on mounted squad 13th Connecticut, wounding one, but they escaped. Proceeded 6 miles at a slow pace, stopping often till about 2 p.m. We encamped at Thompson’s Creek. Gen. Banks who is along says our Brigade has done enough for one day. Made tent from rubber & bushes, cooked my dinner, &c. Hilly & rough. Very hot & dusty. Shower after encamping. As there was a high hedge, we could see but little beyond. Two houses on road. Stopped near 2nd. Health better. Hard march. Emory has crossed the river. REst of division is just ahead of us. Slept well.
Saturday, 23rd—Rose early & started in rear four miles, thro’ a rough wooded country & but little cleared. Tis said [Gen.] Augur is below having driven in th Rebels. Halted at the 1st plantation we saw today just where Baton Rouge & Port Hudson and Clinton roads meet. Had orders to start at 4 but didn’t. All batteries but one have gone, probably to attack tonight. All was quiet & slept well. Abbott Coan, Co. A, is dead. Tis said Grant has taken Jackson, Mississippi, & Dwight says he saw 2,000 men take three batteries & 2700 prisoners at Vicksburg, that Hooker has driven Rebs from Fredericksburg, that there are 5,000 more at Port Hudson. Shower at 5:30 p.m. We have in all about 20,000 men here & 100 pieces or more.
Sunday, 24th—Diarrhea moderate. Fair [weather]. Routed at 5 & fell in, stacked arms, went to getting breakfast, drew three days rations, & started at 9. 24th [Connecticut] in advance, we following. Going thro’ alternate wood & plain. We had proceeded about 4 miles when the advance came upon Rebel picket in rifle pits & began to fire. Cos. I & E reinforced them, one piece of artillery went up & soon drove them. We proceeded half a mile further, crossing a little creek, & halted just where the Rebels had been under cover of a little hill, just beside the Clinton road, on which we were. Soon two wounded men were brought by. Ay 11:15 a.m. a shot came screeching across our left & we then lay down under the bank. Shot, shell, and grape came thick and fast in good line, but too high to harm us. One battery man was killed. Our Lt. Colonel received a slight scalp wound. Two Parrott guns of Indiana Battery came and went on the hill & opened fire but had to come back.
Felt skittish & dodged every time. Firing all around. 24th & 13th Connecticut [regiments] had a little brush by mistake. At 2:30, Banks rode out, viewed the Rebel batteries & returned. Gen. [Cuvier] Grover’s horse was shot under him in the thigh and the Captain of Battery L [Capt. Henry W. Closson of US Artillery] shot his own horse when drawing his revolver to shoot the General’s [horse].
Firing ceased at 5 p.m. At dark we fell in & were ordered to keep awake all night but I slept some. No firing till midnight when our men fired four guns & then all was quiet. Felt chilly. Allowed no fire so had to do without coffee.
[Monday] May 25, [1863]—Well. Fair. At 7 heard we’d stay here all day as Dwight was somewhere else. At 9 a.m. we left & went back a few rods & took position as reserve picket behind a little hill. Occasional firing & balls whistled about is. Several of the regiment were wounded and two killed, none in our company. At 2:30 p.m., heavy vollies of musketry & several cannon were heard beyond us & cheering, supposed to be our men. Country awful rough., hilly & the rich ground nourishes so many shrubs & plants it is impossible to see far ahead. Had severe headache. Feel tired. They say ’twas the Rebels charging on our men who cheered, but were repulsed. At 4:30 firing began slowly as firing by file & increased to collies. It began on the right & extended to our left & ceased at dark. Slept in spite of orders.
Tuesday, 26th—Some diarrhea. Fair. Some firing around the picket. Got coffee & meat for breakfast. Only occasional shots till we were relieved at 9 a.m. & went to the road side where the rest of the regiment was. Two killed & 12 wounded in our regiment. Our boys drove the Rebels inside their entrenchments but had to fall back. Several nigger regiments came along. Little firing done today. At 5 p.m., the 28th Connecticut came here & stacked arms just in our rear. They number 400. They think they’ve suffered awfully what I should call easy times. They say the’ve had to march 12 miles & once! a shot came within 100 yards of them!!! For the first time in three nights, I had boards to sleep on. Shell fired by fleet all night. 28th Connecticut went back to guard wagons as 200 Rebels made a dash on it but were driven back by [6th or 7th] Illinois Cavalry.
Wednesday, 27th—Well. Fair & hot. Firing by Augur began at 7 a.m. & was pretty brisk for an hour or so. At 10 a.m., we fell in and went off thro’ woods to our right, passing many wounded men on our way & came out in front of Rebel breastworks about 300 yards ahead of [us]. Saw quite a number of heads just above their parapet who were firing at our artillery which was here. There is a road running along a ridge to their lines on which we marched. The ground here is terrible rough, steep ridges, deep ravines, gullies, knolls, and stumps and fallen trees as all were cut for 300 yards all around their works.
Just as we had all got out in fair sight, a whole volley of buck & ball came whistling over our heads, making us fall. We jumped up & started again & then came an order which spoilt all our work—that was to deploy out into the ravines each side of the road. I jumped ahead as did the rest thro’ a perfect hail of balls & never stopped till I ran against a Lieutenant & [ ] who were on picket behind a large stump. I laid down & fired & loaded. When looking back, I saw our flag two rods behind & heard several wounded men cry out. Then the order was given to advance & the Lieut. Col. came along & drove me off & fell down in my place so I just laid down by another stump close by & fired several times. Then another order to advance was given and I ran with balls whistling all around & got behind a heap of corn about four rods [22 yards] from the parapet where lay a dead man. Soon the Colonel came along, skulking thro’ the ravine behind me and about a dozen others saying, “On to the parapet!” &c. and Lieut. Bearce stood in the ravine crying out the same. We told him we’d go if he’d lead us & called him a coward but he wouldn’t start. Six men went ahead about a rod and got behind a stump but I lay still while balls flew over my head, both from Rebels and [from] our own men who were behind. My corn heap was no protection but as it hid me, I stuck to it, tho’ ’twas awful hard, being obliged to lie flat so long in the awful heat as my water soon gave out.
After about half an hour, I heard [George] Linnell of our company call out for water as he was wounded. I told Bearce but he did nothing. He lay an hour before anyone went to him. After about two hours, he was brought into the ravine but he lived only a few minutes. He was hit in the groin & bled to death. About three, I moved down behind a stump as Rebel fire had slackened long ago. But they soon got a cross fire on me & I left that & got between the roots of a great stump where I was safe & to my great relief I found a canteen of water.
Our artillery threw shell and shot over us and rebs threw some also. At 5 I went to where a lot of our company were when we had heavy firing to right & in half hour a flag of truce was raised. All firing ceased & the Rebs jumped on their parapet & we rose and talked to them. No one seeing us then would have thought we had just been killing each other. But so it is. And such is war. We looked up our company, found Casey & Linnell killed, Sergt. [Sam’l] Brown and [Leonard] Briggs severely wounded, & Watson, [Nathaniel] Marden, [Eliab] Averill, [and Hazan] Grover [all] slightly [wounded]. Fell back near woods & lay on our arms & soon firing began slowly. In one hour, all ceased. I have not felt at all afraid today since we charged tho’ I was when I first saw them. Slept soundly. It is said that the flag of truce was raised for some trivial purpose by one of our Majors who is under arrest. Our regiment lost 8 killed & 46 wounded.
Thursday, 28th—[I’m] well. Firing began slowly at 4 a.m. by battery. At 9 we were relieved & came into the woods. Little infantry firing till 10 when a flag of truce was sent in. I felt much better for the time & would be glad if it was over. Get plenty of grub. But little firing rest of the day. At 7 p.m. moved back a little & lay to rest behind trees but were soon moved up to support a battery, as an outbreak was feared. We had to lay down just before the guns & then came back every two hours to let them fire once. No reply. All ceased at midnight.
Friday, 29th—[I’m] well. Fair [weather] and grub plenty. At 4 a.m., came just in rear of battery. Infantry firing soon began & battery at 7. Rebel shot came along occasionally all day. At 1 p.m., a shot came just over our heads which made us scatter quick but the gun was soon silenced and we rallied easily. It is said that we took 500 prisoners last night and received 6,000 reinforcements. Think this is a queer kind of fight, losing more than gaining. Our batteries are protected by cotton bales, but rebels shoot close. At 3 p.m. beautiful white clouds arose followed by darker ones & it thundered in strange contrast to the roar of our artillery. Rained fast from 4 till 6 & then it was not fair. Lying on ground without cover as we have the last week gives me a kind of chills. At dark we went out in front on picket close to the parapet, relieving the 38th Mass. Tho’ we went all around before we found our place, the Rebels didn’t fire at us. They do not seem to care to trouble us when we let them alone. But little firing at night. We lay safely in a ravine.
Saturday, 30th—Cloudy. About well. Firing began slowly by sunrise & few shots flew over us. Many of our men fire like fools, endangering themselves more than the Rebels. Our cook came along with coffee, &c. having hunted us up tho’ some balls flew around him. At 8 a.m., two of the few pieces which have been engaged opened, eliciting the fire of a 10-inch Rebel gun probably fixed last night. Some of our shell burst just over us, flying very near Co. I. Heavy guns have been planted here today. Hot & fair adter 10 a.m. As our boys are out of money, they suffer much for tobacco but I am lucky, having left off at Opelousas. At dark we advanced to the front to relieve Co. A. I was posted behind a log. Heavy firing several hours.
Sunday, 31st—Some tired & uneasy. Awful hot. Some firing by all hands. At 9 we moved down into a ravine just below to get some shade. Seven men who were taken last night report that for 48 hours, they’ve had nothing but stagnant water, but I don’t believe it. Rebels keep sending 10-inch shell occasionally into the woods over our head. Three of our guns are shelling the woods just behind the parapet. It is by no means pleasant lying as we do between both fires, tho’ while here we feel safe. But we dare not go out, so it is a real prison. Six regiments came inn today—3,000. Two color corporals were lying on a hill when a shot was fired hitting both—one slightly and the other mortally—Fessenden & Parker. Few are injured lately. I think none would be if they did not expose themselves needlessly. They say Gen. Banks believes Jeff Davis is dead but I guess not. Fleet opened at 4 p.m.—pretty brisk. Few rebel shell fired after 5 p.m. Relieved by Co. H & went into a ravine which is somewhat exposed.
Protected: Podcast Episode: Diary of James R. Holt, Co. G, 12th Maine Infantry: 1 Nov 1861 thru 31 Oct 1862
1862: Unidentified “William” of 12th Maine Infantry to his Father
Diary of James R. Holt, Co. G, 12th Maine Infantry: 1 Nov 1861 thru 31 Oct 1862
This diary was kept by Pvt. James Redlon Holt (1845-1864), a barely 16 year-old youngster when he enlisted on 15 November 1861 with Co. G, 12th Maine Infantry. James was the son of Rev. Dudley Barker Holt and Susan M. Redlon from Gorham, Maine, who grudgingly must have given their consent to let him collect a bounty and enter into the service.
In the sweltering heat of Louisiana, where the 12th Maine was stranded for most of its service, James poured his heart onto paper. But just as the light at the end of the tunnel seemed near, with mustering out on the horizon, fate had a cruel twist in store. The regiment was called back East, only to face the brutal carnage of the 3rd Battle of Winchester in September 1864, where James met a tragic end on 19 September 1864—“killed by a cannon ball”—just two months before completing his three-year enlistment. What a visceral reminder of the brutality of war and the fragility of life!
Serving with James and mentioned in some of his letters was his Uncle Darius Holt (1820-1875) who enlisted at the age of 42 and served several months until his health failed and he was discharged for disability. Darius was living in Minot with his wife, Mercy Ann (Lord) Holt (1828-1902) and six children when he enlisted.
This diary is from the private collection of a Holt family descendant and scans were sent to me for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent. A dozen of James’ letters were recently published on Spared & Shared from the same source. To read those letters, see—1862-64: James Redlon Holt to Dudley Barker Holt.
“The oddest pets we have yet seen were two bears, which the 12th Maine regiment of the 19th Corps, led through the city recently. These bears were brought all the way from Louisiana, and have been in several fights. They have become perfectly tame and tractable, and march along at the head of the band, with an air that indicates they feel themselves veteran soldiers of the bruin order, and that they have a character to sustain.” [Souce: Shenandoah1864 Mascots in the XIX Corps, Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah (2010).]
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Friday, November 1, 1861—Arrived at Douglass’ Tavern today. Old Man little fearful about letting me go. Guess t’will be right. We probably go into camp next week. Gurney is homesick. Guess he’ll give up. Maxim come in.
Saturday, Nov. 2—Gurney went home. Guess he’s love sick. Drilled little. Sure to go.
Sunday, Nov. 3—Rainy. Staid in the barroom. It was filled with smoke from fire. After that by a lot of old smokers. One of them is killing himself by smoke.
Monday, Nov. 4—Still here and no signs of going. [William] Bearce wrote to [William Buxton] Skillin. Have extra fine grub.
Tuesday, Nov. 5—Had a boat ride today. Father & Darius came over. Bearce was gone. They waited till he got back. A little tipsy. No signs of Skillin. Guess I’ll enlist.
Wednesday, 6—No signs of Skillin. Bearce off.
Thursday, 7—Darius came here & enlisted. Tom’s enlisted in [Elisha] Winter’s Company [of] Dixfield [Co. D]. No Skillin.
Friday, 8—Nothing from Skillin. Father rather fussy. Guess all will be right. 5 here now & 5 more came tonight.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 1861—Skillin wrote Bearce to leave him & go with [Stephen Bennet] Packard. Packard however is willing to unite with Skillin.
Sunday, 10—[William A.] Bearce & Munroe have gone to see Skillin & returned at 10 p.m. all well. Go Tuesday.
Monda, 11—Bearce on his bed. All well.
Tuesday, 12—22 boys (Packard’s) came in at 9 from Dead River, jolly, hardy & rough. Came into Camp Butler. Starting for Lewistown at 10 where we took the 12 o’clock train. Slept in a barn. T’was cold though we’d ticks and blankets. Noisy times all night as there was plenty rum.
Wednesday, 13—Went to see the 11th [Maine] off.
Thursday, 14—Went into tents today. Better. Our tent crew is myself, D. N. Harlow, [William H.] Blair, [John Y.] Clough, [Benjamin B.] Blackstone, [James P.] Wight, [William W.] Loring, [Lewis] Mitchell, [Robert] Lowe, [John] Monk, [Cypriam] Whitman, & Sergt. [Enoch] Young. Got a cold.
Friday, 15—Mustered in. Two turned off. Old Gurney who took young Gurney’s place. Our company is arranged. [Moses Mason] Robinson Capt., [Stephen Bennett] Packard, 1st and [William Buxton] Skillin 2nd Lieut. [Almon Guy] Ward Orderly Sergt.—[an] ugly cuss. [Company] name “G.”
Saturday, 16—Got fatigue suit & overcoats.
Sunday, 17—On guard today. Easy though stood two hours extra over drunken men and two more till guard mounting. Wrote home as I heard we were to leave for South.
Monday, Nov. 18, 1861—Got our caps today & knapsacks. Portland ladies sent us some ditty bags filled with pins, needles, &c.
Tuesday, 19—Got haversack & canteen. Father & Mother came to see us. Go Thursday in Constitution.
Wednesday, 20—Had a Thanksgiving Dinner. Father in to see us. He feels rather bad. Paid off.
Thursday, 21—December. and I went out & had a fine dinner. We go tomorrow.
Friday, 22—Up at 3. Pack knapsacks, struck tents, and started at 10. Went into a freight house & boarded a little steamer to go on the Constitution. When we got there, we found the 9th Connecticut & 26th Massachusetts. They were fighting. Nasty & crowded. So our Colonel brought us back to the house which, being over the water, I’d have got cold if I hadn’t had some rum from [Osgood B.] Churchill.
Saturday, 23—In house all day. Father went home. If it hadn’t been for my whiskey, I’d been used up. Went on board Forrest City.
Sunday, 24—Left P. Harbor at 2 p.m. Lots of the [boys] seasick. I had some alcohol so I was well. Tom & D[arius] both were. Feel well but weak. Arrived in Boston at 11 p.m. Our company seems to be pretty good fellows. Sea quiet though t’was rather rough out at sea.
Monday, November 25, 1861—Lay in [Boston] harbor all day.
Tuesday, 26—Came to camp Chase [in] Lowell. Fine looking place—a fairground surrounded by a high fence making it warm. The 30th Massachusetts here—small but tought, mostly Irish. Feel well.
Wednesday, 27—Got guns. The number of mine is 36.
Thursday, 28—Nothing special.
Friday, 29—On police guard. Out about 3 hours. Had easy time. Feel quite well.
Saturday, 30th—Little sick. Complete [physical] examination.
Sunday, December 1, 1861—Throat sore. Had bad cold. [Benjamin F. ] Butler inspected us. 1st time I ever saw him. Looks well—about medium height, well proportioned, lopeyed & quite heavy. He’s a lucky boy.
Monday, 2 to Monday, 9th—In hospital this week. My cold is well but cough some. Felt some homesick in there. Glad that I got out at last. Received a letter from home. All well.
Tuesday, Dec. 10—On company drill & parade, Feel almost sick. Took some pills. Report says we shall leave in a week.
Wednesday, 11—Our Co. drill & parade. Feel almost sick. Took some pills. Report says we shall leave in a week.
Thursday, Dec. 12, 1861—Drilled all day. Feel quite well. My pills used me right. We hear all kinds of rumores about going off, &c. Our cooks don’t give us just what they ought though I suppose they can’t help it.
Friday, 13—Had hard drill. Yet I did well.
Saturday, 14—Went into the city of Spindles [Lowell] today with D[arius]. The city looks no better than some of Maine’s fair villas. I spent all the money I had & had quite a good time. Received a letter from home. All well. Mother is worried about me.
Sunday, 15—Inspection. My gun was clean but I had to double quick it for having both my shirts on.
Monday, 16—Drilled as usual. Rumors still afloat. Guess they are of no account. However, one says Charleston is burned & in our possession.
Tuesday, 17—Usual drill. Orders for an inspection tomorrow. Took off my extra shirt. Go soon.
Wednesday, 18—On guard so got rid of inspection. Got slight cold. Man says regiment leaves Tuesday.
Thursday, 19—So icy that there was no drill. Thomson’s (1st Maine) Battery came in. They are a wild set of boys of all sizes.
Friday, 20—Usual drill.
Saturday, 21—So poor I can’t send a letter home.
Sunday, December 22, 1861—Col. [George Foster] Shepley inspected us. Darius is about sick.
Monday, 23—Snows like Jehu. On guard. Rained at guard mounting. On my 2nd bout it had turned to sleet which cleared up & nearly froze us. Couldn’t get more than half dry.
Tuesday, 24th. Third bout quite easy. 4th, commenced with snow, with air cold enough to freeze me. T’was on the whole the hardest time I’ve yet had, yet got no cold. Received a letter from home & wrote an answer.
Wednesday, 25—No drill as yet this week on account of ice. Old Ben called in today. Very cold. Feel well & happy. Eat double rations. Sent some printed company rolls to a few friends. Old Rain being out at 7 tonight, we all went to bed & blew out the light & fastened up the tent. He raved like a mad man & threatened us well.
Thursday, 26—Heard we were going today & some companies began to pull up pins. We didn’t go though. The 2nd Vermont Battery—a fine looking set of fellows—came in today. The Maine Division keeps up around all the time. A fellow set the guard house on fire & it did not burn down. He’s in the the City Jail now.
Friday, 27—Rained this morn & cleared off before noon. No drill & no signs of going.
Saturday, December 28, 1861—On guard today. Had very easy time. Only on about one hour. Slept in tent all night. Feel well.
Sunday, December 29—Company inspection today. The guard house No. 1 was burnt down today and 5 or 6 rods of fence. An inmate fired it. No one was hurt. Loss about 100.00
Monday, 30—Nothing at all.
Tuesday, 31—Had inspection. French was inspector. Signs of going soon.
Wednesday, January 1st 1862—Quite cold. Had our 1st battle today. The Maine Battery tried to pull the guard house (No. 2) down. We turned [out] per order with arms and sent them off. They swear vengeance. On dress parade. Ordered to strike tents & be ready to leave at 8 a.m. tomorrow to go on Constitution for Ship Island where she has left her first load. Our whole company was [ ] by their beans.
Thursday, 2—Arose at 4, very cold. At 8 we had all ready and were in line but didn’t leave till 10 for the officers had to liquor up. Got in Boston about 1:30, marched to the [Boston] Common where a splendid flag & banner was presented us. Boarded Constitution about 6. Very cold. No fire. She is next to the Great Eastern—the largest [ship] we [ever] saw afloat. [She] is 384 feet long.
Friday, January 3, 1862 to January 8th—When I awoke in the morning, I was about sick but I got well in a day or two. It was much warmer Saturday night & has got to be quite comfortable now. All kinds of rumors abroad. Guess will stay here awhile. Darius is sick but I am quite well.
Thursday, 9—Affairs the same.
Friday, 10—All is bustle & stir. Some of the Massachusetts companies are packing up. About 3 p.m., the gunboat Saxon came alongside & began to receive the Massachusetts stores. Tis said they are going to Fort Independence & we to—I know not where. There is considerable trouble about the Massachusetts [troops] between [Gen.] Butler & [Gov.] Andrews—he not being willing to let them leave the state since they are not legally got up. The flag was lowered on the State House as they passed.
Saturday, 11—After part of the men & baggage had gone to the fort, they were ordered back. So I guess will go soon.
Sunday, 12—Rainy and foggy. All ready to leave as soon as it clears up.
Monday, 13—Started at 7 a.m. Wind fair. Many were sick. I was well. It is cold. About 4 p.m., came to anchor off Chatham to await high tide at the Vineyard Pass. Started again @ 9. Chatham is a large village, low & level. Saw a wind grist mill [for] the 1st time.
Tuesday, 14—For the 1st time in my life I’m on the briny ocean beyond the sight of land. It is fair & the wind blows fair. I like the sea far better than the land & I’d be a sailor if I had not marked out another course in life. We expect to arrive at Ft. Monroe tomorrow noon. I feel better than I have for some time & the whole regiment is doing well.
Wednesday, 15—Stood guard before the pilot house. It was foggy & rainy & cold, so we lay all day waiting for fair weather. We are near the shoals off the Chesapeake. It was very wet. I was not out after 5 p.m. We are @ anchor tonight. Feel quite well though I’ve got some cold.
Thursday, 16—Started at 7 a.m., it being clear. Arrived at Ft. Monroe at 12. Have rebels on one side & several also on the other. Quite a number of Man-of-Wars here. The fort is a no sided, ugly looking affair. Feel quite sick.
Friday, 17—Went on deck today with knapsacks & equipments & drilled while our quarters were cleaned. Got more cold.
Saturday, January 18, 1862—Laid still today.
Sunday, 19—Went to hospital & got some medicine. A few went on shore to look about.
Monday, 20. All went ashore & pitched tents. Feel sick.
Tuesday, 21 to Wednesday 29—Have been sick with the measles. Had them very light as they were all out before I went aboard the ship. Think this was owing to my drinking a lot of water the night before. Our quarters & rations on board were none of the best. The Doctor let me ashore today. About 200 were sick aboard of our regiment.
Thursday, 30—Slept well all [night] & got up in the morning feeling quite well. I had a bad headache till noon. Felt better after. Wrote home. I received a letter from father. All well. I wish I was at home now. There is considerable talk of leaving here in a few days & that [Col.] Shepley is General. Hope so. Our quarters are quite good though we have to sleep on the sand. I’d like to stay here. Feel weak. Being careful. I’ll do well. Darius is sick.
Friday, 31—Feel somewhat bad today. We struck tents & soon as we had got all ready to leave, an order came to pitch tents & wait awhile.
Saturday, February 1, 1863 [1862]—Rainy today so we didn’t have to strike tents but it cleared off before night & we had orders to strike tents at 7:30 tomorrow. Feel bad. If I was at home now & knew all I now do, I would never enlisted as I know I’m not fit for a soldier. Guess I’ll do [it] yet.
Sunday, 2—Our moving day. If anything important is to be done, Sunday is the day. Struck tents at 10 & staid till noon when we went to the ferryboat Express which took us aboard the Constitution. The Massachusetts regiment followed. Feel well except a little lame in my left side. It seems natural to be here once more. About 9 p.m., Orderly Fernald of Co. K fell down two hatchways, the stairs being up of which he was ignorant. He is not expected to live.
Monday, 3—Had such a pain in my side from 1 to 2 a.m. [that] I could hardly move. Felt sick till my morning’s dose of physick operated. Felt better then. Snows & blows. Guess it will clear off so we can leave tomorrow. Cough some.
Tuesday, 4—Left at 9 a.m. with fair wind & a clear sky. All went well till 5 p.m. We came in with a gunboat with distress signals up. Her rudder was off & [she] had a hole in her side. She had cosiderable water in her hold. We took her in tow & returned towards Ft. Monroe where we shall be delayed 24 hours or so. Received an Age [Augusta, Maine newspaper] from home. Little news. Very hard winter. Feel well.
Wednesday, 5—Arrived at the fort at 10. They sent a man ashore with the small pox, so it seems will have that amonst us. They are taking in coal. Feel first rate. Wellington McCorrison of our company died today. He died of fever after he was getting better of the measles. Unlike us, he was prepared to die. We all ought to learn from this how near is death & the importance of preparation to meet our God. Yet we pass these things by unheeded.
Thursday, 6—Took in coal till 4 p.m. when we again started for the Sunny South. Fair & pleasant. We ran into a schooner at 8, damaging her some, but not bad. Our rations are of the poorest kind—salt junk, hard bread, and nasty coffee. It is all I can do to eat it at all. The quarters are becoming hot & stifling & stinky. I guess when I get home, I’ll know how thankful I ought to be for so good a living as I got.
Friday, 7—Still on our course o’er the briny deep with a smooth sea & prosperous signs in the heavens. Was vaccinated today [for small pox]. Took some physick which made me sick all day. I spewed up all my breakfast & dinner & kept my supper down. It is horrid hot so we have to sleep nearly naked. What will it be on the Gulf? I don’t know.
Saturday, 8—Ordered on deck with blankets to have our quarters inspected & cleaned. Took dinner on deck. It was pea soup & was quite a rarity. The weather is very summer like. It is so mild & pleasant. I feel quite well except a cough. It is very pleasant riding on the surface of the briny deep & watching the playful gambols of porpoise &c.
Sunday, 9—We have been sailing all day in sight of the eastern coast of Florida. The land is low & covered with green & beautiful trees. The sight is pleasant so we have a merry voyage. God grant it may be so awhile. Today seems most like Sunday of any since I left the shores of old Maine. It was very still. At 2 p.m., passed the 1st sail I’ve seen since we left.
Monday, 10th—When I awoke this morn, I found myself on the blue waters of the Gulf. The water is much rougher than on the Atlantic. At noon a squall came up which set many to spewing. Blowing over, it left a heavy swell. Passed in sight of Sante Fe [Maybe means Santa Rosa] Light House & port. Feel well. Everything goes on prosperously.
Tuesday, February 11, 1862—Saw no land today but we had orders to be ready to leave at 6 tomorrow, therefore I expect to see Ship Island soon. I am on guard. My post is the hospital. Tis easy. I sat there & thought so busily that time passed ere I knew it. The Gulf has been quiet all day. Feel well though weak.
Wednesday 12—We were all ready at 9 to leave the old steamer in which we had spent 43 days—weary enough, God knows. After we’d been there an hour, the island hove in sight. We left about 7 and were brought ashore on the 1st river steamer I ever saw. It was a black looking, tall old craft two stories high. The weather is like our June. The island is low & sandy, & one end (East) is covered with trees—mostly pine. The boys who have been here 2 months are fat & fair & dark, so I guess they are healthy enough. I think I will never repent leaving the Old Constitution. We got our tents pitched about sun down. We have decent water. The weather is comfortable and healthy and the bay funishes a fine wash bowl. I have, I think, been very lucky for I couldn’t find any lice or any such thing on me & all I’ve lost has been my knife, neither of which assertions can a good many make.
Thursday, February 13, 1863 [1862]—After washing, eating, & roll call, we began to get wood & bricks to build an oven with keeping busy all the forenoon. After dinner, I washed my underclothes whereby I caught a little cold. I like the appearance of things very well. William [Totherly] Holt, my 2nd cousin—a jolly good fellow of Co. C [Co. I], 26th Massachusetts—came to see us today. He says they fare well & have fattened like hogs. Their duty is easy & all is pleasant. I was glad to see him as I had not seem him before for a year.
Friday, February 14th—Had a thunder shower tonight. The rainy season is just coming on. It is cold & rainy. We made an excursion to the middle of the island to get some wood and rushes. We lashed some logs together & some of the boys waded in the water, dragging them [logs] after them. The island is very narrow there and so low the water often makes two islands. I found shells of curious shapes & colors. As they were hauling the Lewis ashore through the surf, the hawser [nautical rope] broke from the wreck to which it was fastened, hurling ten men upon the ground, three of whom striking on the bricks of the wharf severely injuring them. Two men have died from the measles in Co. I & two in D.
[Editor’s Note: On this same day, February 14, 1862, an unidentified soldier named William who served in Co. K, 12th Maine Infantry, wrote to his father from Ship Island. His letter describing the voyage from Fortress Monroe to Ship Island and the events that occurred there since landing are consistent in every detail with the content of James’ diary. To read that letter, go to—1862: Unidentified William of 12th Maine Infantry to his Father.]
Saturday, 15—Stormy & wet. Had severe pain in my stomach. Tis better tonight. Prepared for inspection. Read Mark Hurlstone today. It is a fine, interesting, & instructive book.
Sunday, February 16, 1862—Wet & stormy. On guard. Feel well.
[Editor’s Note: On this same date, February 16th 1862, George Varnum Hildreth of Co. E, 26th Massachusetts—one of the regiments already on Ship Island when the 12th Maine arrived on 12 February—wrote to his wife that, “I take this chance to write you a few lines to inform you that the long looked for Constitution has at last arrived here with two regiments and a company of cavalry. 1 She came in on the 12th and landed the troops on 13th and 14th making our force here 4,000 strong. The first duty that the Maine 12th done was to form a funeral procession to bury two of their comrades on the evening of the 14th about half past 7, and the moon was shining brightly on the scene as the procession slowly took its way up the beach. It was hard to think of these poor men dying on that boat with no kind friends to attend to them. They have used this last lot of troops shamefully on the passage out. They did not have proper treatment when they were sick. They brought out some men for our artillery and one of them was so sick when he came on shore that he died the next day and was buried on the 15th and one died on the 15th and will be buried today at 3 o’clock. He belongs to the Mounted Rangers.” To read the letter, see—1862: George Varnum Hildreth to Mary (Wentworth) Hildreth.]
Monday, 17—Rainy. Our tent leaks bad. We are wet & I guess we’ll be stiff enough. Feel well. Received Scenes On the Border—an Abolition work. Get through.
Tuesday, 18—[ ] Not raining. On fatigue duty. Had but little to do. The Constitution left today.
Wednesday, 19—Fair except two light showers. No news. The New London brought in some small prizes. Secession has to take it when she’s about. We commence drill tomorrow.
Thursday, 20th—Drilled 1 hour. Fair. Lugged brick for our log cook house—the 1st built on the island. In afternoon lugged boards for a commissary building so I kept busy. Report says 10,000 rebels taken at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Feel well & not a bit homesick.
Friday, 21st—Fair, usual drill. Lugged commissary stores. The New London brought in 1 steamer and 11 oyster boats [suspected of being pilot boats for blockade runners]. Saxon arrived with stores & mail. Got paper & song book from home. Wrote home.
Saturday, 22—Anniversary of Washington’s Birthday. Formed on parade & 34 guns fired by the Niagra & Fort Massachusetts at noon. A lovely day. Feel well.
Sunday 23—Fair & lovely. Inspection by Gen. [John Wolcott] Phelps. He is a very pleasant, rough, grey-haired man. He has lived in single life on the frontier as an officer. His voice is squeaking. Fire in direction of Mississippi City. Feel well except a little diarrhea. Could not help thinking on inspection of the difference between Gen. Phelps & our Colonel compared with the company officers.
Monday, 24—Fair. Got slight touch of diarrhea.
Tuesday, 25—Fair. Heavy thunder shower at night. Feel well. New London brought in a good prize. Guess secesh will have to give up by & by. Good news from North by a gunboat that Richmond & Norfolk are taken. Fear it is not so. The health of the regiment improves daily. Only twenty sick except those who have diarrhea. The Idaho is here with 5 horses out of 125.
Wednesday, 26—Cloudy. Feel well. On guard. Got our dress uniforms. Dark blue frock, sky blue pants, and a sky blue hat with a fore piece to it.
Thursday, 27—Fired at the target as we came off guard. My gun misfired. The lock is weak. I hit a mile from the mark. Seven out of 35 hit. Fair. Feel well. It is said that our troops are 100 miles off Mississippi.
Friday, 28—Quite hot & fair. Feel well. Passed in review before [Gen.] Phelps in forenoon. Being hot & sandy, I got very tired. Inspected & mustered in by Col. Shepley.
Saturday, March 1, 1862—On fatigue. Went aboard the Undaunted to clean out horse stalls. Fair & feel well. Idaho and Pensacola came in. Like here best of any place I’ve yet seen.
Sunday, March 2, 1862—Inspection day. Fair all day. Rainy at night. Feel well. Heard the 1st sermon I’ve heard since I left Auburn. It sounded good. New London came in from Biloxi with a schooner & a secesh paper confirming the late news.
Monday, 3rd—Windy. Feel well. Good news from the North. There is a prospect of going home in 6 months.
Tuesday, 4th—Cold, windy. Feel nice. Had our 1st Battalion Drill. Reckon we made fine work. Our officers act at though they knew nothing. The 9th Connecticut was paid off today. Guess we’ll be [paid] soon.
Wednesday, 5th—Cold & windy. Health good. Like better & better every day. It is comfortable & healthy. If I always get along as well as I now do, I shall be quite well.
Thursday, 6th—Cold as November. Ice formed. Feel well. Hear that Beauregard is prisoner and Missouri in our possession.
Friday, 7th—More moderate. Got cold. On Battalion. Practiced with blank cartridges. Did well and were steady.
Saturday, 8th—Fair & decently well. The 13th & 14th Maine, & 12th Connecticut came in today. Look well. Saw W. Millet of the 13th. He says all is well in Maine. Two companies of 26th Massachusetts went over to Biloxi & Mississippi City at 2 p.m.
Sunday, 9th—Fair, Feel well. Massachusetts boys came in last night at 10 & report that they were attacked by rebels with cannon. They went ashore with unloaded guns though they had 40 rounds with them. Therefore they scampered back. Only one was hurt, being shot lightly in the stern. It looks like a silly piece of business. 8th New Hampshire & two batteries came in today. Have about 10,000 here now. Guess we’d better apply to the Miss. Govt.
Monday, 10—Stormy. Feel well. On guard. Did well.
[Editor’s Note: James’ diary entry for March 8th, 1862, indicates that the 13th & 14th Maine, as well as the 12th Connecticutt, landed at Ship Island. On March 10, Capt. Charles Barnard of Co. A, 14th Maine wrote his wife Maggie of their landing on Ship Island and of their setting up camp. To read his letter, go to—1862: Charles Barnard to his wife Margaret.]
Tuesday, 11—Pleasant. Feel well. 12 mortar boats of Porter’s Fleet came in today. Guess something is up. I’m firing at target. I came nearer hitting the officer than the target. We had a brigade drill under Phelps. It lasted 3 hours. It was fun to hear the Old Gen. talk to the officers. I would drill all day just to hear him.
Wednesday, 12—Stormy. Feel well. On fatigue. The Constitution came in today. with the 6th Michigan, 4th Wisconsin, and 21st Indiana. As she came in, there was a great deal of talk & betting about her. I knew her at 1st sight. Paid off today. Received 48.50 & sent 40 home. It was a happy day to all the 12th [Maine] who had done without tobacco &c. for two months. At any rate, I was not sorry for it.
Thursday, 13th—The Western troops came ashore today. They have served 10 months & are rough, tough, & ready. Had a long drill, got in about 6. It was then dark.
Friday, 14—A south wind blowing drives the water upon the land, covering two-thirds of the island, We are on high land & safe. Quite a number of tents blow down but ours stood it well. Rained all night. It was the greatest storm I’ve seen for six months. A little lame.
Saturday, 15th—It has cleared off & is very fair. Feel tip top. Went to the 14th Maine & saw some Norway friends. All were well & like [it] well. 15 gun & mortar boats left today. Some said for Mobile & some to Lake Ponchartrain. Will know soon.
Sunday, 16—Fair & lovely. Feel first rate. Constitution left.
Monday, 17th—Hot and fair. Feel smart. Drilled 6 hours today. We did well on Battalion Drill till the Major got us into a fix he couldn’t get out of. On Brigade we did very bad. The 12th [Maine] is the poorest drilled regiment here though tis the officer’s fault. Two ironclad gunboats made from old ferry & came in.
Tuesday, 18—Fair till 6 p.m. Then stormy. Feel well. A bark & gunboat came in today. 7 hours of useless drill.
Wednesday, 19—Rain, thunder & wind. Feel well. 8th New Hampshire arrived. Gunboat with mail came in. Rain beat through our tent so as to wet us considerable. My health never was better. Ship Island is very healthy. No wonder the rebels made it a summer bathing place.
Thursday, 20—Fair. Feel well. On guard. Windy. Got cold. Mississippi came in with Gen. Butler. There is a great deal of gambling here. Many have spent all their pay.
Friday [21st]—Cold and windy as November. Never expected to see such weather in the Sunny South. [Col. Neal] Dow and four companies [A, B, E, & I] 13th Maine came ashore today from the Mississippi in which they came. Feel well.
Saturday, March 22, 1862—Cold & windy. Got a touch of diarrhea. Col. [Nathan A. M.] Dudley & the Lt. Colonel & Major of the 30th Massachusetts arrived today. [Capt. J. H.] French is Inspector General. On fatigue. Unloaded the Lewis though I did little towards it. Made some sugar for myself.
Sunday, 23rd—November weather. Have diarrhea. Col. Shepley is Brigadier General over the 12th, 13th, 14th, & 15th Maine. The others are under Phelps & Williams. Adjutant Teesley is Adjutant General. This fulfils the Fort Monroe stories. Find quite a number of friends in the various regiments.
Monday, 24—Pleasant. Feel better. On Battalion drill. We formed a hollow square, faced inwards & listed to a letter from Gov. [Israel] Washburn congratulating us as the best regiment yet out of Maine & wishing us success. Lieut. [William W.] Deane, Co. C, is Adjutant. We have to rise with the sun, turn out for roll call, breakfast, and be ready for drill from 7 to 8, 9:30 to 10:30, & 3 to dark. So we have to keep busy. Three contrabands came in. The Rhode Island just in. Brought me 1 paper—The Age.
Tuesday, 25—Pleasant. Well as usual. New London and two or three other gunboats went over to Mississippi City. Heavy and rapid firing was heard soon after. Sounding like heavy guns. No news yet. Williams’ Brigade drills under heavy marching order & have to be ready to leave at any time. We have to furnish picket now. Three Whites came in in a skiff today from Biloxi. Being questioned by Gen. Butler, they said the rebels were getting desperate & were pressing all into service. They run off to escape conscription. The New London which was the only boat engaged came in about 4 p.m. uninjured & reports that she was engaged with some small rebel boats which escaped by running into shallow water.
Wednesday, 26—John Chase of our compay having died, we did not drill but attended his services. It is fair & I feel well. Four women & 5 men with a flag of truce came in today from Rebeldom—purpose unknown. Ship Western Empire is in with horses. Men are detailed to act as seamen on the transports. Cos. B & A are ordered to be ready to start in the morning with 3 days rations. Preparations are being made to attack some place—I know not what. Only eleven have died in the regiment.
Thursday, 27—Pleasant. Healthy. Co. B went off somewhere today. The 31st Massachusetts came in today.
Friday, 28—Lovely. Health good. Gunboat Hatteras came in today. We had a fine drill, you better believe, as French inspected us. We made a perfect failure.
Saturday, 29—Weather fairt & health good. Went up to the upper end of the island after rushes. It is 7 miles long. When I got back, I was tired enough. It is marshy in places & covered with palms, live oak, & pine. Ship & gunboat came in.
Sunday, 30—Hot & feel a little lame. Passed in review. It being hot, we had a hard time. But as inspection passed off in a hurry, we were out only two hours. It is said Ft. Jackson has been taken with the loss of 13 gunboats & 100 men. Guess so.
Monday, 31—Warm & sultry. Feel buncombe. The Connecticut came in with mail for every regiment but ours. The 12th Connecticut & a western regiment went aboard some of the ships. A track has been laid from the wharf to the site of the fort about to be built on which a small car is used. Tonight we went on fatigue on the wharf, lugging plank, rolling water casks & commissary stores aboard the Lewis. We got done at 4. We were tired 7 stiff. We have no duty tomorrow. Such duty gives me an appetite.
Tuesday, April 1st 1862—Lovely [day]. A little stiff. Nothing to do today. The work we did last night amounts to nothing for it was just as much work to load to the Lafayette as from the wharf. I went to see a little alligator. He is lizzard shaped, scaly, & muddy brown color, homely head, kind of an animals, 8 feet long.
Wednesday, April 2, 1862—Mild. Lame & stiff. In the afternoon. I was detailed for fatigue. We piled & rolled boxes & cable, wire, batteries, sinkers &c. for a telegrapg to New Orleans by way of Biloxi. From appearances & the amount of buildings & amount of artillery, tooks, bricks, &c, I should think Ship Island was to be a great naval place. 9th Connecticut went over to Biloxi because a few of our men who went with a flag of truce were taken. The New London & Lewis have gone over to learn them to behave. I guess they will have to learn anyway.
Thursday, 3—August days. Feel bully! Tis said the [9th] Connecticut has had a fight, driving them off with 30 loss, taking 200 prisoners & driving them 9 miles. It may be so and it may not. the 21st Indiana has come ashore without doing anything.
Friday, 4th—Lovely. Feel first rate. On guard tonight four hours for being absent for drill unintensionally as I didn’t expect one. New London brought in the river boat P. C. Wallis & about 22 prisoners. Our rations are becoming mighty short for we have only a few biscuits, very small. The fault is with our cooks who are too lazy to cook it. The largest sailing vessel in the world—Great Republic—with four masts, came in with the 15th Maine.
Saturday, 5—Fair. Healthy. The 9th Connecticut from Biloxi is in today. They went to Mississippi City & were fired upon by the Rebels, 1 shot taking effect on the smoke stack of the Lewis & one passed through the cabin but hurt no one. When they landed, the Rebels left, leaving all behind except their artillery which was drawn by horses. They burned everything & followed the 7 or 8 miles which was to Pass Christian where they burned everything too. The boys brought back guns, glasses, flags, &c. They had a pretty flag of white, with a purple border & a magnolia blossom in the center [the flag of the 3rd Mississippi Infantry] & a little carronade worn out with rust. There was two regiments and one battery of them. No prisoners were taken. The [9th] Connecticut boys [the “Irish regiment”] are ready for a brush or a row at any time. [For the story behind the raid on Biloxi and Pass Christian by the 9th Connecticut, see “Battle of Pass Christian—Bedsheet Surrender” by Marty Brazil]
[Editor’s Note: A member of Co. B, 13th Connecticut Infantry named Frank Twitchell wrote his sister on 7 May 1862 from the steamboat that carried his regiment from Ship Island to the Mississippi River delta: “I found a slave and his family on board that the 9th Regiment Connecticut Vols. brought from Mississippi with them. I asked him what the Rebels thought of the Yankees. He said they thought they—the Rebels—would get whipped. He said his master had two sons in the Rebel army when the 9th landed. He said that the Rebels had 1,000 men to oppose them but as soon as they got in sight, they took to their heels with the cry, “Gen. Butler’s Division is coming!” See—1862: Franklin S. Twitchell to his Sister.]
Three men of Co. B were drowned while bathing, being caught by the undertow. It is said that Butler with 20th Mass. is ordered to report at Washington by May 1st & that Fremont is to take his place. Guess it ain’t so. Yet can’t help it.
Sunday, 6th—Pleasant & feeling very well. On guard. 7th & 8th Vermont are in harbor. 2nd Vermont Battery with them. Many rumors afloat.
Monday, 7th—Fair and well. The troops came ashore. Cough some.
[Editor’s Note: A member of Co. H, 8th Vermont, named Romanzo A. Harris was among those who came ashore on 7 April 1862. Nine days later he wrote a friend of his impressions of Ship Island and of their activities since landing. See—1862: Romanzo A. Harris to “Friend Mira.”]
Tuesday, 8th—Wind blows the water on the island badly. No drill except company drill.
Wednesday 9—Cold. Feel kinder sick. Reviewed by Gen. Butler. We formed a line of nearly two miles. It made me very tired.
Thursday, 10—Moderate. Got bad cold. Four or five barks and ships came in today and one or two went out. Practiced street firing with blank cartridges. Saw a gal today in the 7th Vermont. It was a rare sight.
Friday 11—Had bad cold & cough. Wet, windy & rainy with thunder at night. On fatigue. Tore a rebel schooner to pieces. The Great Republic & Idaho were driven ashore, severely injuring the Idaho, but not hurting the Great Republic.
Saturday, 12—Clear. Health no better. Tore up another schooner and used it to make tent floors. We’ve got a fine one & the best in the company. D[arius] got a letter from home. All well. Feel stiff & tired. News from the North gives a prospect of a speedy close of the war.
Sunday, 13—Feel better. J. W. Dana, Sergt. Major, acts 2nd Lieutenant Co. B. [and] N. W. Jorda [?] takes his place. Wiggin is 1st [Lieutenant] of Co. B, Little being discharged. The 13th Connecticut came ashore today, coming in last night. New London took a schooner of sugar & molasses. Company inspection today. There is considerable talk (& preparation) of the removal of all the troops from the island except those from Maine. We have been loading the Great Republic & other vessels with provisions & arms. Many reports of Union victories at all points, even to the taking of North Carolina are circulated. But I can’t credit them though I hope [for] the best.
Monday, 14—Feel better though had bad headache this forenoon. Warm. On guard. The [9th] Connecticut and some other regiments had orders to go on some vessels in the harbor—destination unknown. Got asleep on my post tonight but as we had a good corporal, I was not reported.
Tuesday, 15—Fair. Health quite poor. Received two papers [dated] March 20 today. Rumor says Charleston is taken. Don’t believe it. Also that the Merrimac was taken while up for repairs. It seems that rebels must soon give up. The 30th Mass., 26th Mass., 21st Indiana, and 9th Connecticut went aboard boats today.
Wednesday, 16—Fair. Feel stiff & have considerable pain in stomach. Cough some. The 31st Mass, 12th Connecticut, 4th Wisconsin, & 6th Michigan went on the boats and they started in direction of New Orleans. Heavy firing in direction of Fort Jackson—so heavy that the ground fairly shook. Had hard time at drill as my stomach pained me severely.
Thursday. 17—Went to hospital as I did not feel well & tried to get excused from duty but I didn’t make out. Weather is fair. A low, small, rakish looking craft came in this afternoon said to be loaded with guns &c. taken in trying to run the blockade. She is an English bark.
Friday, 18—Health same. Heavy firing in direction of Fort Jackson. Rumor says it has fallen but I don’t believe it. A Michigan doctor has got into a fix. When he came here, he brought three boxes of hospital clothing &c. Thinking the absence of his regiment afforded a good chance, he sent them to the Express for conveyance home. When questioned as to the contents, he said he brought his surgical instruments with him thinking he might per chance be stationed here as surgeon, but finding he was not, he concluded to send them home. Suspicions were excited & the boxes opened & the fraud discovered. He is under arrest. So it seems officers are not more perfect than privates. I guess our doctor would fare little better if he had his dues. At any rate, they know little about his business.
[Editor’s Note: I could not find any evidence that a Michigan doctor on Ship Island was arrested for such an offense. However, I did learn that Ezra Read, Jr. (1811-1877) , a surgeon of the 21st Indiana Vols., was arrested for taking “certain boxes containing hospital goods, the property of said regiment, and send the same to the express office of Messers. Adams & Co., at Ship Island, and order the same to be expressed to Indianapolis withthe intent to embezzle and convert to his own use…” This was said to have occurred on or about 14 April 1862.]
Saturday, 19—On guard at Cols. quarters where I had a good seat & an easy time. Reuben Bean of Co. A struck another of the same company who was plagueing him in the jaw and broke it. He is a half fool who never did any duty. He is in the guard house now. I think this will learn the boys to let him alone & stop plagueing him.
Sunday, April 20th [1862]—Health worse. Weather cold.
Monday, 21—Went to hospital and got some physick which did me a little good. Weather moderate. Passed in review before Shepley, Lieut. Phillips, Capt. Co. B acting.
Tuesday, 22—Feel about used up so that I could hardly walk towards the last of the afternoon drill. Pleasant weather. No news.
Wednesday, 23—Went to the hospital and got some quinine. Felt well all day. Fair. My gun fell from the rack about three feet on my great toe making it painful. Heavy firing both in direction of New Orleans & Fort Jackson, 8 to 11 a.m.
Thursday, 24—Feel much better. Fair. Had brigade drill afternoon. Very short. It is said that Fort Jackson’s guns are all silenced but two & the magazine blown up. Our loss being 57, the enemy 2,000. D[arius] had a letter from home. All well.
Friday, 25—Feel well. Fair in forenoon. Thunder shower in afternoon. No afternoon drill—t’was so wet. Vessels are passing in and out from the passes & signals hoisted on the light house all the time though I do not understand them.
Saturday, 26—Feel tip top. Cold in forenoon & hot in afternoon. Good news from the North has come of our victories said to have been gained.
Sunday, 27—Felt well when I got up but when I came off inspection, I began to feel weak & to have pain in my limbs & by night I was in pain all over. Had severe headache & was quite feverish. It is said the boats have passed the forts with a loss of 50 men, two gunboats, and the [P. C.] Wallis. The troops are to be conveyed by another pass to the rear of the fort to make a land attack.
Monday, 28—Weather fair & health about the same.
Tuesday, 29—Little better. By Saxon from Fort Jackson we learn that 4 or 5,000 troops have landed in rear of the forts and that Butler has gone to New Orleans and given them 24 hours to surrender or be burned out by his mortar fleet which has passed the forts safely. This was yesterday and probably the fate of the city is decided ere this. The Rebels burned all their steamers which have not gone upriver. No sure news as to the surrender yet. Great battle at Corinth, Mississippi, between Grant & Buell and Beauregard—the latter being wounded in his left lung. The rebels were driven after three days hard fighting. Rebel loss said to be 3,500. Ours 2,000. Probably an exageration. Lettrs to 2nd says all is well & my money safe.
Wednesday, 30—Feel just same. Fair in forenoon & rainy in afternoon. Reviewed in forenoon & mustered after dinner. Received 7 papers from home.
Thursday, May 1, 1862—Lame in back. Fair. In afternoon, signals of distress were hoisted on the light house for the purpose of attracting the New London‘s attention (as she lay to the south a few miles) to the fact that some Rebel vessels were trying to escape by the upper end off the isle.
Friday, 2—Back lame & painful. Pleasant. Had the pleasure of witnessing a lively race between the boats of the New London & several others. For some distance, two black boats took the lead by several rods when suddenly the New London‘s boat shot along over the smooth surface of the bay amid cheers of the boat’s crews & all others around, came in far ahead. Next came a small white boat belonging to a neat ship, which one I had guessed would beat. Three companies of our regiment (F, H & D) started at 9 with four days [rations], went to the wharf & then back, the order they received being countermanded. At same time, a large steamer came nearly onto the land close to us.
Sunday, 3rd—When I awoke this fine morning feeling well as I have all day, heard orders had been for us to go to New Orleans which with Forts Jackson & St. Philip are in our possession. Eleven of our company are to be left on acount of sickness. At dress parade, received orders to be ready with four days rations at 5:30. We had 60 men and corporals ready to go.
Sunday, 4th—Arouse at 4:30 and in an hour were in line. We marched down on the drill ground between the fort and bakery & remained there till 5 p.m. when all being ready, we went aboard the Tennessee—an old mail steamer, a recaptured prize—which was the one that run so near us last night. Flag on the roof of the officer’s cabin while the regiment was all over her.
Monday, 5th—Started at 12 midnight. But as the ship’s officers were all drunk, we went more than 20 miles out of our course delaying us 6 hours. We came off the Southwest Pass at 10 a.m. There I saw for the 1st time how the muddy Mississippi colors the sea for miles around, with its own peculiar color which is not inaptly likened to a sea of coffee all milked & ready to use. The banks are low & covered with reed & shrubs. The forenoon was pleasant but a shower came on at 2 p.m. By going below, I escaped a wetting. Passed several mortar & gunboats on their way to Mobile. Anchored off Fort St. Philip at dark.
Tuesday, 6th—Pleasant [weather] & feel well. Ft. St. Philip is on the right side (going up) & is a large, strong looking brick fort about 20 rods long in front & 15 or 20 feet high. As it is covered with sod on the side & top, it presents a pretty appearance. It mounts 50 parapet guns. On the other side, a little lower down half a mile from Fort St. Philip is Fort Jackson, also of brick though smaller & much stronger. It mounts 30 parapet guns. I cannot see beyond the outer wall of either. Jackson has the advantage of [St.] Philip in being on the highest side though both are on low, marshy wet land. These forts look little like Monroe or Warren though they are quite strong. At any rate, the Union flag floats over both so that the mouth of the Mississippi is now open to the commerce of the world.
Having unloaded some baggage belonging to the 26th Massachusetts here stationed, we started about noon for New Orleans. Going up I saw quite a number of rafts made of square timber & boards & filled with all kinds of combustibles.They all drifted ashore doing no harm to our fleet. Some are entirely consued [in] some parts, and some not at all. Like all other Rebel schemes, they proved a failure. As we steamed along up the river, I saw on both sides all kinds of dwellings, mostly small, one story wooden buildings scattered thickly on either side. On account of the water being high and the right side, many on that side are uninhabited. This side is nearly covered with water for twenty miles from the forts; only an occasional lot protected by a levee on all sides, being bare. The other side, though low, being higher, is not much overflowed. The houses are better & thicker & beautiful groves of trees & shrubs greet the eye. On both sides, large buildings & little settlements are seen.
After we got 30 miles from the forts, the buildings began to improve as the land is higher & pretty groves of tropical trees laid out in rows with shady walks between, tempt the soldier sweltering under the heat of a southern sun. Men are seen plowing in the fields & many wave hats & handkerchiefs as we pass. For the 1st time in my life I see sugar plantations which begin to be scattered along on either side & for the last 20 miles nearly monopolize the land. Each plantation has its mansion, mill, and stables and huts while all around many acres of cane a foot or two in height are laid out in regular squares. Slaves of all sizes and both sexes are doing the 1st hoeing. All together it is a pretty sight & reminds one of a village in old Maine. The plantations are protected by levees. I must say for the natives, that [even] if they are thinly settled, I saw several pretty little churches.
These southern plantations have an air of neatness & comfort which more northern farms might well imitate. As yet though, I’ve seen nary a dirty house. I’ve not yet seen one on a plantation—not even a slave hut. All are painted or whitewashed & all rubbish removed & everything neat & green. This is more than I can say of many a farm in Maine. These plantations with their neat buildings & pretty groves with the forest in the rear make the prettiest scenery I ever saw.
The river which is half mile wide flows smoothly along and adds a finishing touch to the scene. Words feeble as mine cannot express my admiration of this elegant combination of art & nature. Flat boats which look like a great box four times as long as wide or high with one end sloping in, sailboats, wherries are moored beside these pretty villas or skim the surface of the muddy Mississippi. The Abolitionists who can look on these splendid results of slave labor & still wish to take from the happy planter his only dependence must be a mad man or a fool. The river is so crooked that in going 180 miles we’ve only come sixty in a straight line. Arrived at New Orleans at 9 p.m. It is so dark I leave the city till another day.
Wednesday, 7—Except that it is in form of a crescent & on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, New Orleans looks very like any other large city. The building along the river are nearly all brick. It is very low & level. On the other side [of the river] is Algiers—a pretty little city hid by ornamental trees & looks like a feeble bride astern & mail clad groom. We are anchored off long wharf exchange. There are a few river boats here but it presents a desolate appearance to what it did two years ago when the river was crowded with shipping & trade flowed prosperously on in uninterrupted channels. At 1 p.m. went aboard the Ceres & came ashore. We marched about half a mile to a place, I should think to be a storehouse for cotton [Freret’s Cotton Press]. It is about 200 feet square with a brick wall ten feet high with roof on both sides and one end, thus covering about half of it. Quite comfortable.
I have seen several of the New Orleans papers. They are small & printed on coarse, yellow paper. The Picayune is only one-fouth of its former size & not one-quarter as good. Secession has told fearfully upon it. Their tone is not very hostile nor very friendly. They submit to Butler as a matter of obligation & not of friendship. The better class of the citizens appear to look more friendly upon us & I doubt not the eyes of 50,000 citizens behold with enrapt emotion the fleet, the troops, & the stars & stripes floating over the Custom House & all the fleet. There are several regiments in the city. Butler has established martial law with a provost marshal & judge, yet promises not to interfere with civil authorities in the proper exercise of their functions. Gunboats are I know not how far upriver.
Thursday, 8th—Pleasant. Feel well. Three companies have left & gone to guard a railroad (Jackson) & two to Lake Pontchartrain. On guard. Had quite a fine time at the gate. At night I was stationed outside with loaded musket but nothing occurred except the the regular tramp & rapping of the police & a concert by dog, cat, frog & co. which was quite amusing.
Friday, 9th—Rainy. Feel foot sore & lame from walking on the brick sidewalk. I see by the papers that troops are being enlisted for the regiments here & also that new ones are to be got up, thus giving Louisiana a chance to do something for the Union. We get nothing but hard bread & coffee which makes mighty poor living. I hope we shall go somewhere soon where we can get something to eat that’s fit.
Saturday, 10th—Feel pain in back. Fair. A roll call tonight. We had orders to be ready to move at 8 tomorrow to the [U. S.] Mint which a fatigue party has prepared for us. There is a great deal of suffering in this city among the poor. There is no flour in the city. Corn meal is 0.80, beef 0.40, bacon 0.75, coffee 0.80, tea 2.00, butter 0.75 & other things except molases at 40 & sugar at 1.07, according. Maine boys who come in with papers are glad to get the hard bread which we would otherwise throw away. Let Southerners prate as they will about the injury the war is giving to the North; there are thousands in this city who will never forget the hard times of 1861-62. The papers say the North is so overburdened with debt she will have to give up soon. I suppose they have not noticed how many bushels of shinplasters they have issued & don’t consider it a debt as they never expect to pay.
Sunday, 11—Feel about same. Fair. Having got ready, we marched to the US Mint about 1.5 miles from here. It is a large brick, imitation of stone, building about 300 feet long by 40 feet wide with three extensions 30 by 80 feet & 40 feet high. It is very strong and has heavy machines in it. It covers about three-fouths of an acre. Its yard of 1.5 acrs is filled with trees and flowers with a high iron fence around. We have two of the best rooms in the building, in the 3rd story. Though small, they are neat & airy.
This afternoon I was on patrol & went to the Custom House between which & here is a pretty enclosure or square containing an equestrian statue of Gen. Jackson, made in bronze in military dress. I should think it would make the rebels tremble as they look on Old Hickory & think of 1832 & his proclamation [that “armed disunion was treason”].
Went to Algiers which is not half so pretty as it looks from here for it is muddy & the houses are cheap and low. It is like many other things in this world—fair & lovely at a distance, but hideous & deformed at nearer view. There were 18 detailed for guard so it seems our whole business is guard & patrol. It is said Butler found $2,000,000 in possession of the Belgium minister by whom it was kept for the Rebels. D[arius] went to hospital.
Monday, 12th—Feel well. Warm. On guard. Before I had stood, our company was ordered to be off to the Reading Press to guard some hay there. The whole company was on guard in three reliefs. The 13th Connecticut and 8th Vermont came in today. A lot of arms were found near the cemetery & four companies were ordered out in anticipation of a row but all went on well. If the city should be searched as it ought to be, much would be found. Business is improving & the city assumes a livelier aspect.
Tuesday, 13—Feel tired. Fine weather. As Co. E came & relieved us at 8 a.m., we marched back to the Mint. I was detailed again tonight for guard at the building just opposite the mint at the end of the Ponchartrain railway where a lot of shell was found. Saw plenty of rats at night. Twenty men on guard today from our company. Two-thirds of those fit for duty.
Wednesday, 14—Feel tip top. Hot & pleasant. 3,000 barrels of flour came in from Mobile today which will gladden the heart of many a citizen who have been without for a long time. A lot of tents, duck cord, chests, &c. were brought in from several parts of the city. Butler is ferreting out a great deal of stuff & there is a chance for a great deal more. Two ships came in with soldiers today. We were not relieved till 11 at night on account of the relieving sergeant’s slowness. Moved from old quarters to the Main building into a large & airy room.
Thursday, 15th—Feel bully. Hot & sultry. Did nothing.
Friday, 16th—Feel tip top. Still hot. On guard. Had easy post. A lot of guns were found at the arsenal by our boys who were there on guard. We have one of the old ft. boys in our company. He’s a fine looking fellow. Over 800 have been enlisted. New discoveries of Rebel stores are made every day.
Saturday, 17th—Feel well. Thunder shower at night. New Orleans Crescent suppressed for treason.
Sunday, 18th—Inspection today. On guard. Well.
Monday, 19th—Got bad cold on guard last night & felt miserable all day. Showers today.
Tuesday, 20th—Went to hospital & got excused from duty. Felt weak & restless all day & at night. Four more men have enlisted in our company so that we now have 85 officers & privates.
Wednesday, 21st—Feel same though the doctor put me on duty. I went on guard mounting, but before it was over, I was so weak I had to sit down. The Lieut. excused me. We had orders to pack all our clothes except blankets & knapsack in boxes & be ready to leave at 5. But after we were all ready, the orders were countermanded. Went on Battalion drill this afternoon & as I had vegetable soup for dinner. I stood it very well. If I could always get as good grub, I’d do well.
[Editor’s Note: Next single entry out of chronological sequence in journal]
Sunday, 25th—Feel well. On police. Post about two miles from the Mint at a little market in the suburbs. Quite a pretty place. A market here is a building with nothing but posts for walls, filled with meat block counters with drawers underneath. Had good time & stood all day. From talking with the people, I’ve become satisfied that many of the people still love the Union & that the rebellion was gotten up by politicians aided by unprincipled men. These have stole the property & forced the people into arms. No wonder unwilling soldiers should meet with reverses. Received a letter from Chaffin.
Thursday, 22—Feel same. Fair. Excused from duty. The boys we left at Ship Island have arrived except Rufus Hayford who is dead. Twenty-one men were detailed as police—the old police having refused to take the oath, being disbanded. The Mayor has been sent to Fort Jackson & College. Shepley acts in his stead. Getting tired of the city.
Friday, 23rd—Went to hospital. On duty. Feel no better. On guard. Had hard time of it standing at guard mounting but after that, got along well. Only 8 on a relief instead of 23 as formerly. Two showers which I escaped.
Saturday, 24th—Felt quite slim when I got off guard. Pleasant. Received a letter & paper of April 11th. All well.
Monday, 26th—Feel well. Pleasant. No duty for me so I had time for washing self & clothes. The 14th & 15th Maine are in the city. The 13th Maine still at Ship Island. It is said that Richmond is evacuated by the Rebels & that the Mississippi is now open. Secession seems to contract its limits every day & will hane to give up soon. [Jeff] Davis has invested 200,000 in France so to have a living when he has to flee—so says the True Delta.
Tuesday, 27th—Feel tip top. Warm & pleasant. On guard. Had weary time.
Wednesday, 28—Have slight cough. Fair. Wrote home.
Thursday, 29—Feel well. Hot & fair. Charles McLoon of our company died today. Tis said that a large mail & the paymaster have come & that we’ll be paid off soon. On police tonight & as I was at the station, I was on only four hours. They have organized a police in the 1st & 4th Districts & will ours soon. Hope t’will be soon as the duty is wearing out the men though I do well.
Friday, 30th—Feel sleepy. Hot. Merchant reported dead.
Saturday, 31st—Feel bully. Warm. This post is to be open to commerce from tomorrow under certain restrictions. Business improving. Tis said Fort Morgan is taken. Wrote to Chaffin.
Sunday, June 1st 1862—Feel well except a slight cough. Fair. Inspection today. My post being at the guard which was empty, I stood only two hours. Quartermaster Sergeant Goddard is 2nd Lieutenant, Co. A. Capt. Washburn, Co. K & Lieut. Coombs Co. I are going home.
Monday, 2—Feel quite well. Fair. Drew cap, shoes, and pants today. The report of Merchant’s death has proved false as he is here though sick. John Libby is dead. City assumes a livelier appearance every day. Vessels are beginning to make use of the opening of the port though slowly as yet. New Orleans will need sometime to recruit up.
Tuesday, 3rd—Health same. Fair. The [True] Delta says that North Carolina has refused to give any more soldiers to Jeff & calls those back who are now in the field, refusing protection to the rebel troops on their passage through the State. Richmond was not taken May 20th though McClellan was within 15 miles of it. Ere this, the star spangled banner probably waves o’er the Confederate Capitol. On guard tonight at the officer’s stable. Easy time. I must send home more of my money so as to pay what I may owe at end of service. Like first rate though I should not be sorry to have the war ended & all of the soldiers sent to their friends & native state.
Wednesday, 4th—Feel nice. Warm. Battalion drill today. City quiet. Co. E went out today to shoot six men who after being paroled, tried to get recruits for the rebels. After they were brought out & seated on their coffins, they were sentenced to Ship Island for life. One of them was very indignant at this. I sell my extra hard bread getting about 15 cents in two days. Sell four for a Picayune in Railroad & Omnibus tickets. Find it hard to continue to pass away time when not on duty.
Thursday, 5th—Feel well though I have a little cough. Fair [weather]. Signed payrolls today.
Friday, 6th—Feel same. Warm. On guard at the Pontchartrain Railroad Depot.
Saturday, 7th—Feel same. Warm. [William Bruce] Mumford was hung here today for tearing down the flag placed here by the fleet. Didn’t see him as I did not get off guard till 11. Our whole regiment acted as guard. There is a report that we are going to Vicksburg but I don’t know about it. Cos. F & H came in today. This looks a little like moving.
[Editor’s Note: “Union occupation commander Major General Benjamin Butler had William Bruce Mumford arrested and tried for treason for an incident in which he had torn down an American flag flying over the U.S. Mint during the tumultuous naval capture of the city. Even though it was unclear that New Orleans was legally in Union hands at the time of the crime, Mumford was found guilty of treason and hanged at noon from the Mint building. Dying with eloquence and dignity, Mumford quickly became a Confederate martyr and Butler a Confederate bête noir.” (By John Osborne) Source: Robert Justin Goldstein, ed., Desecrating the American Flag: Key Documents of the Controversy from the Civil War to 1995 (Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 1996), 1-2.]
Sunday, 8th—Feel same. Warm. Inspection this morn. The chaplain took leave of us on account of sickness. [On] May 24th, McClellan was within 5 miles of Richmond & a great battle expected. Mortar fleet going up.
Monday, 9th—Feel same. Warm. Dickson—new recruit—died.
Tuesday, 10th—Got [a] cold. Warm [weather]. No great change.
Wednesday, 11th—Feel no better. Weather same. D[arius] came in from hospital today. On guard at stable. Gen. Shepley inspected us at the City Hall today.
Thursday, 12th—Feel same. Pleasant. Bought [Alexander H.] Montieth’s “German without a Master” [a self instruction language guide]. Tis said Beauregard has retreated 76 miles from Corinth which our troops occupy. Memphis was taken after the destruction of the Rebel fleet & Richmond taken. The Rebels will have to give up soon since Richmond taken & Banks & fremont have driven them over the border so that Virginia—the home of Washington & birthplace of Lincoln is again under the mild sway of Uncle Sam. England is terrified at our ironclads & army.
Friday, 13th—Feel well, though I cough some. Warm. After we had comfortably turned in for the night at 10, the long roll was beat & in minutes were in line. Nothing but a trick of Butler’s to try us.
Saturday, 14—Feel well though I cough & have sore throat. Weather fair & warm. Three men obtaining suits of soldiers’ uniforms, forged an order from Butler giving them leave to search for arms in a house where they knew the proprietor made no resistance till he saw they were after his money. Then he called thr police who arrested them & took them to Butler & tried before Judge Bell & sentenced—two to be hung tomorrow, one to Fort Jackson 5 years.
[Monday, 15th—] Feel same. Very warm. On guard. Had orders to be ready with two days rations cooked & eight uncooked, to go somewhere on Lake Pontchartrain. At 6 p.m. we started in the cars for the lake which we reached i nhalf an hour. Slept on the floor of the wharf, out over the water. Those men I spoke of yesterday were quartermaster of a steamer, a 13th Connrecticut chap, & a citizen. We have five companies made up from all under command of the officers of Co. G, H, B, D & E. Seventy-five men in each company making 375 in all.
Monday, 16—Slept well. Feel same. Warm. Had to wait all day in the freight house where I got all the sugar I could eat. A river boat ran over a fisher man in a skiff, stoving it all to pieces. The man tried to swim a few minutes & then sunk. I think he must have been injured. No one went to his assistance though there were plenty of boats at the wharf. About dark we went aboard the Grey Cloud to go no one knows where. Co. E is with us & the J. M. Brown took the rest.
Tuesday, 17—Started at 4 a.m. in a northeasterly course up the lake. The Brown & New London going with us. When we got to the mouth of Manchac Pass river, we stopped & gave up Co. E to the Brown & the things we’d taken from the New London to lighten her over the bar. We had one 32-pounder and one 12-pounder. Brown had four 12 s. & the New London her usual number. Our company was then stationed with loaded muskets all over the boat to keep a look out for rebels with orders not to fire till fired upon. We then proceeded up the river, our boat taking the lead & sounding [taking depth measurements] all the time. The New London [came] next, and the Brown last. We proceeded in this way without molestation 10 or 15 miles when, by getting close to the shore, we were delayed till the New London passed by us. Soon after, we came in sight of the New Orleans & Jackson Railroad & an earthwork with two guns with two or three tents and a shed. They fired two shots & loaded again, but as the New London gave them two or three good ones, they fled leaving a dinner all ready, guns and baggage. Part went towards Camp Moore & part to Manchac. We went ashore and took everything of value & destroyed the rest, setting fire to the track & buildings & breaking the trunnions & wheels of the guns. We broke the telegraph wire & tore up the rails. We then went on board & started downstream with the New London leaving the crew of the Brown to go by railroad while we went by another branch to Pass Manchac.
Before we got there, we found a schooner with a pass for another Bayou near Manchac. Took charge of it. When we got to Manchac we found our boys already in possession. The Rebels (being warned by those who escaped from above) escaped by means of boats out of our reach. We served the place as before. We found quite a lot of commissary stores probably brought by the schooner we had passed. Our boat then went through the draw to a bayou beyond, cruising around to see what we could find. We saw a litle sloop scudding along near the shore. Our shots failing to bring her to, we sent 7 men & a boat after her. While they were gone, we brought to, a skiff with four men, two being Fort Jackson officers. But as they had a parole from Butler, we let them go. After our boys came in with the sloop, then we went back to Manchac.
Wednesday, 18 [June 1862]—Diarrhea so bad, I’m very weak. Somewhat cloudy. After we had destroyed & taken everything & burning the bridge & taken up a cable telegraph, we left at noon. The New London got stuck upon the bar & it took us an hour to get her off. We then went up to Jeffersonville on another creek & a little above where we took in a lot of wood, heard heavy firing in the direction the New London had gone.
Thursday, 19th—Feel better though I cough a little. Hot & sultry. Started this morning & went to Madisonville—a bathing place on th lake. It has about 1,000 inhabitants. It is a city whose mayor with a Colonel & Quartermaster we took at Manchac we brought with us. We landed & deplyed in various ways. Our squad under Capt. Robinson went to a guerrilla camp whither we were guided by a boy & old man. The guerrillas had left & so we took their tents & a lot of guns, pistols, &c. After cruising about all over the place, we went aboard our boats & the Brown went back to the wharf while we cruised along the lake. The inhabitants all cleared off at our approach except women, boys, niggers, & old men. After cruising about a while, we make Lake Town, when we took the cars & at 8 p.m. were at the Mint. Thus has our expedition happily ended, but not however without something to show that the 12th Maine can face cannon as well as others & that Butler’s idea that the 12th were only good for guards is not right. No one showed the least cowardice. Received a letter of 1st instant.
Friday, 20th—Cough little. Weather same. Nothing to do.
Saturday, 21st—Feel same. Weather same. On guard at stable.
Sunday, 22nd—Hot & sultry. Gen. Shepley reviewed us at the St. Charles [Hotel] today. It is said we are going away again soon. Hope so.
Monday, 23rd [June 1862]—Have cold & sore throat. June weather. Hear & read all sorts of rumors about fighting in Richmond, but nothing reliable & important.
Tuesday, 24th—Health & weather same. Gen. Shepley is military governor of Louisiana. Wrote home.
Wednesday, 25th—Health & weather same. On guard here.
Thursday, 26th—Health & weather same. Paid off yesterday. Sent $25 by letter home.
Friday, 27th—Feel better. Pleasnt. There is a dearth of news which must be distressing to news mongers & newspapers.
Saturday, 28—Feel same. Weather same. Showers.
Sunday 29th—Health & weather same.
Monday, 30th—Health better. Hot & sultry. On guard aboard a schooner today. Easy. Bimonthly muster today.
Tuesday, July 1, 1862—Feel well though have slight cough. Hot & sultry.
Wednesday, 2nd—Health same. Cloudy & hot. Received two papers from home. Bread sells at 25 to 40 cents.
Thursday, 3rd—Health same. Showery & hot.
Friday, 4th [of July]—Another anniversary of the birth of our nation has come & gone. It has found us in a sad plight for a nation but yet the day star of peace has already arisen & soon I trust the day in full glory will dawn. The day was not very celebrated throughout the city. We formed & saluted the Old Flag as it was raised on the Mint. Health same. Rainy.
Saturday, 5th—Health same. Hot & Sultry. On guard at the schooner.
Sunday, 6th—Health & weather the same. Twelve [men] detailed for Jackson Railroad today.
Monday, 7th—Health good. Fair & hot. On guard here. Easy time. Rumors of an expected attack being afloat. Two or three companies scouted all night. No trouble though.
Tuesday, 8th—Health & weather same. Received a package of letters, papers, &c. Wrote to Leroy.
Wednesday, 9th—well. Rainy. Rumors of the taking of Richmond. Come by way of Memphis.
Thursday, 10th—Health good. Hot. On guard. Think by reports [that] we will be home October 10th.
Friday, 11th—Health & weather same. The officers appear to be mighty scared in anticipation of an insurrection in the city. Guards are doubled and armed. Men patrol the streets at night.
Saturday, 12th—Health & weather same. Received two letters from home July 1st tomorrow. All well. Papers at same time. News favorable prospects of fighting. On guard.
Sunday, 13th—Health & weather same.
Monday, 14th—Cough a little. Showers & cooler. Wrote home.
Tuesday, 15th—Health same. Rainy. On guard but didn’t get wet. It is said that Vicksburg & Mobile are ours.
Wednesday, 16th—Health same. Showers. Our grub is soft bread, salt beef, pork, bacon, rice two times a week, beans once, & coffee. I sell my bread often & buy other kinds of food so we do decently well.
Thursday, 17th—Health same. Fair. Six [boys] of our company went home today.
Friday, 18th—Feel well. Fair. We had a drunken guard round last night. They rode on to the guard in spite of him. Our captain was Officer of the Day. News from the North to 8th [of July] puts all former reports to naught. McClellan after Seven Days fighting is on the James [river] & Richmond not taken.
Saturday, 19th—Have slight cold. Hot & fair. Mobile is not yet taken nor has Vicksburg fallen though the city is entirely consumed. So much for former reports. It is said the [Confederate] Ram Arkansas has destroyed Foote’s fleet & put to flight Farragut & Porter. Of course it is false.
Sunday, 20th—Health & weather same. They say we will leave the Mint in a few days.
Monday, 21—Feel same. Hot with showers. On post guard. They say now that we are not going away. Corporal [Eben F.] Vose of our company died today. Cause? Eating too much stuff.
Tuesday, 22nd—Feel tip top. Fair. On Vose’s [funeral] escort. Wagoner Robinson, Co. B, & Corp. Guptyl of Co. I died tonight from drinking too much bad liquor. We have to be careful here now not to eat green things, overload our stomaches, or drink New Orleans liquor except occasionally a little Brandy which I find I can do without.
Wednesday, 23—Feel well. Hot & showery. On guard at night on the Mexican Gulf Railroad Depot—the road to Lake Borgne. Had the severest thundershower tonight I ever saw. The lightning blazed all the rime & all around it thundered very sharp.
Thursday, 24—Feel tired. Pleasant. Still at Mexican Gulf Railroad. Ex-Captain Fessenden died suddenly. Cause? Bad rum.
Friday, 25—Health & weather more comfortable. We will have to stay here some time. Well, I’m not sorry for it is not hard to stand three hours at night & go where you please during the day.
Saturday, 26th—Feel sleepy. Hot & fair. Still at Mexican Gulf Railroad.
Sunday, 27th—Feel bully. Like it well. Fair. One shower. Our sergeant with three men and a corporal with 12 went down 15 miles where they got two and a half barrels powder. There is considerable talk of leaving the Mint & going to the Confederate Hotel & orders to pack up have been given. When I get tired of sitting here, I go across the street to see them play billiards.
Monday, 28th—Feel stiff. Fair till 4 p.m. when we had a fine thunder shower. News from the North gives no encouragement. There is near here a genuine Union spy—Jack Hayes, alias Cast Iron Jack, &c. He was born in Ohio, was a Texas Ranger in Mexican War. Afterwards, coming here, he was hunter, cotton screwer &c. till the time of Walker’s filibustering [in Nicaragua] when he joined them. He returned to New Orleans after that where he has since stayed. He resisted all attempts of the [Rebels] to get him in their service, much as they desired it (for many of them well knew his ability). After Ship Island was taken, he acted as spy, giving a great deal of information as to the strength &c. of the Rebels. I myself have seen him on Ship Island. He sometimes passed the Rebel lines by pass & partly by running guard for which is knowledge of the lakes 7 bayous prepared him. He is now one of Butler’s Specials. Five feet 8 inches high, 50 years old, tough & wiry, and completely bronzed. Like all of his kind, he has a mighty good opinion of himself.
[Editor’s Note: It is highly likely that James’ biographical account of “Cast Iron Jack” reflects the oral traditions that surround figures like Davy Crockett, where the legend significantly surpasses the truth. The individual he references is almost certainly John Coffee Hays, known as “Jack” Hays (1817-1883), who was born in Tennessee. Hayes indeed joined the Texas Rangers at a young age and played a crucial role in the Mexican War. After the conflict, he ventured to the gold fields of California, where he was elected sheriff of San Francisco in 1850. He remained in California, and there is no evidence to suggest he joined Walker in Nicaragua or acted as a spy for Butler. His brother, Confederate General Harry T. Hays, resided in New Orleans and was a significant figure in leading the Louisiana Brigade during the Civil War. It is difficult to comprehend the notion that the brother of Harry Hays would serve as a Union spy.]
Tuesday, 29th—Feel first rate. Showers. Dull.
Wednesday, 30th—Feel good. Showery. Our regiment moved to the Confederate States Hotel except companies B & H who went to the Unitarian Hall. Sergt. & two men went down to Lake Borgne today. They had no trouble.
Thursday, 31st—Feel well except slight cold. Hot [weather]. Went with one man down to Davis’ plantation. Passed by the famous battle ground of 1812. There is an angular breastwork of one mile or so ten feet high with a deep moat outside. A white square monument about 40 feet high marks the spot where Jackson whipped the British. I wondered as I passed by how the Rebels could dare to carry on their [ ] on the scene of a battle fought to defend the Union they are trying to destroy. There is nothing but plantations on the road. Got off at Gen. Davis’ & after walking three miles up river in the heat of noonday with the thermometer at 130 degrees above zero, we reached the halfway house. I was nearly exhausted. A rebel officer came up with us having three heavy trunks which he said were filled with boys clothes he was to take to the Colonel.
[Editor’s Note: It’s not clear who the “Gen. Davis or Col. Davis” is who had a plantation downriver from New Orleans. Jeff Davis’s plantation was upriver closer to Vicksburg.]
Friday, August 1, 1862—Health good. Showers in afternoon. Guerrillas are marauding in Tennessee & Kentucky. Recruiting going on fast in the North. All quiet on the Potomac.
Saturday, 2nd—Health fine. Hot. Went down road to show how slow we go. The gunboat Jackson came up the river with us, arriving as soon as we. Though she had farthest to go & up stream at that.
Sunday, 3rd—Health good. Showery & hot. Went down to Lake Borgne where I had a fish chowder which tastes good to a soldier who’s lived on hard bread.
Monday, 4th—Health & weather same. 100 negroes from Morgan’s & others plantations came up the river last night armed with clubs & cane knives. When they arrived at the lower part of the city, the police ordered them to halt. Instead of this they attacked them & soon the whole force of the District was engaged but they would have fared hard had not some soldiers come to their assistance & shot two or three & wounded 9. They were soon driven off or taken. There is great fear among the planters of an insurrection.
Tuesday, 5th—Feel bully. Warm & sultry. Received one letter & paper from home—all well. Some poor fools in Maine are almost scared to death for fear of a draft but there is no need of that.
Wednesday, 6th—Feel well. Showery 7 hot. There was a fight at Baton Rouge yesterday. Gen. [Thomas R.] Williams was killed, probably by his own men on account of his hardness in drill, &c. He had knapsack drills at Vicksburg in mud up to their ankles. Rebels routed. Received a paper of July 23d—no news. Secessionists are boisterous, telling us we will have to leave soon. But if we do, we’ll leave a city in ashes.
Thursday, 7th—Am well. Hot & sultry. About 200 wounded brought in from Baton Rouge. In come down, the [transport steamer Lewis] Whiteman (on which they were) ran into a gunboat [USS Oneida near Donaldsville], drowning five & injuring many. The [Confederate Ram] Arkansas has been burned.
[Editor’s Note: USS Oneida commander, Commander George H. Preble, suspected the collision was intentional rather than accidental, noting clear moonlight, ample clearance, and high steam buildup on the Whiteman. Survivors and crew reported that the captain of the Whiteman had multiple sons serving in the Confederate army and expressed open Southern sympathies, fueling beliefs that the crash was deliberate. The steamer quickly sank, resulting in the loss of several lives.]
Friday, 8th—Health good. Showery. No news.
Saturday, 9th—Health & weather same. Mosquitoes thick.
Sunday, 10th—Health & weather same. Wrote home.
Monday, 11th—Health & weather same. [Joseph] Tufts, [Guy] Ward, [Mel] Chadbourne, & [Edward] Kenniston have gone home from our company. Searched some houses today but found nothing.
Tuesday, 12th—Health & weather same. Butler has ordered all the arms in the city to be brought in this week. Rumors of an attack are in circulation.
Wednesday, 13th—Health & weather same. Went to Halfway house today. Got back at 9 p.m. Received one letter from home & one from gran.—all well. Minot gives $100 to her share of the 200,000 Old Abe has called out.
Thursday, 14th—Got a cold & ache all over. Hot & sultry.
Friday, 15—Feel well. Hot. As the sergeant was about to come up tonight, they saw a boat full of men coming in so he stayed there to render assistance to the squad stationed there in case they were rebels. Sending up one man to report. He brought up a lot of arms which had been down there a long time.
Saturday, 16th—Feel well but I have about one dozen boils on my back though they are not painful. Hot. The men in the boat proved to be 26th Massachusetts boys who are cruising in a launch so the boys have come up again. There are 12 men stationed there.
Sunday, 17th—Health & boils same. Hot. Went down to lake. Saw nothing. Last night we had orders to be ready to go to the regiment at any moment as the Rebels were said to be within six miles from Phelps at Carrollton. Of course all in bosh.
Monday, 18th—Health & weather same. Received one paper from home. No great news.
Tuesday, 19th—Have headache & boils. Hot & sultry.
Wednesday, 20th—Health and weather same. At 4 a.m. I was waked up by the reports of a pistol & a musket (fired in this building) & heard the groans of a policeman who was shot. We roused up, got our guns and found two or three policemen supporting the wounded. He was shot in the arm. About twenty policemen collected here but instead of hunting to find out who did it, they began to lay it to us. We called out the patrol who searched in vain for the man. If the police had done their duty, they could have got him but they were afraid of being shot. Went down to the lake today. Took salts hoping to be better.
Thursday, 21st—Boils still troublesome. Hot.
Friday, 22nd—Boils same. Hot. Man not found yet.
Saturday, 23rd—Health & weather same.
Sunday, 24th—Feel same. Rainy. Went to lake.
Monday, 25th—My left eye is badly swelled & the boils are beginning again. Rainy all day. Darius, Monk Whitman, [William H.] Blair & [Aaron] Grose received their discharges today & were paid off. Reports of fighting at Richmond. Flour sells at 9 to 12. Other things accordingly. Business would be much better here if the army was sufficient to ensure the safety of the city. Few sailing vessels dare come in. All the change here is 5 cent blue tickets on the New Orleans City Railroad, 100,000 being in circulation.
Tuesday, 26th—Health good except boils. Hot.
Wednesday, 27th—Health & weather same. Darius left today. Said goodbye to him at 8:30 a.m. He has been to me all that a man could. When I was sick at Fort Monroe, he gave up his bed to me though he got cold thereby. He was always willing to help me. When I was down-hearted, he cheered me up & joined in my joy. When I looked upon him sick & pale, I pitied but could not help him. The doctors gave him [papers] over a month ago but he was kept till today. The doctors think that the cool breezes of a Northern clime will soon give him strength & health to his feeble frame.
Thursday, 28th—My left eye is swelled so that I can’t see out of it but is not painful. Feel well. Hot. Received two months pay. Some of the new recruits are already showing the effects. Quite a number in the guard house.
Friday, 29th—Little better. Hot & sultry.
Saturday, 30th—About same. Rainy. Went to Custom House & bought some books. The city is fast increasing in trade & as soon as the war is over she will make quick lengthy strides towards her former prosperity which she will soon reach.
Sunday, 31st—Health same. Rainy. Bi-monthly muster.
Monday, September 1, 1862—Poulticed my boil so it is better. Rainy. Money about gone.
Tuesday, 2nd—Feel well. Rainy. Quiet & dull.
Wednesday, 3rd—Feel well. Boil nearly well. Troubled with humor sores all over. Rainy. Commenced the study of Ollendorff’s German Teacher. Our regiment is preparing to move to the New Orleans Cotton Press. Two thousand troops came in today & many more are expected so we shall soon take up the offensive. Home guard are being organized here.
Thursday, 4th—Health same. Hot as fire. Nigger companies are being paraded through the streets which suits not me nor any of the soldiers. Guess they’ll not be armed. Northern papers bring discouraging news. All’s got to be done over again.
Friday, 5th—Feel well but prickly plagues me. Hot. Times dull.
Saturday, 6th—Health same. Hot. Just finished reading [Sir Walter] Scott’s Fall of Waverley which is the first of his novels I ever read & the first in which I could not discover how it would end by reading two chapters. Quite interesting.
Sunday, 7th—Health & weather same. Went to Lake Borgne. Mosquitoes intolerable. Ate some shrimps for the first time in my life. They tasted like lobster & were good.
Monday, 8th—Health & weather same. Received three papers & letter.
Tuesday, 9th—Feel slight cold. Showery & warm. Wrote home. Went up town without a cent of money yet came back [and] feel as well as if I’d spent a million.
Wednesday, 10th—Heath & weather same. Dull.
Thursday, 11th—Health & weather same. About 4 o’clock Jack—one of our boys—came here and ordered me to go to supper. I told him I wouldn’t. Then he tried to make me go. Says I, “Jack, stop your damned fooling.” He did so & I went up town. When I got back, they said Jack had been crazy & acted like the devil but they’d got him to his quarters & he was asleep. He is a good fellow & has probably been drugged by some fancy woman where he has been. If we can find them out, it will go hard with them.
Friday, 12th—Feel better. Rainy. Went down to Lake. Mosquitoes kept me running from car to car all the time.
Saturday, 13th—Feel well. When I got back from breakfast this morning, I learned that part of our regiment was going to Lake Pontchartrain. I wanted to go but it was too late. Our sergeant has gone 7 left us.
Sunday, 14th—Health & weather same. Dull.
Monday, 15th—Have some cold. Rainy & chilly. Went to Lake. Mosquitoes not bad. Got back late.
Tuesday, 16th—Health same. Hot & cloudy. Our regiment has returned. Our company stayed at the lake. Cos. F, D, & C with some Massachusetts boys under Major Strong went to Mandeville, when finding all quiet, they went to Ponchatoula which they soon took but were attacked again & driven back with a loss of 30 men, all of F & C (including Capt. [Charles C. G.] Thornton) wounded & missing.
Wednesday, 17th—Feel better. Rainy Legs sore.
Thursday, 18th—Legs, health & weather same. An order has been given by Brig. Gen. Birge directing policemen to arrest all soldiers out of the lines without passes. Think police will soon be sick of it for we cooled down a better set at Lowell. Such orders do more hurt than good. If I was an officer, I wouldn’t give a cent for a soldier I couldn’t trust. I would rather have ten I could than 100 I couldn’t trust.
Friday, 19th—Feel well. Legs better. Rainy.
Saturday, 20th—Have slight cold. Legs sore. Fair [weather]. Went to lake today. Mosquitoes quite human, Ran off the track 14 miles from here & had to come up on another train. A bad joint was the cause.
Sunday, 21st—Health and weather same though I’ve nothing to do. I long for some kind of business & hope the war will soon end of which there is but little prospect. I never liked & never expected to like a soldier’s life & hate it more every day. Yet I don’t wish to go home till war is over.
Monday, 22nd—Feel well though my legs are sore. Rainy. Poor men are beginning to get a living. Flour is $10. The wharves & levees present a lively appearance compared to what it was a few months ago. Prosperity again begins to smile on it.
Tuesday, 23rd—Have slight cold. Legs better. Rainy. News to the 10th. Rebels in Maryland & McClellan after him. Had a letter & paper from home. All well. Darius has got home. This is the last day for traitors to take the oath & save their property. The Office of Provost Marshal is crowded & has been for a week, but many will not take it.
Wednesday, 24th—Legs not well yet. Feel well. Rainy. Five men of Co. F have returned. They were not taken [prisoners] but were engaged in carrying wounded into the hospital when the enemy appeared between them and their company. They took to the swamp where [they] wandered about several days & narrowly escaped capture several times. All of the others have been exchanged.
Thursday, 25th—Health, legs, and weather same. I would give half my bounty to be in McClellan’s army for I enlisted to fight—great coward as I am—and not to lay still & do nothing as now.
Friday, 26th—Feel much better. Went to Lake but as it rained all day, the mosquitoes did not trouble much. News from the North says McClellan has driven the Rebels panic stricken out of Maryland. New troops did well.
Saturday, 27th—Feel well. Fair. It is my 17th birthday. Seventeen years have passed over my head & I am almost a man, Five feet, 9 inches high, plain looking, large head, hazel eyes, dark hair and thin though broad in build, in fact I look like most of the boys of my age. But what a change since I was 16. Then I was at Hebron Academy trying to understand the mysteries of Greek & to master Cicero; brilliant harangues. Now I am here in the City of New Orleans doing but little, goig on guard only two and a half hours every other night & to the lake once in 6 days, & go where I please. I may be said to have an easy, yet dull life. Easy as to work; hard, because dull. Since I’ve been in the army I’ve behaved pretty well though not as well as I ought. I’ve swore a mighty sight. Swearing comes easy. Drank but little, hardly touched a [playing] card. Read the New Testament through once and a half & done my duty without a word of complaint. Bad as I am, I might be worse. Today closes another year & tomorrow will usher in a new for me.
Sunday, 28th—Health & weather same. Good news.
Monday, 29th—Got slight cod. Fair. Stood five hours last night as all but I and another fellow were off on a spree. Well, soldiers must spree it once in a while.
Tuesday, 30th—Health & weather same. Received two papers from home.
Wednesday, October 1st, 1862—Health & weather same. Dull times for soldiers.
Thursday, 2nd—Feel well. Showery. There are quite a number of vessels in port & drays are going around quite lively. Time will again make New Orleans the metropolis of the Sunny South. Till then, the honest laborer must keep his soul in patience & do whatever he can, ever hoping for the good time coming & never despair because he’s nothing to do.
Friday, 3rd—Feel well. Fair & hot. The weather after 4 p.m. this time of the year, you feel chilly & yet you sweat if you have much clothing on so I don’t know how to manage. I can’t get on enough to keep from being chilly & I sweat in my shirt & pants. This gives me a slight cold. Went to Lake today. Mosquitoes thick but not troublesome. They have a Provost Marshal at the half way house now.
Saturday, 4th—Health & weather same. It is pleasing & at the same time unpleasing to see & hear the little folks of this city. They are nearly all tainted with treason & are not afraid to let us know it.
Sunday, 5th—Health & weather same. Cruised around the city today. There was a row on Barracks Street between soldiers & policemen. I think police will get tired of meddling with soldiers by and by.
Business middling. I saw quite an amusing sight tonight. It was a pow-wow by Gascons [French emigrants from Gascony]. Very like an Indian performance. They sang in barbarous French, danced, capered, & cut up all sorts of tricks, drinking plenteously. They tied a paper tail to one of their number & he got down on all fours & run about while they tried to set it on fire. They kept it up all day and nearly all night. Not an angry word was spoken.
[Editor’s Note: James probably witnessed a Charivari—a folk custom brought to the US by French emigrants. I have seen it in other 19th Century letters typically when an old man married a young woman and the couple are subjected to loud noises throughout their wedding night.]
Monday, 6th—Health & weather same. As to our grub, we have our bread & coffee as usual, but for with it we have nothing but salt horse spoiled with salt peter & occasionally a bit of meat, pork or a few potatoes. We have no butter, no apple sauce, no sweet potatoes, no nothing. Whether we ought to blame the cook, commissary, or quartermaster, I know not. 1st, glaub das ein ist haub [German to English translation: “I think that’s a big deal”], 2nd has little spunk, and 3rd don’t care.
Tuesday 7th—Health & wealth still unchanged. Received two papers from home & wrote home. The President has issued a proclamation declaring the slaves of all states & parts of states which shall be in rebellion January 1, 1863, free forever, & urges a more vigorous prosecution of the war. That sounds well. It is no more that after fighting two years for peace, we should try the last and to all appearances most forcible alternative. Finding it impossible to restore the Union as it was, let us restore it the best we can. This may give the Rebels a few more troops, but it will also take from them their best arm of service—the slaves who till the soil & feed their army. But I hope that before the appointed time, all parts of every state will again be under the starry folds of the Stars & Stripes & the mild rule of Uncle Sam.
Tonight I heard what forcibly reminded me of home. Two little girls about ten years old came & sat upon a seat before the door & sang almost angelically with their tremulous little voices, “Good News from Home, ” which seemed very appropriate as we’d received such cheering news from our far off Northern home. They sang other & pretty songs, yet none seemed so dear to me. Alas that I have to say it, they sang rebel songs with all the pathos & earnest simplicity of an ardent Rebel. It is sorrowful to see how indelibly treason is stamped on their little minds. It will take years, yea centuries, to effectually blot treason out of the Southern mind. Nought but the greatest wisdom of legislation & mildness of law can ever do it. A few harsh laws or a bad ruler will renew the old flame & set the old thought to work.
Wednesday, 8 [October 1862]—Felt well till night. Then I found I had a bad cold. Had a mighty hard night of it. Rolling & tumbling about till two. Rebel prisoner went up river today.
Thursday, 9th—Have a bad cold in my head which is anything but agreeable. No news.
Friday, 10th. Have bad cold. Cold & rainy. Went to Lake. Got back about 9 p.m. Had a bad night. I was chilly & my tooth ached some. Stand no guard now.
Saturday, 11th—Have cold & cough. So cold I have to wear an overcoat. The people here seem to think (so I think from what I hear & see) that we Yankees are about used up with the cold because some of us wear overcoats. But they do not stop to think that our overcoat is no more addition to our clothing than their thick shirts, pants, vests, & coats are to their usual thin suit. If I was well, my vest would be all the extra I would want. There has been a 2nd heavy battle at Corinth.
Sunday, 12th—Health and weather same. Dull times.
Monday, 13th—Cold little better. Still quite cold.
Tuesday, 14th—My cold little better. Warmer. Brightened my gun according to Packard’s order. Nearly all of our officers are sick or on detached service so that sergeants act as everything. All quiet on the M. G. R. R.
Wednesday, 15th—Feel about the same. Had toothache so that I didn’t sleep till after two. Went to the Lake. All went fair till we got about one mile from here when, as we were going over a part of the track where the sleepers were rotted off, the track spread letting the car we were in slip between the wheels, tearing off the fore truck & jarring us well but hurting no one. If we had been going at the Northern rate of speed, we might not got off so easy. The rest of the train did not get off.
Thursday, 16th—Feel better. Tooth aches some. Received one paper.
Friday, 17th—Feel better. Tooth aches some. Went to lake.
Saturday, 18th—Health, tooth and weather the same. Received a letter from home. Business is good in the North, while here there is nothing done. It is said we are going to Carrollton.
Sunday, 19th—Health, tooth & weather same. Some squads of men were ordered in today & came in, but went back again. Colonel says we’ll not be relieved even if the regiment goes. Wrote home. Birge’s order has proved a failure.
Monday, 20th—Feel well. Pleasant but chilly night & morn. News from North says [President’s] Proclamation goes well.
Tuesday, 21st—Health & weather same. Seems like October in Maine. 26th Massachusetts relieved the boys at the lake. Regiment goes in the morning.
Wednesday, 22nd—Health & weather same. Went to lake. 26th [Mass.] boys like it well. Regiment left at 8 a.m. & went to Carrollton at Camp Parapet. We are to remain here.
Thursday, 23rd—Feel well. Quite cold. Had to borrow money to buy something to eat as the regiment went off leaving us only 1 days rations. We shall begin to draw rations in a day or two. Guess we won’t be relieved at all. Don’t care.
Friday, 24—Health & weather same. Went to lake. Live on borrowed money yet.
Saturday, October 25—Feel well. Very pleasant till 2 p.m. when the sky began to darken & the air filled with dust & was windy but warm, till 4 when the “Norther” reached us & then it was so cold an overcoat came into play. Went to Carrollton today. It is a dismal looking place. Few houses, covered half with woods and half with low & (when wet) muddy land. Got our rations from chief quartermaster. Received letters & papers.
Sunday, 26th—Feel chilly. Very cold.
Monday, 27th—Feel well. Moderate [weather]. Sergt. [Frank A.] Garnsey has become Captain Co. H, 2nd Louisiana. Wrote to Darius.
Tuesday, 28th—Have diarrhea. Heavy frost & chilly in morning. Pleasant midday & cool at night. Went to lake.
Wednesday, 29th—Well. Weather same. Sergt. Evarts of the 9th Connecticut has charge of us now. Guess he’ll pass.
Thursday, 30th—Health & weather same. Our sergeant treated me to oysters &c. so I was fairly overloaded.
Friday, 31st—Feel well. Pleasant.
Spared & Shared 23 