USA > New York > History of the one hundred and twenty-eighth regiment : New York volunteers (U.S. infantry) ; in the late civil war > Part 3
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It was at this camp where we had our first opportunities to study the slaves in their plantation life and their exaltations in the prospect of freedom. Near by were large sugar plantations, with
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
clusters of Negro huts and the mansions of the planters, often sur- rounded by beautiful orange and magnolia groves. Guard duts around the camp, and especially at the picket posts, was always en- livened by ludicrous scenes, in which the " colored pussun " formed the chief actor. Pawns of hoe-cake and dishes of preserved oranges and figs, with an endless variety of other eatables, were offered for sale. Seldom did the ration of beans, rice and hard-tack satisfy the soldier without some purchased dessert. The jig-dance, often accom- panied by the banjo, would keep a company splitting with laughter, at the expense of a few pennies. The weird plantation songs, in all their purity of Negro dialect and emphasis, would be wafted upon the air of every pleasant evening. The guffaws of "Sambo," and also of "Dinah " were scarcely out of hearing, while the camp was full of these people, ready to pay their devotions to the Northern soldier, who was looked up to as the slave's deliverer. The sugar plantation might be far from an earthly paradise, but surely it had much of sweetness for the Negro. To follow a dray loaded with molasses, and catch with the finger that dripping from the cask was a delight for the boys. Still deeper the enjoyment, to crawl within the cask, which had lost by accident, one head, and most of the con. tents, while a plunge to the middle in a vat, was by no means dis- concerting. The sticky stuff would be worn off the clothing in time for another sweet bath.
The Department of the Gulf was farthest from the touch and sympathy of the North. An express box came from home to a tent mate of the writer. Alas ! the disappointment upon opening it. The cooked chicken was spoiled, the butter strong, the cake mouldy. The only thing which could be used in the tent was the box itself, tucked under the bunk to hold small articles. This was the last attempt to supply our larder from home. Even our letters were two weeks old and the news from the North about as stale, which, amid these stirring times, was the height of mental anxiety.
We thought we had learned what good oranges were at the Quarantine, as we had almost lived upon the juicy ones just from the groves near by, and even the doctors had counted them our best medicine. We were, therefore, much delighted when not far from the camp at Chalmette, we first discovered a large garden surrounded by a high board fence, and within this a line of orange trees, on which was the luscious looking fruit. Not stopping to ask why this tempting bait should so long hang in this exposed place, a rush was
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AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
made for the fence by quite a number of men, and a scramble up through some bushes to get a treat. Pockets were filled to make sure of a good supply and then one must be sampled. Alas to find that stolen fruit is not always sweet. A single taste of the bitter orange was sufficient, and the Yankees had learned another lesson about the South. The pockets were emptied more quickly than filled, and the pickers slunk away from the laugh of comrades who had been a little more tardy in their ascent, but were not to hear the last of the joke for many a day.
The health of the men did not improve rapidly. On the 12th of January it was with difficulty that two-hundred men could be mustered in the Regiment for dress-parade. During these days an average of over fifteen from each company was going to the Doctor for medicine, a much larger number were excused from duty, and many were in the hospital. The long imprisonment on the Arago had proved for the Regiment a worse calamity than many engagements to other troops.
The three companies of the 114th remained with us until the 20th, when they left by steamboat to rejoin their own Regiment.
" PARAPETS. "
On the 7th of February the Laurel Hill again transported us further up the river to the "Parapets, " eight miles above New Orleans. These grounds are so named from a strong earth-work erected, commencing at the river on the north side of the ground and extending to a cypress swamp some two miles distant. On the outside of the breastworks was a wide and deep ditch filled with water which traversed the whole line of works. This structure had been thrown up by the confederates and afterward strengthened by our forces. Several guns were mounted on these works and along the river levee.
The wet and cold weather continued so that little drilling could be done. The camp was located in an old cane-field, close to the river. The ground became exceedingly soft and miry. The ingen- uity of the men was taxed to the utmost to make their habitations comfortable. The tents were raised from the ground by means of rough boards. Deep ditches were dug about them to hold the water. There being no fall to the ground, and also below the level of the river. it was impossible to lead away the water. Sickness still fol- lowed us. On February ISth the chaplain stated that over forty of
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
our regiment had been borne to their graves since we left Hudson, and that full 300 were on the sick list. Chaplain Parker resigned his position at this place and returned North. After this, for nearly two years, we had no such regimental officer. Brigade services were held quite regularly when in camp. A variety in the religious line was occassionly enjoyed by many of the men while at the " Parapets " by going to a colored chapel, a short distance south of the grounds. This building was made of cypress split boards, standing on end, with many wide cracks, rude window holes, and a door fastened by a stick set against it on the outside. There was little danger of any person molesting the furniture within, as everything was of the rudest style. The congregation and the preacher were in harmony with the edifice. The weird Negro chant, the swaying of the people as they listened to the Gospel preached in their homeliest vernacular, the open and public criticisnis of the speaker when anything said was liked or disliked, were all novel to us. "Dat's so, brudder," or "Dat's not so, brudder," was not an infrequent utterance while the preacher was giving his exposition, and if he cared any for popular applause, must have led him to say soft things in order to catch the ear.
COMPANY "C" AT JEFFERSON CITY.
On the 21st of March, Company " C " left the camp and marched to Jefferson City, the northern portion and what was formerly the "Cattle Market" of New Orleans. This section had always borne an unsavory reputation in the days previous to the war, as being the point of congregating for Texas cowboys, gamblers and roughs. Nearly every corner of the main street was still occupied by a drinking saloon. Captain Francis S. Keese was appointed the Prov- ost Marshall of Jefferson City, and Lieutenant Davis, Deputy Mar- shall. Captain Keese established his office in the mansion of Judge Land, who had been one of the "Committee of Eighteen" which passed the Ordinance of Secession in the State of Louisiana. On the arrival of Butler's forces the Judge had left the place in order to get nearer the core of the confederate apple. His property was confiscated. The house was plainly and tastefully furnished within. Without, the grounds were beautiful and quite extensive, with a variety of tropical trees and shrubs. The company was quartered in what was known as the "City Exchange Hotel." There was an abundance of room, with bunks erected for beds in large airy rooms and good apartments for cooking. Within the building were a piano,
REV. JOHN PARKER, Of the Hudson M. E Church. Chaplain of the 128th Regt. Resigned March, 1803.
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AND TWENTY - EIGHTH REGIMENT.
a cabinet organ, and various other instruments of music which had been found in confiscated houses. Music and fun abounded in the quarters much of the time when off duty. The health of the men rapidly improved. The duties of the men were to patr ol the streets, preserve order, and guard the landings. The ferries were places especially desirable to the "Boys" as the boats were generally loaded with melons, fruits of various kinds, and fish in abundance. A generous larder was always maintained in the quarters and great hospitality extended to all the members of the company. Many incendiary fires took place in the city in the attempts to destroy the confiscated houses now belonging to the government. This obliged a regular system of police duty, and the bringing out of some fire engines which the " Boys " knew how to run. On the 26th of April, the Proclamation of President Lincoln for a " Day of Fasting and Prayer " was taken by the writer and a guard to the Presbyterian Church, and the pastor, contrary to his desire, obliged to read it to as many of his congregation as would remain within the house dur- ing the reading. The most of the congregation adjourned to the street until after the reading, when they returned. The pastor plainly told the soldiers that he would not read this unless compelled by the order of the military powers. It became necessary for the Provost Marshall to send his men to the various churches on the appointed Fast Day to see that the orders were carried out. Brief services were held in each church.
When General. Butler took possession of New Orleans and vicinity, in April, 1862, he allowed as many men as desired to remain peaceably within our lines to register themselves as enemies. Near the first of May, 1863, General Banks, who now assumed command, issued an order that all such "registered enemies" should take the oath of allegiance to the United States within a limited time or leave our lines. On the 7th and 8th of May, Provost Marshall Keese, sent out his squads of men to warn these people and carry out the order of General Banks. The greater part of the people had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States at the time of Gen. Butler's order. Some had stood on their honor, as bound by their oath to the confederacy, and now they preferred to abandon all their possessions and go outside our lines. The registered enemies were mostly of the wealthy class. The men generally admitted the consistency of the clemand made upon them in the order of General Banks, but sharp were the tongue-lashings which the soldiers received from women
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
who were living in elegant and luxurious mansions, and who now were compelled to leave nearly everything and go forth to privation and almost want.
This provost duty was performed to the credit of the company, and to the satisfaction of the military authorities until the 19th of May. At 10 P. M. of that date orders came to remove all unneces- sary articles from knapsacks and be ready to move. Before morning the company had rejoined the regiment at Camp Parapet.
GAINESVILLE.
During this time the Regiment had not remained altogether idle in camp. On the 18th of April, the men struck tents and marched over the Shell Road, past the famous Metaire Race Course to Hic- kock's Landing and embarked on the Steamers Empire Parish and J. M. Brown. They now started on an expedition across Lake Ponchartrain to Fort Pike and Moccasin Bayou, destroying consider- able property on the way, and thence to Gainesville, in Mississippi. The village of Gainesville is situated on the banks of Pearl River. A part of the Regiment was landed below the town and made a detour through the woods to get in the rear of the place, while the steamers with the larger force steamed direct for the town. Much valuable information was obtained, besides capturing a large quantity of property, consisting of one steamboat, the A. G. Brown, several small boats, 222 barrels of rosin, 164 barrels of tar, 10 bales of' cotton, etc. " After capturing the property and gaining such infor- mation as was desirable, the expedition returned to camp on the 22d of April, without the loss of a man, and not an accident occurring." The value of the citizen soldier was plainly shown in the carrying off of the property captured. The engine of the captive steamboat was found disabled by the removal of some necessary parts. A call was made for engineers, when several responded. The parts were found and replaced, the engine started, and the boat successfully carried a part of the victorious troops and the property captured. back to the " Parapets." "The Regiment was highly complimented by Brig .- General Sherman, under whose personal orders it was acting, for the behavior of the men, and for the manner in which the expedition was conducted, as the results gained were of immense value to the government. This was the first active duty performed by the Regiment after its arrival in this department. A new spirit seemed to be infused in officers and men by the success which
1
PALMER C. COLE, M. D., Of New York City, Surgeon of the 128th Regt.
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AND TWENTY- EIGHTH REGIMENT.
attended their first efforts." To the citizen soldier, there is nothing more irksome than a round of camp duties, with the cleaning of streets, polishing brass and equipments, and mere dress-parades. Everyone felt there was a great struggle going forward to maintain a united nation, and he had enlisted to do something in this mighty contest. To be dying off as sheep because poorly housed and pas- tured, was worse than to fall in the face of the foe. There is always new life produced by activity, and nothing short of push and effort would suit men of the North.
Rebel guerrilla parties several times attempted to cut the levee above our camp and drown us out. After one man had been killed and eight captured by us, they concluded to stop this annoyance.
PONCHATOULA.
On the 12th of May another expedition was formed. The Regiment in conjunction with the 6th Michigan Infantry, the whole under the command of Colonel Clark of the 6th Michigan, proceeded up the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad to Manchac Pass. The bridge having been burned we embarked and crossed in flat boats and marched to Ponchatoula. "We made, " says Lieutenant Ben- son in his Journal, "a very fatiguing march over the burned and broken trestle work which extended for several miles through the most dense jungle and morass I had ever seen. It teemed with aligators, snakes of enormous proportions, lizards and reptiles of every description. The whole scene formed a picture that only the heart of Africa could duplicate. Toward night we came in sight of the town of Ponchatoula. " It was supposed that this place was occupied in force by the enemy, but there were no troops except cavalry, who on the approach of our forces took good care to keep out of the way. Some sharp skirmishing was indulged in by the retreating foe and our advance. Three companies of the 128th were sent out with the First Texas Cavalry on a scout further up the river, which they extended some twenty-five miles, On this advance, they destroyed much property such as shoe-factories and other material of use to the enemy. It is needless to say that each soldier realized that he was invading an enemy's country and that it was quite essen- tial to keep up his individual strength by making a personal use of contraband goods in the shape of chickens, ducks and pigs. We occupied the town until the 19th, when the whole force again returned to the " Parapets, " without loss to itself, but with many prisoners, a large proportion of whom were Choctaw Indians belong-
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
ing to a rebel Indian Battalion. New laurels of success being now worn, the men were still more elated in spirits
During these months, since the arrival of Bank's Expedition in Louisiana, portions of the Union troops had been far more active than our own Regiment. On assuming command, General Banks ordered Brig-General Cuvier Grover to take all the troops that were in a condition for service at once to Baton Rouge under the protec- tion of the fleet, and there go into winter quarters. Grover took with him 4,500 men. When all were assembled at Baton Rouge, there were twelve Regiments, three battalions and two troops of cavalry. The small force of confederates which had occupied the place promptly left on the approach of the Northern forces. Grover landed and occupied the city on the 17th of December. Major- General Christopher C. Augur then went up, took command, and strengthened the lines of defense, as a rebel force of 12,000 or more was known to be at Port Hudson, a day's march distant.
OTHER POINTS OCCUPIED.
An attempt was made to occupy Galveston, Texas, on the Ist of January, 1863, which proved a signal failure, and by which Banks lost three river steamers, and 430 men, in killed, wounded and miss- ing.
In the second week of January it was learned that General Taylor, of the confederate army was planning an attack on the out- lying Union force at Berwick Bay. General Weitzel, who had command of this post, determined to strike the first blow. For this purpose he concentrated his whole force of infantry and artillery and a small troop of cavalry. On the morning of January 13th the advance was made, moving up to the junction of the Teche with the Atchafalaya, and then up the Teche to where the rebel gun-boat Cotton, was ready to meet an attack. A brisk fight occurred, in which one lieutenant and forty-one men of the enemy were captured, and the Cotton disabled and afterward blown up by her crew. Gen- eral Weitzel returned to LaFourche, having sustained a loss of one officer and five men killed, and two officers and twenty-five men wounded.
NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS FORMED.
Orders were sent by the war office at Washington, dated January 5th, 1863, putting all the forces in the Department of the Gulf in one command, designated as the Nineteenth Army Corps, to take effect
--
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AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
December 14th, 1862, with General N. P. Banks as the Corps com- mander. "To Augur was assigned the First Division ; to Sherman, the Second ; to Emory, the Third ; and to Grover, the Fourth. * * To each division three batteries of artillery were given, including at least one battery belonging to the regular army, thus furnishing, except for the second division, an experienced regular officer as Chief of Artillery of the division. * * * When all had joined, the whole force available for active operations, that should not uncover New Orleans, was about 25,000. Two-thirds, however, were new levies, and of these, half were nine months men."-Irwin.
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
SECTION V. PORT HUDSON.
The chief purpose of the Army of the Gulf was to keep the Lower Mississippi open. This was not difficult, until the confeder- ates constructed their works at Port Hudson, and strongly manned this place with 12,000 men and twenty-nine heavy guns. Here was an impassible barrier, which must be removed. Until Banks reached New Orleans, he was not aware that the rebels were in force at any point on the river, except Vicksburg. Before the new Commanding General could get together his forces and put them in motion, the enemies had increased to 16,000. There was no communication with either Grant on McClernand further up the river. There was noth- ing known of their plans or movements. These Generals in com- mand were alike ignorant of the movements of the column from the Gulf. There could be no concerted action between the co- operating forces. The one thing for Banks to do was to capture Port Hudson, and by this means open the communication. At the same time the river below must be kept open to his transports. Gen- eral Taylor had about 4,500 confederate troops in Western Louisi- ana, which could be readily moved to different points along the river.
RUNNING PORT HUDSON BATTERIES.
Banks left General T. W. Sherman to cover New Orleans, and Weitzel to care for LaFourche. He, himself, had a marching column, composed of Augur's, Emory's and Grover's divisions, 15,000 strong. On the 9th of March the troops began to be moved up the river. It was the 12th before the last vessel reached Baton Rouge. About 3,000 men were detached to hold this place. Arragements were now made for Farragut to run his fleet past Port Hudson batteries on the evening of March 14th. To assist in this, the land forces set out on the afternoon of the 13th. At 2 P. M. of the 14th, the signal officers, under the protection of these forces, opened communication from Springfield Landing, with the fleet at anchor near the head of Prophet Island. The land forces lay along the roads from Ross Landing to Springfield Landing, with strong detachments guarding all the approaches, on account of the 1,200 confederate cavalry known to be in that region. About 10 o'clock at night, Farragut
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AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
weighed anchor and moved with his fleet up the river. They met a hot fire from the enemy's batteries and sharp-shooters. By the early light of the next morning the Hartford and Albatross had passed the danger and were safely above Port Hudson. Four other gun- boats, more or less injured, were back at their anchorage below the batteries, while the Mississippi had been abandoned, blown up and burned. Farragut was henceforth to be above this place, and to have the control of the river up to Vicksburg, at the same time cutting of the supplies of the enemy, in any large amounts which might come by the Red River or the roads from Galveston and Matamoras, and hence from the European blockade runners. No attempt was made by the land forces, on account of a change in plans made by Farragut as to time, and also the fear that the enemy was too strong to warrant any actual attack upon the works. Banks now retreated to Bayou Montesana, eight miles north of Baton Rouge. Several attempts were made to communicate with Farragut, by crossing the neck of land on the west side of the river opposite Port Hudson. These proved in vain, as Farragut had pushed on up the river.
SECOND ATTEMPT AT PORT HUDSON.
A plan was now proposed to turn Port Hudson by way of the Atchafalaya. This was the conception of Weitzel who had already operated in that section of country and well understood the ground. It met with some opposition because of various other schemes at first, but was accepted by Banks as being the best. On the Sth of April Banks moved his headquarters to Brashear. The massing of the troops at this point was concealed from the confederate General. The advance began on the morning of the 9th. Slight skirmishing was carried on with the enemy as they were pushed back until reach- ing a line of simple breastworks on each side of the Teche from swamp to swamp at Bisland. The nature of the country caused this to be a strong point.
SEEKING A ROAD TO PORT HUDSON.
The confederates made a brave stand, and a fierce battle was fought. Banks had planned to bag the enemy by having General Grover come up the river. A delay in bringing up these forces had allowed a hole in the bag and the enemy escaped in the night. General Grover, in following up the retreating confederates, came upon them at Irish Bend. Here, on an unfavorable piece of ground,
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
the Union forces attacked the enemy quite strongly posted. So bravely did the " Johnnies" fight that General Taylor was able to- draw off his men and again retreat. Before retiring the rebels blew up their gun-boat, Diana, and all their transport steamers, except their hospital boat, which fell into the hands of the Union forces.
OPENING A WESTERN PATH.
A few days after the Queen of the Il'est, a rebel gun-boat, was destroyed, and Banks had gained the control of the Atchafalaya. The confederate army under Taylor now began to dwindle away as they retreated through a section where were their own homes. The retreating enemy was followed by Banks up the Teche causing the destruction of the confederate steamboats and other valuable property, and capturing Fort Burton at Butte-a-la-Rose, with its garrison of sixty men and two thirty-two pounders. Then Cooke, who had command of the bayou fleet of gun-boats, steamed up the Atchafalaya and gained communication with Farragut, who was lying off the mouth of the Red River. In order to keep open this country of Western Louisiana, forces were stationed at Brashear, Butte-a-la- Rose, Franklin, and New Iberia. Taylor with the most of his forces retreated to Alexandria, but small mounted bands were left ready to attack vessels along the rivers and the wagon-trains with army supplies passing through the country.
HEARING FROM GRANT.
On the zist of April, a dispatch reached General Banks from Gen. Grant. Then began the communications by which these officers could better plan for co-operation, and yet by which each learned he could not rely upon the expected help from the other. Each General had all he could do in his own department and needed more forces than could be obtained. The efforts to co-operate and the time required for communications to pass, caused a delay in carrying on the campaign of both the Upper and Lower Mississippi. Yet each department did depend upon the other. The grave situation is stated by Colonel Irwin in his History of the Nineteenth Army Corps. "Since the miscarriage of Sherman's attempt at the beginning of the year, Grant had been engaged in a series of tentative efforts. steadily prosecuted in various directions, yet all having a common object, the finding of a foothold of dry ground for a decisive move- ment against Vaisburg. Your of these experimental operations had failed completely, and Grant was now entering upon a fifth, destined
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