CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
ComeH University Library 
 E520.5 8th 
 
 A history of the Eighth Re^ment of New 
 
 iiiiiHiiHiiiii 
 
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 3 1924 030 907 871 
 
The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030907871 
 
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HISTORY 
 
 EiGHTfi Regiment 
 
 New Hampshire Volunteers 
 
 INCLUDING ITS SERVICE 
 
 INFANTRY, SECOND N. H, CAVALRY, AND YEOAN BATTALLION 
 
 CIVIL WAR. OF 1861=1865, 
 
 COVERING A PERIOD OF 
 
 THREE YEARS, TEN MONTHS, AND NINETEEN DAYS, 
 
 jc:)h:n x\i. stanyan, 
 
 1,ATE Captain of Cumpany B. 
 
 CONCORD, N. H. : 
 
 Ika C Evans, Printer, 13 and 15 Capitol Street. 
 
 1892. 
 
5o tl?e /r\emory 
 
 OF 
 
 THE HEROIC DEAD 
 
 OF 
 
 The Eighth Regiment 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS, 
 
 AND THE 
 
 Host of Departed 
 Patriotic Men and Women 
 
 Who bore their share 
 ' ' Of the burden and heat of the Day ; " 
 
 TO THE 
 
 LIVING VETERANS 
 
 AND ALL 
 
 WHO AKH LOYAL 
 
 TO THE 
 
 FLAG 
 
 whose supkemact 
 
 The Soldiers Maintained, 
 
 THIS BOOK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY 
 DEDICATED. 
 
' The fittest place for man to die, 
 Is where he dies for man." 
 
 ~ Mv:ka£l J, Barry in Dublin Nation^ 1846. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 Introductory. 
 
 Names of Principal Contributors. 
 
 Names and Dates of Battles and Principal 
 Actions. 
 
 Preface. 
 
 Contents of Chapters. 
 
 History. 
 
 Index. 
 
 Detached Roster. 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 EIGHTH NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 HISTORICAL CIRCULAR. 
 
 At a meeting of veterans of the Eighth Regiment, New Hampshire 
 Volunteers, held in Nashua on November 4, 1889, to consider the matter 
 of having a history of said regiment written, an organization was formed 
 for that purpose. Col. Hawkes Fearing was elected president and Lieut. 
 George W. Bridges, secretary. An executive committee of five was 
 also chosen, Col. D. W. King being chairman. Comrade B. S. Woods, 
 treasurer. 
 
 In order to get the necessary data which will be of value in fixing dates 
 and places, accounts of battles, camp life, marches, imprisonment, etc., 
 this circular is sent by the historian to surviving soldiers and also to any 
 relatives of deceased soldiers who may be thought to be in possession of 
 diaries and letters which contain incidents of army experience. 
 
 There is, of course, a delicacy felt in placing such diaries and letters 
 in the hands of a stranger, but be assured that they will be examined 
 only by the historian, who will have no time nor inclination to seek for 
 anything but the salient points that go to make- up the soldier's army life. 
 Parties sending such will see that full directions are enclosed, where and 
 to whom the packages are to be returned ; due credit will be given in the 
 book to all senders of important information. Parties will confer a favor 
 by sending immediately upon a postal the names and addresses of the 
 relatives of deceased soldiers. 
 
 It is proposed to place upon its pages a number of portraits, accompa- 
 nied by the name, company, and a line of sketch ; such portraits can be 
 taken fi-om any common card pictures, ambrotypes, etc. The picture of 
 any veteran of the Eighth is entitled to such a place, and will be esteemed 
 of great value by his descendants in the coming years when time's " dis- 
 tance lends enchantment to the view." Such portraits- wh-en sent should 
 
8 Introductory. 
 
 be plainly labeled on the back with the name of the soldier, and to whom 
 and where to be returned. The cost of insertion will be $6. 
 
 The book will be ready for delivery within two years ; it will be printed 
 and bound in good style, and. will contain about five hundred pages. 
 The possible price will be $3, but parties ordering one or more copies 
 before April i, 1890, can have them for $2.50. Pictures and cash should 
 be registered if sent by mail. All orders for the history and all inquiries 
 about pictures, or packages' containing pictures and cash should be sent to 
 B. S. Woods, Nashua, N. H. All other matters to 
 
 Capt. J. M. STANYAN, Historian, 
 
 MiLFORD, N. H. 
 
 Other comrades who were present or afterwards joined 
 the organization were — Capt. J. M. Blanchard ; Surg. 
 Sam. G. Dearborn; Lieuts. Shattuck, Miles, Newhall ; 
 Principal Musician H. J. Durgin ; Sergt. Willis Ball; 
 Corp. S. Williams; Comrades C. E. Buzzell, B. S. 
 Woods, X. E. Mills ; Lieut. O. H. Stickney ; F. C. Ban- 
 croft; Lieut. H. G. Cushing ; Corp. W. H. Story; A. 
 N. Goodwin, C. P. Stevens. 
 
 The " circular" was sent to the known address of every 
 veteran of the Eighth, to newspapers in the State, and 
 through every avenue where it was thought possible to 
 give or get any information ; and the result is the following 
 work, which, although not sent forth at the time above set, 
 could not have had so much valuable matter in it if less 
 time had been taken, as our most valued contributions 
 came in late. 
 
 If mention of individuals is omitted, or their laudable 
 deeds are unrecorded, the reason is that accounts of such 
 did not reach the historian. As time passed on and the 
 work grew, the lack of the records of many men and 
 deeds became painfully apparent ; but much that is new to 
 most of the veterans has come in, and so the whole goes 
 forth to seek the sympathetic company of the vanishing 
 few, who will over its pages recall many scenes of their 
 active campaigning in the Southwest, when in the vigor 
 
Introductory. 9 
 
 of youth or early manhood they bade defiance to the perils 
 of disease and of war in order to maintain the integrity of 
 the Union. 
 
 In passing, it is proper to give credit to the State of New 
 Hampshire for doing so much to put on record the military 
 history of each soldier. 
 
 In this book little is said, except in the " personals," 
 about the promotions, for, under the able supervision of 
 Adjutant-General Ay ling, the roster will be as com- 
 plete as possible. There, each soldier will have a place, 
 and as far as type and space is concerned, it should be 
 satisfactory. 
 
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTORS. 
 
 Col. D. W. King, Letters (printed)'. 
 
 Capt. T. C. Prescott, Letters and Diary. 
 
 Maj. Gen. Halbert. E. Paine, Diary. 
 
 Principal Musician Henry J. Durgin, Letters and Diary. 
 
 Mrs. A. C. Waldron, Chaplain's Diary. 
 
 Mrs. Mary A. Lull, Papers and Letters. 
 
 Capt. D. B. Newhall, Letters. 
 
 Lieut. T. M. Shattuck, Diary. 
 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan, Letters. 
 
 Lieut. J. M. Langley, Letters. 
 
 Corp. J. F. Chandler, Roster and Letters. 
 
 Sergeant John Farley, Letters. 
 
 Comrade R. Howarth, Jr., Letters. 
 
 Dr. F. A. Dearborn, " Southern Historical Society 
 
 Papers." 
 " Sam" and the " Unknown," Papers on Port Hudson. 
 Unsigned Papers. 
 
 In the body of the book credit will be given to all con- 
 tributors. 
 
RECORD AND DATES OF BATTLES AND 
 ACTIONS. 
 
 1. Georgia Landing, La., October "27, 1862. 
 
 2. Fort Bisland, La., April 12, 13, 1863. 
 
 3. Seige of Port Hudson, La., May 25 to July 8, 1863. 
 
 4. Natchitoches, La., March 31, 1864. 
 
 5. Piney Woods, La., April 2, 1864. 
 
 6. Wilson's Farm, La., April 7, 1864. 
 
 7. Sabine Cross-Roads, La., April 8, 1864. 
 
 8. Cane River, La., April 23, 1864. 
 
 9. Monett's Bluff, La., April 24, 1864. 
 
 10. Bayou Rapides, La., April 26, 1864. 
 
 11. Snaggy Point, La., May i, 1864. 
 
 12. Alexandria (Wilson's Landing), May 14, 1864. 
 
 13. Marksville, May 16, 1864. 
 
 14. Bayou De Glaize, or Moreauville, May 17, 1864. 
 
 15. Yellow Bayou, May 18, 1864. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Just as this volume is going forth into the world, not to 
 be recalled, as goes a child upon the untried and turbulent 
 sea of life, my eye catches the opening sentence of Gen- 
 eral Butler's new book, which reads thus: "The preface 
 of a book is usually written after the book is finished and 
 is as usually left unread. li is not, therefore, as a rule, 
 either a convenience or a necessity. I venture, however, 
 to use it at the outset as a vehicle for conveying the pur- 
 poses of writing this book at all." 
 
 I will use the above quotation as a preface to a preface, 
 as does General Butler, knowing, as no doubt he does, 
 that the shrewd, intelligent, and earnest reader always 
 reads a preface. Indeed some smart critics, knowing that 
 generally the key-thought of the work is therein, will read 
 only that and write therefrom their review, trusting that 
 their arrows shot from a bow drawn at a venture may 
 strike " between the joints of the harness," and perhaps — 
 kill someone. The character of the composition should be 
 determined by the audience. The orator adapts his words, 
 his tone, and his manner to those before him ; the writer is 
 to have an audience, and he naturally queries who it is to 
 be. In this case he assumes that the veterans, their wives, 
 and sons and daughters will be the most interested 
 readers, and it is announced that the main " style" will be 
 of the camp-fire order, varying according to impulses. 
 
 The committee on publication gave the editor carte 
 blanche to conduct the work as he pleased, and he intends 
 to avail himself of the privilege. He wishes to intrude 
 
14 Preface. 
 
 himself as little as possible upon these pages, yet will 
 unhesitatingly ' ' come to the front " when justice to the 
 Eighth Regiment demands and its honor is at stake. 
 
 The French writer, Lamartine, said more than forty 
 years ago in his " Confessions," that " the ' Ego' or ' I ' 
 excites interest and rivets attention." So I wrote in an- 
 swer to one of my correspondents who wished to remain 
 incog., " No, I shall attach your name to your facts and 
 they shall stand or fall together." In regard to the " Un- 
 known" and " Sam," their cases are peculiar and must be 
 accepted. 
 
 Many personalities here printed are extracts from printed 
 matter more than a quarter of a century old. In the main 
 writing, the compiler is in sympathy with the opinion of 
 Mr. William Todd, a regular writer in the " New York 
 Tribune," who in that paper, which has a high literary 
 reputation, under date of August 3, 1889, in speaking of 
 "Regimental Histories," says: "Personal recollections 
 of the parts taken in the campaigns should be intro- 
 duced ; the more the better." Again, he says : " What is 
 called ' literary style ' is not looked for in the writings of 
 soldiers; Grant, Sherman, J. E.Johnston, Sheridan, and 
 Beauregard made no pretensions to being ' literary fellows,' 
 and yet their memoirs compare favorably even in this 
 respect with those of any other military men whose writ- 
 ings have become classic in many languages." With all 
 respect for Mr. Todd, we assert that the authors whom he 
 quotes had the advantage of a liberal education at West 
 Point. 
 
 In respect to style, the writer has none cultivated. 
 As it is, it is his own, somewhat odd and staccato per- 
 haps, at times, in expression, but he hopes not cloudy or 
 obscure. The Rev. Starr King, at one time in the writer's 
 hearing, in a platform lecture, referred to the planets as 
 being rather erratic in their courses, swaying and swinging 
 through space, but coming around at the year's or cycle's 
 
Preface. 15 
 
 end on exact time. So the author hopes, in the peculiar 
 language of the day, " to get there all the same," on time 
 and over a course well " staked out " with facts. 
 
 We are much indebted to those who, it will be readily 
 seen, have furnished valuable matter through diaries and 
 letters. Without it the book could not have been written. 
 More might have been sent forward, but the compiler has 
 spared no pains to get what has been written, and it is 
 enough to give a history of our organization. If we had 
 waited we should have lost some part which we have 
 gained. It is time that the history was written, for the 
 comrades are fast passing away. Within the last two 
 years four prominent members have died, and at this wait- 
 ing one whom we can least spare lies almost helpless 
 between the two worlds. 
 
 By the use of the " Historical Circular" three hundred 
 and fifty comrades have been found since the writ- 
 ing commenced. It is safe to assume that nearly five 
 hundred are living. In ten years this number will be 
 sadly diminished; but there arises — there has arisen a 
 youthful and sturdy army of sons and daughters of veter- 
 ans, who, together with their descendants, will be interested 
 in the patriotic work of their ancestors. I propose to com- 
 pile this book as inscribed upon the dedicatory page, in 
 memory of the " Heroic " and tenderly remembered 
 " Dead'' of the Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers, and 
 for the immediate use and pleasure of the living veterans, 
 their descendants, and all loyal men and women of the 
 State, so that a just and lofty pride in the military achieve- 
 ments of the volunteers of 1861-65 shall be nourished and 
 maintained, remembering that our campaigning was done 
 under adverse circumstances, in a most trying climate; 
 that the fortunes of war drove us nearly always up in the 
 advance, at the extreme front, or in as important a posi- 
 tion, protecting a threatened rear on forced retreats. We 
 challenge denial from any quarter, but that Port Hudson 
 
I 6 Preface. 
 
 would have been taken on June 14, 1863, if the charging 
 column had followed in the path that the Eighth New 
 Hampshire and the Fourth Wisconsin opened for it, after 
 drawing the fire of the enemy. On the Red River retreat, 
 too, the regiment, as the " Second New Hampshire 
 Cavalry " is complimented for its continued fighting and 
 its endurance, as will be seen from the transcripts of 
 " Orders" to be found in their proper place in the body of 
 the book. 
 
 In speaking of the " heroic dead" whom we lost in our 
 Southern campaigning, the veterans mean to emphasize 
 every letter of the words. They are not unmeaning to 
 soldiers ; those lost from our ranks were to us as brothers, 
 and their final sacrifice has struck us to the heart. All 
 small bickerings and differences, if any existed, are swept 
 away by our admiration of their conduct ; and we are glad 
 in these later years to pay our annual visit to the graves of 
 a common brotherhood and lay upon them beautiful 
 tokens of the love and esteem with which we regard the 
 dead soldiers of the Republic. 
 
 In gathering information, the veteran knows that the 
 individual soldier, to some of whom we are indebted for 
 note books, saw, especially in action, only within a cir- 
 cle of a short radius, yet each one's experience is a volume, 
 and if we could obtain the one or two thousand such vol- 
 umes and should reduce them with skill and judgment into 
 one, we should have a history near to perfection. But 
 that is impossible, so we go on with what light and help 
 may come from any quarter. A good deal of pains has 
 been taken by correspondence, etc., to verify important 
 statements, but it must be recollected that such a work as 
 this cannot have the time, labor, and money spent upon it 
 that should be to make it absolutely correct. One great 
 advantage that we do have is the government's " Official 
 Records," both Union and Confederate, also the " Southern 
 Historical Society's Papers" (in regard to Port Hudson), 
 
Preface. 17 
 
 which are highly interesting and instructive from their 
 point of view. 
 
 We are just in time to catch the freshly issued " Official 
 Records " of the disastrous second Red River expedition, 
 which will supplement our own well authenticated accounts. 
 
 The culling and writing has been done on the plan that 
 whatever interested the compiler who was looking over 
 the whole ground, would interest the reader, which will 
 account for the introduction of some matter which to the 
 careless eye might seem to be simply " padding." But it 
 is not intended to pile words upon words, " Pelion upon 
 Ossa," in order to reach a height or fill space. The 
 supreme question is not how much interesting matter to 
 ■put in, but really what and how much to kee^ out. 
 
 Rather temperate language will be used in describing 
 the doings of individuals and organizations. In regard to 
 our own, I shall endeavor to collect and record reliable 
 facts gathered from many sources, so that the long-delayed 
 credit due to the Eighth New Hampshire shall be estab- 
 lished as a matter of history, fortified by the length of its 
 term of service, its varied service, and the respect and 
 commendation gained from its commanders in the camp 
 and field ; so that its loyalty, steadfastness, and valor shall 
 be evidenced by its deeds, needing no undue flattery. 
 
 The Historian. 
 
CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 New Hampshire. Old England. Camp Currier. "Sam." Organiza- 
 tion of the Regiment. The "Unknown." The Real "Pious 
 Eighth." Going South. Departure. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Fort Independence. Clams and Drills. C. S. A. Secretary Benjamin 
 to General Lovell at New Orleans. Lovell enlightens Benjamin. 
 J. Davis to Governor Moore. B — Brutus. " E. Wilder Farley." 
 Six Companies embark. Bird's feye View of Ship Island and Gen- 
 eral Phelps. Ship Island. Burial at Fort. Four Companies em- 
 bark for Ship Island on Ship, "Eliza and Ella." Lieutenant King 
 upon the High Seas. Nassau. Union and Confederate Reports 
 on Ship Island. Lovell to Benjamin. General Butler arrives. 
 Life on Ship Island. Lieutenant Colonel Lull goes to Fort Macomb. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 New Orleans. George W. Cable. The Brooklyn. A Look Ahead. The 
 Navy. Farragut. The Passage of the Forts. General Paine's 
 Diary. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 General Butler in New Orleans. Generals Lovell and Duncan's Report, 
 C. S. A. The Mob. United States Troops take Possession. 
 Lieutenant King's Diary on Forts Pike and Macomb. Essays on 
 the Mosquito and Negro. Off for Camp Parapet. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 General Butler's Rule in New Orleans. The Flag insulted. " Soldier's 
 News Letter" and Contents. Order No. 28. General Butler 
 superseded. His final Addi'ess. Gen. J. W. Phelps. The 
 
20 Contents of Chapters. 
 
 Negro. Banks assumes Command. The Regiment again to- 
 gether. The "Creole." The Regimental Hospital. Dr. Samuel 
 G. Dearborn, Personal. Company A in Carrolton. Funeral of 
 General Williams. Colonel Fearing in Command. General Butler 
 at Camp and Saluted. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 For Pass Manchac, Companies A, B, G, and K. The "Trestle." A 
 Week's Tramp and Return. A second Trip with Companies G and 
 H. Surprised a Rebel Picket ; took Prisoners. Return and a Move 
 to Camp Kearney. Grand Review in New Orleans. Up the Mis- 
 sissippi. Donaldsonville. A Reconnaisance. Battle of Georgia 
 Landing. Captains Warren and Kelliher killed. Tigerville. Inci- 
 dents. Repairing Railway. Sergeant John Farley, Personal. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Thibadeau. The Poet and Patriot, Richard Dalton Williams. A 
 Monument raised by Companies C and K. Lieutenant Colonel Lull 
 as Provost Judge. A Hanging. The "Court." Niggers Bob, 
 Dude, and Jim. The Regiment at West Baton Rouge. Destruc- 
 tion of the Rebel Steamer, "Cotton." At Baton Rouge. Indian 
 Village. Target shooting. Improved Firearms of to-day. The 
 Chaplain enjoys a Sunday's Preaching. The Lobby at Washington. 
 Damage to Property. At Algiers. Officers of Eighth under Arrest. 
 At Baton Rouge. Preparing to advance on Port Hudson. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 General Bank's Powers by Authority from Washington. Communicates 
 with General Grant. March on Port Hudson. The "Hartford" 
 and "Albatross" pass the Batteries. Lieut. G. W. Bridges, Per- 
 sonal. " Rattlesnake Swamp." A Mudstorm and Whiskey. Back 
 to Baton Rouge. To Algiers. For Berwick City. Pattersonville. 
 Battle of Bisland. General Paine plants our Regimental Flag on 
 the Works. Gunpowder and Whiskey. That Steer. Two of them. 
 On to Franklin. General Grant going to Port Hudson. Company 
 G mounted. At New Iberia. St. Martinsville. Vermillionville. 
 At Opelousas. Army reviewed by General Banks. Banks to Grant. 
 Diary Letter. Marched to Alexandria. 
 
Contents of Chapters. 21 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Official Extracts. Halleck, Banks, Grant. Confederate Extracts. 
 Logan, Gardner, Pemberton. On to Port Hudson. Grieson's 
 Raid. Company G. Port Hudson invested. Assault on May 27, 
 1863. Company B to the Left. Charge by the Regiment. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Lull killed. Charge of the Colored Troops. 
 A Mysterious Flag of Truce. Colonel Lull, Per^nal. Banks to 
 Gardner, Flag of Truce. Banks and Halleck's Correspondence. 
 Confederate Account. "Southern Historical Society Papers.'" 
 Inside Port Hudson. March to Clinton. Chaplain's Diary. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Union and Confederate Preparations. Order of the Assault on June 14. 
 Company G returns to Rgghnent. Banks demands the Surrender. 
 General Paine forms his Division for the Assault. The Assault. 
 Fifty-third Massachusetts, Colonel Kimball, Adjutant Willis' 
 Account. Confederate Account. Personal Experiences by differ- 
 ent Parties. Banks calls for a Storming Column. Our depleted 
 Regiment. Flag of Truce on the 17th. Losses. Corporal C. E. 
 Conant, Personal. Firing on the Wounded, and the Relief. 
 General Paine's Arrest at Baton Rouge in 1862. Confederate Out- 
 look from Inside. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Confederate Insubordination in Port Hudson. A Woman shot. Accounts 
 by Lieutenant Freret, C. S. A. Colonel Birge's Report on the 
 Storming Column. The Surrender, Lieutenant Freret, C. S. A. 
 Inspector General Jackson's Report. C. S. A. Casualties. Thanks of 
 Congress to the Union Troops. Official Reports. A Prisoner in 
 Port Hudson. Confederate Opinions. The intelligent Fly and his 
 Products. A Shot comes in from our Side. Creamer, Lieutenant 
 Sea, the Matron, Mule Meat, Spiritus, Beans, Value of Tobacco, 
 Jim of Miles' Legion, Livermore died, the Scabbard, Emerson's 
 Account. General Paine's final Address. Poem on the Charge of 
 June 14th. Incident. Lieutenant Miles, Personal. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Brig. Gen. George L. Andrews in command at Port Hudson. The 
 Brothers Porter and the "Essex." The "Arkansas" destroyed. 
 Death of Admiral Porter and General Sherman, 1891. General 
 Andrews to Colonel Fearing. Col. H. Fearing, Jr., Personal. 
 C. S. A. Officials, Debray, Magruder. Commodore Watson to 
 
22 Contents of Chapters. 
 
 Adjutant-General Cooper. " Court of Enquiry." Lincoln's Proc- 
 lamation. Davis' Proclamation. Retaliation. Three Dispatches. 
 Donaldsonville. Desecration of the Flag at Brashear City. Foreign 
 Complications. "Raise the Flag somewhere in Texas." Sabine 
 Pass Expedition a Failure. Camped at Algiers. At Bisland. 
 Franklin. At Opelousas. Celebration of the Anniversary of Battle 
 of Georgia Landing. Colonel Fearing arrives with Recruits. 
 Mike Fox! Forty-eighth Ohio. What did we eat? The Pipe!! 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Order to change into Cavalry. General McMillan's Order, Compliment- 
 ary. » Re-enlisting. Details from the Regiment. At New Orleans. 
 Thanks of Congress. At Cavalry Drill. OiEcial Order, Battle 
 Flags. History of the Drum Corps., The Second Red River Expe- 
 dition. King Cotton. Sherman to Banks, to General Steele. 
 Distances. Adjutant Prescott's Diary. Started on March 3d up 
 the River. Brashear City from 9th to 13th. General Bank's 
 Report. " Returns of Troops." " Confederate Returns of Troops.'^ 
 Corporal Williams, Personal. Reached Alexandria. On to 
 Bayou Rapides. Confederate Scheme to repossess New Orleans. 
 Proclamation. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Banks to Secretary of War — recommends "Eighth" New Hampshire, 
 to be converted (officially) into Cavalry. Henderson's Hill. Enemy 
 driven in and through Natchitoches. Continual Advance and 
 Skirmishing. April 3d, " White's Store." To and by Pleasant Hill. 
 Action at Wilson's Farm. C. S. A. Magruder to Nichols. General 
 Franklin to Lee. Sherman to Banks, the "Loan" of Tfoops. 
 C. S. A. Generals. Orders of March. Banks' Report of Battle of 
 " Sabine Cross-Roads." Important, Quartermaster's Report. Gen- 
 eral Lee's Report. General Landrum's Article in " National Trib- 
 une." Report of General Lee, C. S. A. Charge of the Second New 
 Hampshire on the Rebel Lines, the Repulse and Retreat — Formation 
 as Skirmishers — holding their Position — short of Ammunition — 
 relieved ^- support Nims' Battery — the Confederate Charge — 
 Bravery of General Banks — a slow Retreat, loss of Wagons, Pris- 
 oners, Rebels bent on Plunder. Durgin's Account of the Charge. 
 A Prisoner. The Second New Hampshire Cavalry at the Extreme 
 Front. Some Criticism. Extracts from General Lee's Report. Inci- 
 dents of the Day, 8th of April. Comrade B. S. Woods, Per- 
 sonal. Account of the Battle by several Comrades. 
 
Contents of Chapters. 23 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Account of battle by Gen. Dick Taylor, C. S. A. His Official Report. 
 Chaplain lost Gold and Pictures. Banks' Report. Retreat to Pleas- 
 ant Hill. The Nineteenth Army Corps. Start for Grand Ecore. 
 C. S. A. Kirby Smith to General Cooper. Taylor to Boggs. Cas- 
 ualties. Lee and Dudley relieved. Chandler's Mule. For Alexan- 
 dria. Cane River Battle. Battle at Monett's Ferry. General 
 Taylor, C. S. A., complains of General Smith. Chrysler's Compli- 
 ment. Occupy Henderson's Hill. Lieutenant Nolan's Ride to Rear. 
 On the March as Rearguard. At Alexandria. Corporal J. F. Chan- 
 dler, Personal. Scout up the River. "Snaggy Point." Back 
 to Camp. Two Days' Scouting down River. Gunboats styck above 
 the Dam. Banks' Report. A slight Review. The Efficiency of 
 Irregular Cavalry. Condition of Second New Hampshire. Friction 
 between Generals Banks and Smith. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Leave Alexandria. Again the Rear Guard. Murder of Lieutenant 
 Cobbs. An Explanation by Comrade Durgin. C. S. A. Gen. Dick 
 Taylor's Report. On the March for Morganzia. On through 
 Marksville, Mansura, continual Fighting. Crossed the Bayou De 
 Glaize. Regiment held the Bridge. Bridge by Orders, set on 
 Fire. Companies B and F on opposite Side, hold back the Enemy. 
 Regiment out of Ammunition. Form on left Second Illinois. 
 Yellow Bayou, May i8th. Dick Taylor attacks. Five thousand 
 General Smith's Infantry march back to meet him. Action at 2 p. 
 M. Second New Hampshire on the Extreme Left. Enemy — trying 
 to turn it. Rebels whipped out and retreat. Official Records Gen- 
 eral Smith, Canby to Halleck, Generals Smith and Arnold. Condi- 
 tion of the Fourth Brigade. Crossed the Bridge of Boats. Itiner- 
 ary. Morganzia. Reviewed by General Sickles. Start for New 
 Orleans and a Furlough. Gen. Dick Taylor's Opinion of the Cam- 
 paign. Lieutenant Cunningham's (C. S. A.). General Smith to 
 Sherman — the Results. General Canby — Important and Cool. 
 Second New Hampshire to go on Furlough. Incidents relating to 
 the Regiment. On Furlough. Capt. T. C. Prescott, Personal. 
 Capt. John H. Prescott, Personal. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 For the Prison, Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. Short Rations and hard 
 Marching. Captain King sick. Guards indulgent. April 17th at 
 
24 Contents of Chapters. 
 
 Camp Ford. A Hole in the Ground. Letters sent Home. 
 " Northers " and hard Rains. A Chess-board and Hunger. A Mid- 
 night Yell! Could give Lessons in Music! Yanks manage to 
 escape. Good for Forty-second Massachusetts, got a Cabin. Got 
 a "Mess.'' Prisoners shot down! Guards left for Home. The 
 " Dump Cart." Captain King got out. Recaptured after Seven 
 Days. Infamous Prison Order. Signed Parols. October 23, Free. 
 Bloodhounds. Some Rations. Statement before Congressional 
 Committee. Capt. D. W. King's Report on Camp Ford. Dogs. 
 Punishments. From Forty-eighth Ohio. A vyhole Regiment Pris- 
 oners. Gamblers "Keno." Shooting. Report of Confederate 
 Prison Surgeon. The murdered Colored Regiment. How Forty- 
 eighth saved their Flag. Fourth of July in Camp Ford. The Con- 
 federate Pedlar. "Home, Sweet Home" by the Confederate 
 Brigade Band. The number of Second New Hampshire Prisoners 
 at Camp Ford. Sergeant Willis Ball, Personal. At New 
 Orleans, October 25. At Natchez, November 13. Regiment doing 
 Provost Duty. Pay Day ! Durgin, Personal. Chief Bugler. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Regiment at Natchez on the Bluff. At Fort McPherson. Colonel Fear- 
 ing at New Orleans in regard to Muster-out. Election Returns. 
 A Court Martial, one Kind. Order No. 20, Formation of Veteran 
 Battalion. Colonel Fearing goes to report with the Regiment at 
 Concord, N. H. Lieutenant Colonel King, Personal. The 
 Veteran Battalion to Vidalia. A Military Execution. Major J. R. 
 Newell, Personal. Black River. A Sergeant of Co. K. Capture 
 of Richmond News. News of Assassination of President Lincoln. 
 Funeral Parade. Special Order, No. 27. Capt. James H. Marshall, 
 Personal. Special Order for Muster-out of Veteran Battalion. 
 In Vicksburg, October 29th. For Cairo. Reception at Cleveland, 
 Ohio. At Concord, N. H. Presentation of Brevet Commissions. 
 Fox's Statistics. Personal Sketches. Major Connelly, Captain 
 Kelliher, Captain Healy, Major Smith, Major Huse, Lieutenant 
 Stickney, Lieutenant Foley, General Emory, General Paine, Colonel 
 Livermore, General McMillan, Captain John Riney, Meetino- of 
 Federal King and Confederate Knowles. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 New Hampshire. — Old England. — Camp Currier. — "Sam." — Organ- 
 ization of the Regiment. — The "Unknown." — The Real "Pious 
 Eighth . " — Going South . — Departure . 
 
 It may be highly interesting to some readers to know 
 what New Hampshire men — and troops — did, years ago. 
 A few lines will be given in relation. The State is a 
 small one with a big record. Our General Sullivan, who 
 led the vanguard at Trenton against the Hessians of Corn- 
 wallis, under the eye of Washington himself, wrote to the 
 governor of New Hampshire as follows: "No men fight 
 better or write worse than our Yankees. General Wash- 
 ington made no scruple to say publicly, that the remnant 
 of the eastern regiments were the strength of his array, he 
 calls them to the front when the enemy are there, he sends 
 them to the rear when the enemy threaten that way. 
 Believe me, sir, the Yankees took Trenton before the 
 other troops knew anything of the matter." These men 
 referred to were six hundred men from New Hampshire. 
 the remnant of four regiments. The record of her troops 
 in the late war shows that they have not yet deteriorated. 
 
 The State has seen and borne arms in ten wars, but no 
 foreign soldier ever set foot on her soil save as a captive 
 or a guest. She was the bulwark of safety for other States 
 against Indian ferocity. She rose against Randolph and 
 the minions of the Stuarts six years before Andros was 
 imprisoned in Massachusetts. At the capture of Louis- 
 burg in 1745, William Vaughan, of New Hampshire, with 
 four hundred men took the royal battery, and with thir- 
 teen men prevented its recapture. Stark and Rogers were 
 at Ticonderoga. New Hampshire was the first province 
 
26 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to banish its royal governor, Sir John Wentworth, gener- 
 ous and beloved as he was, but the foeman of liberty. 
 Her Sullivan and her Langdon captured the first British 
 fort in 1774, ^^^ from its magazine of powder supplied the 
 guns at Bunker Hill. Her Stark and her Reid led to that 
 battlefield twelve hundred New Hampshire yeomen, which 
 was more than one half of the whole American force 
 which fought on that day of glory. Stark with his regi- 
 ment of one thovisand men was ordered on the afternoon 
 of June 17, to move from Somerville and oppose the British 
 army landing from their boats at Charlestown Point. He 
 marched quickly to Charlestown Neck where another 
 New Hampshire regiment under Reid, of Fitzwilliam, 
 joined them. The British men-of-war and floating bat- 
 teries were sweeping the narrow pass with their deadly 
 fire ; the two New Hampshire regiments passed two other 
 regiments, repulsed the flow of the invading army, thus 
 enabling Prescott and his men to withdraw from the 
 redoubt, then, covering their retreat, bringing with them 
 the body of their brave Major McClary, who was slain in 
 the front rank. Stark was outgeneraled by the " foes of 
 his own military household " at the rear, and retired to 
 his farm on the Merrimack, but he was recalled. No one 
 like him could arouse enthusiasm, and gather and com- 
 mand the force necessary to resist Burgoyne, and he did 
 it. The trophies of Bennington are with us. For more 
 than a century they have attested to the valor and endur- 
 ance of the men who marched fifty miles beyond that town, 
 fought two battles in one day, breaking the power of Bur- 
 goyne and saving the country. 
 
 The Athenian said that " to famous men the whole earth 
 is a sepulchre," so with New Hampshire men, as far as 
 our country is concerned ; for their blood has been shed 
 on the soil of every State, and their remains are by ever^'^ 
 great river from Maine to Texas ; from the Charles to the 
 Rio Grande and Red river. In the civil war, they were 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 27 
 
 under all the great leaders on land and sea, and the flags 
 that they carried were never deserted nor desecrated ; and 
 if, in the remote future, some reckless foreign power shall 
 draw the citizen soldier to our borders for defence, then 
 shall a coming generation feel and know their meaning, 
 and swear to add to their accumulated glory. We used to 
 smile at the so called " spread eagle oratory," but when 
 real war was upon us, words became facts. Will it be 
 necessary for each second generation to go through the 
 terrible ordeal of war in order to keep our martial ardor in 
 training so as readily to go to the front in time of danger? 
 It is to be hoped that the fears of many may not be real- 
 ized — fears that the rapidly advancing wealth and conse- 
 quent luxury of the republic shall vitiate the American. 
 Horace Greeley said that " one can't hire God" ; neither 
 can a country hire fighting done for "a principle" and 
 live. The warrior class in such cases must be from the 
 free and independent. Punch laughed when, at the time 
 of the Crimean war, Tennyson wrote a poem beginning — 
 " Form, riflemen, form," and asked, "Where are the rifle- 
 men, will you pick them from the slums of London?" 
 
 We trust that the tendency of this record will be to 
 awaken an enthusiasm, a love of country which shall help 
 to continue, sustain, and preserve it, so that it shall exceed 
 in splendor the old Roman empire ; in sturdy durability, 
 the English constitutional monarchy ; and all, in the virtue 
 which naturally springs from the homes of a really free 
 and untrammeled people. 
 
 In these' later days, when we have sustained the work 
 of the founders, we have been forced to fight foes without 
 our own borders — our old foes, in a different but as dan- 
 gerous a form. Some English critic said that the " Bos- 
 ton of Ralph Waldo Emerson's day did not seem to have 
 been a very strong place, and it lacked performance ;" 
 very vague words, which we will ascribe to British igno- 
 rance rather than to any intelligent seriousness, for that 
 
28 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Boston was the Boston of Garrison and Phillips, Whittier 
 and Parker. It was the headquarters of those and other 
 old-time men of whom the English earl of Carlisle (one of 
 the few) wrote that they were " fighting a battle without 
 a parallel in the history of ancient or modern heroism ; 
 and in regard to the young men, the reading, studious 
 class, who enlisted. Lord Houghton wrote that" They are 
 men whom Europe has learned to honor, and would do 
 well to imitate." The service of these men and its results, 
 gives a measure of the tonic afforded in the Boston of that 
 day. Ralph Waldo Emerson himself was responsible for 
 much of its strength ; he imbued the young martyrs of the 
 civil war with much of that moral heroism which is so 
 touching in the record of their lives ; the village lyceum 
 lecture was the fashion in those days, and that was largely 
 the vehicle on which went out from Boston the new gospel 
 of mind and body freedom which permeated all New Eng- 
 land, New Hampshire getting a big share of it, and when 
 it came to do its perfect work, the result was the fighting 
 of a gigantic evil and the consequent freeing of millions of 
 slaves ; and all this in spite of the desire and adverse sym- 
 pathy of all that appeared influential in Old England, as 
 shown, to quote a prominent instance, in the action of 
 " that grand old man," Gladstone, who had invested fifty 
 thousand dollars in Confederate bonds. The victorious 
 outcome of all stands to-day in American history as a 
 " performance" which, at least, they respect. In noting 
 the senseless attempts at sarcasm indulged in by some 
 prominent Englishmen and their allies and admirers, the 
 innocent pencil of the writer seems ready to trace blue 
 vengeance. There's an inborn dislike for that ignorant 
 class that will crop out. It was strengthened in the mer- 
 chant service when our clippers ruled the seas and a " lime- 
 juicer" was a sailor's " terror," and it was intensified by 
 the lawless course of their devilish piratical torchbearers 
 on the high seas, backed by their gold, their influence, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 29 
 
 and their crafty diplomacy, which encouraged France, our 
 old ally, to turn against us ; which caused our own ill- 
 starred expeditions to Sabine City and the Red river, of 
 which Halleck wrote to Banks on September 30, 1863, 
 " The object is political rather than military," Series 41, 
 page 742, which caused a prolongation of the war for at 
 least two years. Thank God for Abraham Lincoln, who 
 had the true courage, when the cruising of the " Ala- 
 bama " was being discussed before the cabinet, to write 
 finally the simple sentence, " Tell Lord Palmerston that 
 another ' Alabama ' means war !" We will allow due 
 credit to the early efforts in our fa;vor of John Bright ; for 
 the 'sympathy of Victoria, the Queen of England; for their 
 faint but still somewhat effectual resistance to the cupidity 
 and stupidity of the average English bulldog, but the great 
 mass of the cultivated were against us. The veterans have 
 no axes to grind ; no wires to pull. This is not an ephem- 
 eral newspaper page, yet it is believed that the foregoing 
 voices the sentiments of the majority of the soldiers of 
 '61-65, and expresses their honest and untiring indignation 
 at the general course of the English nation and their 
 princely, snobbish attitude towards us during the civil war. 
 At the time of the organization of the Eighth Regiment, 
 the state authorities were busy filling four more regiments 
 of infantry, a battery, a company of sharpshooters, and a 
 battallion of cavalry ; therefore the draft upon the State 
 for men was heavy ; the bounty was small, being only ten 
 dollars, yet the enlisted men of those days were mostly 
 native born, and were decidedly patriotic and reliable. 
 Although the army of recruits that came to us after the 
 decimation of the regiment by disease and battle contained 
 some good men, yet the majority were in sad contrast with 
 the earnest and sturdy volunteers of 1861. The first camp, 
 at Manchester, was named " Currier," in honor of the Hon. 
 Moody Currier, who was a member of the governor's coun- 
 cil, and very active and interested in raising and equipping 
 
30 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 volunteer regiments for the field. The first company, 
 A, mostly from Nashua, went into camp on October 12, 
 1861. Company B followed on October 25. That 
 section of twenty-seven men was mostly recruited in Mil- 
 ford. The company was nearly filled by men from the 
 vicinity of Exeter, who were recruited by Orrin M. Head, 
 who took the position of adjutant of the regiment. 
 
 Little account will now be given of the well known rou- 
 tine of camp life, leaving such details to come in as they 
 may naturally, as the course of the narrative proceeds. 
 One can easily imagine that the daily and close contact 
 with each other of a thousand men of different styles and 
 temperaments, and of diflferent nationalities, would elicit 
 a large quantity of fun, specked with some tragedy ; such 
 was the case. The writer knows of one of the smartest, 
 whose " right about face" was executed by a clear jump 
 and whirl, who ended his career at the end of a rope, 
 being hung there by the rebs for reckless foraging between 
 the lines, and dividing up his allegiance too often between 
 Davis and Uncle Sam. Another was relieved of his ill- 
 gotten gold, and sent gently floating down the great river, 
 lightened of his valuable load. Still others got married 
 down South — not very tragical that, but risky. Yet 
 Love rules in its ideal empire, pursuing its mission amid 
 the roar of battles, the repulsive scenes of the hospital, and 
 often wounding the convalescent, and causing the head of 
 the able-bodied to whirl as erratically as the gyroscope. 
 To begin with, we call attention to one who was mildly 
 affected. You will perceive that "Sam" felt the (inde- 
 scribable) afflatus coursing through his veins. 
 
 The following was the first attempt at regulating the 
 chronological order of the relation of events in this book. 
 After several months' labor in gathering material and writ- 
 ing out detached portions, covering in time the whole rec- 
 ord of the regiment, the editor took his pen in hand to 
 make his first attempt at " blazing a pioneer path " through 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 31 
 
 the forest of diaries, letters, clippings, etc., gathered to 
 make up the history ; he found first at hand a series of 
 letters written by a boy of seventeen, beginning at the time 
 that he enlisted ; and as they are a very ingenious lot of 
 boyish word pictures of incidents and scenes passed 
 through, the owners of the letters were consulted in regard 
 to printing them, thinking that the veterans would be 
 pleased to behold themselves as in a glass (no joke). In 
 order to get the effect of the letters, it has been thought 
 best not to reveal his identity, and so no one will know of 
 his personality unless the party who furnishes the letters, 
 hereafter tells. His photograph, taken after " Sam " had 
 seen two years' service, shows a good looking, keen, and 
 determined fellow. The writer being responsible in a 
 large measure for what is in the book, proposes to call this 
 "infant," for such he was in the eye of the law, (and, too, 
 he served his full term of service in the army before coming 
 of age,) by the name of" Sam Innis Teens," or " Sam" 
 for short. His letters will be published with not much 
 change in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or the use of 
 capitals. He used no tobacco, rum, or profanity. Here 
 follows his enlistment : 
 
 Manchester, N. H., Oct. 3d, '61. 
 Dear Folks, When I was out a visiting, between 
 haying an digging to the Town where cousin Jim lives I 
 enlisted in the " Eighth N. H. Volunteers " with a friend of 
 Jims who is recruiting and is going to get some office I 
 guess and as they are going to choose most all the officers 
 out of the company I stand just as good a chance as any 
 of them. My chum is a real jolly fellow and I call him 
 " Cappen" as I see that he likes it. He is going to recruit 
 some more and says that I had better stay in Manchester 
 and perhaps I can get him some recruits and he will help 
 me too and I may have a Furlow any time I want it and a 
 Pass on the railroad free of Expense but thinks I had better 
 wait till I go into Camp and get my Bounty of 10 dollars 
 and wages which will be $6.50 in two weeks I want 
 
32 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 another shirt to put on, the fireman of the lo oclock train 
 will bring it up and Id like a quarter to spend for paper 
 and stamps I dont like to ask you for I can Draw from the 
 " Cappen" but I hate to before I Earn It. but I must have 
 a shirt or Draw. This is a very funny city and full of 
 strange sights the company of light Artillery are galloping 
 up and down the streets with 6 Horses and 3 Drivers one 
 on each nigh Horse they have brass rifled Cannon and 
 they make an awful Noise I tell you I suppose it is because 
 the streets are rocky I have been down on the common 
 this morning and it did look common I tell you with the 
 fence all broke down and a big mud Hole in the middle 
 and a lot of women getting water there 
 
 I have the best Time you ever heard of, I went and got 
 a Pass at the office of the Stark Mills and went all over 
 them and it was worth a long travel to see It I am going 
 into some more Tomorrow, cotton sells from six to twelve 
 cents a Yard. love to all 
 
 good bye. 
 your Affectionatel}'^ 
 
 "Sam: Innis Teens" 
 
 Manchester, Oct. 17th 1861 
 Dear Sally the cappen comes to town most every day 
 I got a little Money of him & guess 111 have some stockins 
 knit. I shant want any Mittings yet I went to Concord 
 and bid Mr Bird's Folks good bye and got some good 
 advice which is cheap I started to walk to manchester but 
 roy bag got heavy before I got to Hookset and my boquet 
 to Nettie began to wilt so I took the Cars and got the 
 poses to Nettie in season the cappen was glad to see me 
 because he knows Sally is pretty but he dont get to see 
 Nettie I tell you, the boarding mistress is happy because 
 she wants her Money. ^ 
 
 There is a Joseph J. Ladd here recruiting men for the 
 8th N. H. in two Places one place is a tent he is going to 
 be a Cappen and a real live one too the artillery have got 
 all their 126 Horses. One company from Nashua has gone 
 into camp and one into the 7th N. H. you must excuse 
 Mistakes for a boy here is drumming as hard as he can 
 drum learning so he can drum for the eighth regiment and 
 the soldiers are talking so loud it Bothers me, this is the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 liveliest place you ever see two Irish companies are goii 
 Into our regiment all from this city I have been up to o 
 camp ground it is on a high platter and Windy. 
 
 The compiler had not " blazed his path" far before 
 ran across a fragment of a diary by a really, tru 
 " Unknown." The author is short lived, as far as litera 
 work is concerned ; his handwriting is good, and his j( 
 tings are, by the living, declared to be true, so we gi 
 him a right of way, transcribing almost verbatim. He 
 an honest, conscientious, moral fellow, perhaps not ev 
 addicted to the use of tobacco. He has apparently " tak 
 up arms against the sea" of rebellion, "by opposing, 
 end it." His fate is unknown. If he is now living a: 
 sees his lost lines reproduced, he can smile with the n 
 of us. Thus he writes : 
 
 Camp Currier, 
 Manchester, N. H., Oct. 12th 1861. 
 
 Co. A of the 8th N. H. vols, commanded by Caj 
 Wm. M. Barrett, with Lieuts. J. Q^ A. Warren and Da; 
 W. King, after taking leave of their friends in Nash- 
 where the Co. was enlisted started this Saturday mornii 
 at 9 A. M. for camp at Manchester. Notwithstanding t 
 rain that we had to contend with we went at work aft 
 our arrival some in good spirits and some in liquid ba 
 carrying boards and other material for making co( 
 houses and to floor tents, those were pitched at 2 p. iv 
 and at 3. we had a lunch ; as there were no guards aroui 
 we could go evenings to the city or where we pleased, tl 
 lasted until the 17th day of the month, the night of tl 
 1 2th was very cold but we stood it very well, in fact, v 
 had to. Oct. 14th we had the first drill in camp. Cap 
 Barrett as drill master, and the boys will long rememb 
 him and the drill ! Oct. 15th a company of the 7th Re, 
 went into camp ; A. Edgerly of Nashua acting as adjutar 
 
 17th. Today the boys are fretting about a guard beir 
 around the camp, they not being used to being shut u 
 and running of the guard has commenced and night 
 made hideous on the returning of the carousers. 
 
 Oct. 18th. No rubber blankets nor woolen shifts 
 
34 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 shield us from the cold, given out yet, still, we work for 
 the state, in the forenoon marking time, " eyes to the 
 right, eyes to the left" in squad drill, in the afternoon 
 wheeling and stumbling about in Company drill. 
 
 Oct. 23d. Major Morrill B. Smith makes his first 
 appearance on the grounds, he is a fine looking man and 
 the boys are favorably impressed with him, he says that 
 he is going to start a Sunday school for our benefit and 
 good. 
 
 Oct. 26th. This is a notable day for Company " A." 
 The mustering officer came around and with the exception 
 of one all took the oath and were sworn into the United 
 States service. Three were too young and small. At 
 noon we went to the City Hall and got our bounty, our 
 big ten dollars, then the whole Company went to Nashua 
 on furlough. 
 
 Oct. 28th. We take train back to Camp " Currier " and 
 the time, day and night, up to November ist, to tell the 
 cold truth, is spent in shivering, scolding, shouting, snor- 
 ing and by some, I must confess, in swearing. 
 
 Oct. 19, '61. Out of " Sam's " letter of two pages sent 
 home, we pick the facts that he went to " Squog " with the 
 noisy drummer boy, Billy Nelson, to pick chestnuts, and 
 in the evening he attended the " Soldiers' Aid Levee," 
 where he for the first time saw some very attractive young 
 Jadies robed in gorgeous gowns of some starry striped 
 stuff", and no hoops on ! their heads surmounted by huge 
 lop knots and high shell combs, and they were at times 
 blowing with their pretty lips into tin horns to summon 
 and entice admirers to buy pies and candies in order to 
 raise money to squelch the Rebellion ; but the eff"ulgent 
 form of the absent Nettie so satisfied his imagination, that 
 he returned to his boarding mistress with heart and money 
 intact. On November 3, " Sam " announces that 
 
 There is Drill every forenoon and afternoon, two hours 
 each time, and it is good fun, I tell you ! some of our men 
 are awful green and get nothing into them hardly so the 
 Cappen gets me to give them an extra Lesson every day, 
 so you see I am not considered the greenest. Col. Fear- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 35 
 
 ing says that we shall have stoves in our tents right off. 
 Our uniforms came Sat: and It is real pretty my shoes 
 are all burst out and I am out of Stamps but in a week I 
 shall have 25.00 dollars Wages and will come home on a 
 Furlow. 
 
 from your affectionate 
 
 "Sam." 
 
 Our chaplain, the Rev. Daniel P. Cilley, made his first 
 appearance in camp on November i, 1861 ; he was com- 
 missioned on the 4th and mustered in December 28 by 
 Colonel Eastman at Concord, and at once went to " Camp 
 Currier," where he speaks of seeing Governor Berry and 
 the Hon. John P. Hale, on January 2, at a review of the 
 Seventh Regiment. The above is taken from his diary, 
 which, together with extracts from his letters, have been 
 kindly furnished and written out for the history by his 
 daughter, Mrs. Adelaide C. Waldron, of Farmington, N. 
 H., who is a very intelligent and accomplished lady, and 
 in full sympathetic accord with the veterans of the Eighth, 
 having naturally inherited strong patriotic sentiments as 
 one of the Cilley family famous in the annals of our State. 
 A very fine production from her pen graces the " History 
 of the First New Hampshire Regiment," entitled " The 
 Women of New Hampshire in the Rebellion." We are 
 promised by Mrs. Waldron quite an amount of " copy," 
 covering a large part of the campaigns, and as one in the 
 chaplain's position saw matters from a different standpoint 
 from all others in the regiment, the relation will be of 
 interest and the writer will take pleasure in culling and 
 using items of importance in the work. 
 
 From the ' ' Unknown " : 
 
 Nov. ist, '61. Another notable day for co. "A," for, we 
 got our two pairs of drawers, two shirts and two prs. of 
 socks and for a wonder they are pretty good stock : The 
 Chaplain has arrived and he looks as if he felt that we 
 should be a hard lot to start a revival with. It is cloudy 
 
36 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 and cold and we hang to the fires — guard taken off at 8 
 p. M. 
 
 Nov. nth. The wind blew over five of our tents and as 
 we have no overcoats nor stoves we suffer day and night. 
 
 Nov. 14th. Co. A went to Nashua, marched up to the 
 city, stacked arms at the Armory and dispersed to meet 
 at 8 p. M. at City Hall to witness the presentation of swords 
 to our Co. officers. Met according to orders and listened 
 to many speeches by famous speakers. Our Lt. Col. Lull 
 made a good speech and many songs were sung. 
 
 Nov. i6th. Today we were paid our state pay at 
 Cram's Saloon and the boys felt high. 
 
 Nov. 19th. After this good furlough we went back to 
 camp feeling sober on leaving our homes. 
 
 Nov. 22d. Capt. Connelly's Co. C came in today. 
 
 24th. Continued snowing and blowing. Most of Co. 
 A went home today to stay over Thanksgiving. 
 
 30th. Sergeant Peterson's tent took fire today when the 
 company was out on drill burning it and almost every- 
 thing in it, it caught from the funnel. 
 
 Dec. 2d, Monday. The sun 'rose bright and beautiful. 
 Col. Hawkes Fearing of this, our regiment, came upon 
 the camp ground today. It is the first time that I have 
 seen him, he is a fine looking man and I hope that he is 
 a good one. 
 
 4th. Capt. Kelliher's company' K came in this day — 
 only two COS. more wanted, viz. E and 11 to make a full 
 regiment. 
 
 7th. Today clear and bright, went to the depot and 
 escorted Capt. Fiske's Co. E up to camp — wurse and 
 wurse for the Chaplain ! 
 
 Dec. 8th. Warm and Springlike. Many running guard 
 which makes work for the sober ones to go down to the 
 city and into questionable places to find and bring up some 
 of the worst cases, it is strange they will act so, but they 
 may fight well by and by, for all that. 
 
 9th. The regiment is full (no joke). 
 
 i6th. We had another notable day for us, for this day 
 we got our knapsacks, one soldier complained because 
 there were no locks on them. We got our pants and caps 
 which are very good, our coats and blouses are not so 
 good but will hold vermin. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 37 
 
 19th. Warm and we drill ! If there is a Lord in Israel 
 & a God of battles we shall need his help ! 
 
 Up to Jan. 1st. Blowing, snowing and very eold. Col. 
 Fearing refuses to give the boys so many " passes " to go 
 home or to the city. I guess that it is time to stop, for they 
 abuse it. 
 
 Today a Pledge, temperance, was passed around in 
 which a great many of the boys signed it " never to drink 
 for one year," if so, to forfeit ten dollars of their army pay. 
 I guess it wont be kept a great while. 
 
 Jan. 2d. Too rough to drill. The 7th keeps on drilling 
 as if it was fun exercise. 
 
 5th. Gen. Butler came up and today inspected us, also 
 the 7th regiment. We shall go in his division to Ship 
 Island Miss, where at least Januaries are hotter. 
 
 " Sam " has been on his " Furlow " and reports : 
 
 Dec. 4th. Dear Folks, I got back to camp on Monday 
 morning, on guard all day yesterday. The paymaster 
 paid us our bounty so I enclose Six Dollars, as I and 
 mother fixed it : When I get my state Pay I will send 
 25.00 Dollars io buy some Land -with. I dont think I can 
 come home again as a great dispatch has come for us to 
 go to Washington. Roll call is ready and I have got to 
 Go. 
 
 P. S. my Ink froze up and broke the bottle, I send you 
 a thanksgiving dinner Song by our poet, De. Wolfe. 
 
 Dec. 9. Yesterday I had a hard time of It. It was 
 awful wet and muddy, but I ain't complaining : Come to 
 think we shant go to Washington, I guess. I like camp 
 life as well as ever but this military is all Boss, sure, got 
 to go to dress Parade — now. 
 
 29th extract : 
 
 I looked for my Christmas presents and found them at 
 the cappen's in a Box — I took it to my tent and first out 
 of one boot rolled a lot of nuts and out of the other cakes 
 and candy and a Fine tooth comb, a tent mate who has 
 been in the Mexican War says that I shall want that bad 
 in the army, he says that that kind and the other is the 
 only fresh Meat that we are sure of on the march and all 
 round. I had quite a treet, the Boots are cowhide but 
 good ones ; We have got orders from the Governor to start 
 
38 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 next Friday for Ship Island or Washington, & my knap- 
 sack is all packed. We ought to leave soon there is so 
 much Rum brought into camp, mostly by girls, they hitch 
 the bottles on to their Hoofs. One man brought in a big 
 gug full yesterday hung under a Sleigh. There goes the 
 big gun but the Snow deadens the Sound. But I am going 
 to meeting tonight. So 
 
 Good bye from 
 
 Your own "Sam." 
 
 Love to all. and Nettie too. 
 
 P. S. Our lieut. has been up to Goshen two weeks 
 laboring with the Inhabitants recruiting and he brought in 
 one last night. We can get Mittings here for ninepence, 
 a girl here wanted to knit me a one fingered pair for noth- 
 ing but I knew Nettie wouldnt like it and I dont believe 
 she can knit neither, So, Good Bye. 
 
 Dec. 30th. many visitors in camp, of all sorts, reb. and 
 Patriotic the good and the vile — of both sexes too. 
 
 Lieut. Tyler M. Shattuck, then actually a corporal, and 
 acting as commissary sergeant, chips in by saying on 
 January i, 1861, " Put in 25,000 rations for 25 days," and 
 thus continues : 
 
 Sunday, Jan. 5th. Rations from the Government 
 opened & found good, did not go to church, must attend 
 more regular ! 
 
 8th. Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, was paid 
 $5.13 from Oct. 1 2th to Oct. 25th. 
 
 17th. Got from Govt. 50 cases of Austrian rifles. 
 
 19th. Sunday. Had fish chowder for dinner and Lt. Col. 
 Lull for a guest. 
 
 22d. Delivered the guns to the regiment. 
 
 Feb. 9th. Cleaned up my gun and got it all ready ! 
 
 January 19th, " Sam " says : 
 
 I have been in the Hospittle and dont like it I tell 
 you : The doctor called it the Reumatic Fever. I am 
 most over it now and got back to my tent and been out five 
 days but don't do much dutey now. I got that bundle and 
 thimble and tweezers, the tweezers is just what I wanted 
 to pull out thorns and slivers, it is an awful place for 
 slivers and such. 
 
CHAS. A. BOWEN, QUARTERMASTER. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 39 
 
 It will be seen that " Sam " doesn't " squawk " and com- 
 plain much ; he is of good pluck and " calclates" to live 
 through it — as he did. He sends home his money to 
 " buy Land with" and courts Nettie honorably. He is a 
 fine specimen of the average New England boy of seven- 
 teen years adrift upon the turbulence of 1861. 
 
 R. Howarth, Jr., who was of about the same age (18), 
 rises to say that : 
 
 Co. B to which I belonged, was filled up from the origi- 
 nal 30 by men from Exeter Company. Its maximum num- 
 ber at one time was 117 men. The whole regiment before 
 it left Camp Currier consisted of 1,007 men. While there, 
 the companies were placed alphabetically from A to K, 
 but afterwards changed according to the seniority of the 
 captains. The men were there fully armed and equipped, 
 and for an offensive weapon shouldered the "Austrian" 
 rifle, a very poor article. Its weight sagged down many 
 of the tender youth who had before only occasionally 
 swung the axe at the home woodpile, and gently curved 
 the hoe around the struggling corn and bean stalks upon 
 their native hills. Many came direct from schools and 
 pleasant firesides, to camp a dire winter upon the wind 
 swept and snow piled plain ; but as the American generally 
 " comes up to the scratch smiling," so came these patriots 
 at their country's call and soon mastered the routine of 
 camp life, squad drill, and the manual of arms, so that 
 they could " order " the latter without bringing a yell from 
 their neighbors' boots by dropping the gun on their neigh- 
 bors' toes. 
 
 To many, the memory of the " spring " down in the 
 grove, outside and west of the lines, will be fresh. Many 
 stories could be told of escapes to the city made through 
 the medium of the innocent water pail, the taker ostensibly 
 going for water — and beyond, if he chose to take the 
 risk. The guard, even in those green days of service, 
 was ordinarily honest and not to be fooled or bribed, so 
 often if the seeker after fluid did not return, an officer was 
 notified and a patrol was hurried to the town centres of 
 attraction, and all found without passes were brought back 
 and not allowed to go again for several days. The remedy 
 brought discretion upon that mode of running guard. 
 
40 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Two of the companies, viz. , C and K, were recruited in Man- 
 chester and were of one nationality, and that was — Irish. 
 Of course they had the characteristics of that sturdy race 
 and exhibited them. Their immediate relations and friends 
 being mostly in the city the C's and K's naturally went 
 among them for comfort and hospitality and brought a lot 
 up into camp ; the consequence sometimes was, that the 
 tent stoves would be upset and the tents would go up in 
 flames, some soldiers and things would get a singeing, and 
 the air would be laden with a scorching profanity. But 
 such accidents were not confined to the quarters of C and 
 K by any means. Other companies had their share of the 
 abnormal exhilaration and the results were not from malice 
 prepense in the festive soldier, but all " per foon," the 
 excitement seemed healthy and the alarmed camp would 
 soon settle down to its literature, fodder, cards and sleep. 
 
 On the 14th of January, the Eighth tendered an escort to 
 the Seventh Regiment, they being in full ranks and ordered 
 to the front. In this first grand public parade the boys got 
 encouraged by being much praised for their good march- 
 ing and soldierly bearing. On the i6th, we were favored 
 with a visit from no less a personage than the far famed 
 fistic champion, John C. Heenan ; he came onto the 
 grounds under the protection of Sam. Perkins who got him 
 there with only one tip-over at the guard entrance ; the 
 boys were glad to see one professional fighting man, 
 though his style was out of their professional line ; thev 
 cheered him heartily. He looked around at our mode of 
 living, so both parties seemed satisfied and called it a 
 " draw." The regiment from the beginning somehow ac- 
 quired the title of the "Pious Eighth," though it was said that 
 no peddler, especially a clam man, could come within its 
 lines without losing a portion of his stock in trade : the 
 tent stoves proved very efficaceous in the roasting of clams 
 — the stolen food seemed of an extra sweetness as spoken 
 of in the ancient Book. The title of "The Pious Eighth " 
 was probably given it from the regiment's resistance to 
 greater temptations when it was recollected that the thefts 
 might have been bigger. It took about two years to 
 develop the ' ' bounty jumper." He was not much known in 
 '61 in our well ordered ranks, and General Butler being a 
 good judge of human nature would never have issued some 
 of his famous orders to any body of troops made up of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 41 
 
 such a mass of ugly villains as were afterwards sent out 
 to make good our depleted numbers. It provokes a vet- 
 eran smile to read that " in 1861, the regimental officers 
 were notified that an expedition was under way whose 
 destination was the extreme South, the same to be com- 
 manded b}'^ Gen. Benj. F. Butler who would ' add our reg- 
 iment to his force if we managed to pass a satisfactory 
 muster in his presence.' " All of the Eighth veterans living, 
 will well recollect the bleak, cold day when said general 
 inspected us upon the race track. He is reported as say- 
 ing that we were a " rough looking lot," and no wonder, for 
 we were not fully uniformed and one of the roughest of New 
 Hampshire winters was flapping our old rags around us, 
 as we had purposely left our "meetin does" at home and 
 were wearing our 5th best in anticipation of donning the 
 true blue. Perhaps the doughty general heard some of the 
 uncomplimentary remarks which the rank and file volun- 
 teered to make on his personal appearance as he rode by 
 them, for they generally had no fear nor respect for maj.- 
 generals or maj-esties of any grade ; however, the General 
 " accepted us" and we think that a mutual respect grew up 
 between the energetic leader and his then raw troops. 
 
 January 7th "Unknown " reports : 
 
 Up to 26, as follows ; Continued cold. Betting going 
 on that we don't leave the State at all. 
 
 8th. Milford Co. getting their State pay. 
 
 loth. First battallion drill, numerous mistakes were 
 made and the officers' hair stuck up all over. 
 
 nth. The whole regiment marched through the princi- 
 pal streets of Manchester, including by our Colonel's resi- 
 dence. The city papers say that we made good show. 
 
 i2th. Cold, a sharp air, marched over the city by a 
 different route and over into " Squog," got very tired. 
 
 14th. Escorted the 7th Regt. to the Depot, they going 
 South. Coming back we felt rather sad, in spite of the 
 lively airs played by the Manchester B. B. 
 
 i^7th. Commenced eating " hard bread," it was a great 
 curiosity to see it and also to eat it — it is tough on the 
 gums. 
 
 18th. Battallion drill, on damp snow and low shoes on. 
 
 19th. Corporal Hiram Barney was put in the cook 
 house "to keep things strait and see that Co. A got their 
 rights ! " 
 
42 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 2 1 St. Busy shoveling snow — enemy not in sight ! 
 
 25th. Got up early and cold, eat our breakfast quick, 
 struck our tents and packed them. We looked like a 
 family of Pilgrims, all covered with snow from head to 
 foot. Some had some liquor on and it was amusing to 
 hear them talk. We waded to the depot in the snow ; a 
 large crowd was there and it was very affecting, a sad 
 time, but we all hope to rejoin our friends before three 
 years. 
 
 Jan. 2ist, 1861. Col. Fearing ordered twenty men 
 detailed, two from each Co. in charge of Sergeants Jas. 
 L. Hardy and Wm. A. Bickford, to go with and under 
 orders from Quartermaster C. A. Putney to Fort Independ- 
 ence and arrange the quarters for the reception of the reg- 
 iment and get stores from the boats into Fort. 
 
 From " Sam": 
 
 Jan. 22. Dear Brother, I hear what a nice Boy you 
 are and help get in the wood and do chores. I expect to 
 see a big Boy when I get back that can most handle me. 
 Tell father that we have got our rifles down town, I should 
 like a Telescope on mine but there ain't much time or 
 chance to put one on and it might be in the way — It is 
 first rate so to shoot long distance. It is the Australian 
 rifle I believe, but good bye and be good. 
 
 January 23. " Sam," extract : 
 
 The papers talk as if we were going to Guard Boston 
 three years. Tell Susie that I'm better since I got out of 
 the Hospittle. Our company is called the toughest one in 
 the regiment, we quell the mobs and do some fighting down 
 town, yesterday. Our 4th corporal got tight and pounded 
 a lot of fellows down town all over town, " puttin a head 
 on 'em," he called it. You'll see all about It in the States- 
 man, but I must stop and Shine up my gun and brasses. 
 
 Love to all and Nettie. 
 
 January 25, Chaplain's Diary: 
 
 Leave for Boston in a train of twenty-three passenger 
 and fifteen freight cars. Yesterday I married one of the 
 Northwood men, Mr. C. P. Durgin, a member of Co. G, 
 to Miss Emma Giles ; the ceremony was in front of Capt. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 43 
 
 Huse's tent, the company being in line under arms. (Pri- 
 vate Durgin died in New Orleans Jan. nth, 1863.) 
 
 On January 25, 1861, at noon, Camp Currier existed 
 only in name. The sun waded out through ragged-edged 
 smothering clouds and looked in vain for it. In and 
 through the vast expanse of snow upon the dreary plateau 
 once occupied by tented life and teeming with the para- 
 phernalia of war, and resounding with the sharp roll of 
 drums, the shriek of the wry-necked fife, and the hoarse 
 calls for the " Corporal of the guard," now stuck up disor- 
 derly rows of stakes, broken tables and bunks, marking 
 where lines of company streets once were. Scattered 
 about were old foot gear, half-burned blankets, battered 
 stoves, and the inevitable bottles and bones. The cold 
 winds intoned a sad requiem over the remains, but many 
 a boy when afterwards suffering on Ship Island or in hos- 
 pitals beside the miasmatic lagoons of Louisiana, wished 
 for a reviving sniff of that same keen, home-made moun- 
 tain air and a draught of water from the ice-bound streams 
 of the Granite State. But here we are glad to give 
 place to the very able pen of Col. D. W. King, who 
 started in with the serious Eighth as Lieutenant, and who 
 lived, luckily, through it all, and more, and lives yet to the 
 delight of the boys who love to hear him tell of the whole 
 campaign from Camp Currier (Federal) to Camp Ford 
 (Rebel) a prisoner, and back again. To get the full effect 
 of the narrative, we should have the " teller " before us ; 
 for although he has had no sweet voice that he bragged of 
 to charm a maiden's ear, yet could bring a menagerie in to 
 a seance when illustrating war in the early '6o's. He 
 could compass over three scales in running from the grunt 
 of a Texas porker to the top wave of the rebel yell — from 
 the smothered squawk of a captured turkey to the screech 
 of a Louisiana negro camp-meeting. (See Durgin's 
 account of the " midnight yell" in chapter 17.) 
 
44 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 At this date of writing (1890), he stands as the antici- 
 pated recipient of a " meddle." It is intended that it shall 
 be of " luther " and approach in shape and size to the well 
 known base ball catcher's shield, and the probability is, 
 that the receiver will be " blown up " when he is presented 
 with the same by the donors at the veterans' reunion at 
 The Weirs in 1891 — all for his admirable aptitude for the 
 " strong box" of the Association, and success as an orig- 
 inal story teller and general all-round delineator of " yum 
 yum." He probably will be " ekal to the O-cassion." 
 (1892. He woz.) He says in a letter from Fort Inde- 
 pendence to a local paper, dated January 30, 1862 : 
 
 You must not expect me to be very spicy, for hiving 
 up inside a fort this winter is anything but exhilarating to 
 one's spirit, especially after getting the nose pointed 
 towards Dixie and then having it suddenly flattened against 
 a twelve foot stone wall in Boston harbor. You have prob- 
 ably heard of our departure from the State where in places 
 the snow was piled a yard deep, country dry goods' meas- 
 ure — thumb thrown in. It was a big job for fresh recruits 
 to get the homes of a thousand men upon their backs and 
 into the cars, yet we got to the Depot fifteen minutes in 
 advance of the set time, our first prompt and successful 
 march, laden with a soldier's impedimenta. We went 
 through Lawrence instead of Nashua, which saved to the 
 State many tears, hurrahs, and some whiskey, but then, all 
 these articles may " improve by age." In Boston the slosh 
 altered the programme, and instead of wading to the boat 
 for the Fort we struggled to Faneuil Hall where we arrived 
 bedraggled, outside wet, inside dry, knapsacks weighty, 
 guns a nuisance, and a general feeling of crossness, the 
 prevailing idea being that Uncle Sam was a hard 
 boss. Soon, some excitement was raised by two men who, 
 regardless of their oath to allegiance to U. S., and long- 
 ing for the unsanctified air outside, leaped from a window 
 of the second floor to the pavement ; they were recovered 
 somewhat bruised. One of them was the daring Mike 
 Sullivan of Co. A, afterwards the hero of Rattlesnake 
 Swamp, La., and who finally gave his life for his country 
 in the charge on Port Hudson June 14th, 1863. After 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 45 
 
 taking a look at the venerable " Cradle," which some of the 
 youngsters had never seen, and calculating the cost of the 
 pictures upon its walls, " tattoo " was beat and the men 
 "-turned in," with the exception of a score of turbulent 
 spirits who were determined to celebrate their arrival at 
 the venerable pile. They had imbibed some of Boston's 
 strong " Tea" and consequently imagined themselves " In- 
 dians," and gave vent to sundry whoops and anticked in a 
 war dance which, if not exact in action, beat the original 
 in noise ; they were, however, conveniently quieted in 
 a room guarded for their especial benefit. Most of the 
 men slept snoringly, but I was overcome with awe and 
 just napped, lying upon the platform once occupied by 
 Daniel Webster, E. Everett, and Wendell Phillips. Morn- 
 ing came and with it, hunger and sundry teasings to go 
 out and see sundry sisters and other relations. The city 
 provided us with an ample breakfast, but we caught no 
 sight nor sound nor sob nor so-forth of a sister, wife, or 
 mother-in-law. In the afternoon the order to march was 
 given and we took boat for the stone quarters with the 
 patriotic name " Fort Independence." 
 
^6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 tort Independence. — Clams and Drills. — C. S. A. Secretary Benjamin 
 to General Lovell at New Orleans. — Lovell enlightens Benjamin. — 
 J. Davis to Governor Moore. — B — Brutus. — The "E. Wilder Far- 
 ley."- Six Companies embark. — Bird's-eye View of Ship Island 
 and General Phelps. — Ship Island. — Burial at Fort. — Four Com- 
 panies embark for Ship Island on Ship " Eliza and Ella." — Lieuten- 
 ant King upon the High Seas. — Nassau Union and Confederate 
 
 Reports on Ship Island. — Lovell to Benjamin. — General Butler 
 arrives. — Life on Ship Island. — Lieutenant Colonel Lull goes to 
 Fort Macomb. 
 
 "Sam" says that "having arrived at the Fort we 
 stacked arms and about one hundred of us went into a 
 dungeon and slept on a stone floor with nothing but a 
 Blanket. I tell you, it was tough on a youngster but we 
 are promised nice rooms, coal stoves and a bunk lo feet up, 
 and the clams are thick down at low tide." Lieut. D. W. 
 King continues : " The island that we stop on is of about 
 twenty-five acres and shaped like a contorted mud turtle, on 
 the head of which Mr. Alger of the foundrj' is testing some 
 newly made guns for government use. There are a few 
 guns and a couple of mortars and over the whole property 
 a sergeant of the regular army has had charge for a num- 
 ber of years. For relics we have a monument erected 
 over the remains of one Lt. Robert F. Massie, who was 
 here killed in a duel in 1817. He was a fine man accord- 
 ing to his epitaph (no wonder the small boy enquired 
 where all the bad people were buried) . Another ancient 
 and worn stone shows only the skull and cross bones so 
 common in the olden time. 
 
 We are drilling quite steadily here and make good prog- 
 ress, for the chances are better than they were at ' Cur- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 47 
 
 rier.' Bushels of clams add to our rations and many an 
 old fashioned ' clam-bile ' has been in order. Our bread, 
 in part, has been inferior — of the oldB. C. Brand — but Q^ 
 M. Putney does all he can for us. Our regiment, indeed, 
 as a whole, is better officered than are the average, still, 
 we have not seen the welcome countenance of the pay- 
 master who is the biggest and most important official that 
 we know of just now, for most of the men are so short that 
 if Bostons were selling for a cent apiece they could not 
 buy the Common." 
 
 From " Sam" : 
 
 Fort Independence, Feb. 2d, 1862. 
 Dear Sally — You will see the pieces about the 8th 
 Regt in the Paper I sent you and I wish you would cut 
 Out all you see and paste them into a scrap book for me 
 when I get Home, perhaps you would like to Know how 
 this fort looks — well it is five sided Inside and they all 
 look alike so you would get lost if you were not Acquainted 
 and any quantity of Sides and Corners outside and a lot 
 of cannons on top and outside on a Bank with a lot of can- 
 non balls Piled up all around and a good chance to See 
 every thing that is going on, I haint got over having 
 Clams for dinner I tell You, but Im going down on the 
 wharf to see the Shells and the Rats and the Ship that is 
 to carry the Prisoners oft' from Fort Warren to be 
 exchanged at Fort Monroe. 
 
 From your affit. Brother. 
 
 Extract : 
 
 Feb. 3d. Dear Folks — We have enough to do haul- 
 ing ice and snow out of the fort and Drilling from 10 to 12 
 A. M. and 2 to 4 in the afternoon and finishing off" with 
 Dress-Parade. There has been four desert within two 
 days and a Capt. and Lt. went off" in a boat before day 
 Light on Sunday morning — but I am not discouraged for 
 I have got something to look Forward To and that's 
 Nettie. Many are sick from exposure but I am in good 
 health and mean to make Money enough to pay for " That 
 Land." 
 
 Love to all, " Sam." 
 
48 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 From the " Unknown," to Feb. 11 : 
 
 Jan. 30th. Clear and a little warmer. Inspection 
 To-day. Police are clearing snow out of the Fort and 
 throwing it into the roaring tide. 
 
 31st. Warm. The staff officers went to the City to see 
 about procuring a ship or ships to go to Ship Island, Miss. 
 They were successful but the time is not stated. There 
 was a jolly dance at Headquarters this evening, I saw 
 Mrs. Lull, the Lt. Col's wife there. She is going to Ship 
 Island with her husband ; that must be pleasant for all 
 parties concerned. 
 
 Feb. 3d, 1862. Continued severe cold. This morning 
 came an order from Col. Fearing to clean up our rifles 
 and he would inspect them, afterwards he seemed pretty 
 well satisfied, — several bayonets were broken in trying 
 their strength. 
 
 4th. Battallion drill and Review by Col. Fearing. 
 
 5th. Not a hard drill to-day, but one thing — we dont 
 have enough to eat, the food is poor enough at best and 
 the soldier should be well fed when he is doing his duty. 
 
 6th. Warmer, the drinking water is getting poor and 
 brackish — they are making boxes to pack the guns in. 
 
 7 th. Warm and a battalion haw and gee drill in the 
 splosh, "A soldier's life is a hard life " says Prof. Hall of 
 our Co. (Luke probably). It — is — so. 
 
 9th. Very cold, nothing of consequence going on but 
 visitors coming to see their friends and some boxes they 
 took the trouble to bring along with a little vial of whiskey 
 or rum in them which was broken open by the guard and 
 the stuff" appropriated. 
 
 Feb. ID. Sunday and inspection on the ice down on the 
 Pond, went to our quarters most frozen. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 Feb. 5th. Mailed 375 letters and 30 papers for the sol- 
 diers. 
 
 9th. Sunday — Inspection — held a service at 3 p. m. 
 the reading, prayer, and sermon occupying only twenty 
 minutes. 
 
 Joseph B. Fales of Co. A, died as I was about to leave 
 the fort to send a dispatch to his mother whom he wished 
 to see before dying. He was a christian soldier. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 49 
 
 Richmond, Va., Feb. 8th, 1862. C. S. A. Secretary 
 Benjamin to General Lovell at New Orleans : 
 
 President desires you to send 5,000 men to Columbus, to 
 reinforce Beauregard. New Orleans is to be defended 
 from above by defeating the enemy at Columbus. The 
 forces now withdrawn from you are for the defense of your 
 own command, the exigences of the public service allow 
 us no alternative. 
 
 New Orleans, Feb. 27th, 1862. Lovell to Benjamin, 
 C. S. A. Extract: 
 
 Raw troops with double barrelled shot-guns are amply 
 sufficient to hold our intrenchments against the enemy. I 
 regard Butler's Ship Island expedition as a harmless men- 
 ace so far as New Orleans is concerned. The Yankee 
 government would never give a Democrat like Butler com- 
 mand of any expedition which they had any idea would 
 result in such a glorious success ' as the capture of New 
 Orleans. 
 
 March 6th, 1862. Same: 
 
 Several persons here are refusing to take Confederate 
 notes. I am daily urged to declare Martial law. I am 
 hunting all over the Confederacy to find saltpetre with 
 which to rework the powder sent from Cuba. 
 
 Richmond, March 13. President Davis to Governor 
 Moore : 
 
 You are requested to proclaim Martial Law in my name 
 over the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, and 
 Plaquemine. 
 
 By "The Unknown": 
 
 Feb. nth. Nothing new today except some being well 
 set up on rum smuggled in. 
 
 Here the honest " Unknown's " diary drops out. It was 
 handed in by Colonel King, who says that he does not 
 know the author nor how the manuscript came into 
 his possession. There are two. or three water-soaked. 
 
50 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ragged letters, of which something may be hereafter made 
 out, and the gaps filled in with other English, though not 
 thereby destroying the sense. One letter, especially, has 
 a plain drift ; its intense loyalty is its crown of glory. It 
 must have been written by the " Unknown " in the South, 
 probably at Baton Rouge, and may be hereafter printed. 
 So we know not how the "Unknown" weathered Cape 
 Hatteras, or stood the glaring sands of Ship Island ; 
 -whether he succumbed to the malaria of Lousiana, or by 
 the temperate use of its remarkable rum stills lives to 
 interest his hearers with tales of that interesting region, its 
 lowlands, the Acadians and the Voodoos, the ragged 
 heights around Port Hudson, and the far away pineries 
 on the Red river. Peace be to his old age or his ashes I 
 We expected him to notice on October 25, 1861, the entrj- 
 into camp of the nucleus of Company B, consisting of 
 twenty-seven men who had actually marched across the 
 country, a distance of sixteen miles, with their baggage 
 wagon and music — the primitive fife and drum. One 
 living relic was lately asked for some reminiscence of the 
 trip, and said that he could only recollect that chestnuts 
 and chickens were " ripe." 
 
 The first lieutenant, Charles H. Camp, was at the time 
 of his enlistment, a law student in Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Lull's office in Milford. Second Lieutenant George S. 
 Eayres had been for a long time an active member of the 
 state militia. The five sergeants, Blanchard and Stick- 
 ney, of Milford; Marshall, of Nashua; Newhall, of Con- 
 cord; and Cobbs, of Exeter, were a host in themselves. 
 As will be seen m the roster and elsewhere, they all 
 received commissions. They, as sergeants, delighted and 
 improved a large circle of admirers, besides improving 
 every opportunity. They had talent enough to run the 
 country, and Lieutenant-Colonel Lull knew what he was 
 about when he accepted the position of provost judge of 
 La Fourche Parish, La., with Company B as a provost 
 
CAPT. GEO. S. EAYRS, CO. B. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 51 
 
 guard and "them sergeants" as "impediments." Not 
 that any superiority over the ability of other companies is 
 claimed, but the writer chanced to know the company best 
 of any. It is well to note here, as the figures are given, 
 that the average age of one hundred and one members of 
 Company B, including its officers, at the time of their 
 enlistment, was twenty -five years and a slight fraction. 
 This average would probably hold throughout the regi- 
 ment. The oldest men of the regiment were probably in 
 Company G. Comrade H. L. Robinson says of them 
 that one was John Smart, sixty-six years old, who served 
 as drummer boy at the battle of Plattsburg in 181 2 — a 
 participant in one of the most brilliant of American victo- 
 ries, at that time, say historians. Two of his sons were 
 in Company G. One was First Sergeant Samuel Smart, 
 the other Private John Smart. The three died at Camp 
 Parapet — Samuel, on July 11, 1862 ; the father, on the next 
 day; and John M., in the next month, August 18, 1862. 
 The other old man, Mr. Israel Drew, who was one year 
 older than Mr. Smart, was born at Madbury, N. H., in 
 1795. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and was stationed 
 at Portsmouth. At the age of sixty-six, being a young 
 looking man, he enlisted in Company G. He died at 
 Camp Parapet, La., August 22, 1862. Three of his 
 children are now (1890) living in Pittsfield, N. H. 
 
 The five oldest men in Company B were each, at enlist- 
 ment, forty-four years of age; of these one died in 1862, 
 three were discharged, and one, Johnny Burton, of Wil- 
 ton, re-enlisted on January 4, 1864, and " had one more 
 shot at 'em," but got "gobbled" in the act. Some are 
 now known to have been only fifteen and sixteen, who 
 then, of course, figured as eighteen, which would make 
 our average age, twenty-five years. 
 
 One of our circulars found Frank C. Bancroft, a drum- 
 mer boy of the Eighth, now proprietor and manager of the 
 " Gaiety Theatre," of Springfield, Mass. Under date of 
 
52 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 November 25, 1890, he writes that he would like his cor- 
 rect name, as above, used in the history. He having 
 become war-crazy at fifteen years of age, while attending 
 school at Lancaster, Mass., ran away at noon recess, came 
 to Nashua and enlisted in Company A, as Henry Coul- 
 ter. He was wounded at Hog's Bend, La., while carry- 
 ing a message for General Davis, being his orderly at the 
 time ; after convalescence he refused to be transferred to 
 the invalid corps, ran away from the hospital at New 
 Orleans, and again rejoined the regiment, being, as he 
 expresses it, " in all the skirmishes and engagements that 
 the glorious old Eighth was in while out." By the over- 
 sight of those times, the name Henry Coulter does not 
 appear on the State Roster till the list of the re-enlisted 
 veterans is reached. There he is credited as bugler in 
 Company A. Mustered in on January 4, 1864. Now, a 
 year after the above was written, we are glad to announce 
 to the anxious veterans that the above is no other than 
 "B — Brutus," according to Principal Musician H. J. 
 Durgin, and he knows. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King continues to skip along the edge of 
 the ocean down at the fort, as lively as a sandpiper, on 
 February 3. 1862, quoting in a tearfully humorous way 
 the following lines : 
 
 "Come, gentle Spring, etherial Mildness, come." — Thomson. 
 " If you are comin', why don't you come along?" — Mose. 
 
 That first line was probably set to a catarrh accompa- 
 niment, thus : 
 
 " Cub, enthe Spig, etheubmigeness ("g" hard), Cub." 
 
 Fie continues : 
 
 It really seems as though we had had our share of cold 
 weather and that it is time to have a "thaw" (Happy 
 thawt), but old Borax blows as hard as ever, and those 
 who entered the service last fall hoping to spend the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 53 
 
 winter months in a sunnier clime, have been badly 
 hoaxed; but we are happily assured that we go South 
 "soon." A Maine Reg. has arrived^" bound South," 
 so the redoubtable " they" say, and we believe it, for the 
 guns and beef are being put on shipboard. 
 
 From "Sam": 
 
 Feb. 1 2th, 1862, Dear folks. We got all our new clothes 
 and they are as smooth as cat fur. It looks as if the War 
 would be over so I can help on that Landb}- next Septem- 
 ber. P. S. I got that Box with the tomatoes and letter 
 paper and the Cider too, which is the only liquor I have 
 tasted since I left home, and I haint used any Tobacco, so 
 you can tell J. P. that I have kept our Pledge, although 
 liquor is plenty in this region Roundabout. 
 
 From "Sam." Extract: 
 
 Feb. 15th — , We may go to Texas — you had better 
 send Nettie's letters in yours if there is room, and they are 
 sealed up, take good care of Her and when you have a 
 lot of popcorn or hominy and milk just eat a half Galon 
 for me ; I dreamed last night of going to ride with " Net- 
 tie " and I shall sometime, give my love to " Nettie" and 
 divide the rest up. That captain that went off in a boat 
 came back I don't know about the Lt. they probably went 
 off to get some Rum. The Col. has sent on to Washing- 
 ton for papers for us to sign so that you can draw Ten 
 dollars a month of our pay which saves all risks of send- 
 ing Money, you must go up to the Express office and get 
 the quilt and testament and Psalms, I have got a bible and 
 don't need the Rest. Im pretty happy this morning and 
 got to go out and drill but I dug a great sheet iron pail 
 full of clams and got a Letter from ' ' Nettie " — Love 
 to all. 
 
 Feb. 9, 1862, Corporal T. M. Shattuck reports : 
 
 J. B. Fales is dead, he was a good boy and will be 
 missed, nine deaths thus far in the regiment. 
 
 Feb. i6th. Up to date, weather very cold — loaded guns, 
 tents and provisions on Ship " E. Wilder Farley," I am to 
 act on the vessel as Quartermaster-Sergeant. Companies 
 B, C, D, E, G, and I, embarked and sailed for the South 
 
54 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 this day. The boys on the School Ship cheered us as we 
 passed. 
 
 17th. At sea and under good headway — Ike Stevens 
 hooked up a halibut weighing 30 pounds, — getting sea 
 and soldier sick — went to bed early. 
 
 i8th. Stormy, vessel rolls heavily, all hands sick — 
 made the Gulf stream at dark. 
 
 20th. Storm continues, got only 40 miles south to-day. 
 The sailors say that they "pity the poor fellows on 
 shore ! " 
 
 2ist. . Pleasant, sail in sight, made a good run. In 
 business all over — men hungry — keep the "coppers" 
 boiling all the time. 
 
 23d. Fair, read Harper's, saw porpoises, had a sermon. 
 
 24th. Pleasant — Lat. 30, 43. A great change for us 
 from overcoats to shirtsleeves. 
 
 27th. A whale in sight ! The Island of Abaco, and a 
 truly " Hole in the Wall" in sight I A dance in the even- 
 ing not much like on the ice a month ago. 
 
 From the Foretop ! An official glimpse of our superior 
 officer and our destination. 
 
 Brig. -Gen. J. W. Phelps, Commanding, to Major-Gen- 
 eral Butler, Commanding Department of New England, 
 Boston, Mass. : 
 
 Ship Island, Mississippi Sound, Dec. 5, 1861. 
 
 General — Arrived here on the 3d. Issued a Proclama- 
 tion concerning the " remoter objects of the expedition." 
 
 On board the "New London," Captain Reed, I have 
 visited the eastern end of the island. It is not suitable for 
 a camp of 5,000 men. Mosquitoes will be plenty at all sea- 
 sons — animals seen were snakes, toads, birds, raccoons, 
 pigs, and alligators. 
 
 The " New London " with 4 long 32's and one rifle is 
 under her present commander, a very effective and well man- 
 aged craft. In company with the " De-Soto," it is at this 
 writing engaged with the enemy's boats in the direction of 
 New Orleans. 
 
 Feb. 23d, 1862. General McClellan to Gen. B. F. 
 Butler (at the close of the dispatch) : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 55 
 
 Never lose sight of the fact that the great object to 
 be achieved is the capture and firm retention of New 
 Orleans. 
 
 On board ship " E. W. Farley " : 
 
 Friday, Feb. 28, 1862. The six companies saw a most 
 beautiful morning off the " Hole in the Wall" and, too, 
 they saw a fine free exhibition of pluck and endurance 
 which of course was then regarded as sheer ugliness and 
 blank foolishness ; it came about thus : Some men had 
 been ordered by Lt. Putney, who was " officer of the day," 
 to clear up a portion of the deck, and he made a good deal 
 of talk about it, so " Woodchopper," a man of Co. E, 
 whose real name was ever obscured by that sobriquet, 
 " shoved in his oar," as the sailors say, and before they 
 got far, he was pulling the stroke oar a-chinning. He 
 counseled active resistance to Lt. Putney's orders, and 
 continued to talk profanely, in fact mutinously, so that 
 Capt. Nichols got stirred up and declared that he could 
 bring Mr. W. Chopper to terms. It being so agreed, a 
 tackle was rigged up (a line through a block), on the 
 quarter deck, and the culprit being brought beneath the 
 innocent looking " whip," was asked to repent and obey 
 orders. He still refusing, his hands were tied behind his 
 back and the line hooked in and- drawn taut so that his 
 toes just touched the deck ; a most painful position on 
 account of the continual strain upon the muscles. I think 
 that the obstinate comrade stood it a good half hour before 
 he cried enough, and was let down ; and directly all hands 
 were interested in the coming of the lighthouse man, one 
 Tomson, who pulled off to us with " fowlings," as he 
 named them, to us they were simply " eggs." He 
 swapped them off with Capt. Nichols for whiskey, just 
 what he came for. 
 
 On Tuesday, Mar. 4th, we voted "in foon" for Gov- 
 ernor of New Hampshire, and now we are so far away in 
 time, we can announce the result without exciting any 
 feeling. 
 
 Whole number of votes cast . . . 537 
 
 Necessary for choice ..... 269 
 
 Scattering ....... 7 
 
 Paul J. Wheeler, Prohibitionist, had . . 8 
 
56 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 N. S. Berry, Rep "6 
 
 George Stark, Dem. ..... 406 
 
 and was, of course, " elected." For Wheeler, Co. B 
 threw 3 votes, and Co. G, 5 votes. 
 
 Lieutenant Shattuck's diary : 
 
 Feb. 28th, '62. Off the coast of Florida— 17 sail in 
 sight. 
 
 March ist. Sponge boat along side, caught two sharks. 
 
 2d. Anchored off great Isaac's lighthouse. 
 
 3d. Saw the ship with 7th N. H. on board, could not 
 speak her. 
 
 4th. Had a squall, " enough," the mate said. " to 
 most take the sticks out of her." Up to the 9th, mending 
 tents. 
 
 I2th. Fair. Had a sergeant's drill. The adjutant 
 " treated" the sergeants and corporals. 
 
 14th. Storm raging — equal to Hatteras — ran off the 
 coast. 
 
 15th. One of the blockading Gunboats off Mobile Bay 
 signalled us. We had no answers, so she fired a shot 
 across our bows and Capt. hove to quick. She hailed, 
 found us out and kept close to all day. 
 
 Mar. i6th. Sunday — Off Mobile Bay in a calm. 
 Two gunboats and a sermon. 
 
 17th. Ran down opposite Ship Island and "laid to" 
 in a bracing wind. 
 
 18th. Ran in and anchored in the forenoon. Com- 
 menced to unload. The men got on shore. 
 
 19111 and 20th. Set up tents and got off provisions. 
 Gen. Butler arrived on Steamer " Mississippi." 
 
 Four companies, viz.. A, F, H, and K, were left behind 
 at Fort Independence, to come on in the ship " Eliza and 
 Ella," in charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Lull, Assistant 
 Surgeon EUery C. Clarke going with them — Surgeon 
 Samuel G. Dearborn being on the " E. W. Farley." An 
 interesting incident was, that one soldier who was to go 
 with the six companies on the Farley, suddenly died, and 
 in the hurry of the departure was left without burial. 
 
SERG'T CHAS. E. BUZZELL, CO. F. 
 
SERGT. CHARLES E. BUZZELL. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 57 
 
 Although now considerable pains have been taken to 
 ascertain exactly his name and company, they are not 
 known. In the absence of the chaplain, Lieutenant-Colo- 
 nel Lull decided that there should be given the soldier " a 
 Christian burial." Said he, " I will officiate," and imme- 
 diately asked his wife, who was constantly his companion 
 in fort or on board ship, to find appropriate Scripture pas- 
 sages. Without search, she chanced to open the Bible at 
 a most touching selection for a burial service, the four- 
 teenth chapter of Job. Little then did the cherished wife 
 think that the loved form of her husband would in a few 
 short months be borne back to be given " a Christian 
 burial," as a soldier martyr for the Nation's life. Yet, 
 th^re they stood beside the open grave, surrounded by the 
 battallion of 400 men, amid the falling snow driven by the 
 bitter winds, while he read, his voice mingling with the 
 murmuring ocean, the well known verses, and recited the 
 Lord's prayer. 
 
 Mar. 15, 1891. From a letter written by Comrade H. 
 J. Durgin, it is thought that the name of the soldier 
 buried as described, was Almon P. Goodrich, enlisting 
 from West Concord, N. H. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King, upon the high seas, reports as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Companies A, F, H, and K, Lieut.-Col. O. W. Lull 
 commanding, left Boston on the eighteenth day of Febru- 
 ary, 1862, on board the ship "Eliza and Ella," being 
 towed down to the cove light. A good run was made the 
 first night, we making sufficient " offing" to have plenty 
 of sea room. The wind hauled to southward and we 
 sailed east, close hauled under close reefed topsails. This 
 was kept up till the 23d, when the rough weather turned 
 to rougher. It blew hurricanes. The sea jumped right 
 up ! So the ship was " hove to," and we enjoyed it, as 
 well as we could. We tried to delude ourselves with the 
 idea that we were the jolliest set of men in the world, but 
 it was in vain. We were seasick ! the ship rolling so 
 
58 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 fearfully that the yards dipped in the water. During the 
 night the foretop-mast staysail was blown away with a 
 snap that startled the landsmen. The storm staysail was 
 set and the night wore on, during which we were often 
 reminded of at least one or two lines of an old poem we 
 used to recite, viz: " 'We are lost,' the captain shouted, 
 as he staggered down the stairs." But the captain, Lunt, 
 was sick and laid in his bunk — purposely dosed by the 
 mate, it is said — and said mate held the command. The 
 gale continued almost without intermission until the 7th of 
 March. We occasionally set and ran under close reefed 
 topsails, but life was uncomfortable, as it was impossible 
 to cook much, and "hard tack" was our fare for many 
 days. After getting into the Gulf stream, we enjoyed fine 
 home June weather, and passed the time in exalted plays, 
 such as euchre, old sledge, checkers, etc. We had sing- 
 ing in the evening by a quartette that could knock the 
 handle off of Haj'den in the music line. 
 
 On the loth of March, we ran by the " hole in the 
 wall," which is a whole hole in a wall of rock — and 
 despite an ugly head wind, ran into Nassau, N. P., on the 
 nth.' Here Lieutenant-Colonel Lull, Assistant Surgeon 
 Clarke, and the mate, went ashore, and laying the case 
 before the American consul, it was decided to take in 
 wood, water, and another navigator. After this decision, 
 the officers were allowed to go ashore, and it did not 
 take long to find out that Nassau belonged to the British, 
 and that the colored man and brother was in proportioa to 
 the white man, as one hundred to one. Pigs and children 
 were numerous — the health was very healthy ; the laws 
 excessively severe, and those trespassing were set at work 
 breaking stone to prevent them from breaking harder stat- 
 utes. An old negro of the fourth generation back, told us 
 that " it was pesky resky goin' to wor widout leavin' your 
 soul wid de good Lord." His taking of a sixpence for 
 his information proved his sanity. The next morning with 
 the impediment of a large live turtle for soup, we got on 
 board and were off again at 12 m. We soon got to 
 " Great Isaacs." That island was put there to hold a 
 bolted down lighthouse, as the loving sea combs over this 
 section in any kind of a gale. After chartering a fair 
 wind, for which we waited twelve hours, we bore down 
 for the " Dry Tortugas," the prospective home of the Sev- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 enth N. H. Regiment; thence within twelve miles of 
 Cuban coast, and near the " Double headed shot key 
 At this time Captain Lunt died, and as he desired, 
 body was sewn up in well tarred canvass and stov\ 
 beneath a boat on the quarter deck, to be kept, if possib 
 for burial on shore. A burial at sea ! Laomi Gould, 
 Company K, died upon the 19th ; his body was carefu 
 sewn in his blankets and a weight attached to his fe 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Lull read the beautiful burial serv 
 of the Church of England, and at the words, "We co 
 mit his body to the deep," the board upon which 1 
 remains lay was raised and our companion was gone fn 
 us forever. Continual head winds compelled us to ] 
 into Mobile Bay, "in distress." The gunboat, "N 
 way," on the next day took us in tow for Ship Islai 
 The captain's body becoming offensive, it was hoisi 
 into the " mizzen top," and in that shape we entered p 
 after a run of forty days. The right wing had been 
 this sun-baked sand-isle about two weeks. At sea, now 
 plain sight, is the gunboat "New London," sailor nic 
 named the "Black Devil." She came in the other d 
 from Cat Island with seven schooners in tow, mostly lad 
 with cotton. Those captured vessels are very useful 
 unloading our vessels. Crews are to be had in abundar 
 from among our own troops, which, Yankee-like, can fi 
 nish mechanics of all kinds. The "New London" if 
 most interesting craft. She has a roving commission, a 
 goes wherever her commander wishes. Her crew will r 
 be taken alive and rather than fall into the hands of t 
 enemy, will fire the magazine and go up or down togeth( 
 We regard her with affection, and at early morning e 
 the surrounding waters to locate the fiery little craft whi 
 may be found at some point of the compass, or has disa 
 peared only to return in a day or two with a string 
 captures. 
 
 Diary of Comrade Henry J. Durgin. (The foUowii 
 came to the writer in March, i89i,and is here insert 
 up to and upon Ship Island. Comrade D was " Princip 
 Musician." Diary condensed) : 
 
 Feb. i8th, 1862. Two tugs took the " Eliza and Elli 
 down the harbor. I got the music together and play 
 
6o History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 " Yankee Doodle" and " Red, White, and Blue" on our 
 way out. All hands seasick, including myself. 
 
 22d. Ship rolls and pitches like an egg shell, and worse 
 still, in the calm on Sunday, which seems less like Sun- 
 day than any ever experienced. Gale again on Monday 
 and a fearful night ; no sleep. Things loose on deck, and 
 the sails torn in strips. 
 
 27th. Very cold, high winds and our course is very 
 crooked. In Gulf Stream and stormy. 
 
 March 2d. The wind has gone down ; calm, and like a 
 June day in New Hampshire. 
 
 6th. Another gale, and all hands frightened. 
 
 7th. See flying fish and Mother Gary chickens. 
 
 8th. Came near being run into by schooner with no 
 light. 
 
 loth. Passed Abaco and anchored off Nassau. 
 
 1 2th. Started again on the sea. 
 
 i6th. Spoke a 4-gun United Slates war ship, and 
 played them Yankee Doodle. 
 
 i8th. Sharks — thunder and lightning — hot. 
 
 28th. Off" Mobile, which is blockaded by three gun- 
 boats. 
 
 29th. One of the gunboats took us to Ship Island. 
 
 April 4th. We are to drill each day in the soft sand ; 
 hard work; reveille at 4J a. m., tattoo, 9 p. m. 
 
 6th. Sunday ; inspection and religious services. Seems 
 good to hear some preaching once more. 
 
 9th. Grand review of about 14,000 men. 
 
 C. S. A. On Jan. 9th, 1861, an ordinance of secession 
 was adopted in the State of Mississippi. 
 
 Extract from Government Reports, Series i, vol. i : 
 
 Official. 
 
 Report of Lieut. Fred. E. Prime, U. S. Corps of 
 Engineers, of the Seizure of the Fort on Ship 
 Island, Miss. 
 
 BiLoxi, Miss., Jan. 30th, 1861. 
 Sir, — I have the honor to report that the works at Ship 
 Island were visited by an armed body of men on the fore- 
 noon of the 13th inst. They stated" to the overseer that 
 their object was to take possession of the works, and also. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 6i 
 
 that they were acting on their own responsibility. After a 
 short stay on the island they left without interfering in 
 any way with the works. On the afternoon of the same 
 day another party, also armed, landed at Ship Island ; 
 their statement to the overseer was the same as that made 
 by the first party. A flag was hoisted by them previous 
 to their departure that evening. Ten men were left on 
 the island, who occupied a vacant engineer's building. 
 As no interference was attempted on their part, operations 
 were continued so as to close the works as rapidly as pos- 
 sible. On the morning of the 20th instant, a third party 
 of armed men took forcible possession of the works and 
 engineer property at Ship Island. From that moment I 
 considered myself relieved from all connection with those 
 works. My duties are now restricted to the settlement of 
 outstanding liabilities against the works formerly in my 
 charge. Should the Department, however, consider that 
 I have, or may have, hereafter, other duties to discharge 
 with respect to those works, I would respectfillly request 
 that I be furnished with instructions to that effect. 
 I am Sir, your obt. Servt. 
 
 Fred E. Prime, 
 
 ist JLt. Engineer . 
 BvT. Brig. Gen. J. G. Totten, 
 
 Chief of Engineers. 
 
 By Professor Soley, United States Navy. Ship Island, 
 '61-62. 
 
 On the i6th of September, 1861, Ship Island, an 
 important point commanding the passage of Mississippi 
 Sound, which formed the water connection between New 
 Orleans and Mobile, was evacuated by the Confederate 
 forces. On the next day the steamer "Massachusetts," 
 under Capt. Melancton Smith, landed a force and took 
 possession. The fort was then strengthened by a formid- 
 able armament of rifles and 9-inch Dalgreen guns. Occa- 
 sional attempts were made to recover the island, but with- 
 out success. On the 19th of October, the Confederate 
 steamer, "Florida" (Capt. George N. Hollins), made a 
 demonstration, and an encounter took place between that 
 vessel and the " Massachusetts." The " Florida," having 
 the advantage of higher speed and less draught, was able 
 
62 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to choose her distance, and exploded a 68-pound rifle 
 shell in the "Massachusetts," but without doing serious 
 damage. The engagement was indecisive. On the first 
 of December a detachment of 2,500 troops, under Gen. J. 
 W. Phelps, was posted on the island which had up to this 
 time, been held by the navy. 
 
 According to Secretary Welles (in the " Galaxy" for 
 November, 1871), the navy department first conceived the 
 idea of an attack on New Orleans, in September, 1861, 
 and the plan took definite shape about the middle of No- 
 vember, from which time the department was busily 
 engaged in preparation for the expedition. As a part of 
 the plan, it was decided to divide the Gulf squadron into 
 two commands, and when, on the 23d of December, Far- 
 ragut received his preparatory orders, they directed him 
 to hold himself in readiness to take command of the 
 " West Gulf squadron," and the expedition to New 
 Orleans. Farragut received his full orders as flag-officer 
 on the 20th of January, 1862, and sailed from Hampton 
 Roads in the " Hartford," on the 3d of February, arriving 
 at Ship Island on the 20th, and soon sailed on to the 
 "Southwest Pass" of the Mississippi. 
 
 Professor Soley gives Admiral David D. Porter the 
 credit (as the admiral in the " Century" claims for him- 
 self) of having the scheme in mind, and that he would 
 have gone up and attacked New Orleans during the month 
 of May, 1861, but the " Powhatan," Porter's vessel, drew 
 three feet too much water. As the admiral was engaged 
 in blockading the " Southwest Pass," for a period of sev- 
 enty-six days before, it was very natural for a really able 
 man to find out all that he could about the defenses of the 
 " Queen city," above ; and so he did inquire to some pur- ' 
 pose of the fishermen in his vicinity, and he found that by 
 the first day of June, 1861, very little progress had been 
 made in strengthening the forts, St. Philip and Jackson. 
 As we shall by and by ascertain what preparations the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 63 
 
 enemj' had made since June, 1861, we will keep up the 
 dates at Ship Island. 
 
 On March 23d, 1862, Commissary T. M. Shattuck 
 reports : 
 
 Had soft bread to eat for the first time for many weeks. 
 
 The boys of the Eighth will recollect that " soft bread," 
 the '"bakery," and its "beer," brewed from molasses, 
 hops, and yeast. It was at Ship Island a fine five-cent 
 nectar. The manufacture of the above was supervised 
 by one Stephen A. Scripture, a Lowell lad whom General 
 Butler, with his usual sagacity about ability in men, had 
 swept into his train in order to provide some of the gas- 
 tronomies of life in the bakery line. He was a success. 
 Rather singularly, the writer had met Stephen before at 
 Norwich, Vermont, Military University, where we were 
 schoolmates at an age when we were simply ' ' infants " in 
 the eye of the law. Without preconcert, we next met on 
 the deck of the clipper ship " Reindeer," in November, 
 1849, both bound as passengers for California, and again, 
 twelve years after, I saw his jolly face at the dispensing 
 window of the "bakery" on Ship Island. He was not 
 then enlisted, but had previously served in the First New 
 Hampshire, under Captain Sturtevant, of Concord. 
 
 From Shattuck's Diary : 
 
 Mar. 25th. Heavy cannonading off east on the Sound, 
 off Cat Island. The " Blackdevil" is giving the rebs fits. 
 
 Mar. 26th. By Steamer "Western Empire" we hear 
 that the " E and E" is at Nassau. 
 
 Mar. 29th. After 40 days the left wing has got here — 
 good ! 
 
 Sunday, 30th. Took out tents and got men well in 
 camp by 5 p. m. 
 
 April 1st. Put up a tenl for Lieutenant-Colonel and 
 Mrs. Lull. 
 
 2d. The " E. W. Farley" has on board 1,200 troops 
 for the " Passes." 
 
64 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 3d. " De Witt Clinton " is in with the horses. 
 
 nth. Squall blew eight tents down. 
 
 1 2th. Storm — water driving up to our tents. Three 
 men killed b}-^ lightning in 31st Mass. 
 
 14th. Captain Fiske resigned. 
 
 i8th." Heavy firing in the southwest ! 
 
 28th. News is — " New Orleans is ours ! " 
 
 May 2d. Got plank for headboards to mark graves. 
 
 3d. Ordered to go as Quartermaster with the detach- 
 ment to Fort Pike with Colonel Lull. 
 
 Sunday, May 4th. Found Fort Pike deserted — went 
 on to Fort Wood. 
 
 C. S. A. — General Lovell, commanding forces at New 
 Orleans, to Secretary of War Benjamin — Extract. 
 Official : 
 
 Dec. 5th, 1861. 
 
 Forts Jackson and Philip are in good order and garri- 
 soned by about 1,000 men. The river is completely 
 obstructed by a raft of logs securely chained to both banks, 
 and held by fifteen large anchors weighing from two to 
 four tons and laid in twenty-five fathoms of water with 
 sixty fathoms of strong chain, and has an enfilading fire 
 from Fort Jackson and direct from Fort St. Philip. 
 
 Fort Macomb is garrisoned by 250 men. Tower Dupre 
 by one large company. Fort Pike has a garrison of 350 
 men. All the channels are obstructed. The garrisons 
 are all quite proficient in the drill of the sea coast gun. I 
 am in communication by telegraph with Berwick, Forts 
 Jackson, Macomb, and Pike. With the 15,000 men I 
 have, I can defend the city. I now regard New Orleans 
 as strong enough to resist any attack that is likely to be 
 made. 
 
 Lovell to Benjamin, Jan. 13th, 1862. Extract: 
 
 Short of powder, a party will contract to deliver 75 tons 
 at 84 cents specie, or $1.14 Confederate notes. If 
 approved, notify me. 
 
 Richmond, Jan. i6th, '62. Benjamin to Lovell : 
 Make the contract for delivery as soon as possible. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 65 
 
 Lieutenant King, having steadied his sea legs in three 
 feet of Ship Island sand, leveled his head by a glass, 
 shaken the reefs out of the gray matter of his brain laps, 
 and got the genial C. G. Hatch set up in the sutler shop 
 business, addresses himself to the task of enlightening the 
 reader as to this blazing sand-pile, and the whyness of the 
 therefore, nevertheless, as follows: "After having been 
 here nine days, just the old-fashioned time for bean-por- 
 ridge to get of age and palatable, I have looked at this 
 spot and judged what it was made for. Some think it 
 solely to plant a lighthouse thereon ; some that it was 
 foreordained as a rendezvous for the Butler expedition ; 
 but the prevalent opinion is that it exists to see how large 
 a heap of sand can be heaped in one place at sea by the 
 forces of nature ; for it is all sand, not a stone. It is 
 about ten miles long and a mile wide at the widest. It 
 looks no more like its representation on the map than 
 does an eel like an alligator. It may have looked as 
 mapped, when surveyed, if ever surveyed, but autocratic 
 Neptune shifts its mobile boundaries at his own arrogant 
 will. There are now here twenty regiments, several bat- 
 teries, and several river steamers taken from the rebels. 
 But the ' Creole,' Capt. Charles Walker, one of the finest 
 of passenger steamers, came up the other day and surren- 
 dered itself. It was an acquisition of importance in the 
 transportation line. 
 
 " On March 26th, Major Strong carried to Biloxi some 
 female prisoners under flag of truce, and was met by two 
 boat loads of men who threatened him. He beat them off, 
 having a small crew, by talking to an imaginary force 
 down the hatchway till the ' New London ' hove in sight. 
 Next day a small force went over and cleared the town 
 out. A captured letter read thus : ' The Yankees are in 
 plain sight, but if they venture over here, we will give 
 them h — .' The ink wasn't dry as the writer ' dusted ' 
 from the town. 
 
66 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 " On the west end of this isle is a brick fort of Jackson's 
 time. Our camp is two miles east of it, and quiet reigns on 
 our end. 
 
 ' ' One great advantage is , th at the water is good and attain- 
 able by simply digging down three feet and setting a barrel 
 in. Good fresh water will ooze in to the depth of a foot. 
 It will get foul in about two weeks, when another well can 
 be had a few feet away. It is more difficult to get wood. 
 We go three miles east, cut pitch-pine logs, roll them a 
 quarter of a mile to the water and raft them to camp, which 
 means fun and rheumatism. 
 
 " The cook-house is of blankets hung on a gun-box — 
 Jud, Barney, and Qtiinn preside. The sign up is ' Bowers' 
 Guard' in memory of home and an honored citizen. 
 
 "While digging a well, the men found the body of a 
 rebel officer in full uniform, sword and sash on, in a stand- 
 ing position. We know not how he came there and think 
 that the archives of rebeldom will not explain it, nor the 
 presence of the body of a negro on the east end of the 
 island — looked as if it had been there a month. That, 
 and a lot of lemon, orange, and tamarind trees, two bayous 
 containing alligators and pelicans, were all of interest in 
 that section, save, perhaps, the ruins of the hotel, a fine 
 bed of very few oysters, and some small clams very 
 sweet. 
 
 "The above is about all in regard to this desolate isle, 
 still I will say that life flourished above these seedless 
 sands, for in one of the neighboring regiments, a soldier, 
 one of the ' fattest of the flock,' last night gave birth to a 
 fine boy ; he, or they, had always done duty as a soldier, 
 and he, or she, was not suspected of being a female up to 
 the time of exposure. Another woman in blue uniform 
 was discovered in one of the Maine regiments. She 
 proved to be the wife of a soldier, and the soldier ' present 
 and accounted for.' She was promptly and ' honorably 
 discharged' and sent home. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 67 
 
 "On Saturday, May 3, orders were received by Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Lull to take three companies, viz. : A, F, 
 and K on board the ship ' Major Holbrook.' They, with 
 the Seventh Vermont, were to take possession of Forts 
 Wood, Pike, and Macomb, situated on channels leading 
 into Lake Pontchartrain ; the former from Lake Borgne, 
 the latter from Lake Catherine. Towed by a gunboat the 
 detachment got under way, and the next day at 5 p. m., 
 after rather a hard run reached the deserted Fort Pike. 
 Company A amid much enthusiasm marched in and took 
 possession, which was better than storming in or, mole-like, 
 worming under ground. Thank 'em for leaving — we 
 raised the flag with hearty cheers. We had taken a sloop 
 and a schooner on which was quite a show of Confederate 
 money and a little silver. The men played happy at 
 being captured, and cursed Jeff" Davis and his government ; 
 but the discovery of a handsome rebel flag, and our own 
 with all but seven stars torn off, was an object lesson lie to 
 their protestations of Unionism." 
 
 Gen. J. W. Phelps was right away, a noticeable officer. 
 Everyone now, has heard of him. Gen. J. B. Carr says, 
 "Among prominent soldiers at this time was General 
 Phelps, then colonel of a Vermont regiment; brave, cool, 
 and capable, he was thoroughly liked by his men and by 
 his superior officers. He spoke with a long, drawling 
 ' Yankee ' accent, and his piquant sayings were very enter- 
 taining. Hating display and undue egotism, he invari- 
 ably showed his displeasure when in the presence of men 
 who were guilty of either. For instance, a dapper young 
 lieutenant had shown great fondness for his dress uniform, 
 supplemented by a scarlet-lined cloak, and a dislike for 
 ranking his personality below the chief officer. Strutting 
 into General Phelps' tent on one occasion, he said without 
 salute or preface, ' I am going down to the fort, sir.' 
 ' Are you?' said the General, as he took in at a glance the 
 
68 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 gorgeous cloak and superabundant self-esteem of the young 
 man. 'Are you? Neow, I guess not, young man. Go 
 to your colonel, get his permission, and then if you can 
 get mine you may go down to the fort; not otherwise. Go 
 now.' On another occasion when the camp was all com- 
 motion and excitement, owing to firing in the direction 
 of our pickets. General Phelps not excited in the least 
 decrree, walked into the writer's tent, and said, ' Carr, 
 that's not picket shooting. It is your men shooting 
 pe-e-gs.' His surmise proved correct." We shall soon 
 hear and know more about the General and his honest 
 oddities. 
 
 A " Sam" letter extract : 
 
 May i6th, 1862. Dear folks — I have got to write 
 in a hurry the Flies bite so. tell Nettie that that net keeps 
 'em off pretty well but we have to eat them some they are 
 so thick. This is getting to be quite a place, we have got 
 a Printing office, a Mule railroad, a postoffice, express 
 office and a Store. They are building up the fort again. 
 It makes the rebels eyes stick out to see things going on 
 our fashion. They desert over here every day and bring 
 Stuff to eat, sugar is a cent a pound. Flour 12, and shoes 
 $12.00 a pair, but ducks, geese, oysters and clams are 
 free if you go and dig them. We are called by General 
 Phelps the best, cleanest and Toughest regiment, I am out 
 of stamps but Love To all. 
 
 The "Soldiers' News Letter" was no stranger to the 
 troops on Ship Island. From some in the writer's posses- 
 sion the following extracts are taken : 
 
 The Government Bakery under the superintendence of 
 Mr. P. A. Scripture of Lowell, can turn out seven thou- 
 sand loaves of bread per day. 
 
 Lost, Between the Quarters of the Eighth New Hamp- 
 shire and the Bakery, a Diary for 1862, containing mem- 
 oranda of Qiiartermaster's Stores. 
 
 T. M. Shattuck. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 69 
 
 The " News" publishes a few gems from Prentice of the 
 " Louisville Journal" as follows : 
 
 Let Jeff Davis just wait till he gets to the end of his rope 
 and then he can have full swing. 
 
 Prentice says that the Confederate troops in the field 
 consist mostly of flying artillery, flying cavalry, and flying 
 infantry — and that everything is dear except rebels, and 
 they feel mighty cheap, and too, that, although the N. O. 
 Delta says that Tennessee can never pocket the insults of 
 the Federal Government, Prentice thinks she might, as she 
 has had nothing to pocket for a good while. 
 
 Editor's valedictory is. The Eighth New Hampshire, is 
 gone — our next issue may be from the Crescent City. 
 We shall continue to travel on with brave men to find a 
 home and a welcome anywhere under the Union Flag. 
 
 Away back in good old orthodox Sunday-school times 
 we used to read in The Book that the serpent was subtler 
 than all the beasts of the field. He was universally 
 regarded as the emblem of wisdom and as he had all the 
 property (so once on a time he claimed), he was thought 
 a good deal of, as now he is. The Eighth thought a good 
 deal of its sutler, as he had to sell many of the comforts 
 and some of the luxuries of life, and the boys got 'em — in 
 a measure. 
 
 Mr. Charles G. Hatch was an interesting personage as 
 our sutler. He was a good looking and an honest man — a 
 fit sutler for the " Pious Eighth ;" moreover, he was a tem- 
 perance man, as he said that he " always felt good enough 
 without having to feel better." He relates that on his 
 departure from the North, he took to Ship Island a good- 
 sized keg of whiskey, "for sickness and the officers." It 
 was stowed in a dry-goods box, wrapped in army blankets 
 and packed with sawdust solidly. On its arrival, it was 
 buried in the sand just inside the doorway of his tent, and 
 often the proprietor was to be seen sitting in his ' ' barrel 
 chair," directly over it, and fanning his northern brow 
 while his eyes found no rest upon the glistening waves of 
 
70 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the gulf or the heated expanse of sand. He used to vary 
 the monotony each day by a score of trips towards the 
 beach, and to find a temporary rest and retirement by sitting 
 upon a long rail supported by crotched sticks, and there 
 meditate as his eye roved over old ocean's "melancholy 
 waste." At such times, as seen from the writer's tent, 
 when returning, his struggling form surrounded by the 
 heated air that rose writhing and swaying above the hot 
 sands, he seemed to be enveloped in flame, like the ancient 
 John Rogers ; but he lived, and one day the Provost Mar- 
 shal paid him an apparently semi-official visit, and our 
 Charles seated him at the post of honor in the barrel chair. 
 The Marshal asked him if he had any exhilarant, and a 
 bottle of native New Hampshire wine was placed before 
 him, which, having sampled, he pronounced " good," and 
 then he volunteered the information that some sutler had 
 been selling considerable liquor, and he was looking the 
 matter up generally. Mr. Hatch immediately hastened to 
 tell the official that he was close on to what liquor he had 
 and he was welcome to it if he could find it, which seemed 
 satisfactory to the oflScer, and pleased the knowing ones in 
 the vicinity. Afterwards when the detachment went to Fort 
 Macomb and took the sutler along, that box got stuck at 
 the wharf right at the gangway to the vessel, to the great 
 disgust of the Marshal, who made a good deal of talk 
 about it. "Who's great box is this anyway," said he. 
 Hatch spoke up, "It's mine, sir." "What's in it?" said 
 the official. " Whiskey, sir ; see the big ' W ' on the box." 
 That prompt admission passed the box with a "smile." 
 
 Again, among the many things which Charley Hatch 
 didn't take, he or " they" forgot some lamp chimneys to 
 match the lamps and the five gallons of kerosene oil 
 which he did take. But as our eminent sutler was one 
 evening passing the quarters of General Neal Dow, he espied 
 the brilliancy emanating from kerosene lamps provided with 
 chimneys, so he stopped and gaining an audience with the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 71 
 
 general, tried to purchase a limited number of lamp chim- 
 neys, but found that his money was of no account in the 
 way of trade for lamp chimneys. They were like the 
 hubstock in the "wonderful one hoss shay." "The last 
 of the lot an' they couldn't sell 'em !" So Charley bided 
 his time, and in the course of time, down came an orderly 
 from General Dow's headquarters to buy some kerosene 
 oil, but Mr. Hatch had "none for sale." Then down 
 came a note requesting an interview which was generously 
 accorded, but no oil was for sale, although ten dollars per 
 gallon was offered. Finally Mr. Hatch told the man from 
 Maine that he would " swop" two gallons of oil for twelve 
 lamp chimneys, which offer was joyfully accepted, and so 
 both ends of the encampment were made light and happy. 
 
 Diary of H. J. Durgin, Principal Musician, Ship Island : 
 
 April 1 2th. Rolled logs on tent bottoms to keep them 
 down in the blow. 
 
 Z2d. Our drum corps went down to the city (the 
 wharf) , to a brigade guard mount. 
 
 26th. The drum corps is improving fast. I have written 
 off 15 new pieces. 
 
 Sunday, 27th. One Bryant of Company H preached, 
 formerly Methodist minister. 
 
 29th. My second cousin, formerly a Shaker, paid me a 
 visit. 
 
 May 4th. Colonel Fearing does not like it because the 
 regiment is divided, on account of the drill. 
 
 Monday, 5th. Insects discovered. 
 
 8th. " Eliza and Ella" sailed ; ran upon Horn Island, 
 came back half full of water. 
 
 loth. She was run on the rebel shore. 
 
72 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 New Orleans. — George W. Cable. — The "Brooklyn." — A Look 
 
 Ahead. — The Navy Farragut. — The Passage of the Forts. — 
 
 General Paine's Diary. 
 
 The city of New Orleans was the only extreme southern 
 one of great wealth — the Paris of America. It was an 
 object of our expedition to assist, as ordered, in recovering 
 and holding that city and as much of the surrounding 
 country as possible. The approaches to it are flat and 
 uninteresting with the exception of experiencing the nov- 
 elty of sailing above the level of the country upon a river 
 that runs through and above silt, which, according to 
 Captain Eads, is several thousand feet deep from the 
 "Passes" up to Baton Rouge, forming a delta which for 
 crops, has only to be "tickled with the hoe, to laugh a 
 harvest." Along in the fifties, the writer visited the city 
 when it was glowing with heat and business. On ascend- 
 ing the river, the first stranger that he saw was a "sailor 
 man/' face downwards, floating in the stream, and the 
 last human figure on leaving, was one of the same profes- 
 sion being helplessly hoisted on board an "outward 
 bound" by a " whip" or single line. It was a good object 
 lesson, though that comical and rare genius, John Phoenix, 
 had years before said that, "there was oft heard the soft 
 note of the pistol and the pleasant shriek of the victim." 
 And the saying has been proved true in 1890, when the 
 brave chief of police, Hennessy, who was well known as 
 one of our stafl" officers in '63, was shot by the "thugs" of 
 New Orleans, murdered at his own door for simply doing 
 his duty. 
 
 The lordly raisers of "a thousand bales" and their 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 73 
 
 serene ladies, had been seen in the North on summer 
 tours ; their rather supercilious scions had been school- 
 mates, but here they were met in one of the nurse-beds of 
 ripe revolt. The palmy days of business were then already 
 shadowed by the coming crisis of 1861. The surround- 
 ings were more foreign to our country and less in sympa- 
 thy with it, than any other spot as influential upon this 
 continent. In a city saved to their fathers by a man from 
 the middle North with Northern troops, they knew less of, 
 and cared less for, the name of Jackson, than that of 
 Floyd. A city through and through of French, Spanish, 
 and intense English predilections, whose yearnings of cap- 
 ital, politics, religion, and fashion, reached in any direc- 
 tion, save toward the North. A people whose intuitions 
 were traitorous, and whose actions were bold and aggres- 
 sive, and their speech disloyally insulting. Again was the 
 ancient adage to be proved true, that " those whom the 
 gods would destroy, they first make mad." Mr. George 
 Cable gives a vivid description of the state of the city 
 before the " invasion," when the Southern heart was being 
 fired up to "hurl back the foe," as they called it; when 
 no woman opened her mouth save to speed and cheer her 
 lover or loved ones on to the fight ; and so they went, until 
 the city was denuded of men. First, the enthusiastic and 
 the reckless into the forces sent up to their line of defence 
 at the North ; then, the prudent into the forts below, that 
 they thought to be impregnable, and in fact would never 
 be assaulted, and some went out to "summer" at Forts 
 Pike and Macomb. Numbers were all at once discovered 
 to be "Foreigners," who were never suspected of having 
 in their veins any French, Spanish, or German blood, but 
 who now blossomed out in the "Foreign legion." He 
 speaks well of the long lines of real " Home Guards," old 
 gray beards who stood up in faultless alignment, anxious 
 to be " accounted for," as " fired up." Three quarters of 
 them had relatives at the front, and many had singly fitted 
 
74 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 out and paid for the equipment of companies and bat- 
 teries. The first wail of sorrow and pang of real woe 
 that New Orleans heard and felt, was when the body ol 
 Gen. Sidney A. Johnson was brought from the battle-field 
 of Shiloh, and the funeral procession passed through the 
 streets of the Crescent City. One effect of their folly had 
 at last reached them, and it only remained to prove that the 
 boasts of General Lovell were absurd and that their forts, 
 obstructions, and lines of defence, were not proof against 
 the genius of a Farragut, and the energy of a Butler. 
 
 It is proposed to give here an account, condensed, of the 
 passage of the forts below New Orleans. It will occupy 
 as little space as possible, consistent with accuracy. We 
 take as our authorities, the evidence of eye-witnesses and 
 participants ; also reliable data from reliable magazines of 
 late dates. It is a little saddening to us so deeply inter- 
 ested, that at this date of writing, June, 1891, the old 
 fighter, the "Brooklyn," is being burned, simply for the 
 commercial value of the metal which she holds within 
 her frame of oak. We would like to know how much 
 cash her destruction turns into the United States treasury. 
 According to the New York papers, she makes a big bon- 
 fire on the beach, visible for ten leagues ; so she goes up 
 in a partial blaze of glorj' and leaves beneath her ashes a 
 small mine of — copper. 
 
 The fortunes of war carried our regiment into the old 
 State of Louisiana. It happened to be the only regiment 
 from New Hampshire that spent a term of service of more 
 than three years in restoring and re-instating that province 
 in the " Union." It did its share of the work of reducing 
 and holding the queen city of the South. Its marching 
 and fighting qualities were fully tested. It flinched at no 
 service, — as said General Paine on one occasion, "tell 
 General Banks that the Fourth Wisconsin and the Eighth 
 New Hampshire have learned how to fight, and not how 
 to retreat." Its vitality was so great that the health of the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 75 
 
 regiment, even in that malarial and enervating climate 
 was, for its time spent in the South, above the average. 
 Its morals were excellent; its esfrit dc corps, unrivalled. 
 The sturdy Yankee element was predominant, but the 
 Irish ingredient contained in more than two whole com- 
 panies, wa^ an assurance of undoubted courage and a 
 spice of unlimited fun for the whole campaign. As time 
 passed on great were the changes in field and staff — in 
 rank, and file. The organization changed to the Second 
 New Hampshire Cavalry, to the Veteran Battallion. But 
 even then, it delighted to be known by the old nursery name 
 of "The Eighth New Hampshire." 
 
 Up to the last Red River expedition, the 19th Army 
 Corps was as a family. We, in it, marched and fought 
 over the whole length of the State, our operations lapping 
 upon Vicksburg, and when at Sabine Cross Roads, Cap- 
 tain King and comrades were taken prisoners, we got 
 nearer to Texas than any portion of the army ever did. 
 We contributed largely to each arm of the service, as 
 shown by our roster. The most of the time the Fourth 
 Wisconsin was with us, they were our Western cousins, 
 and we had a mutual admiration for each other. Veter- 
 ans of the Eighth knew all the batteries and all the naval 
 vessels, so we hope to see at a bird's-eye view, a definite 
 portion of the whole movement from the first landing at 
 Ship Island, on through the fertile lands bordering on the 
 eccentric and wandering bayous up to Alexandria, and 
 back again to the final hold upon the Mississippi by the 
 Confederates at Port Hudson, which was broken on July 
 8, 1863. Then for the first time in the rebellion, the great 
 dividing river rolled " unvexed to the sea." That, with 
 the great Northern victory at Gettysburg, resulted in the 
 paralyzing of the jaws of foreign interference just as they 
 were ready to close on and gnaw apart our southern lines 
 of frail defence and take our weak neighbors to make a 
 parapet of, behind which the more effectually to attack the 
 
76 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 "Great Republic" — that standing living menace to an 
 arbitrary foreign power ! To assist in keeping our bor- 
 ders intact, the last expeditions were undertaken, one to 
 Texas and one to Red river — movements which the gov- 
 ernment "Official Records" will help to explain. 
 
 Admiral Porter is good authority, in a conservative way, 
 on the opening of the lower Mississippi. He says that " at 
 the first, there were eleven Southern States in rebellion, 
 whose harbors were nearly all closed against our ships of 
 war, either by our own forts being occupied by the enemy, 
 or by the torpedoes and other obstructions. Through four 
 of these seceding States, ran the great river Mississippi, 
 and both its banks, from Memphis to its mouth, were lined 
 with powerful batteries. On the west side of the river 
 were three important States — Louisiana, Arkansas, and 
 Texas — with their great tributaries to the Mississippi, the 
 White, the Arkansas, and the Red, which were in a great 
 measure secure from attack. These States could not only 
 raise a half-million soldiers, but could furnish their 
 government with provisions of all kinds, and cotton enough 
 to supply the sinews of war for years. New Orleans was 
 the largest Southern city, and contained all the resources 
 of modern warfare, having great workshops where machin- 
 ery of the most powerful kind could be built, and having 
 artisans capable of building ships in wood or iron, casting 
 heavy guns, or making small arms. The people of the 
 city were in no way behind the most zealous in energy of 
 purpose and in hostility to the government of the United 
 States. The Mississippi is thus seen to have been the 
 backbone of the rebellion, which our government should 
 have at the first broken. At the outset of the war it should 
 have been attacked at both ends at once. But the Federal 
 government neglected to approach the mouth of the great 
 river until a year after hostilities had commenced, except 
 to blockade. The rebels made good use of this interval in 
 fortifying the approaches and the banks of the river farther 
 
Nkw Hampshire Volunteers. 77 
 
 on." The only Confederate vessel in commission when 
 Porter was blockading, was the " Ivy," a small river boat 
 mounting one 4-pounder riffed gun. As the admiral had 
 been over the river's courses thirty times in a mail steamer, 
 his assertion in regard to his ability to take New Orleans 
 at that time is plausible. He says, "had I been able to 
 cross the bar with my ship, I would have felt like going up 
 to the city and demanding its surrender. I could have 
 passed the forts in the night without a pilot, but my ship 
 drew too much water (19J feet)." This was the position 
 of affairs on May 31, 1861, forty-nine days after Fort 
 Sumter had been fi^ed on. Admiral Porter was ordered 
 to Washington and on November 12, 1861, had a confer- 
 ence with President Lincoln, Secretary Welles of the 
 Navy, Assistant Secretary Fox, and General McClellan, 
 who was then in the height of his power. President 
 Lincoln, to their surprise, exhibited a remarkable com- 
 prehension of and familiarity with the state of affairs in the 
 South and along the line of the river. (In fact, in this year, 
 1891, intelligent people have not ceased wondering at his 
 tremendous capacity on different and diverging lines of 
 knowledge.) He said that the capture of New 
 Orleans and the holding of the river above was all impor- 
 tant, and must be attended to immediately, especially as 
 the enemy might fortify and hold the heights bordering, 
 particularly Vicksburg which was the key to the situation 
 in that section. General McClellan took hold of the mat- 
 ter instantly and in two days reported that the number of 
 men required, namely 20,000, would be ready to embark on 
 the 15th of January, 1862, and Maj.-Gen. B. F. Butler was 
 assigned to raise the eastern troops, of which the Eighth 
 New Hampshire was a prominent three years organization. 
 The naval part of the expedition was to consist of vessels 
 mounting not less than two hundred guns, a powerful mor- 
 tar flotilla, and sufficient steam transportation. Admiral 
 Porter was given the duty of getting the mortar fleet of 
 
78 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 twenty large schooners ready, together with their mor- 
 tars, also the selecting of officers who would be likely to 
 be assigned to fill unwonted positions with duties imposed 
 with which they were not familiar. By the last of Jan- 
 uary, 1862, the mortars, accompanied by seven steamships 
 and a store ship, all manned by seven hundred picked 
 men and twenty-one officers of the merchant marine ser- 
 vice, set sail for the " Passes." Admiral Porter claims 
 the honor of having discovered and recommended Captain 
 David G. Farragut as a well trained commander of experi- 
 ence for the whole expedition, and the results prove the 
 wisdom of his recommendation. Himself and General 
 Butler have had of late, some sharp frictional newspaper 
 talk, but both men were great enough to let each other 
 alone, and of late death has stepped in to close the records. 
 Some Washington reporter on his dutiful rounds 
 approached General Butler on the subject, but was 
 instantly checked by the laconic remark, "Young man, 
 of the dead say nothing." 
 
 In studying the movements that resulted in the opening 
 of the Lower Mississippi, it is plainly to be seen that it 
 needed all the will, persistence, courage, and energy of 
 Commander Farragut, mixed with his dash of genius, to 
 accomplish the task. He was aTennessean, yet intensely 
 loyal to the government. His record shows that in 1833, 
 during the nullification troubles in South Carolina, he was 
 sent there by Andrew Jackson to support his mandate that 
 "The Union must and shall be preserved." And when, 
 in 1861, he was urged in a threatening manner to desert 
 the flag, his historical answer was "you fellows will 
 catch the devil before you get through with this business." 
 At this time he was over sixty years of age, but very 
 active, with powers of mind and body unimpaired. Al- 
 though the Department had no doubt of his loyalty, they 
 hesitated to give command of this important expedition to 
 an officer of Southern birth, as it was thought that it would 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 79 
 
 not be a congenial duty to act offensively against friends 
 and relations. A personal interview with Farragut, how- 
 ever, dispelled all doubts, and he accepted the command 
 as soon as offered, without knowing his destination. So, 
 according to orders, " The West Gulf Blockading Squad- 
 ron " assembled at Key West about the last of February 
 and March 15, Flag-Officer Farragut was superintending 
 the crossing of the "Bar" from his ship, the "Hartford." 
 The frigate "Colorado," mounting fifty guns, drew too 
 much water. The grand old frigate "Mississippi," was 
 lightened of her spars, guns, and coal, and in eight days 
 time by the aid of the six mortar steamers, was pulled 
 over to go to her death at Port Hudson a year later. 
 
 The United States coast survey steamer, "Sachem," 
 commanded by Mr. F. H. Geddes, selected the position of 
 the bomb-vessels, triangulated the river, furnished reliable 
 charts, planted white flags opposite the vessels and accu- 
 rately distanced them from the mouths of their mortars to 
 the centre of Fort Jackson. The vessels were watched 
 day and night to see that they did not move at all from 
 their positions, so that the firing should be exact. Then 
 upon the i6th of April, Farragut moved his fleet up within 
 three miles of the forts and announced that he was ready 
 and awaiting the result of the bombardment. The first 
 and third divisions of mortar boats were on the west bank 
 of the river upon the same side as Fort Jackson, and 
 screened by a thick wood. The Fort could be plainly 
 seen from the mastheads of the schooners which were cov- 
 ered with brush, so that the Confederate gunners could not 
 distinguish them from the trees. The leading mortar boat 
 was one and five eighths of a mile from Fort Jackson, and 
 over two miles from Fort St. Philip, which was upon the east 
 bank. The second division under Lieutenant Queen was 
 ' on the east side of the river, the leading boat being opposite 
 its mate upon the right bank. On the morning of April 18, 
 the bombardment fairly commenced, each mortar firing 
 
8o History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 once in ten minutes ; the forts replied promptly and with 
 effect after getting our range. To withdraw their fire the 
 " Owasco" was ordered up to the head of the line and its 
 eleven-inch pivot gun was used for nearly two hours, till 
 out of ammunition ; then the second, Queen's division, 
 being too much exposed, was withdrawn to the west side. 
 At five p. M. the enemy's fire slackened and it was found 
 that there was a big fire inside of Fort Jackson. At mid- 
 night the mortar crews were exhausted, but being assured 
 of the effect of their work they threw for two hours, a 
 shell each five minutes, continuing through the night at 
 the rate of one each half-hour. It is now known by the 
 evidence of Col. Edward Higgins, C. S. A., that the fleet 
 could have as easily passed the forts on the morning of 
 the 19th, as on the 24th. He says that Fort Jackson was 
 helpless ; its magazine inaccessible, as the men were con- 
 fined most rigidly to the casements. In one instance a 
 shell struck the parapet over the magazine, penetrating 
 five feet of the seven feet of wall, and failed to explode; 
 had it done so, there would have been an end to Fort Jack- 
 son ; but when the fleet did pass, the tons of descending, 
 bursting shell, destroyed all accuracy and rapidity of fire, 
 rendering the passage, as far as land fire was concerned, 
 comparatively easy. It is fair to presume that the fire 
 inside of Fort Jackson on the 19th would have prevented 
 the gunners from working so effectively as they did on the 
 morning of the 24th, when everything inflammable about 
 the works had been burned up ; all fires were then out and 
 •they had nothing to fear or distract their attention, but the 
 very indefinite fall of shells, and it is well now, to say, that 
 during the first five days' bombardment, sixteen thousand 
 eight hundred of these terrible missiles had fallen, mostly 
 in and about Fort Jackson, and as the fifteen-inch shells 
 weighed two hundred and forty pounds each, they were 
 as formidable in descending as solid shot, if they did not 
 explode. On the night of the 20th, the " Pinola," and the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 8i 
 
 "Itasca," under Captain Bell, chief of staff, went up and 
 broke the chain which crossed the river above. The ex- 
 treme height of the water in the river at this time, was a 
 great help as it served to sweep away many intended 
 obstructions, and besides, a fact that I do not see referred 
 to but which all seafaring men would deem important, was, 
 that this very high water widened the channel for the 
 invading fleet, so that it had more room to work in and 
 was not so likely to be driven ashore or be dependent on 
 a pilot, or so much upon the " lead," or be obliged to run 
 so near to the forts, to keep in a sufficient depth of water 
 to float and go on. The ships had been prepared by send- 
 ing down their light spars, painting their hulls mud color,, 
 and hanging chain cables over the sides abreast of the 
 engines. All petty details, were attended to, as a success- 
 ful passage depended upon everything being shipshape on 
 each vessel from truck to keel. By order of Flag-officer 
 Farragut, the hour of 2 a. m., on the morning of the 24th 
 inst., was fixed upon as the time for the fleet to start. 
 The following is a short extract from his General Order : 
 " When, in the opinion of the flag-officer, the propitious 
 time has arrived, the signal will be made to weigh and 
 advance to the conflict. If, in his opinion, at the time of 
 arriving at the respective positions of the different divisions 
 of the fleet, we have the advantage, he will make the sig- 
 nal for 'close action' (No. 8), and abide the result, con- 
 quer or be conquered, drop anchor or keep under way, as 
 in his opinion is best. Unless the signal above mentioned 
 is made we will proceed up the river, etc." It seems to 
 the writer that an extraordinary occurrence took place at 
 this time, of which no comment is made. A French ad- 
 miral and the English captain of the frigate "Mersey" 
 were permitted to go up and visit the rebel forts and commu- 
 nicate with the officers thereof. They returned with, it is 
 said, very discouraging reports of the prospect of our fleet 
 getting by. At the same hour a force of about six thou- 
 
82 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 sand men, under Brigadier-General Phelps, was working 
 up back of Fort St. Philip under the guidance of Gen. 
 Godfrey Weitzel, who was familiar with the fort and its 
 surroundings, ready to advance and attack at a proper 
 time. Meanwhile, how well were the rebels prepared to 
 resist the invasion? Our destination was known at Wash- 
 ington very soon after it was decided on, and then, of 
 course, at New Orleans; in fact, the gamins upon the 
 levees were hallooing it while many of our sober, consci- 
 entious rank and file were not certain of it while being 
 sickly tossed upon the "multitudinous seas" en route to 
 Ship Island. 
 
 During the days, lengthening into months, that the men 
 and material of war were concentrating below the forts, the 
 Confederates were hard at work on the defences, encour- 
 aged by a defiant press, a well-founded hope of foreign 
 recognition, and by the strongest of advocates, the women 
 and children. At Algiers was building the " Mississippi," 
 an iron-clad which was never finished and was finally 
 burned. The "Louisiana" was only in condition to be 
 towed down on the 20th ; its propellers did not work. By 
 order of Major-General Lovell, General Duncan turned 
 over all the war vessels, including tow-boats and fire- 
 barges, to Gen. J. K. Mitchell, and he, knowing the inef- 
 ficient state of the "Louisiana," declined to have her 
 towed down below the raft close on to the St. Philip (east) 
 shore, in order to draw the fire from the forts. General 
 Duncan still calling for the " Louisiana," Captain Mitchell 
 again replies on April 23d, by saying that the batteries of 
 the " Louisiana" were not in place, and that she was not in 
 condition to act against the enemj'. In this refusal Captain 
 Mitchell was supported by Captain Mcintosh, the vessel's 
 immediate commander, also Captains Huger and War- 
 ley. Two notes were also sent up asking General Mitch- 
 ell to send down fire-barges when the action commenced, 
 which he did not do, and which he might have done as 
 
Nkw Hampshire Volunteers. 83 
 
 they were plentiful and six boats of the river fleet were 
 available to tow them. At 12 m., on the 23d, General Dun- 
 can from Fort Jackson, again implores Mitchell to bring 
 down the " Louisiana," but to no purpose. He asks again 
 for fire-rafts to be sent down during the night, and still 
 again asks for the " Louisiana," but writes, — "Mitchell 
 did not come, but Farragut did." 
 
 To conclude this part about the " Louisiana," and to 
 further account for her failure, Commodore Mitchell says 
 that she, being immovable (lashed to the east shore) , could 
 use only her three bow guns and three of her starboard 
 broadside guns, and those only as the enemy passed di- 
 rectly in front of them, as the port-holes were so small that 
 the guns could be trained but five degrees either way. 
 Her crew was sent on board less than four days before the 
 action, so that they did not know each other at the same 
 gun, nor had they any time for practice, but were mostly 
 engaged in mounting or remounting guns, which they 
 had never seen fired ; and he himself was appointed 
 only four days before the fight, to the supreme command 
 over different classes of vessels scattered for miles along 
 the river. He adds in regard to his difference of opinion 
 with General Duncan, "Naval officers ought surely 
 to be considered better judges of how the forces and 
 appliances at their command should be managed, than 
 army officers." A Confederate court of enquiry after- 
 wards held, fully sustained him in his opinions and actions. 
 The "Louisiana," as an active, working "terror," was 
 from the beginning, an absurd failure. A. F. Warley 
 was captain of the ram "Manassas," C. S. N., and we 
 turn to his account of what was preparing to be done in 
 his line on that eventful morning. We slide hastily over 
 the first page of testy words, as in all these accounts there 
 is a good deal of crimination and recrimination, mostly, 
 naturally, on the beaten side; yet by choosing, we get 
 from all these latest contributions, bed-rock facts as to 
 
84 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 what was done, as also, what might have been done, by 
 those who are now fast passing away. Warley, on the eve of 
 the 23d, saw his friend Captain Huger, of the " McRae," 
 and they agreed that the attack was at hand and that no sup- 
 port would be given them by any of the vessels that had 
 been sent down to help oppose the fleet, and to support this 
 opinion, he relates that the first vessel seen after the start- 
 ing of his ram down stream, was an armed Confederate 
 steamer, dashing up the river only a few feet away, and 
 taking no notice of a hail from the " Manassas" to stop and 
 help. The "Manassas," according to Captain Warley, 
 was merely a tow-boat covered with five-inch timber and 
 armored with one thickness of flat railroad iron, a comple- 
 ment of thirty-four persons, and an armament of one light 
 carronade and four double-barrelled guns. She was very 
 slow, not making that night more than five miles an hour, 
 he not saying whether that speed was with the current or 
 against it. There has been" much discussion whether or 
 no the " Manassas "rammed the "Hartford" ; but at the last 
 Captain Warley disposes of the whole matter in a sentence, 
 by saying that Warley read incorrectly (since the war), a 
 letter from Captain Mahan, in which he was led to believe 
 that he did jar Farragut slightly — which reminds one of 
 the fable of the flv that lit upon the horn of an ox, but 
 good-naturedly declared that he would get off if he was 
 heavy, whereupon the ox said, "I did not know that you 
 were there until I heard your voice." But it is prettv cer- 
 tain that the " Manassas" did ram the " Brooklvn." The 
 "Governor Moore" was commanded by Capt. Beverly 
 Kennon, who had opinions and expressed them thus : "In 
 considering the responsibility for the fall of New Orleans, 
 it should be remembered that Messrs. Benjamin and Mal- 
 lory were better fitted for the law than to preside over the 
 war and navy department of a newly fledged government" ; 
 and this, "Secretary Mallory did not order the construc- 
 tion of the 'Louisiana' until four months before New 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 85 
 
 Orleans fell, and after Stephenson had fashioned that 
 pigmy monster, the ' Manassas,' and in a measuie tested 
 her power." " Her half-inch iron roof and sides, were no 
 match for modern gunnery." The "Governor Moore" 
 was once the "Charles Morgan," an ocean-built, wooden- 
 paddle steamship, having a walking-beam engine. She 
 had two rifled thirty-two pounders, and a complement of 
 ninety-three persons. She was not iron plated, but her 
 stem was faced just above the water mark with two strips 
 of flat railroad iron, held up by short straps ; the other 
 seven rams had their " noses" hardened in a like manner, 
 but with no projecting prow under water. They were 
 protected by cotton bales from the hold to five feet 
 above the spar deck ; each was of about one hundred and 
 fifty tons measurement, carried one or two guns and about 
 thirty-five men each. They were " Free Lances," and 
 could go and come as they pleased under no command, 
 yet expected to keep the big river clear of the enemy from 
 the "Passes" up. The account of the rams is of no 
 account, save to say that not one of them availed itself of 
 any advantage, for when they saw the enemy approach- 
 ing, those who had steam tried to escape, while those who 
 had not were set on fire where they lay. There was not 
 an exception save in the case of the " Stonewall Jackson" 
 nearly three hours after. The principal reason of this 
 failure was, that although Captain Stephenson, their com- 
 mander, created the "Manassas" out of the tug "Enoch 
 Train," the command of her was refused him; hence the 
 insubordination and its results. Kennon says that a better 
 showing would have been seen if the regular naval officers 
 had been there even at the eleventh hour, instead of being 
 in the mud forts of Virginia, or cutting timber for iron- 
 clads in North Carolina. Kennon's vessel was anchored 
 near Fort St. Philip and was always, he says, day or 
 night, in fighting readiness, with fires banked, watches 
 and sentinels set, and two guns' crews ready for action. 
 
86 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 On the evening of the 23d, he reported to General Duncan 
 his observations of Farragut's movements as seen from the 
 mast head of his vessel. He thought no picket boat was 
 on the watch, but Mitchell testified that Launch No. 6 was 
 below but ran away up stream at the first danger. At 
 3.30 A. M., April 24, Kennon heard an unusual noise down 
 the river ; he descended the ladder to the water and could 
 distinctly hear the paddles of a steamer (the Mississippi) ; 
 he reached the deck and fired the after gun which was 
 pointed in the direction of the opening in the obstructions, 
 and the sentry fired the forward gun ; steam was up in 
 three minutes ; he says, " we slipped the cable, waited for 
 Warley to spring the 'Manassas' out, she being then 
 inside us. We ran over the little 'Belle Algerine' 
 steamer and behold the vessels of the fleet were firing into 
 us at short range and the 'Uncle Sam' of my earlier days 
 had the key to the valley of the Mississippi in his breeches 
 pocket, for which he had to thank his gallant navy, and 
 the stupidity, tardiness, ignorance, and neglect of the 
 authorities in Richmond." Of the " McRae" he says that 
 "it was a small vessel mounting one nine-inch and six 32- 
 pounders, her commander, T. B. Huger, was killed early 
 in the battle by a shot from the ' Iroquois,' the vessel on 
 which he was serving when he left the United States 
 Navy." The water battery of Fort Jackson was an im- 
 portant work. Captain Robertson, ist Louisiana Artiller)^ 
 C. S. A., commanded. It was an outwork, separated from 
 the fort by two moats, quadrilateral in shape, the side next 
 the fort being open. It had no casemates nor covered 
 ways, and was nearly in the line of fire from the mortars 
 to the forts. The guns were two 32-pounders, rifled, one 
 ten-inch Columbiad, two eight-inch Columbiad, and one 
 ten-inch sea-mortar. There were two hurriedly con- 
 structed magazines and two hovels for shelter for the men 
 while sleeping. On account of the inferiority of the 
 powder, only the mortar could be used against the mortar 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 87 
 
 boa s and the guns on the gunboats when they appeared 
 above the point of the woods. On the morning of the 
 24th, several black shapeless masses were seen moving 
 silently and steadily up the river, and, says Captain 
 Robertson, " I ordered the guns to be trained upon the 
 two which were in the lead and to open a rapid fire on 
 them. Soon Forts Jackson and Philip opened fire and 
 the Federal fleet replied with broadsides. No fire-rafts lit 
 up the scene, and only the flashes of the guns from both 
 sides revealed the outlines of the passing steamers. . Dur- 
 ing the passage no guns were silenced either in Fort Jack- 
 son or the water battery." Here follow the number and 
 names of the vessels of our own fleet and the order of their 
 sailing, though it does not take long for men or vessels to 
 get mixed after a fight begins. Farragut's first plan was 
 to lead in the " Hartford" with the heaviest vessels follow- 
 ing, but the senior commanders induced him, after a large 
 amount of persuasion, to give the lead to Captain Bailey in 
 the " Cayuga," commanded by Lieut. N. B. Harrison, so 
 the plan was changed to the following order of attack : 
 
 First Division — Captain Bailey, the "Cayuga," " Pensa- 
 cola," "Mississippi," "Oneida," "Varuna," "Katahdin," 
 " Kineo." and " Wissahickon." 
 
 Centre Division — Flag-Officer Farragut, on the " Hart- 
 ford," the " Brooklyn," and " Richmond " following. 
 
 Third Division — Captain H. H. Bell, the " Sciota," 
 "Iroquois," "Kennebec," "Pinola," "Itasca," and 
 " Winona." 
 
 To match the above, seventeen vessels were upon the 
 Confederate side, those before described and the General 
 Quitman, the Jackson, and two launches and six river 
 defense boats — in all, fourteen vessels. The Union fleet 
 with the mortar boats had three hundred and two guns 
 against Confederate one hundred and sixtj^-six ; but thirty- 
 sevtn per cent of the Union batteries were thirty-two 
 pounders and below, while the enemy had seventy per 
 
88 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 cent of thirty-two and below and, too, as Professor Soley 
 says and Kennon intimates, the value of the Confederate 
 fleet was in its power of ramming, being mostly of fast tow- 
 boats with plated bows. The weak armament of the 
 "Governor Moore" would suggest her as a ram, and 
 Kennon admits that her stem was faced its length with 
 two strips of railroad iron, extending two feet abaft the 
 face of the stem where they were bolted in place. Pro- 
 fessor Soley says, " It was essentially a ram fleet and if it 
 had been properly handled, might have thrown the fleet 
 of Farragut into confusion." 
 
 Now having, to use familiar expressions, placed the 
 antagonists in position, having given their weight of metal, 
 we call them to the "scratch." They have, we may 
 say, no modern previous record ; a record is to be made. 
 Time, 3.30 a. m., April 24, 1862. 
 
 When the "Cayuga" got between the fires of the forts, 
 she passed the lines of obstructions safely and then was 
 going bows on toward Fort St. Philip, which did her some 
 damage before her guns as she turned could be brought to 
 bear with grape and canister, which, of course, drove the 
 men from the guns of the fort and she passed safely on. 
 Next, she met the Confederate gunboats and with the 
 "Oneida" and" Varuna," easily dispersed them. Bailey's 
 division dashed on up the river firing into everything they 
 met. The "Varuna," being a swift vessel, forged ahead 
 and soon got in the midst of the enemy's fleet. Kennon 
 (C. S. N.) says, "we found ourselves, in the 'Governor 
 Moore,' close to the United States ' Oneida,' ten guns, and 
 with the United States ' Cayuga,' four guns, on our port 
 beam. On being hailed, I answered, « The United States 
 ship " Mississippi," ' she being like us, a side wheeler. But 
 seeing our distinguishing light, the • Oneida' raked with 
 her starboard guns, the ' Cayuga' fired at us at a short dis- 
 tance, and the United States ' Pensacola' from the howitzers 
 in her ' tops ' cleared out twelve men at our bow gun. The 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 89 
 
 United States 'Pinola,' five guns, delivered her fire on our 
 port quarter, killing five men in our bunkers. This com- 
 bined attack cut up the vessel terribly. Suddenly, three 
 Confederate rams passed close to us bound for New 
 Orleans, but grounded just above Fort St. Philip and 
 were fired, disabled, and abandoned. Next came along a 
 large two-masted steamer rushing up stream like a racer, 
 belching ' black smoke ' and flying the distinguishing 
 United States lights, viz., a white light at the mast and a 
 red light at the peak. I knew that General Lovell was 
 ahead of her on the steamer ' Doubloon,' so out of the 
 surrounding smoke and darkness, I slipped after the 
 advancing stranger which proved to be the ' Varuna,' Capt. 
 Charles S. Boggs, mounting eight eight-inch guns, and 
 two thirty-pound rifles. I then shot away our blue dis- 
 tinguishing light at the mast head with a musket, as to 
 have hauled it down would have attracted attention. We 
 used oil upon our coal, and as the ' Varuna's' steam was fail- 
 ing (she had but seventeen pounds), we soon -came up 
 with her after a mile's chase, and now hoisted the United 
 States signal lights. On our left, close under the land, 
 was the runaway ' Stonewall Jackson.' Four miles more 
 and we were nearly to Chalmette Camp and nearly one 
 mile further on was the C. S. N. guard boat 'Jackson.' 
 "We hoped for help from these forces as well as the 
 ' Stonewall,' so we hauled down the lights and opened 
 fire on the 'Varuna '.at about one hundred yards distance, 
 she replying with one or two guns, her broadside being 
 useless as she could not sheer. The 'Jackson' fired at 
 us both as enemies, and started for New Orleans where 
 she was burned by her commander, Lieutenant Renshaw. 
 Then we had it out alone, the 'Varuna* raking our 
 decks ; soon we depressed our bow gun and shot inside 
 our own bows, but with small eff"ect. A second shot 
 through the hole made by the first shot struck the ' Varu- 
 na's' pivot gun, killing several men. We then saw a 
 
90 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 chance and rammed her near the starboard gangway 
 twice." The final evidence is that the " Stonewall Jack- 
 son," as she came up rammed the " Varuna" twice on the 
 port side, which disabled her and she was beached ; then 
 the Confederate steamer kept on up the river about four 
 miles, was beached, fired, and deserted. Kennon, in the 
 "Governor Moore," now turned down stream to try to 
 ram some more with his so called non-plated craft, " nose- 
 hardened." He came head on to the "Pensacola," which 
 saw her in time, and sheering off, gave her a broadside 
 which cut everything up, disabling the engine so as to 
 necessitate hoisting the jib in order to reach the river 
 bank, when she was fired and deserted. The C. S. N. 
 "Quitman," another gunboat, and the telegraph steamer 
 "Star," were set on fire at the report of the first Federal 
 gun. The "Mosher" was destroyed by the "Hartford." 
 The tug "Music," and three other C. S. N. rams were 
 fired and exploded after desertion. The United States 
 " Oneida," Captain Lee, got well in front and assisted the 
 "Cayuga" in dispersing the fleet, finally taking off the 
 officers and crew of the "Varuna." Bailey's division 
 swept all before it ; then came Farragut with the "Hart- 
 ford" and " Brooklyn," the " Richmond" getting by on the 
 west side and the "Iroquois" smardy getting out of line 
 and passing up ahead of her consorts of the third division. 
 She got well cut up in passing Fort St. Philip, but drove 
 off a ram and disabled the " McRae." Farragut engaged 
 Fort St. Philip at close quarters and was passing on up 
 the river when the C. S. N. tugboat " Mosher," came 
 down with a fire-raft in full blaze, which the " Hartford" 
 attempting to avoid, ran upon a shoal and was soon on fire 
 halfway to her tops. The fire department was at once 
 called away and under Commander Wainright fought the 
 fire while the batteries plunged shot into the fort ; the fire 
 was soon extinguished and the engines being backed 
 hard, the flag ship slid off, a result due to the coolness of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 91 
 
 Farragut and the good discipline on board ship. "Don't 
 flinch boys," said Farragut, "give that rascally tug a 
 shot." Accordingly the "Mosher" was sunk. As luck 
 would have it, the "Hartford" got more exposed and 
 imperiled than either of the large vessels, but it cannot 
 be seen how, as Porter says, the fleet would have been 
 thrown into confusion, even if Farragut had been killed. 
 Such things are taken into account in the fortunes of war. 
 Probably half of the fleet had already run by the forts and 
 Wainright would have taken the " Hartford" along up the 
 river if he had had enough men left to work the craft ; 
 besides, there was the "Brooklyn" looking on. That 
 ship had just got clear of the hulks, the obstructions. It 
 had been hulled by shot from Fort Jackson, had lost offi- 
 cers and men, and sighted the "Hartford" on fire upon 
 her starboard quarter. Captain Craven then gave the 
 order to " slow down," and then " stop her," and the 
 "Brooklyn" swung around until she was on a line 
 between Fort Jackson and the " Hartford." Captain Cra- 
 ven had stopped to assist the " Hartford," and the " Brook- 
 lyn " being now nearly stationary, was a fine target for the 
 gunners of Fort Jackson, and they improved it ; but, luck- 
 ily for the "Brooklyn" boys, they fired too high and the 
 rigging, boats, etc., got the most of it, while below, her 
 port guns served out in reply shell and shrapnel as fast as 
 the pieces could be handled. This went on until it was 
 seen that Farragut got clear, then she steamed ahead. As 
 there was never any official account or newspaper report 
 of this act of the " Brooklyn," Commander Bartlett calls 
 attention to it as one of the coolest and bravest things that 
 he ever saw, and it is given here as a reminder of his 
 vivid description of the stoppage of these two heaviest 
 vessels of the fleet between the forts. The " Brooklyn" 
 had been blockading Pass a V Outre since February 2, 
 1862, and Commander John R. Bardett says that officers 
 who had known the coming flag-officer, David G. Farra- 
 
92 
 
 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 gut, reported him as a man of a most determined will ; 
 one who would assume any responsibility to accomplish 
 necessary ends ; his energy, activity, and promptness of 
 decision and action were impressive. He had a winning 
 smile, a most charming manner, and was jovial and talk- 
 ative ; he prided himself upon his agility, and declared 
 that he made it a practice to turn a handspring on each 
 recurring birthday. During the weeks when getting in 
 readiness for the attack, Farragut was about the fleet from 
 early dawn till dark, infusing all with a spontaneous 
 enthusiasm. This was carried right into the councils of 
 war held each day on board the " Hartford," where the 
 majority of the captains thought the passage would result 
 in losing one half of the fleet, or worse ; but all this time 
 Farragut maintained that " it must and should be done." 
 "So, in due time," says Commander Bartlett, "the 
 ' Brooklyn ' followed the ' Hartford,' and silentl}' for 
 twenty minutes stood the fire of the forts till we reached 
 the ' obstructions,' where we got our first shot from the 
 water battery and gave back a broadside of grape. The 
 smoke was so dense that we missed the opening, and 
 brought up on the chain. We dropped back and tried it 
 again, breaking the chain, but the steam anchor caught and 
 held us till someone cut the hawser and we were free to move 
 on, and soon we saw the ' Hartford' in the struggle with 
 the fire-raft already described. Soon we were less than 
 one hundred feet from the bank and the ' Hartford ' had 
 passed ahead." 
 
 Commander Bartlett says that when the " Brooklyn" got 
 abreast of Fort St. Philip, there was a long blaze of mus- 
 ketry from the parapet, but it soon stopped when we got to 
 work; afterwards the paroled prisoners said that the 
 grape came like rain, but worst of all were the " infernal 
 lamp-posts " that we fired. These were only the " stands " 
 that held the grape, and doubtless they made an unearthly 
 noise. The quartermaster, Thomas Hollins, stood at his 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 93 
 
 post in the starboard main chains, heaving the lead and 
 calling out the soundings. The outside of the ship near 
 him was completely peppered with bullets, and the flames 
 from the enemy's guns seemed almost to reach him, still 
 he remained cool and was heard calling out " only thirteen 
 feet, sir." Captain Craven got sight of the " Louisiana," 
 and ordered solid shot for the starboard battery. The 
 " Louisiana " gave us two shots, closed her port shutters and 
 took our broadside, then we sheered off. A nine-inch 
 shell struck the " Brooklyn" just above the water line and 
 buried itself three feet into the timbers; but the "Louis- 
 iana" gunners did not cut the lead patch off the fuse, so the 
 shell did not blow the " Brooklyn's" bow off and send her 
 to the bottom. After disposing of another Confederate 
 unknown steamer by firing nine guns, en echelon, so to 
 speak, with fuses cut to burn one second, the cry came 
 "the ram! the ram!" and the dreaded "Manassas" 
 appeared upon the portside, coming up against the cur- 
 rent. She struck the " Brooklyn" nearly at right angles 
 amidships. A man came out of the little hatch aft on the 
 ram and ran along to the smoke stack to see the damage 
 done to us, but suddenly fell overboard. Tom Hollins, on 
 being questioned about his disappearance, said that he had 
 helped him with his little hand lead. The " Manassas" 
 drifted by without a shot from us as our crews had been at 
 the port guns. The " McRae" too went by, claiming to 
 be the "Iroquois," if known she would have been sunk, 
 as No. lo gun was loaded and pointed for her with a 
 nine-inch shell ready to go out below her water line. A 
 long time after, when the coal had been used out of our 
 starboard bunker, it was found that that fuel had saved 
 the ship, for the protecting chains had been driven into the 
 planking their thickness, and a space of five feet in length 
 had been crushed in so that she was obliged to go into 
 Pensacola, heave down, and have a large patch of plank 
 bolted on to cover the spot where the ram had struck. 
 
94 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Our old favorite, the "Mississippi" at the start hugged the 
 east shore until opposite Fort St. Philip, and then swung 
 over to the west shore and got prettily by at daylight, 
 when she approached the quarantine where the " Brooklyn' 
 and "Hartford" already were. The ugly " Manassas" was 
 seen coming up again. Farragut signalled to Rear Ad- 
 miral Melancton Smith of the "Mississippi" "to sink 
 her," which he aimed to do, but the " Manassas" sheered 
 off and ran ashore. The crew left in haste for the swamp 
 and she was set on fire. The way being cleared by the 
 immense pounding of the Federal big craft, the third divi- 
 sion came on bravely, but the " Itasca," " Kennebec," and 
 "Winona," being slow vessels, were caught at daylight in 
 front of the forts without support, and they were signalled 
 to retire. The "Itasca" got a shot through her boiler and 
 was run ashore. Our total loss in the fleet was, killed 
 thirty-seven, wounded one hundred and forty-seven. The 
 ships that suffered most were the "Pensacola" thirty-seven, 
 "Brooklyn" thirty-five, and "Iroquois" twenty-eight. 
 The signal on the morning of the 25th was " Push on 
 to New Orleans." At noon on the 25th Lieutenant Guest 
 was sent up to Fort Jackson under a flag of truce with a 
 summons to surrender, but General Duncan declined. 
 On the 27th, five mortar boats got in rear of the fort, and 
 the United States steamer "Miami" landed troops near 
 Fort St. Philip. On the 28th of April, the forts surrendered 
 to Commodore Porter ; the naval force was not included, 
 so Lieutenant Whittle of the "Louisiana" which vessel 
 was tied to the bank above Fort St. Philip was dispatched 
 with a note from Commodore Mitchell to Porter saying that 
 they had done their best to drown its magazines and the 
 charges in the guns, but she had been set on fire and her 
 hawsers might burn, which would leave her free to drift 
 down upon the Union fleet, which, in fact, she did do, 
 blowing up at the very time that capitulations were being 
 signed in the cabin of the "Harriet Lane." At 7 p. m.. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 95 
 
 April 25 , Farragut anchored in frorit of the city of New 
 Orleans, having, after passing the forts, silenced the bat- 
 teries at Chalmette, and it was evident to the dullest or most 
 obstinate rebel mind, that the new gove-nment had col- 
 lapsed, and that Picayune Butler was en regie. 
 
 The above is the grand result as acknowledged by the 
 Confederate historian. Pollard. 
 
 Gen. Halbert E. Paine reports in his diary that "the 
 presence of our transports and the landing of our troops in 
 the rear of Fort St. Philip, may have had some influence 
 on the capitulation. We stopped near quarantine over 
 night, where a lot of rebel prisoners were obtained ; some 
 of them had already enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Indiana 
 Regiment. Was ordered by General Butler to follow him 
 to New Orleans. The levee was covered with thousands 
 of frantic people ; war had already blasted the city. Over- 
 taking General Butler, we received orders to land, and 
 while doing so the general sent me a request that I would 
 cause my band to give them on the march "Picayune 
 Butler's coming." My band leader was German and 
 could not. He gave them "Yankee Doodle." Our des- 
 tination, the Custom House, was closed against us. We 
 broke in with axes ; no lights were to be had except a few 
 candles from our knapsacks. On the 2d, General Butler 
 ordered me to keep the peace on the street while he held 
 an interview at the St. Charles hotel with the city author- 
 ities. At 8 p. M., I took my regiment and two sections of 
 artillery and posted them with guns commanding all the 
 approaches to the hotel, St. Charles. The band played 
 the national airs from the balcony,; the crowd was large 
 and malignant, but behaved comparatively well. A few 
 w<;re slashed with sabres for impudent acts and words, 
 and some were arrested. On May 8th, 1862, started by 
 boat with six companies of my regiment, and the 6th 
 Michigan, all under General Williams, for Baton Rouge. 
 
96 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 General Butler in New Orleans. — General Lovell's and Duncan's reports, 
 C. S. A. — The Mob. — United States Troops take Possession. — 
 Lieutenant King's Diary on Forts Pike and Macomb. — Essays on 
 the Mosquito and the Negro. — Off for Camp Parapet. 
 
 General Butler to Brigadier-General Shepley at Ship 
 Island : 
 
 Organize two hundred and fifty men with provisions for 
 sixty days and a competent commander to take possession 
 of Fort Wood. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Lull was sent. 
 
 What was the cause of the failure to defend New 
 Orleans? One prominent rebel answer is that it was due, 
 first, to the delay in completing the " Louisiana"; but the 
 " Louisiana " was not an available fighting boat as shown, 
 and besides, she couldn't go! They do not speak of the 
 delay in completing the " Mississippi." Second, the 
 absurd organization of the River Defense fleet ; third, to 
 the want of seamen : fourth, to the bungling of the civil 
 administration at Richmond. As Commander Bartlett 
 suggests, the fire-rafts with attendant tugs might have 
 been put to a formidable use, as shown by the " Mosher" 
 and " Hartford." The Cotifederate " Court of Enquiry" 
 asked Colonel Higgins what was the immediate cause of 
 the surrender of the forts, and his reply was, "the mutiny 
 of the garrison." Question : " What was the cause of the 
 mutiny ? " Answer : "The mutineers gave as a reason that 
 the city having surrendered, further fighting was of no 
 use." Captain Robertson, of the water battery, did not 
 deny the fact of the mutiny and said that it " was a dis- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 97 
 
 graceful affair, and that no officer or native Southerner 
 was engaged in it." And, too, the forces of nature are to 
 be reckoned. The high stage of the water in the river 
 has been alluded to as assisting in the passage of the 
 forts. The same would have enabled one of our gun- 
 boats to have immediately gone up to Kenner's plantation, 
 ten miles above the city, and in less than one hour's time 
 commanding the narrow neck of land between the river 
 and the swamp across which the railway passes, would 
 have stopped all troops and supplies from going in either 
 direction. The fact that the Confederates knew that this 
 could be and might be done, aided and intensified the 
 panic in New Orleans and caused General Lovell to 
 abandon it as soon as possible after the gunboats were in 
 front of the city. There could be no defence ; only the 
 golden minutes of delay were gained. It was a severe 
 commentary on their boasted powers of defence — the 
 trusting to a floating cable, a few Jack O'Lantern fire- 
 rafts, poorly served guns, and a braggant press — for the 
 New Orleans " Picayune" of April 5, said that "we have 
 here thirty-two thousand infantry, and as many more quar- 
 tered in the neighborhood. In discipline and drill they 
 are far superior to the Yankees. We have two very able 
 and active generals who possess our entire confidence, viz. : 
 Generals Lovell and Ruggles. For commodore, we have 
 Old HoUins — a Nelson in his way. Our only fear is that 
 the Northern invaders may not appear, we have made 
 such extensive preparations to receive them, that it were 
 vexatious if their invincible armada escapes the fate we 
 have in store for it." According to Pollard's First Year of 
 the War, page 310, the authorities at Richmond were so 
 well assured of safety that they refused even to entertain 
 the possibility of a penetration of the outer line of defenses, 
 even when the mortar fleet had begun its work. In sum- 
 ming up, the same author says that " it annihilated us in 
 Louisiana, diminished our resources and supplies by the 
 
98 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 loss of one of the greatest grain and cattle countries within 
 the limits of the Confederacy, gave to the enemy the 
 Mississippi river with all its means of navigation for a 
 base of operations, and finally led by plain and irresistible 
 conclusion to our virtual abandonment of the great and 
 fruitful valley of the river." 
 
 Extract from Major-General Lovell's report on the fall 
 of New Orleans : 
 
 It having been reported lo me that a sufficient number 
 of desperately bold men could easily be got together to 
 board the enemy's vessels and carry them by assault, I 
 authorized Major James to seize such steamers as might 
 be necessary for his purpose and to attempt it. He called 
 for one thousand men by public advertisement, but being 
 able to find but about one hundred who would undertake 
 it he abandoned the project. 
 
 Extract from report of Brigadier-General Duncan, 
 April 22, 1862 : 
 
 At this time, as an iron-clad invulnerable floating bat- 
 tery with sixteen guns of the heaviest caliber, the "Louis- 
 iana" was as complete as she ever would be. There was 
 a criminal neglect on Captain Mitchell's part in not send- 
 ing fire-barges on the morning of April 24th. 
 
 Same — final report. May 13, 1862 : 
 
 I am now perfectly satisfied that nearly every man in 
 both forts was thoroughly implicated and concerned in the 
 revolt on the night of April 27th, with the exception of 
 the company of Saint Mary's Cannoneers, composed 
 mostly of planters. 
 
 President Davis to Mayor Monroe — Series i, vol. 6, 
 page 884, April 28, 1862 : 
 
 I deeply sympathize with your situation, — proud of 
 your patriotism. Your answer to Farragut leaves you all 
 the rights of war. Gen. Duncan may prevent reinforce- 
 ments to the enemy. Beauregard will aid you as he may. 
 My prayers are with you ; there is no personal sacrifice L 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 99 
 
 would not willingly make for your defense. Maintain 
 your position and hope for a successful issue. 
 
 Pierre Soule to C. S. A. secretary of war, page 887, — 
 extract : • 
 
 May 8th, 1862. In this perilous and entirely isolated 
 position — this once glorious city of New Orleans — under 
 pressure of calamities, bearing a complex and arduous 
 trust, I feel authorized, considering the flight of all our 
 State authorities, to address the President of the Confed- 
 erate States, through Gen. Beauregard, commanding at 
 Corinth, to know the ulterior designs of the Government in 
 reference to this doomed city, that good citizens with 
 hearts full of hope and faith in the great struggle, may 
 have some direction — guide, in the course of events. All 
 who had moneys or Govt, resources got away. There is no 
 official direction or means. Vast amounts of coal, guns, and 
 ammunition, and nothing to protect them from the grasp 
 of the invader — no word of instruction about them and not 
 a cent to provide security for the same. The entire crew 
 of the " McRae," one hundred and eight in number, and 
 remnants from all the abandoned camps and forts are 
 prowling the streets and asking for their pay — they will 
 be enticed into the Federal ranks. The threatened 
 measures of the Federal commander look to servile insur- 
 rection to crush indomitable energy, somewhere. The 
 sack of our houses and slaughter of our women and chil- 
 dren will be the next issue, dire dilemma ! Are we not to 
 be remembered? Shall we be left to infuriated negroes ? 
 Will not the hand of our government be lifted if it were 
 but to protest? 
 
 General Lovell tq General Beauregard, Camp Moore, 
 May 12, 1862 : 
 
 I wish to organize six thousand Partisan Rangers to 
 keep the Federals from leaving New Orleans except in 
 very large force, but guns and all for the defence of the 
 city have ever been stopped, even by C. S. A. government, 
 and sent in other directions. 
 
 The city fell from three causes : First, the carrying 
 away of the river obstructions at the forts by the storm and 
 flood before the attack. 
 
lOO History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Second, the want of a sufficiency of heavy guns. 
 
 Third, from inefficiency and want of proper coopera- 
 tion on the part of those who were building and those who 
 were to use the naval defences when ready. I have 
 asked for an official investigation. (Later. — Said investi- 
 gation disclosed no facts of greater importance than are 
 here given.) 
 
 At I p. M. April 25, 1862, Farragut's squadron anchored 
 in front of the city of New Orleans in a rain storm. Capt. 
 Theodorus Bailey and Lieut. George H. Perkins at once 
 proceeded to the city hall to demand the surrender of 
 the place. Neither the Mayor nor General Lovell, the 
 latter having withdrawn his troops, would accede to the 
 demand. During the visit of the officers, the mob over- 
 awed by the frowning batteries upon the ships, dared not 
 molest them, but General Lovell and one of his staff 
 accompanied them back to the landing. Mr. George 
 Cable saw the two officers walk from the levee to the city 
 hall and calls it one of the bravest things that he ever saw. 
 They walked' abreast, unguarded and alone, looking not 
 to the right nor left, never frowning, never ffinching, while 
 the mob screamed in their ears, shook cocked pistols in their 
 faces, cursed and crowded and gnashed upon them. On 
 the 29th, Farragut sent Capt. H. H. Bell and a sufficient 
 force to hoist the United States flag upon the Custom 
 House, that being United States property. They also 
 removed the State flag from the roof of the city hall ; that 
 building being State property, no national flag was raised 
 over it. The flag on the Custom House was guarded by 
 marines until the arrival of General Butler's troops on 
 May I. The dignity of the navy having thus been sus- 
 tained, on the morning of May 2, Commander Farragut 
 sent the keys to the Custom House to General Butler at 
 the St. Charles hotel. As Captain Kautz delivered them, 
 he remarked, " General, I fear you are going to have rather 
 a lawless party to govern from what I have seen in the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. ioi 
 
 past three or four days." The General repHed, " No 
 doubt of that, but I think I understand these people and 
 can govern them." 
 
 We return to the diary of Lieut. D. W. King of Com- 
 pany A, who on May 5, speaks thus of Fort Pike : 
 
 The enemy damaged it as much as possible on leaving, 
 spiking the guns, etc. As a variety, the walls were 
 charcoaled with bad pictures and vulgar allusions ad- 
 dressed to the " invaders." About sundown a detachment 
 came to garrison the place. It was decided that for us 
 Fort Macomb was the next objective point. The next 
 morning Lieutenant Warren and myself started in the 
 smaller of the two schooners, but our advance was in the 
 usual southern easy going style, which included anchoring 
 at night and towing next day, which brought us to pretty 
 Fort Macomb. Here we have a good drill ground on the 
 end of a ridge of land, dry and reaching to the city ; all 
 else is a dreary, vast marsh. The ridge is in part, well 
 wooded with cedar, live oak and the magnificent magnolia 
 now in full bloom. All through the forest droops the 
 melancholy looking moss like long grey hair, some of the 
 locks being ten feet in length in such amounts that a bed 
 can be easily filled from the stripping of a single tree. 
 The moss gives the woods a hoary, majestic appearance 
 unlike anything seen in New England. On our arrival 
 Colonel Lull with his usual energy, organized scouting 
 parties to scour the lakes and bayous for all information 
 possible. Fishermen and their smacks were pressed into 
 service. A party of us in a schooner went out to seek the 
 "Tower Dupre." 
 
 Our first experience was an endurance of a bloody 
 experience, for we were becalmed in the middle of 
 the lake and were all night at the mercy of six billions of 
 mosquitoes. I would send north one of their wings, but 
 have no envelopes big enough. They belong to the class 
 " Naturalibus, Bloodibus, Suckeribus," which the books 
 call very voracious. In the morning a smart breeze 
 brought us to a landing place near the " Tower." No 
 sentry hailing us, we landed; found the place deserted. 
 The property was unharmed ; four thirty-two pounders 
 were intact. The surgeon's department was in order; 
 
I02 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 drugs enough for an invalid division were left revelling in 
 their own perfume ; took an inventory of property — a 
 drawing of the post and returned. Our time is employed 
 in battallion drill, and in removing munitions of war to 
 Fort Macomb. 
 
 Simon Oakes on Two Fat Men : 
 
 A two hundred pound laugh at a two hundred pound 
 man. A long rifled pivot gun, a thirty-two pounder, was 
 found at Fort McComb, spiked. The machinists, Shattuck 
 and Oakes, undertook to relieve it and did get out the ten- 
 penny nails. Lieutenant Colonel Lull ordered the piece 
 fired daily at a target, ten rounds at a time, the men to 
 take turns in the practice. In due course of time it arrived 
 at Commissary Shattuck's turn to sight the piece while 
 Simon Oakes stood aside to view and criticise the shoot- 
 ing. The primers being unfit to use, common paper 
 sprinkled with powder was substituted, a stone being put 
 on to keep it in place. All being ready Shattuck applied 
 the match, but no explosion followed. Then he climbed 
 up to take a look at the fuse, when whiz went the grains of 
 powder and bang went the gun ! The recoil of the gun 
 and the scramble to get off the carriage, sent Commissary 
 T. M. Shattuck over four somersaults before he got 
 upright, and it left the two comrades glaring at each 
 other, the one in wrath and the other in fun. Says T. M. 
 Shattuck in wrath, " What yer laughing at yer infernal 
 fool ?" Both men weighed then over two hundred pounds 
 each, and fatted on fun. No record of the shot is to be 
 found." 
 
 King's diary : 
 
 " Sixteen heavy guns and 40,000 pounds of shot and 
 shell must be brought here by water. Lieutenant Warren 
 has brought now 10,000 pounds on his little craft, which he 
 calls the " Ada Warren." We have scoured the country. 
 Colonel Lull has discovered or uncovered a lot of fort 
 plunder in fishermen's huts which incited Warren, Burpee 
 and myself to re-scour for more, but we got only five sable 
 animals, all runaways from up the Pearl river. 
 
 It is in order to smile with him at re-reading his letter of 
 May 13, in which he says, " New Orleans is taken as you 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 103 
 
 well know. Rebellion is well nigh gone in the box ; a 
 few more faint gasps and all will be over." He was not 
 alone in nursing exuberant hope, but there were many 
 astonishing ' ' gasps " before the finality about three years 
 from date. He continues : 
 
 On our arrival here, Captain Flanders of Company F 
 was sent with despatches to General Butler in New 
 Orleans. Two of the captain's brothers were known to be 
 residents in the city, and he easily found them. One of 
 them had been the chief engineer of the Confederate forces 
 there, and was the officer who took the troops away from 
 the outlying stations and forts, as Pike and Macomb. Gen- 
 eral Butler in his return acknowledgments complimented 
 Colonel Lull very highly for his efficiency as an active and 
 reliable officer. 
 
 We have had a big treat ; no less than a visit to General 
 Jackson's old battle ground. After a twenty-five mile 
 splash, pull and wade, we landed at the Villeroy plantation 
 where seventy negroes run a large mill of the old pattern 
 in the universal cane-sugar business. The planter's house 
 is dilapidated, the negro cabins are comfortable, and the 
 grounds splendid with groves, fruits, flowers and some 
 rare exotics. The negroes seem happy ; they are simply 
 tasked for a day's work, which ends usually at 3 p. m. 
 The "way" they do things, is the way they started our con- 
 veyance to the battlefield. But the colonel's mode of per- 
 suasive eloquence, brought forth sable energy enough after 
 the word " Go" to hitch six mules to two two-wheeled carts 
 in ninety minutes, and the eleven invaders started. The 
 battle ground is now occupied by gardens, houses, etc., 
 but from the top of the monument we got an idea of it, and 
 when I picked up a rusty shot, I felt a glow of patriotism 
 along the spine which tempted me to wish to let the British 
 again know, as Judge P. said, "that there is a God in 
 Israel," a Jacksonian spirit in America. In spite of an all 
 night trip back, we were well repaid for our venture. 
 
 The health of the men in this detachment is good. 
 Surgeon S. G. Dearborn is with the right wing at Carrol- 
 ton. The malaria of this region is almost too much for the 
 doctor, and, too, his eyesight has been affected during his 
 stay upon Ship Island. It is to be hoped that we shall not 
 
I04 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 lose his services. Our hospital here is in charge of the 
 assistant surgeon, Dr. E. C. Clarke of Hollis ; a fine man 
 for the place and liked by all hands. His skillful mode of 
 treatment keeps the majority of us busy with our rations. 
 
 Our first batch of recruits with Corporal Gillis has 
 arrived at Ship Island. Lieutenant Richardson is there 
 sick. The only regiment there enjoying the salt sea 
 breeze, is the 13th Maine commanded by the well heard of 
 Neal Dow. Col. Fearing, Capt." Huse, Lt. Eayrs are 
 sick at Carrolton. Sutler, Chas. G. Hatch is with this 
 detachment. His fund of stories holds out better than his 
 stock of goods, but in the telling he makes us sometimes for- 
 get that we are hungry. The quartermaster's department 
 is filled by Tyler M. Shattuck, assistant to Q^ M. Put- 
 ney, and a hard worker he is. Just now he is after a fresh 
 supply of beef. 
 
 It is now seven months since we were mustered into 
 service, and we have seen no pay gold yet, though a 
 report is current that the United States paymaster is in 
 New Orleans laden with " paper promises to pay." We 
 hear of much scolding at home because the cow, coal, 
 cotton, etc., bills are not paid, but the creditors ought not 
 to find fault if we do not. We have honestly earned our 
 money and the fault of non-payment must fall elsewhere. 
 
 Our sergeant major, L. T. Hosley, is acting adjutant 
 and fills the post with credit to himself and the general 
 satisfaction of all. 
 
 June 5, 1862 : 
 
 The sun is riding higher and the long summer days are 
 getting longer. Perpendiculars cast little shade at noon- 
 day, and the poet Lowell's " What is so rare as a day in 
 June" makes the soldier rare right up here in this everlast- 
 ing marshy, miasmatic plain (swamp), and swear, if he 
 has the strength, that it is notoriously hot. Occasionally 
 a slight breeze will sweep through and lift the hair from 
 the mad brow, but most of the time everything seems to 
 settle down on a feller — and he settles. Still by the sur- 
 geon's report, there is less than ten per cent of the Division 
 on the sick list. This speaks well for the management, 
 and is much better than was predicted by our own or the 
 Confederate authorities. By the latter it was hoped that 
 " Yellow Jack " would ere this clasp us in his clinging 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 105 
 
 embrace, but we are fortunately free thus far from an epi- 
 demic of that frightful character. 
 
 An ordinance sergeant of the regular army has arrived 
 and will take charge of all recaptured war material. Of 
 Gen. Butler's "contrabands" we now have eight — one 
 old patriarch appears perfectly sane as he employs all 
 his low cunning in avoiding all work. His feet resem- 
 ble a pair of brindled puppies. They show the effects 
 of a bastinado. He is a very devout Baptist, having 
 been "converted," as he says, "from the errors of 
 Methodism two years ago." He sees visions, dreams, of 
 course ; is a corrector of the Scriptures, knows palmistry 
 — all of which is a sable lie. Our best one is Leonard, 
 last from Pearl river, first from North Carolina. He has 
 a wife, child, and a host of relations " up there," but he 
 cares only for a trunk left behind full " ob tings." The 
 negroes are ideally free and independent; willing to work 
 for a " dollar and a haf an found," the last the most diffi- 
 cult at times. Last night a smudge caught their hut on 
 fire while they were asleep and waking at last, they took 
 the most direct way out by butting through the side of the 
 building. 
 
 But enough of the negroes. We have them on our 
 hands, and may the powers that be decide their case wisely 
 and not wreck the ship of State on the black rock. 
 After long months of waiting, the paymaster has arrived 
 and will supply us with U. S. currency during the coming 
 week. As our contraband "Bill Charcoal" says, 
 " Bress de good Lord for that." 
 
 These are splendid moonlight nights ; as the novelist 
 would say, the glorious orb is sailing majestically through 
 the starry dome, shedding a flood of light on all Nature 
 and imparting a silvery hue to the grand old forest oaks, 
 shrubs and flowers, transporting the appreciative beholder 
 to Elysium. In common American English, the moon 
 shines just as shiny here as elsewhere, casting the well 
 known yellow gleam over negro huts, gnarly trees, 
 swamps and bayous, giving to our own rough board fence 
 a sublime, gilt-edged hue equal to anything in New York 
 Ledger. That is the effect of being " paid off." 
 
 June 25. From Shattuck's diary: 
 
 Going for Fort Pike on steamer " Creole," Col. Bul- 
 lock is on board ; he is ordered to relieve Lt. Col. Lull. 
 
io6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 June 25. — King's diary : 
 
 The " Creole " takes away Cos. A and K. Co. F soon 
 followed. Our five hours' trip across lakes Catherine and 
 Pontchartrain, was very pleasant and we landed in the 
 summer resort, called Lakeport. After much " backing 
 and filling," as the sailors say, we got to Carrolton and 
 beyond to Camp Parapet, where we found the right 
 wing which had come up from Ship Island direct, starting 
 on May 20. As a camp ground it is inferior to Macomb. 
 The defences are built to preserve the city of New Orleans 
 from attack by land on the north, still we moved up to 
 them from the south. They are proof against infantry 
 and cavalry — were planned by General G. T. Beaure- 
 gard and built by slave labor. The defence consists of a 
 breast work extending from the river to an impassable 
 swamp on the east. In front is a ditch twenty feet wide 
 and eight feet deep, constantly full of w^ater which is not 
 drainable. We are encamped immediately in rear in an 
 old cane field left just as after harvest, in ridges. The 
 ground is clayey, hard in dry weather, but after a rain the 
 worst kind of mud clings to one's boots until it has become 
 a standing or walking joke that each of us has " taken 
 up our bounty land." Our camp is about a quarter of a 
 mile east of the river, and all the water that we use is 
 brought from there. It tastes very well though muddy. 
 A pailful after standing an hour will deposit a sediment of 
 clear clay a half-inch thick. For the past week we have 
 been building ' ' shades " over the streets by setting in the 
 ground a frame work whose uprights reached eighteen 
 feet ; the top is covered with cane poles, each about thirty 
 feet long. Colonel Fearing being a very orderly and 
 methodical officer, collected a dollar from each of the cap- 
 tains, and ofl^ered the ten as a prize to the company erect- 
 ing the best looking canopy. " As expected," Co. G got 
 the " Pot." The regimental grounds did indeed look well, 
 but in the building the fun was boisterous when some 
 energetic sergeants undertook to ring in the Govt, negroes 
 to " assist." Our " Jud " was in command of a squad ; on 
 them he worked an hour to fill them with breakfast, they 
 being almost too lazy to eat ; the application of bamboo was 
 a partial success, but it involved too much white labor. A 
 simple request to do a job usually brought the answer, " I 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 107 
 
 can't massa, I draws rashuns now." They are coming 
 into camp by the hundred and are a costly curse. They 
 should be kept out or set at work, or freed or colonized, or 
 sunk or something. In view of the gravity of the situa- 
 tion, the above opinion is very precise, is not copyrighted, 
 and if it offends anyone let the offensee enlist and come 
 out into the Louisiana lowlands and do soldiers' duty for a 
 month, and he will see that this is not luny. They are 
 here in thousands ; they get two boards to our one (to bunk 
 on), better tents, the same rations, tear down fences which 
 we rebuild. Lots of strong language is used upon 'em by 
 our boys who are viewing the "horrors of the institution." 
 General Phelps has squads drilling each day, and their 
 cattle-like movements are absurd. The live negro is a 
 big problem. 
 
 From principal musician H. J. Durgin's diary : 
 
 Our right wing pitched tents at Camp Parapet this May 
 21. 
 
 24th. Soldiers went up river after blackberries and 
 picked five hhds. of sugar hid in woods. 
 
 27th. Capt. Estabrook arrived with twelve recruits, 
 including two Fifers. 
 
 29th. Drum Major Munsey very sick. 
 
io8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 General Butler's Rule in New Orleans. — The Flag insulted The 
 
 " Soldiers' News Letter" and Contents. — Order No. 28. — General 
 Butler superseded. — His Final Address. — Gen. J. W. Phelps. — 
 
 The Negro. — Banks as.sumes Command The Regiment again 
 
 together. — The "Creole." — The Regimental Hospital. — Dr. Sam- 
 uel G. Dearborn, Personal. — Company A in Carrolton. — Funeral of 
 
 General Williams. — Colonel Fearing in Command General Butler 
 
 at Camp and Saluted. 
 
 A HISTORY of operations in the department of the Gulf 
 without taking into account the personality and doings of 
 Gen. B. F. Butler, would be like acting the play of Ham- 
 let with the lone Hamlet omitted. A multitude of slurs 
 from the slums has been showered upon the doughty gen- 
 eral, but he always seemed to thrive in spite of the refuse j 
 in fact, highly respectable and intelligent people, even 
 professionals have attacked Ben and retired discomfited 
 with their intelligence sharpened. 
 
 Many persons who firmly believe that a higher power 
 placed Lincoln and Grant in their positions, as firmly 
 believe that he chose that Gen. B. F. Butler should, in the 
 summer of 1862, rule New Orleans. Perhaps the general 
 would assent to that view ; perhaps he never thought of it ; 
 nevertheless, any skeptical reader can try to guess any 
 improvement in man or mode. At the outset nothing 
 could have been devised, at the taking of the city, to so 
 try the heart and temper of a loyal man as the public treat- 
 ment of our flag. More than one thousand lives were 
 trembling in the balance when it was raised at first upon 
 the Custom House and the Lone Star flag displaced from 
 city hall. Again, our flag was torn down from the Mint 
 and was insulted by being torn in pieces and thrown at the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 109 
 
 feet of our officers. When General Butler took command 
 Admiral Farragut reported this act to him, and the general 
 remarked, "I will make an example of that fellow by 
 hanging him." Farragut said, "You know, general, you 
 will have to catch him before you can hang him." Butler 
 replied, " I know that, but I will catch him and then hang 
 him." The hanging produced a most salutary effect. 
 
 Right at hand is a copy of the " Soldiers' News Letter," 
 published at Ship Island, Harrison county. Miss., on May 
 17, 1862. Comrade "A. W. Eastman, editor and pro- 
 prietor" (no price attached), and by the way, it was an 
 Eighth Vermont enterprise. Capt. George N. Carpenter, 
 historian of that regiment says : " The regiment brought 
 among the' baggage a complete printing press, and when 
 General Butler was apprised of the fact, although it seemed 
 to be a rather singular engine of war, he ordered it to be 
 set up and put in order for use. Private Eastman of Com- 
 pany K, who was a practical printer, took charge of the 
 business and thenceforward published the orders as they 
 were issued. The paper referred to is number 2 of 
 volume I, and contains General Butler's proclamation 
 issued in New Orleans ; it occupies nearly three columns. 
 Extract : 
 
 Thrice before has the city been rescued from the hand 
 of a foreign government and still more calamitous do- 
 mestic insurrection, by the money and arms of the United 
 States. It has of late been under the military control 
 of rebel forces claiming to be the peculiar friends of its 
 citizens, and at each time, in the judgment of the com- 
 mander of the military force holding it, it has been found 
 necessary to preserve order and" maintain quiet by the 
 administration of the law martial, even calling lately upon 
 an armed body called the " European Legion," to preserve 
 public tranquillity. The commanding general, therefore, 
 will cause the city to be governed, until the restoration of 
 municipal authority, by the law martial. 
 
 The body known as the " European Legion," not being 
 understood to be in arms against the United States, but 
 
no History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 organized to protect lives and property of citizens, is 
 invited still to cooperate with us, and so acting will report 
 to these headquarters. The company composing the fire 
 department in New Orleans will be permitted to retain 
 their organization and are to report to the office of the 
 post marshal. Finally, after enumerating certain rights 
 and wrongs and rules, the proclamation ends by saying 
 that ' ' the requirements of martial law will be imposed so 
 long as in the judgment of theU. S. authorities, it maybe 
 necessary. And while it is the desire to exercise this 
 government mildly and after the usages of the past, it 
 must not be supposed that it will not be vigorously and 
 firmly administered. 
 
 By command of 
 
 Major-General Butler. 
 Geo. C. Strong, 
 
 A. A. G. Chief of State. 
 
 General Butler's rigid instructions to his troops were 
 almost unbearable ; they chafed the Northern spirit. The 
 orders were to take no oifence at threats or insults, and if 
 fired upon simply to cause the arrest of the guilty parties. 
 The proclamation assisted us a little by declaring that 
 " the killing of an American soldier by any disorderly 
 person or mob, was simply assassination and murder, not 
 war, and would be so regarded and punished. Also, the 
 owner of any house or building in or from which such mur- 
 der should be committed, would be held responsible there- 
 for, and the house liable to be destroyed by military 
 authority. But all the general's wise and humane pre- 
 cautions had less influence with the Southern disloyal 
 females than with any other class. Though the traders 
 closed their stores, the desire for trade and gain re-opened 
 them ; and although they at first indignantly refused the 
 profl!ered greenbacks in exchange for goods, when they 
 found that the rebels came not back and the Yankees 
 were to stay, the Confederate deteriorated and United 
 States money was at par. But the ladies wore conspicu- 
 ously small rebel flags and their spirit of hostility was 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. hi 
 
 rampant ; so when it culminated in the act of one of them 
 spitting in the faces of two Federal officers who were 
 quietly walking along the street, General Butler issued his 
 famous order No. 28, as follows : 
 
 New Orleans, May 15, 1862. 
 As the officers and soldiers of the United States have 
 been subject to repeated insults from the women (calling 
 themselves ladies) of New Orleans, in return for the most 
 scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on their part, it 
 is ordered that hereafter, when any female shall by word, 
 gesture or movement insult or show contempt for any officer 
 or soldier of the United States, she shall be regarded and 
 held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying 
 her avocation. 
 
 By command of 
 Major-General Butler. 
 Geo. C. Strong, 
 
 Asst. Adj. -Gen. and Chief of Staff. 
 
 The effect of the above extraordinary order was at once 
 maddening and repressive. It produced sensation far 
 beyond the bounds of the city of New Orleans. Its intent 
 was villified and distorted ; its probable deplorable effects 
 were set forth pathetically to the outside world, but the 
 results showed the wisdom of the general and his acute 
 understanding of woman's human nature. If, too, he could 
 not have trusted to the well known chivalry of the Northern 
 soldiery, he would not have dared^ to issue that order 
 which was one of the great agencies in restoring quiet. 
 
 A government is not supposed to be sentimental. It 
 means and uses force, yet ours, late in 1862, determined 
 on a change in the southwest in a direction conciliatory. 
 Gen. N. P. Banks was appointed to supersede Gen. B. F. 
 Butler, and the latter was ordered to report at Washington. 
 He issued, of course, a farewell address to the soldiers. 
 He also addressed himself in a short, concise, defensive 
 manner to the citizens of New Orleans; he also took the 
 occasion to unveil the hypocrisy of England's assumed 
 horror at his supposed severities as follows : 
 
112 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 I do not feel that I have erred in too much harshness, 
 for that harshness has ever been exhibited to disloyal 
 enemies of my country and not to loyal friends. To be sure 
 I might have regaled you with the amenities of British 
 civilization and yet been within the supposed rules of civi- 
 lized warfare. You might have been smoked to death in 
 caverns as were the Covenanters of Scotland by the com- 
 mand of a general of the royal household of England ; or 
 roasted, like the inhabitants of Algiers during the French 
 campaign ; your wives and daughters might have been 
 given over to the ravisher, as were the unfortunate dames 
 in the Peninsula war ; or you might have been scalped 
 and tomahawked, as our mothers were at Wyoming b}?^ the 
 savage allies of Great Britain in our Revolution. Your 
 property could have been turned over to indiscriminate 
 " loot " like the palace of the Emperor of China. Works 
 of art which adorned your buildings, might have been 
 sent away like the paintings of the Vatican. Your sons 
 might have been blown from the mouth of cannon like the 
 sepoys of Delhi, and yet all this would have been within 
 the rules of civilized warfare as practiced by the most 
 polished and the most hypocritical nation of Europe. For 
 such acts the records of the doings of some of the inhabi- 
 tants of your cit)' toward the friends of the Union before 
 my coming were a sufficient provocation and justification. 
 But I have not so conducted; on the contrary, the worst 
 punishment inflicted, except for criminal acts punishable 
 by every law, has been banishment, with labor, to a bar- 
 ren island where I encamped my own soldiers before 
 marching here. 
 
 General Butler's connection with the negro question 
 commenced early in the war, and struck quickly, too, in 
 Louisiana. His is one of those rare, discriminating minds 
 that go like the gold seeker to the bed rock for the ore. 
 He is not deceived by the glittering mica lying in plain 
 sight on the sandy bottom of a mountain stream, but knows 
 that the ages have laboriously settled it down through the 
 supervening strata until it has reached the impervious 
 sheet of clay or the solid rock, there awaiting the advent- 
 urous worker. He seems intuitively to know where a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 113 
 
 "pocket" of that ore lies, which was by one Thomas 
 Paine labeled " common sense," so he in the beginning 
 labeled the negro as "contraband" and the people have 
 endorsed the title with constant usage. During the 
 spring of 1862, as we have seen, the " negro question" 
 became a most momentous one. To be sure we had with 
 us Gen. John Walcott Phelps, an old and tried soldier, a 
 thoroughly honest and conscientious man, a graduate in 
 1836 from West Point, an Indian and a Mexican fighter. 
 He had already anticipated the government by issuing his 
 "proclamation" at Ship Island. Perhaps it is well to 
 know more of this peculiar man. In 1859, after twenty- 
 three years of army service, he resigned and went to his 
 home in Brattleborough, Vt. In 1861 he offered his 
 services and led the first company of Vermont Volunteers, 
 which, together with one regiment from Massachusetts 
 and one from New York under his command, went to the 
 north of the James river and secured that strategic point ; 
 thence to the southwest and first occupied Ship Island 
 with a brigade. His "proclamation" as read now, 
 seems not very aggressive. It was headed : 
 
 Headquarters, Middlesex Brigade. 
 
 Ship Island. Miss., Dec. 4, 1861. 
 To the Loyal Citizens of the Southwest : 
 
 (The whole would occupy three pages ; an extract is 
 given.) 
 
 Contrary to my private inclinations, I again find myself 
 among you as a military officer of the government. I 
 make known to you the motives and principles by which 
 my command will be governed. We believe that every 
 state that has been admitted as a slave state into the Union 
 since the adoption of the constitution has been admitted 
 in direct violation of that constitution. 
 
 It is our conviction that monopolies are destructive — 
 slavery is a monopoly of labor — Slavery, from the condition 
 of a universally recognized social and moral evil has 
 become at length a political institution, demanding politi- 
 
114 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 cal recognition ; as a social evil it might for a time be 
 tolerated and endured, but in politics it becomes imperious, 
 and exacting, and controlling, hampering, all action and 
 impeding national progress ; as a self-governing people 
 we ought to revolutionize slavery out of existence without 
 a conflict of arms. We believe that manual labor is 
 inherently noble ; that it cannot by any nation be systemati- 
 cally degraded without mining its peace, happiness and 
 power ; that free labor is the granite basis on which free 
 institutions must rest ; our motto and our standard here 
 and everywhere shall be on all occasions "Free Labor 
 and working men's rights. 
 
 J. W. Phelps, 
 Brig. Gen. Volunteers Comdg. 
 
 So here was only the " proclaiming" of a few broad 
 and general principles for which action some pronounced 
 the general insane, and the South offered rewards for 
 his head. In fact, the crime was in at all criticising 
 the ' ' peculiar institution " and doing that in advance of 
 governmental action, and, too, one might criticise his " pro- 
 claiming " for his whole command, by the use of the word 
 "we." 
 
 But the time came when the live black problem was 
 thrust upon us. Ours was termed a Democratic Regi- 
 ment but little or nothing was heard among us of politics 
 after we got started, the main idea and point . being to 
 "conquer a peace." Opinion on the "negro question" 
 was, of course, divided ; some thought that when the 
 ignorant blacks came "Moses" hunting within our lines 
 that it was wrong to remand the fugitives into slavery ; 
 that, acting as troops, we must attend solely to our busi- 
 ness and let the "nigger question" settle itself after the 
 fight was over. Naturally, the sympathy was with the 
 under dog in the fight, so much so, that when on May 
 23, 1862, General Butler at New Orleans wrote as fol- 
 lows to General Phelps at Carrolton : "General, you 
 will cause all unemployed persons, black and white, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 115 
 
 to be excluded from yout lines. You will not permit 
 either black or white persons to pass your lines." In 
 obedience to the order the colored people were removed to 
 a point just above our lines and the soldiers very promptly 
 and generously shared their rations with them for a short 
 time, while General Butler still pondered on the race 
 question, at one time settling it temporarily for the Eighth 
 Vermont by ordering them to find them " quarters and 
 rations " and said he, " when the war is over we will go to 
 Washington and see to settling accounts." General 
 Phelps says, " at Carrolton I began organizing slaves as 
 soldiers for the purpose of holding strategic points, as 
 every slave could not only fire bullets at his old master, 
 but could be used in a garrison. I was ordered, however, 
 by the government commander to cease and set them at 
 work instead, cutting wood for market, and other labor. 
 In reply to this I decidedly refused to become a slave 
 driver and resigned my commission." The imrnediate 
 cause of this action was General Phelps long letter to 
 General Butler, sustaining his own action and views. On 
 June 18, General Butler forwarded it to Secretary Stanton 
 with one of his own, saying that, " General Phelps, I 
 believe, intends making this a test case (referring to mak- 
 ing soldiers of slaves who had escaped), for the govern- 
 ment. I wish that it might be so, for the difference of our 
 action upon this subject is a source of trouble. I respect 
 his honest sincerity of opinion, but I must carry out the 
 policy of the government as I understand it. If I am 
 right, then the services of General Phelps are worse than 
 useless here. If his views are to obtain, than he is invalu- 
 able, for his whole soul is in it. He is a good soldier of 
 large experience, and no braver man lives." 
 In 1891-92 " Butler's book," lawyer-like says : 
 
 Among the regiments that came to me, was the First 
 Vermont, under the command of General Phelps, formerly 
 of the regular army. He was one of the best soldiers I 
 
ii6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ever saw, and the finest man in every relation of life that 
 I ever met, except one. 
 
 And General B. does not tell who that one was. 
 
 On September 8, General Phelps was notified that his 
 resignation was accepted and he left for Vermont. He 
 was now fifty years of age. War causes quick changes ; 
 the realization of his views soon came about. President 
 Lincoln had a high opinion of his character and military 
 skill, and offered him a commission as major-general and 
 commander-in-chief of the black troops, but he declined it; 
 the exact reason why, no one ever knew. In 1883, he 
 married Mrs. Anna B. Davis. Being a cultured man, he 
 spent the most of his time in literary pursuits. On the 
 night of his dealh his Greek testament lay open where he 
 had been reading when he retired. He died Feburary i, 
 1885, at the age of seventy-one, leaving a wife and an 
 infant son. 
 
 Incidental Sayings of General Phelps. — Among 
 his varied acquisitions, he may have known something of 
 the "Voodoo," by some means he had great influence with 
 the blacks. A dozen of newly arrived fugitives have been 
 seen sitting in his tent and listening in apparent awe and 
 seemingly entranced, while the General "lectured"; 
 something which' he was fond of doing. At such times 
 his expressive eyes would roam above the top of the dis- 
 tant line of wood which bordered on Jeft' Davis' dominion, 
 as in sonorous tones he rolled out and discharged at 
 these sable innocents volumes of sibylline wisdom, and in 
 passing, we could occasionally catch the names, Plato, 
 Carlyle, and Emerson. 
 
 A friend of mine, a captain who had been for twenty- 
 four hours officer of the day, came into my tent one fore- 
 noon and said with a chuckle, "General Phelps spoke 
 very kindly to me to-day." "Ah," said I, "what did 
 he say?" "Well," said the captain, "after I had dis- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 117 
 
 mounted in front of the general's tent, from my horse, 
 which has a past honor in the, putting about of Holcomb's 
 battery, he says drily, ' you, captain, had better, when in 
 full uniform and mounted, learn to get off your horse on 
 the right side, as you might get to be a major sometime."" 
 The captain did not get to be a major, and he did not 
 forget the lesson. 
 
 At one time some men from a regiment of Maine were 
 arraigned before him for the the;ft of chickens, etc., when 
 in his shrill voice he burst out with, " You ought to be 
 ashamed of yourselves ; why don't you steal like the 
 Eighth New Hampshire? They can steal and not get 
 found out." 
 
 A sergeant who had been a master armorer in the navy, 
 had charge of a party of shovelling negroes. Taking 
 some pride in military drill, he had so taught his colored 
 squad that they had learned to get in a perfect line and 
 pick up the wheelbarrow handles instantly at the word 
 " forward," and as he gave the word " march," they all 
 started in unison. General Phelps happening to observe 
 these manoeuvres said with emphasis, " Talk about yer 
 color ! There's almighty good material for soldiers ! " 
 
 Meamwhile General Butler continued to ponder and 
 grope for facts on the negro question. He found two. 
 One was that Governor Moore of Louisiana, and General 
 Lovell, the ex-commander of the rebel forces, had both 
 issued an order for the raising of a colored regiment ; also 
 that General Jackson had authorized the raising of colored 
 troops in the war of 181 2. So having both Confederate 
 and Union precedents to back him he gave orders to 
 recruit two regiments from the crowd of escaped slaves. 
 These were of course officered by white men and proved 
 in the main to be good soldiers. Thus the military status 
 of the Southern negro was settled for a time. 
 
 When General Butler gave way to the oncoming Gen- 
 
ii8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 eral Banks, he thus expressed himself to the Louisianians, 
 and the world : "There is but one thing that at this hour 
 stands between you and the government, and that is 
 slavery. This institution, cursed of God, which has taken 
 its last refuge here, will be rooted out as the tares from the 
 wheat, although the wheat be torn up with it. I have 
 given much thought to this subject. I came among you 
 by teachings, by social affinity, inclined to sustain your 
 domestic laws, if by possibility they might be with safety 
 to the Union. Months of experience and of observation 
 have forced the conviction that the existence of slavery is 
 incompatible with the safety either of yourselves or of the 
 Union. As the system has gradually grown to its present 
 huge dimensions, it were best if it could be gradually 
 removed, but it is better, far better, that it should be taken 
 out at once, than that it should longer vitiate' the social, 
 political, and family relations of your country. I am speak- 
 ing with no philanthropic views as regards the slave, but 
 simply of the effect of slavery on the master. Look around 
 you and say whether the saddening, deadening influence 
 has not all but destroyed the very framework of your 
 society. I found you captured but not surrendered ; con- 
 quered but not orderly. I restored order, punished crime, 
 opened commerce, brought provisions to your * starv- 
 ing people, reformed your currency and gave you pro- 
 tection. I found the dungeon, the chain, and the lash 
 your only means of ruling your servants ; I leave them 
 peaceful, laborious, controlled by the laws of kindness and 
 justice." Further, he stayed the visitation of the dreaded 
 " Yellow Jack," took good care of the high and by-ways 
 and materially assisted both the bond and the free of the 
 colored race. The chivalry of the South deemed his head 
 worth quite a sum to them. The following notice was 
 issued : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 119 
 
 Ten Thousand Dollars Reward ! 
 
 President Davis having proclaimed B. F. Butler of 
 Massachusetts a " felon deserving of capital punishment" 
 for the deliberate murder of Wm. B. Mumford, a citizen 
 of the Confederate States at New Orleans, and having 
 ordered that the said B. F. Butler for that and other out- 
 rages and atrocities, be considered an outlaw and common 
 enemy of mankind, and that, in the event of his capture 
 the officer in command of the capturing force do immedi- 
 ately cause him to be executed by hanging, the under- 
 signed hereby offers a reward of 10,000 dollars for the 
 capture of the said B. F. Butler, and his delivery, dead or 
 alive, to any proper Confederate authority. 
 
 Richard Yeaton. 
 
 It did not add to the brilliancy of desired shoulder straps 
 that the bearers were, by the proclamation of Davis, a 
 proscribed class; " nc5t soldiers engaged in honorable 
 warfare, but robbers and criminals deserving death, and 
 that they and each of them be, wherever captured, 
 reserved for execution T 
 
 General Banks assumed command on December 16, 
 1862, with the State of Texas added to the department. 
 His policy was eminently conciliatory. Thus, " Slavery 
 will be secure if you will return to the Union." Public 
 sales of property on account of the United States were 
 stopped ; political prisoners were released ; but all the 
 above persuasive acts, produced no good results. Dis- 
 orders increased, soldiers were again insulted, indecent 
 and threatening letters were sent anonymously to various 
 officers. Mr. Jefferson Davis was publicly cheered by 
 crowds of men and boys, and General Banks was obliged 
 to change his tone and adopt the rigor of his predecessor. 
 He again assessed the rich secessionists who subscribed 
 to the secession fund and quickly demonstrated his pur- 
 pose and ability to preserve order by measures of severity, 
 should those of conciliation fail. 
 
I20 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Sergt. T. M. Shattuck's diary : 
 
 May 22, 1862. Went back to Ship Island for pro- 
 visions, found there the 13th Maine with Col. Neal Dow 
 in charge as Brig. Gen. over the whole pile. Couldn't get 
 any provisions for hospital. The authorities are not 
 capable of taking charge of a corn crib. 
 
 26th. Went to New Orleans for rations and I got them 
 after racing from Col. Shepherd to Post Commissary, to 
 Custom House, to Lafayette Square, to the Lake and back 
 to Custom House. 
 
 28th. Saw the rebel steamer " Grey Cloud" with flag 
 at half mast, upside down. Our own American flag 
 roosting on top — all right. 
 
 29th. Men getting scurvy, must get some vegetables. 
 Got two beef on the hoof from Pearl river. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 May 31st', 1862. There is a crevasse in the river. 
 The water is six inches deep in my tent. I am fifty-six 
 years old today. I have lost twenty-four pounds in weight 
 since leaving N. H. Col. Fearing is quite ill at the 
 hospital ; the health of the regiment, as a whole is improv- 
 ing. 
 
 June 7th. Went to New Orleans to see an U. S. flag 
 put up at City Hall. Was happily just in season not to 
 see one Mumford hanged for a desecration of the Flag at 
 the Mint ; a sad necessity. 
 
 June 14th. Our regiment improves in discipline and 
 soldierly appearance. Had a fine dress parade today. 
 Col. Lull in command. Major Smith is quite ill. 
 
 June 27th. Went to New Orleans and sent to families of 
 soldiers one thousand dollars, the paymaster having been 
 here and attended to his duty. In all I have sent eight 
 thousand, three hundred and sixty-five dollars. 
 
 July 6th. Capt. Flanders with Co. F came today. The 
 regiment is all together again. 
 
 On June 17, 1862, the writer, by order of General 
 Phelps went to Ship Island to bring up such convalescents 
 from the hospital as were fit for duty. He took passage, 
 as read the order, on the steamer "Creole" and in due 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 121 
 
 time by " tape" measure, arrived at the destination. The 
 first notable seen in that well remembered locality, was Gen- 
 eral Neal Dow in his shirt sleeves with his pant legs within 
 his boot legs, wading about the landingbeneath a sheltering 
 umbrella. The arrival of the "Creole" was a streak of 
 luck to him and the islanders, for he instantly appropriated 
 it for foraging, and the writer was obliged to go with it, for 
 on board were his " board and lodging." The time for 
 starting having been ascertained, the hospital tents were 
 visited and the surgeons notified of the object of the writer's 
 visit. Soon two companies of the Thirteenth under com- 
 mand of the adjutant, boarded the "Creole" and we were 
 off across the sound. Pass Christian was first visited and 
 a detachment going on shore, soon returned bringing two 
 very likely looking young men who appeared to be very 
 fit subjects for J. Davis' army. Why they were not there, 
 was explained by one of them to be on account of 
 " extreme debility," which, however, had not prevented 
 hini or some of his class from firing upon a flag of truce 
 boat, once sent over from the Island with female prisoners ; 
 hence their enforced passage now upon the " Creole " to be 
 finally introduced to Gen. B. F. Butler to tell that august 
 individual the why of the wherefore. We proceeded on 
 up the Wolf river, putting off at two landings, detach- 
 ments to gather vegetables and beeves. At Saucier's 
 plantation we took on board the whole family who were 
 desirous of getting out of that section. At his saw-mill 
 the "circular" was found stopped in the log, surprised 
 probably at our arrival. Upon the desk lay a Masonic 
 book and several emblems were roughly and freshly cut 
 on the desk cover, may be as a plea not to burn the 
 property, but we were not that way inclined. A note lying 
 there from one of the girls ran thus: "Mr. P. Carver, 
 send eight thousand feet of lumber, i by 12, for the 
 Seventh Regiment, papa says, ' right quick.' Hattie 
 Saucier." We reached a ferry at about five miles further 
 
122 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 up the river. The boat which belonged to it was quickly- 
 destroyed by a half dozen Maine boys who used on it their 
 favorite tool, the axe. It was riot a brilliant exploit, and 
 the owners who suffered, probably thought, as did the 
 rebel chap in the wake of Sherman's army afterward, that 
 " it would take a good deal of Providence, whiskey, and 
 elbow grease to fix the thing up again." Returning, we 
 took on fifty head of cattle and were, at about 2 p. m., 
 merrily puffing along down stream. The writer, after 
 dinner, had taken a seat upon the starboard side of the 
 upper deck facing the saloon cabin where the two hostages 
 were sitting alone. Forward at the wheel house were 
 only Capt. Charles Walker and the helmsman. We had 
 arrived at a rather abrupt turn in the river, when suddenly 
 a volley of about thirty shots was fired at us from the shore. 
 The oft quoted phrase " lightning from a clear sky" could 
 not have more surprised us. The assailants were not more 
 than fifty yards away, yet they did no good shooting, for 
 no person upon the boat was hit, although the wind from 
 the balls was felt as they passed on their harmless way. 
 The two prisoners showed their training as they laughingly 
 threw themselves flat on the floor, that being the safest 
 place according to their experience when hostile or 
 friendly lead was flying. If they had been really smart and 
 reckless, they would have run and jumped from the stern of 
 the " Creole," and they might have had the pleasure of rid- 
 ing home with their fool friends, as they were not manacled 
 and the guns of the men from the State of Maine were 
 not loaded. The finale was funny : The steersman left 
 the wheel and leaped down to the main deck where the 
 only wounded steer was making fuss enough. The captain 
 of the boat did not flinch but jumped for the wheel and 
 kept the vessel from going ashore. Below, the Saucier 
 ladies, being at the table, went under it. A prominent 
 Maine soldier who wore a sword, sought refuge in the hold 
 between two files of potatoes in barrels. The wiry little 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 123 
 
 engineer who helped steal the " Creole" for Uncle Sam 
 danced about among his levers and cranks calling for 
 someone to " fire back." Altogether, it was a fine play 
 of " Go-bang," the being shot at on a sort of picnic excur- 
 sion. The Maine men then loaded their guns, we picked 
 up the detachments and took on at Pass Christian two very 
 fine looking old gentlemen who went to New Orleans to 
 intercede with General Butler for the prisoners. Their 
 fate we know not. A dozen convalescents were trans- 
 ported to camp and reported to General Phelps. Thus 
 ended a rather pleasant trip by one of the Eighth, who 
 thinks that he was the first one of that regiment who in the 
 war was shot at by irate Southerners. 
 
 Camp Parapet, June 21, 10 a. m. One poor fellow, 
 apparently rum crazed, attempted to cross the lines. The 
 sentinel warned him, but the man persisted in running 
 toward the land of "Jeff" ; then the sentinel fired. There 
 was ball in the gun and bawl in the man after he was 
 brought down. Surgeon H. H. Smith being called, 
 rammed his finger into the ball hole. The doctor was 
 seen to shake his head (his own), and the man died, not 
 from the shake, but the shot. 
 
 On the day that we arrived at the writing of the follow- 
 ing incident a letter came from Sioux City, Iowa. (Capt. 
 Cornelius Healy had been in trade in Avoca, Iowa.) 
 Extract : 
 
 In the same mail that your letter came yesterday, I 
 received a line from a son of Capt. Con. Healy, dated 
 Nov. 30th, 1890, simply saying this: "Dear father died 
 at 9.30 on Saturday, Nov. 29th." Signed, F. Healy. 
 This simple announcement tells of the end of one whose 
 record in the Eighth was good and true ; one who bore 
 an active part in the Red River campaign. 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 T. C. Prescott. 
 
124 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Incident. — Reuben Howarth, Jr., now of Wilmington, 
 Mass., relates that on June 22, at Camp Parapet, there 
 occurred a little noisy friction in our lively Irish Company 
 C about some Irish potatoes there to be. A cargo had 
 been sent out by our paternal government as rations, and 
 the Brigade Commissary had notified ours that he could 
 have what he wanted " take 'em as they came." On 
 looking them over they proved to be in a very bad 
 condition, but Commissary Shattuck took one hundred 
 barrels and Simon Oakes went around and notified the 
 officers of each company that ten barrels of Irish potatoes 
 awaited their disposal. So the details transported them to 
 the cook houses. It didn't take long for Company C 
 to judge "them pertaters" and a howl went up that 
 rivalled the poet Campbell's wolves " on Onalaska's shore." 
 Those best appreciated the fun who were used to Lieuten- 
 ant Healy's handling of the Irish-American tongue, loaded 
 at such times with explosive expletives which were very 
 effective, accompanied too by a gesticulation that bristled 
 with exclamation points. It took the now excited Simon 
 Oakes quite a while to make Lieutenant Healy understand 
 that said Irish potatoes, being known to be bad, were 
 not issued as rations at all, but as an extra, and if 
 they were wanted bad enough to pick 'em over and get 
 perhaps two barrels out of ever}- ten, they were welcome 
 to them. Oh! It was simply then a misunderstanding. 
 And the fact that these same were a lucky sandwich 
 between other bad issues, soon quieted Company C. 
 
 Lt. D. W. King of Company A used to amuse and 
 instruct the Nashuans by occasional letters from the " seat 
 of war" which were published in the local papers. A 
 number of such letters having been preserved, the writer 
 will quote at pleasure. The following is one : 
 
 Camp Parapet, July 8, 1862. 
 The Hospital and headquarters of surgeon Dearborn 
 and assistant Ellery C. Clark is a fine place, being a sugar 
 
•^^iyAMFatchif 
 
 s/Am 
 
 ^..^i-iyp-cr 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 125 
 
 plantation owned by the Preston heirs, relatives of the 
 South Carolina Preston of some notoriety. There are as 
 fine arrangements for the sick as in almost any hospital at 
 home with the best of attention, wanting nothing which the 
 surgeon can supply. The doctor stands high here as a 
 physician and surgeon, and if he is obliged to resign on 
 account of ill health, the brigade will sustain a loss not 
 easily repaired. Dr. Clark, too, is very popular. The 
 hospital occupies the whole of the planter's residence. 
 The rooms are large and airy, and the grounds beautiful. 
 The house is reached from the levee by a handsome walk 
 twenty rods in length, overhanging which are large orange 
 and lemon trees, and the oleander is as large as the largest 
 apple trees in New England, blooming full of blossoms all 
 the time. The trees in the front yard, which is four acres 
 in extent, bore last year fruit which sold for eighteen hun- 
 dred dollars. In the rear we find a 3'ard of the same size 
 as the front, but lumbered with an old sugar mill, an old 
 barn and negro huts lost amid the foliage of scores of 
 shade and fruit trees. A little yard in the corner contains 
 a bricked up tomb, and beside it is the resting place of 
 many former slaves ; white and black together awaiting 
 the final solution of the problems of worlds. Near the 
 hospital is the plantation owned by the late Mr. Todd, one 
 of Gen. Beauregard's staff" and a brother of President 
 Lincoln's wife. He was killed at the battle of Pittsburg 
 Landing. His widow now occupies the place in company 
 with another lady whose husband is in the Confederate 
 service. They are rarely seen, but surgeon Dearborn has 
 had an interview and was treated very politely. 
 
 Personal. — Dr. Samuel G. Dearborn was com- 
 missioned as surgeon of the Eighth New Hampshire Vol- 
 unteers in October, 1861. It is worthy of note that there 
 have been many famous physicians in this State who 
 descended in a direct line from the Dearborn family, which 
 settled at Exeter nearly two hundred and fifty years ago. 
 In the last century, Portsmouth, Northampton, Seabrook, 
 and Nottingham, had each a physician of marked ability 
 bearing that name, and now several among the abler men 
 of that profession are of the same descent. One of the 
 
126 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 most noted and successful, is the subject of this sketch ; he 
 was born in Northfield, N. H., August lo, 1827. He was 
 educated at the " deestrict school," Sanbornton Academy 
 and the New Hampshire Conference Seminary. He 
 studied medicine with Dr. Woodbury at Sanbornton 
 Bridge in 1846 and graduated from the Medical Depart- 
 ment of Dartmouth College in November, 1849. ^^ began 
 first at East Sanbornton and at Mt. Vernon, N. H., to 
 acquire a fine reputation as a skilful physician. Remov- 
 ing in June, 1853, to Milford, N. H., he built up within 
 twenty years a very lucrative practice. He having a large 
 list of patients from a distance, attracted by his uniform 
 success in treating very difficult cases. He left all this 
 and accepted the position of surgeon in the Eighth New 
 Hampshire Volunteers, his services were highly appreci- 
 ated in that organization, but his failing health would not per- 
 mit him to remain long in the trying climate of the extreme 
 South and he resigned after one year's service. Afterward 
 he served three months in the army of the Potomac as sur- 
 geon assigned to the Ninth Arm}- Corps in front of Peters- 
 burg, and finally was appointed as surgeon of the Eigh- 
 teenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, Col. T. 
 L. Livermore, formerly of Milford, commanding. But his 
 services were not required as it was evident that the war, 
 at last, was nearing its close. 
 
 Dr. Dearborn has always manifested quite an interest in 
 educational matters, especially the hygiene of schools and 
 schoolhouses. He reverts with commendable pride to his 
 youthful efforts at school teaching, thinking that in that 
 line lay as sure success for him as Jie has accomplished in 
 medicine. On the Sth of December, 1853, he married 
 Miss Henrietta M. Starrett of Mount Vernon, an educated 
 and accomplished lady. They have two sons ; the elder, 
 Frank A., born in 1859, studied medicine at the College 
 of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and is now 
 associated with his father in practice in Nashua, to which 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 127 
 
 city Dr. Dearborn moved from Milford in May, 1873, it 
 being as a railroad centre more convenient for distant 
 patients to come for consultation, his practice for the last 
 few years being mostly at the office. He has been 
 obliged to occasionally break away from his arduous labors 
 in order to recuperate by travel to distant points of interest 
 in our country and Europe, such as are now attracting the 
 general attention of tourists. Just previous to leaving 
 Milford, he served one term as United States pension 
 examining surgeon. The demands of his profession have 
 limited his civil life to the representing the town of Milford 
 for two years in the State Legislature. 
 
 Commissary T. M. Shattuck's diary : 
 
 July 9th, 1862. Was appointed by the Col. Commissary 
 Sergeant. 
 
 nth. Geo. Hutchins worked with me till 4 p. m., went 
 to the hospital and died at 6i of epilepsy. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 nth. Thermometer at 98. River water is bad. I 
 could drink rain water from the streets of N. H. 
 
 13th. Ther. loi. Discharged soldiers ^o north on 
 steamer "Fulton." 
 
 20th. I have two regiments and several batteries to 
 attend to and get very tired. It is sad to go among the 
 sick and suffering soldiers, most of them are so young. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King's letter : 
 
 Co. A has been in Carrolton since the 30th of July doing 
 " search and seizure duty." We are a mile and a half 
 from Camp Parapet near the railroad station, which place 
 I labelled in a former letter as a grog hole ; however, on 
 spreading ourselves out over the town we find it quite the 
 opposite to the first impression. It is very prettily laid out, 
 containing many fine residences with gardens to match. 
 We are here at the instance of the Provost Marshal to 
 hunt for property stolen from the United States govern- 
 ment, and to picket the river banks to prevent smuggling 
 
128 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 of goods to the Confederates. We have succeeded in re- 
 covering an immense amount of camp equipage and arms. 
 I, King, arrested a secesh captain, searched his premiseSj 
 found thirteen loaded guns backed up by his commission. 
 Having this "big thing," out of respect for his family, I 
 dismissed the guard and taking his revolver, marched him 
 quietly to headquarters. There, to my dismay, I found 
 him to be an accredited " Union spy" with the " papers in 
 his hat." After this, I despair of becoming "truly great." 
 I may acquire notoriety, but not a high niche of Fame. 
 Our later captures are valuable. Gen. Butler having issued 
 an order that " all arms must be delivered up before a cer- 
 tain date, in default thereof, the property of all persons so 
 offending, shall be confiscated, and any negro informing 
 where arms are hidden, shall have his or her freedom." 
 The result is, several cords of arms, stacks of free negroes 
 and miles of plantations. The primary cause of the order 
 was the fact that at the battle of Baton Rouge, citizens who 
 claimed to be loyal and had been allowed to retain their 
 arms, were found dead on the field inside the rebel lines 
 with the implements of warfare in their grasp. The Gen- 
 eral proposed to render the recurrence of such scenes here 
 impossible, as it is contrary to the usages of honorable war- 
 fare. It is apt to make the honest uniformed soldier mad 
 even unto death ; that is, the death of the fellow in store 
 clothes. 
 
 Our pickets have taken many fellows trying to cross our 
 lines to the Confederates. One pedlar had his apparently 
 honest stock of goods overhauled, and it contained about 
 eleven thousand percussion caps which being contra- 
 band, served to confiscate his whole stock valued at three 
 thousand dollars. He is now a Fort Jacksonist. Another, 
 a subject of Queen Victoria, had thirty ounces of quinine 
 wo th fifteen hundred dollars, over the line. The most 
 note worthy take, however, was a lot containing a few 
 Confederate notes and forty-five thousand dollars in gold. 
 We have confiscated one milk farm. Another small 
 plantation near is owned by a Mrs. Legree, perhaps a. 
 relation of Mrs. Stone's devilish character'. At any rate,, 
 she is the ugliest looking old termagant that I ever saw. 
 
 All the women in this section, absolutely, without any 
 discount, hate all U. S. soldiers. We cannot by any 
 courtesy and kindness disarm their hostility. In Legree's- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 129 
 
 case, her diabolical ugly actions resulted in prison seclu- 
 sion, where she can meditate on secession and the loss of 
 reb. protection. 
 
 Chaplain : 
 
 Aug, 8, 1862. Funeral at New Orleans of Gen. Wil- 
 liams, killed at Baton Rouge. 
 
 nth. Lt. Col. Lull quite sick, Col. Fearing in com- 
 mand. 
 
 15th. The big guns saluted Gen. Butler on his visit to 
 us today. 
 
 25th. There is a reduction in the pay of chaplains, but 
 I shall not leave the army for that ; did not come here for 
 money alone. I like the work and am too much attached 
 to " my boys." Some of the poor fellows would be living 
 now if they had had better food with which to conquer 
 their fatigue. 
 
 26th. Dr. Sam Dearborn leaves us today. He has the 
 warm regard of the whole regiment. He is a fine physi- 
 cian and a good man. 
 
 29th. Frank C. Dodge, a protege of Lt. Burpee's died 
 today. 
 
 It is remarkable that this is the first death in Co. F since 
 it left N. H. Gen. Butler compliments our regiment for 
 its fine appearance. 
 
 31st. King's letter. Brigade review : 
 
 Carrolton, Aug. 30. Human nature is peculiar. Here 
 we have had fine quarters in the commodious court house 
 and adjacent cottages ; but a rumor reaches us of a proba- 
 ble return to camp, and the soldiers are pining for a 
 move — a move even to inferior accommodations. The 
 court house spoken of, is a fine building, full of records, 
 papers and books. We found there a card of invitation to 
 a military ball in Nashua. Upon it were the names of 
 many old friends as a committee of arrangements for this 
 brilliant affair of ten years ago ; also in a file of Carrolton 
 papers was an extract from the New Hampshire " Tele- 
 graph," calling on all old whigs to come home to Thanksgiv- 
 ing and stay long enough to vote for Ichabod Goodwin for 
 member of Congress. Back of the court house is a jail, a 
 match for our own Hillsboro County house of detention ; 
 both nuisances. This one is filled with runaway negroes 
 
130 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 who have been kept there so long that they are lacking in 
 clothing, and lounge about in primeval African nudity. 
 
 "Sam" letter extract: 
 
 Camp Parapet, Aug. 31st, '62. 
 
 Dear folks, — The Chaplain says that our letters don't 
 come and go regular. When I got the last one I forgot 
 my supper of salt hoss and patent shingles. I sent you 
 forty dollars last pay day to pay for that Land. 
 
 I don't know what's the matter I don't hear from Nettie. 
 I'd like to send you a 12-pound nigger Hoe and a whip I'd 
 hate to strike an elephant with. 
 
 The ther. is 120 and the river has fell fifty feet, but I am 
 healthy and happy though the niggers is thick and the 
 muskeeters Too. You ought to seen 1,500 niggers that 
 come on Steamers from Batron Rouge. Some are white 
 as any Girl and as pretty (except my sisters and one more) 
 but most of them are vulgar and slovens. When you send 
 a box put in some bees-wax and Green tea. I've been 
 reading the bible and it is more interesting than I thought 
 it Was. 
 
 King's letter : 
 
 Aug. 30, 1862. A couple of patriots? the initials of 
 whose names are G. W. Presby of Lyman, N. H., and 
 Luke Howland of Lisbon, N. H., have deserted and gone 
 to the — rebs. They were assisted in their hegira by a 
 planter in this vicinity. If they are caught they will 
 probably "enjoy poor health" shortly. 
 
 A military or surgical commission, appointed by General 
 Butler, has been in session the past week examining inva- 
 lids and recommending for discharge such as are not fit 
 for future fight. Nineteen in our regiment will be thus 
 discharged in a week or two. Qiiartermaster C. A. Put- 
 ney and Capt. Estabrook of Co. H have both resigned 
 on account of poor health, and their resignations have been 
 accepted. Tyler M. Shattuck has been appointed Com- 
 missary Sergeant, a post he is well qualified to fill. 
 
 Camp Parapet, La., Sept. 6th, 1862. 
 Official Order No. 82. 
 
 A board of survey will assemble at 10 o'clock a. m. to- 
 morrow at the house of Mrs. Cotter, corner of Short and 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 131 
 
 Second streets, Carrolton, La., to examine into and 
 report upon the loss of one cow and a quantity of fowls 
 said to have been taken by United States troops. Detail 
 for the Board. 
 
 Captain Wm. M. Barrett, 8th N. H. Vols. 
 
 " Geo. A. Flanders, " " 
 1st Lieut. Hiram F. Chappell, 12th Com. Vols. 
 
 By order of 
 Brig-Gen. J. W. Phelps. 
 Alfred G. Hall, 
 
 A. D. C. and A. A. G. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 Sept. 3d. The "long roll" sounded for exercise and 
 practice. It was funny to see the boys turn out. 
 
 9th. Chaplain was complimented by Gen. Phelps for 
 his preaching to the Colored people. 
 
 loth. Serenade to Gen. Phelps before his departure for 
 the North. Lt. Col. Lull addressed him for the 8th N. 
 H., and Major Peck for the 12th Conn. 
 
 i2th. Capt. Colby and Lt. Burpee go north, discharged 
 for disability. I go to New Orleans with Gen. Phelps and 
 staff. Gold is at 30 cts. premium, and Treasury notes at 
 
 13- 
 
 15th. Lt. Col. Lull will take a force up the river on a 
 
 reconnaissance, that will suit him. Luck attend them. 
 
132 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 For Pass Manchac, Companies A, B, G. and K. — The Trestle. — A Week's 
 Tramp and Return. — A Second Trip with Companies G and H. — 
 Surprised a Rebel Picket ; took Prisoners. — Return and a Move to 
 Camp Kearney. — Grand Review in New Orleans. — Up the Missis- 
 sippi. — Donaldson ville. — A Reconnaissance Battle of Georgia 
 
 Landing. — Captains Warren and Kelliher killed. — Tigerville. — 
 Incidents. — Repairing Railway. — Sergeant John Farley, Personal. 
 
 There has been a good deal of uncertain talk among 
 the boys about the expeditions under Colonel Lull to Pass 
 Manchac, which was about twenty-five miles from our 
 camp. The following from the writer's diary covers the 
 first one which started from Camp Parapet under the com- 
 mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Lull on Friday, the 19th day 
 of September, 1862, at noon. The detachment consisted 
 of Companies A, B, G, and K. The vets will recollect how 
 intensely hot that streak of railway was, the New Orleans 
 & Jackson, as we stretched along the five or more miles 
 up to Kennerville. The dense woods which lined the 
 track kept off all stray airs that might fan a Yankee, and 
 we emerged at K village, tired, but the Colonel obtained 
 a pailful of refreshment and we then continued our railroad 
 march till we came to the lake and a trestle. The infants 
 of the Eighth New Hampshire will not soon forget their 
 three miles march, more or less (it seemed ten ; some say 
 that it is seven), across that trestle work on the afternoon 
 that they waltzed on to it. Towards night as the dew 
 fell, it caused the ties to become very slippery and some 
 fell through, at which, according to Lieut. J. J. Nolan, 
 Colonel Lull made the remark that a man who should fall 
 from that trestle was no soldier. Lieutenant Nolan was 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 133 
 
 walking beside him at the time and heard the remark and 
 saw the slip that followed instantly, and that the speaker 
 was down below among the timbers. After he was recov- 
 ered by the aid of a gun let down, he shook himself and 
 declared with great emphasis that any man who didn't fall 
 through was no soldier. The Colonel did not part with 
 his wits as a lawyer, when he took the sword in hand. 
 Soon Lieutenant King and the writer, who were the first to 
 reach the land side, Congratulated themselves that they had 
 crossed without accident, when King, in taking his last 
 confidential stride, missed and stepped oflf into the sacred 
 mud of the "Louisiana lowlands low." He was a 
 "looker" when he came up, but we had reached La 
 Branch station where in five minutes fires were going and 
 we recuperated. On Saturday morning, the 20th, leaving 
 Lieut. Lyman Locke and twenty-five men, we pushed on 
 ten miles and left a detachment of twenty men under Lieut. 
 Michael O'Grady. At De Sair station, halted for the 
 night. Sunday morning, under Colonel Lull's direction, 
 the officers drew lots to see who could have the privilege of 
 going on to the Pass. It fell to the writer's to remain as rear- 
 guard with ninety men and twenty negroes. Colonel Lull 
 and party went on to the Pass. Lieutenant King's account 
 says, "five of us with Colonel Lull at the head, crossed 
 the Pass after dark in an old skiff, without oars. Colonel 
 Lull, revolver in hand, wormed his way through the swamp 
 into the rebel works, finding only two dismounted guns, 
 recrossed and bivouacked on the trestle-work ; next morn- 
 ing, ten men under Captain Huse again crossed, pene- 
 trated three miles into the enemies country, drove in a 
 picket, alarmed the camp, stirred up several hundred 
 rebels, and so accomplished the object of the expedition 
 by feeling of the enemy ; recrossed and returned to main 
 body on Monday. 
 
 Writer's diary says, Sunday, 9 a. m., received orders 
 from Colonel Lull to send scouts across the river ; also to 
 
134 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 go down lake and reconnoitre, seize boats, etc. Tuesday- 
 morning, went across swamp to Mississippi river, wading 
 sometimes in four feet of water, came out at Luke's plan- 
 tation, the whole command together. The nose foragers 
 there found a barrel of Louisiana rum under Luke's sugar 
 house, so we had to pack and go on in order to dry inside 
 and out; had, with Company B, charge of rear guard, 
 halted at Stables six miles below for the night ; were fol- 
 lowed by cavalry at a respectable distance. 
 
 Wednesday to Kenney town, halted at old mill, writer 
 being commissary ; got for troops pork souse, mutton, cof- 
 fee, and sugar, the commissariat was voted to be a success, 
 owing perhaps to the unusual exercise engendering enor- 
 mous appetites. We gave receipts for all necessary articles 
 wanted for our use, but one jolly fellow wanted a pretty 
 French girl, our hostess' daughter at La Branch station, 
 on a receipt, but it did not appear to be in the line of duty. 
 Arrived in camp at i p. m., Thursday, September 25. As 
 an incidental result Lieutenants Landers and Locke and 
 the writer went into the hospital on the succeeding Monday, 
 September 29, for a two months' stay with inflammatory 
 rheumatism. Surgeon Thompson was inclined to laugh at 
 us while dosing us with morphine so that we could sleep a 
 little. In 1878, 1 found him in Salem, Mass., afflicted with 
 the same disease, requiring a frame work to keep the weight 
 of the bed clothes off" his limbs. I did not laugh at him. 
 After intense suffering, he died about 1880. 
 
 Lieut. D. B. Newhall sent notes on the second expedition 
 in which he says that "information having been received by 
 Gen. T. W. Sherman, commanding the defences of New 
 Orleans, that the rebels were concentrating a large force at 
 Camp Moore, a rebel recruiting station on the Amite river, 
 and that the Manchac Pass bridge was being repaired, a 
 bridge which tiiey had burned on their retreat from New 
 Orleans, also portions of the long trestle-work previously 
 spoken of. Lieutenant-Colonel Lull was ordered to take 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 135 
 
 such forces as he needed and go up the New Orleans & 
 Jackson R. R. as far as in his judgment was safe, for 
 the purpose of finding out just what Monsieur Reb. was 
 about: so Companies G and H were detailed. Lieut. J. C. 
 Maine, of Company G, and Lieut. J. K. Stokes, of Com- 
 pany H, were in command of their respective companies 
 (Lieutenant Langley says that Lieut. B. F. Wells was of 
 the party). Lieutenant Camp and Sergeants Blanchard, 
 Newhall, Stickney, and Cobbs, of Company B, were also 
 detailed by Lieutenant-Colonel Lull as his special staff, as 
 as he expressed it. The expedition left Camp Parapet on 
 October 18, and reached La Branch soon after noon where 
 a part of the force was left as rear guard in command of 
 Lieutenant Stokes. Reached Frenier station at dark ; 
 bivouacked. Next morning pushed on to the Pass. 
 Colonel Lull determined to send a small force across Lake 
 Maurepas to one Dutch Bill's where was reported to be a 
 rebel picket ; the distance was twelve miles. There were 
 no boats at the Pass, so Lieutenant Main was sent back 
 to Frenier with ^ party to get some. Lieutenant Main 
 detailed Sergeants Newhall, Cobbs, and eight men to 
 assist, and boats of capacity sufficient to carry twenty men 
 were secured ; it was a tough way back through a nar- 
 row bayou leading through a cypress swamp from Lake 
 Maurepas to Lake Pontchartrain, but it was a picked 
 crowd, tough in its best sense, so they pushed on in the 
 dark and were fortunate enough to procure the services of 
 a wood-chopper who was familiar with the swamp. Can- 
 dles were lighted, and in real bad spots the famous hang- 
 ing moss was set on fire which lighted the adventurous 
 voyagers for a long distance. Alligators and snakes, 
 alarmed by the unaccustomed invasion, splashed about. 
 One enormous 'gator knocked with his playful tail the 
 paddle from the hands of Sergeant Cobbs. Time passed 
 and Lieutenant Main got nervous and threatened to feed 
 the guide to the reptiles, but soon we sighted a camp and 
 
136 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 rested. At daylight they reached a sort of supply camp, 
 tired out and chilled; but Lieutenant Main interviewed 
 the boss and finding that he had a supply of Louisiana 
 rum on hand, he had some water heated and the party was 
 given a liberal ration of hot liquor. Soon they found the 
 lake shore and the journey's end. It was useless to go 
 across the lake by daylight and, too, rations were getting 
 short, so by a detail they got up from Frenier on a small 
 flat car two hogs and a lot of sweet potatoes. During the 
 day a sharp lookout was kept. The bridge was visited 
 and found to be as left when burned. By and by a sloop 
 was seen approaching. The boys kept out of sight while 
 Colonel Lull watched it with his glass. When near 
 enough, he sent out two boats and the sloop was ordered 
 to come to anchor, which was done, of course, with some 
 grumbling. Lieutenant-Colonel Lull, Lieutenant Camp, 
 and Sergeant Blanchard went on board. The captain of 
 the craft said that they were from New Orleans. (Lieut. 
 J. M. Langley says that the captain had a permit from 
 General Butler to carry two ladies, found on board, and 
 who claimed to be the wives of rebel officers in Richmond, 
 across the Federal lines.) Lieutenant Newhall continues : 
 Colonel Lull very properly detained the boat for the two- 
 fold purpose of not allowing our presence to be known 
 to the rebels, and also to use the sloop to cross the lake, 
 so at night a detail of about twenty-five men went on board 
 the sloop and started for Dutch Bill's. When within two 
 miles, a part of the force took to the boats which had been 
 towed. Our guide proved loyal and smart, landing us 
 within a half mile of Bill's place. Working our way 
 quietly up to the building, we were startled by the outset 
 of a herd of goats that clattered off the top of a low shed, 
 the leading old buck ram in his descent knocking over 
 Sergeant Newhall, whom he probably thought to be the 
 prime intruder and oflfender. At Lieutenant Main's sum- 
 mons at the door Dutch Bill appeared in night costume, a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 137 
 
 very " scart man himself,"' but being assured that we 
 wanted only information, he picked up his candle and his 
 courage, and asked us in. It was a country store, every- 
 thing being in it from rum up. He told us that the picket 
 was two miles further up near Camp Moore, where were 
 five thousand rebels. We bought some rum, a couple of 
 kids, and told him at thfe end of a gun to keep his mouth 
 shut. We took to the boats and followed the lake shore 
 till we saw the picket light. It was near a cotton gin and 
 saw-mill. Getting between them and Camp Moore, we 
 worked up, and beneath a shed discovered seven cavalry 
 horses ; that told the story. Lieutenants Main and Camp 
 and Sergeants Langley, Blanchard, Newhall, and Cobbs 
 moved up, keeping a woodpile between them and the fire, 
 near which one man was sitting and another near by appar- 
 ently asleep. The first named looked up and into Ser- 
 geant Langley's musket. Blanchard got the musket of 
 the other, and Lieutenant Main quietly told them both to 
 not screech. This was the first intimation they had that a 
 Yankee was within thirty miles of them. The prisoners 
 told us that an officer and four men were probably in the 
 gin house asleep, so as the stairway was covered with 
 cotton, the other five were soon covered by Lieutenants 
 Main and Camp. They were as much surprised as if they 
 had awaked in the other world, the officer exclaiming, 
 " Where in h — 1 did you 'uns come from anyhow?" and, 
 " Have you got the rest of the company at the next planta- 
 tion?" This last remark was a revelation, and we gave 
 them to understand that the whole Yankee army was 
 behind us. So the prisoners very quietly went with us, 
 and taking the saddles and equipments, we started for the 
 sloop. The mill being set on fire (Langley says, accord- 
 ing to orders), lighted our way finely ; then the rebel camp 
 was alarmed and a great commotion was heard. A 
 prisoner afterwards taken, who was then at Camp Moore, 
 said that the affair created then great excitement and they 
 
138 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 believed that the whole Yankee force was down upon 
 them. He said that "it was a thunderin' scare for you'uns, 
 a dozen, to make." About daylight we let the sloop go 
 free and took to the boats for a return ; then came the 
 most dangerous part of our raid, for the wind began to 
 blow and the lake was covered with white caps and, worse 
 still, we had to row quartering with the direction of the 
 waves in order to get back. Being heavily loaded we 
 shipped much water. It was not so much now the pluck 
 and military genius of a Lieutenant Main that saved us, 
 as the old sailor experience of Sergeant Cobbs who had in 
 consequence, temporarily, the command. The prisoners 
 worked hard, rowing and bailing, as they were told that if 
 we were in real danger of swamping they would be the 
 first to swim. After going over twice the distance to the 
 Pass, on account of the gale, we at last were signalled to 
 keep close in to the east side as at last the rebels were very 
 careless with their guns, but we got safe in and were 
 warmly greeted by the boys and complimented by Colonel 
 Lull. Although now the colonel was in a hurry to start 
 back, he realized that we had had no rest nor sleep for two 
 nights, so we were allowed a few hours; knowing that 
 the rebels were thorough!}^ scared and ignorant of our 
 numbers, though they demonstrated by the thousands on 
 the other side, we knew that they had no boats and we 
 were safe. At nightfall we were at Frenier's and behind 
 a strong fresh picket we slept soundly ; the next day 
 got back to Parapet and found the regiment just ready to 
 move to Camp Kearney and the interior. We, in conver- 
 sation with the prisoners learned that a hundred Confeder- 
 ate soldiers were at the reserve picket within a quarter of a 
 mile of the old mill, and if any alarm had been given, we 
 should have had to do tall hustling to get away from them. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 October ist, 1862. Brigade review by acting comman- 
 der, H. E. Paine, Col. 4th Wisconsin Vols. Orderly 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 139 
 
 Serg. Hurdof Co. I died to-day. He was a fine man, and 
 the tallest in the regiment, being six feet four and one-half 
 inches. 
 
 3d. Inspection and Review by Gen. W. T. Sherman. 
 
 4th. Long roll and a rocket for exercise. 
 
 nth. So cold that I make a fire in my tent on a shovel. 
 
 Sergeant Shattuck's diary : 
 
 Oct. nth. Lieut. Col. Lull with companies H and G 
 start to reconnoiter Pass Manchac again. 
 14th. Ordered to report to Gen. Weitzel. 
 iSth. Broke for Camp Kearney at 10 a. m. 
 20th. Getting ready for up river, overcoats in demand. 
 
 Comrade J. C. Philbrick, Company A, tells of Camp 
 Kearney : 
 
 This morning, Oct. 22d. Having formed in line along 
 the railway, hucksters from New Orleans occupied our 
 front across the railway to coax the final picayune from the 
 departing soldier. Col. Lull being in command, threw 
 out a line of sentinels in order to keep the men together, 
 but beer and stationery must be had and the buyers and 
 sellers have a limited trade between the sentinels. At 
 last the 4th Wisconsin became impatient ; the same feel- 
 ing extended along our line and pervaded the 8th N. H. 
 which was at their left. Soon the rather indefinite cry of 
 *' charge " was heard and in less than ten minutes soldiers, 
 sentinels and hucksters were mixed upon the huckster side 
 of the railroad. Then again order was restored, but the 
 "heft" of the beer, stationery and knicknacks was on the 
 regimental side. Upon the discomfited sellers or losers ■ 
 applying to Col. Lull for redress, he told them with his 
 accustomed legal astuteness that if they would just point 
 out the aggressors he would promptly arrest them — as a 
 consequence, " Quiet reigned in Warsaw ! " and the beer 
 and candy were sucked in comparative silence until the 
 discomfited hucksters left for the purlieus of the great 
 Crescent City. 
 
 From " Sam": 
 
 Camp Kearney, Oct. 23d, 1862. 
 Last week we had a grand review in New Orleans. It 
 was a pretty good Try but I stood it. Though I was on 
 
I-O History of the EigiIth Regiment 
 
 uard the night before and on the road nine hours without 
 lything to eat and way 32 pounds more than I did Last 
 immer. 
 
 I got a paper from Nettie which pleased me mutch. 
 Yesterday we started to go up river but the cappen of 
 e Iberville was going to run us under a marst battery, but 
 ; got took up, Tomorrow we shall go anyhow and make 
 em scatter I tell you. 
 
 I was on guard last night and wish that I could lay down 
 1 the medow Hay in our barn. 
 
 Give my love to Nettie. I am writing up a little Blank 
 )ok for brother Jerry and not for Show there wont be any 
 jureshes in it, nothing but the truthe about the War. 
 
 Yours in love. 
 
 Sergeant Shattuck's diary : 
 
 Oct. 24th. Sailed on steamer " Iberville " at 4 p. m. 
 pproached Donaldson ville on the morning of the 25 th. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 25th. Camp in the village, sleep at night in a house, 
 2ar to Capt. J. Qj A. Warren for the last time. 
 
 26th. Camped at Assumption. 
 
 27th. Leave at 6 a. m. Our regiment and Perkins' 
 ivalry cross the bayou. At 11 A. M. a fight ensues. It 
 
 awful to see, we drove them, but lost Capts. Keill- 
 or and Warren and about forty more. I helped take off 
 le killed and wounded, six were put in one large grave 
 id I offered prayer over them. 
 
 For Georgia Landing. Lieut. D. W. King's letter : 
 
 On Oct. 25th we had been transferred from Gen. Paine's 
 I Gen. Weitzel's brigade. Our force consisted of the 
 ighth N. H., 7Sth N. Y., ist La., and 12th and 13th 
 onn. regiments, the 6th Mass. and ist Maine batteries, 
 erkins' Company of Mass. cavalry and Barrett's, God- 
 ey's and Williamson's companies of Louisiana cavalry, 
 umbering in all nearly four thousand men, conveyed by 
 iree gunboats. Next morning at 5 o'clock we landed and 
 larched seven miles up into the town of Donaldsonville 
 hich- is on the right or western bank of the bayou 
 afourche where we halted until next morning. The 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 141 
 
 town was nearly all in ashes, having been burned by our 
 forces as a punishment for firing into our unarmed trans- 
 ports on their way down from Baton Rouge. The rebel 
 cavalry went out of the rear end of the town as we entered 
 the front end. We quartered ourselves in buildings which 
 remained, less than one hundred inhabitants being here 
 and the place wearing that deserted look which war pro- 
 duces. Gen. Weitzel ordered Co. G, Capt. H. H. Huse, 
 and Co. A under the command of Lieut. King to start 
 after dark, make a reconnoissance and report to him at 
 midnight. We mustered about sixty men. We came to a 
 cross road where there was a bridge leading across the 
 Bayou Lafourche. We left the men in column by platoon 
 in the road and stepped down towards the bridge where we 
 could see the rebel picket. Soon the men raised the cry 
 of cavalry; we hastened back and gave the order " Left 
 into line wheel " and by the time that the movement was 
 executed the enemy were within a hundred feet of us. 
 They commenced firing at us and we returned it, caus- 
 ing a skedaddling that was very pleasant to see ; horses 
 without riders and riders without horses. The rebels num- 
 bered about three hundred, and it being so dark that they 
 could not make out our numbers, they did not attempt to 
 form, except to run. We escaped without loss as they 
 fired over us ; not so on their side as the result counted 
 up a loss of seven killed, and quite a number riding off 
 with Yankee bullets within their hides as mementoes of 
 the brush. We took as spoils, seven Enfield rifles and 
 marched back to receive the commendation of the General, 
 and we got it. 
 
 The next morning, Oct. 26th, we were astir at five and 
 fairly under way at 6 a. m. Leaving the ist La. to hold 
 Donaldsonville, we followed the bayou in a westerly and 
 then southerly direction. The Eighth New Hampshire 
 and Perkins' Cavalry were transferred to the right or 
 western bank of the bayou and the divided forces kept a 
 parallel march, communication being assured by means 
 of two gigantic Mississippi flat-boats, which, being towed 
 by mules and manned by negroes, could be swung across 
 and converted into a pontoon bridge. A body of soldiers 
 and contrabands were detailed to level the banks, being 
 supplied with tools for that purpose if it was at any time 
 thought necessary. That night, Sunday, Oct. 26th, found 
 
.2 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 at Napoleonville where we occupied an open field, 
 be morning of Oct. 27th was very cold for Louisiana. 
 Comrade Durgin says, " ice formed three-fourths inch 
 ick.) We started towards Thibodeaux. About 11 a. m. 
 squad of four men of Perkins' cavalry scouting ahead in 
 large of a sergeant discovered the enemy lying close in 
 nbush within the woods by the roadside. Without excit- 
 g suspicion that they saw the rebs. they returned without 
 ling fired on and reported. Perkins immediately 
 iployed his men as skirmishers and opened fire which was 
 gorously replied to, the enemy bringing up four pieces 
 
 artillery. Co. E, Capt. Warren, and Co. F, Capt. 
 landers, were sent out as skirmishers to assist the cavalry. 
 hey advanced, drawing the enemy's fire, but soon fell 
 Lck slightly, bringing the sad news that Capt. J. Q^ A. 
 'arren was killed. Cos. A and B were then deployed 
 id working their way forward secured the body of Capt. 
 'arren and sent it to the rear. 
 
 Comrade W. A. Crosby of Company B relates that 
 ieutenant-Colonel Lull called for twenty-five volunteers 
 go forward and get the body. They promptly came 
 Dm Companies A and B and headed by the Colonel, who 
 .utioned the force not to advance faster than he himself 
 d, led the way to its recovery. 
 
 Lieutenant King continues : 
 
 They then entered the line of battle for an advance, 
 hich was made through an open field, marching steadily, 
 ving and taking volley after volley. We, of course, did 
 )t know the enemy's exact position and amount of force. 
 It we were really advancing alone against his centre 
 imposed of four field pieces, supported by a regiment of 
 afourche militia and two regiments of Bragg's army from 
 liloh sent home to recruit. The rebel lett wing, five 
 mdred cavalry and two field pieces, was at this moment 
 aking a circuit on a country road intending to come in 
 1 the rear of the 8th N. H. Across on the east bank 
 as their right wing consisting of a regiment of infantry 
 ipporting a battery of six field pieces. This force was- 
 ell held back. General Mouton commanded. His plan 
 as to draw our main column on down the east bank. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 143 
 
 to repulse the Eighth on the west side and then cut them up 
 with his cavalry, but our Weitzel knew his business and the 
 enemy knew not of our pontoon bridge, so the General, after 
 sending the 75th New York and 13th Conn, well to his front 
 and finding not the opposition which he expected, ordered 
 the pontoon into position, also two howitzers a^d the 7Sth 
 New York to protect it, and the 13th Conn, to go to the 
 assistance of the Eighth N. H. The 12th Conn, which had 
 been the rear-guard, was ordered across and took position 
 on our right. The rebels in front were well screened by 
 thickets and woods, and much of the infantry was well 
 protected in a ditch, while our advance was over rail 
 fences and amid clumps of brier bushes which threw our 
 columns into continual confusion; but Col. Fearing fought 
 it out against all ill-luck and impediments, having a rank 
 and file that nobly seconded his efforts. Our artillery 
 ceased firing so as not to impede our forward movement, 
 and when the final order came to "charge" on the 
 enem\'s line and batteries in front, the Eighth went at 
 them with a yell and ran right through and over them but, 
 owing to the obstructions, the enemy got off their artillery 
 with the exception of a single 12-pound howitzer. We 
 found seventeen of their dead along the line of our advance, 
 including Col. McPheeters who was shot in front of the 
 centre of our line, a large number of wounded, and we took 
 one hundred and seventy prisoners. One shot broke our 
 flag staff and nine balls went through the flag, but brave 
 Sergeant John J. Nolan clung to it and carried it through 
 the fight. At the close. Col. Fearing called for three 
 cheers for the flag, which were given with a will. After 
 these two hours of continuous fighting, the rebel left wing 
 made its appearance in our rear, but when it came in sight 
 of the victorious Eighth which had been sent out to meet it 
 the rebels thereby guessed how the conflict had gone, so 
 they retreated, firing a few shots at our baggage train, as 
 they hurried to join the main body. Our loss summed up 
 twelve killed, thirty-two wounded and one missing. 
 
 Capt. Warren's "death is deeply felt by the whole regi- 
 ment, he being to all kind, social, and generous to a fault. 
 His place cannot be filled. He fought gallantly and fell 
 with his face to the foe, nobly dying for his country. 
 
 We bivouacked on the battle-field the night after the bat- 
 tle, and the next day pushed on to Thibodeaux. The 
 
144 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 enemy made no stand there and unwisely undertook to 
 burn much valuable property. We are now at Tigerville 
 and soldiering without tents. Col. Fearing's headquarters 
 flag is flying from an uncovered wagon in an open field. 
 At last the boys have caught breath and have time to talk 
 over the incidents of the fight. 
 
 Lieutenant King's letter : 
 
 Tigerville, La., October 28. 
 All hands are proud of the record of the 8th. Two of 
 the regiments opposed to us, the " Crescent City" and the 
 La. i8th, were veterans in the service, having fought at 
 the battle of Shiloh, and the prisoners declare that the Yan- 
 kees here are as tough to fight as the western boys were 
 up there. We went in four hundred strong, with but six- 
 teen officers. You may ask, where are the one thousand 
 that left the Granite State about a year ago? Decimated, 
 I answer, by death and disease, although we are the ugli- 
 est, ' ' pioustest " and healthiest regiment in the South with 
 perhaps the exception of our twin brother the 4 th Wis- 
 consin. 
 
 The following report is by Gen. Dick Taylor, C. S. A. 
 Extract : 
 
 There were Confederates on both sides of the bayou, but 
 having neglected their floating bridge, they could not 
 unite. Col. Armandwith his own, the i8th, the Crescent, 
 Col. McPheeter's and the four gun battery of Capt. Rals- 
 ton ; in all five hundred men, resisted Weitzel's advance 
 at Labadieville, eight miles above Thibodeaux. The 
 fighting was severe and Armand only retired after his 
 ammunition was exhausted, but he lost many killed and 
 wounded and some few prisoners. Col. McPheeters was 
 among the former and Captains Ralston and Story among 
 the latter. 
 
 Incident of the fight by Orderly Sergeant James M. 
 Langley : 
 
 The order " cease firing" had been given, the majority of 
 the rebels prostrate in ditches were shaking aloft all they 
 had of dirty white in token of surrender, save a few in the 
 edge of the woods who thought to get away by good leg 
 
JOHN FARLEY, CO. K. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 145 
 
 work. Among the latter, a confederate officer with one 
 foot in the stirrup in the act of mounting his horse, was 
 seen by Orderly Sergeant James M. Langley of Co. H. 
 He called out to Lieut. John K. Stokes, " Shall I fire?" 
 Stokes quickly answered, "Let drive." Langley fired and 
 the officer fell. At the final advance it was found that 
 Sergt. Langley had killed Col. McPheeters, the officer in 
 command of the rebel force in their immediate front. 
 
 The above account is given by the two officers who are 
 to-day living, and it refutes the sensational story of a writer 
 for a New England regiment, in a prominent magazine, 
 who claims for it the larger share of the fighting and con- 
 sequent credit for gaining the victory, including the killing 
 of the above named officer, which was an impossible feat 
 to be done by anyone in that organization, so far away 
 were they to our right and rear. 
 
 Lieutenant Langley died at West Andover, N. H., about 
 May, 1891. The above facts were given by him and Cap- 
 tain Stokes to the writer at The Weirs in 1890. 
 
 Sergeant John Farley of Company K tells thus of his 
 "first time under severe fire" at the battle of Georgia 
 Landing: "We marched off the road into a field and 
 formed in line of battle, and then got orders to march for- 
 ward under a rapid, hot, and heavy fire of musketry, solid 
 shot and shell. We had to advance around hay stacks and 
 over fences, which, of course, broke up our line, so by the 
 time that we came to what was luckily the last fence, I 
 had got nervous and excited and went over it on the run 
 and got as much as thirty yards ahead of every one, when 
 Captain Kelliher came running after, and having caught 
 up with me about the middle of the field stopped me, and 
 swinging his sword over my head asked me, ' if I was in 
 command of the company?' I said, 'No, sir;' said he, 
 ' I will fix you when this is over.' By that time the 
 regiment had caught up with us, and the firing being 
 very severe, we all laid down in line. Soon Captain 
 Kelliher jumped upon his feet and rallied for another 
 
146 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 advance. I jumped up to follow him, being a little on one 
 side and about three feet in rear of him, when I saw a hole 
 puff through his back and he dropped dead instantly, being 
 shot through the heart. I dropped also, thinking it a bad 
 place to stand in all alone. In a few minutes we saw the 
 1 2th Conn, coming up on our right to our support, so we 
 advanced again and there being nobody now to stop me, I 
 got ahead again and rushed for the fence behind which, in 
 a ditch, the rebels were. When I had got within about 
 ten feet of it, up jumped a rebel and fired his gun right into 
 my face then down he dropped. I got over that fence 
 somehow in a hurry and found him lying on his back wav- 
 ing a white handkerchief. I had the bayonet on my gun 
 and stood over him telling him that he had ' got to die.' 
 He yelled for "mercy, mercy," and I tried to jab him, I 
 don't know to this day what saved me from killing him. 
 At last Lieutenant Gannon sang out, ' Sergeant Farley, 
 don't kill that man ' so I made him get up on his feet and 
 turned him over with some more prisoners. I afterwards 
 learned that a rebel officer, calling out to me that they had 
 surrendered, had his revolver leveled saying that if I 
 killed the man he would blow my brains out. I never 
 afterwards had any such nervousness and was as cool as 
 anyone." 
 
 Counting from date of enlistment. Sergeant Farley 
 served three years and eleven months in the Eighth regi- 
 ment, being always present and ready for duty. He 
 re-enlisted for the three years and was in all the fights, 
 skirmishes, and marches of the organization. 
 
 An incident of the advance. While the regiment was 
 on the charge and just as Colonel Fearing gave the order, 
 " right oblique," the flag was riddled with balls and the staff 
 shot in two just above the hands of the color sergeant, 
 John J. Nolan. Captain Huse, thinking that he (Nolan) 
 was badly wounded, sprang forward to grasp the colors, 
 but Johnny sang out, " No you don't this time," and got 
 them first, bearing them on amid the cheers of the men. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 147 
 
 "Sam " sends home very full accounts of the battle, but 
 we will save him and his for where we weren't ; still it is 
 evident that he was a good forager, for on the eve of the 
 fight he alone got hold of an old hen, some sweet potatoes, 
 and a lot of honey with which he made a half dozen com- 
 rades happy. 
 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan sends the following incidents of the 
 Georgia Landing fight: "Patrick Desmond, Company 
 K, ran across a young pig the night before the fight, 
 cleaned it nicely, and expected to have a fine feed. It 
 must have weighed about ten or twelve pounds dressed. 
 When we got the order to march, Desmond said he would 
 not lose his pig if he were to die, so he strapped it on his 
 knapsack, the two fore feet pointing out by his right ear 
 and the two hind feet by his left ear. He went into the 
 fight and he was badly wounded in the left shoulder ,rf but 
 he would not allow the surgeon to remove him off the field 
 unless he would take the pig along. The same day Pat 
 Shea, Company K, threw his gun at a chicken and broke 
 the stock. Off he went into the fight with the company 
 and waited until he saw the first man fall, when he picked 
 up the good gun and fought like a tiger. 
 
 For coolness and nerve, I must mention the two Reeds, 
 father and son, Elbridge senior and junior, in the same 
 battle. The son was in the front rank, the father covered 
 him in the rear.- We went in, if you recollect, by inver- 
 sion, rear in front, bringing Reed, Sr. in front and Reed 
 Jr. in the rear rank. Reed, Jr. got his heel shot off and 
 hollered out, " Father, father, I am shot." Reed, Sr. 
 
 looked around and said, " Well by , Elbridge, I can't 
 
 help it ; I have got to go to the front you know," and to 
 the front he went. 
 
 Capt. T. C. Prescott's account of Hiram Young, the 
 
 truly Christian, of Company G : 
 
 The Regiment had early been designated as the " Pious 
 8th " owing to the supposed scarceness of that spiritual 
 
148 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 influence among its members, but it had one eccentric 
 individual in its ranks who undoubtedly surpassed all other 
 men in the Gulf Department in his persistent zeal to fight 
 the devil with prayer as well as the rebels with bullets. 
 This man was Hiram Young, a private of Company G, 
 who enlisted by reason of an overpowering conviction that 
 his plain duty required it. His conscience would not per- 
 mit him to vote for Lincoln in i860 for fear that his election 
 would incur the displeasure of the Southern people, as 
 they had threatened it would, and he voted for Breckin- 
 ridge with the hope that he might assist in placating them. 
 After the war commenced he saw his duty in enlisting and 
 went into the Eighth. At Camp Currier, he commenced 
 a systematic practice of praying aloud in the different tents 
 of the regiment, during each and every spare moment, and 
 on all convenient occasions, often having to be hunted up for 
 drill and guard duty. This practice was kept up on Ship 
 Island and at Camp Parapet, Carrolton, La. He would read 
 a chapter from the Bible and oflfer a prayer in every tent of 
 his company and many others through the regiment, 
 sometimes repeating this proceeding several times each 
 day in the same tent, and straying off into the other regi- 
 ments of the brigade in his religious zeal. Officers as well 
 as private soldiers were subjects of his prayerful solicitude 
 and his invocations were heard in their tents. While on 
 Ship Island some of the men of Co. G complained of 
 Young's incessant praying, and being disposed to molest 
 and disturb him a company order was issued restraining 
 him from praying more than three times daily in any one 
 tent, and confining his prayers within certain limits as to 
 time, and requiring respectful attention on the part of the 
 men while he was so engaged. This only gave him more 
 time for outside work, and did not in the least quench or 
 cool his missionary ardor. Strange perhaps to say. Young 
 was also a zealous and faithful soldier, vigilant when on 
 guard, reliable for any camp duty, apparently without fear 
 when under fire, loyal and strictly obedient to his superiors. 
 When for the first time he came under fire at Georgia 
 Landing, La., he stood up before the enemy as uncon- 
 cerned as he would on dress parade, never flinching the 
 bullets, but continuing his loading and firing with the 
 same unconcern as if engaged in target practice. He 
 never forgot his prayers nor his solicitude for his comrades. 
 
LT. JOHN J. NOLAN, CO. K. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 149 
 
 and the custom which he commenced when entering the 
 regiment was faithfully kept up to the end of his career. 
 In the spring of 1863, his health broke down ; death soon 
 put an end to his missionary labors, and his remains now 
 rest by the bank of the Mississippi in the vicinity of New 
 Orleans in which city he died. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 Baton Rouge, March 17, 1863. 
 
 A good man, Hiram S. Young, is dead ; I am sorry, he 
 was probably more in the habit of praying than any other 
 man in the regiment. 
 
 The following is Lieutenant-Colonel Lull's letter to the 
 "Nashua Gazette": 
 
 Thibodeaux, on Bayou Lafourche, La., 
 
 Nov. 16, 1862. 
 We have a fine and brave Irish lad as ever shouldered a 
 musket, from your city. He was our color bearer at the 
 late fight at Georgia Landing. He was moving up and 
 looking straight into the muzzles of the enemy's artillery 
 as steady and cool as Marshal Ney ever faced a battery. 
 Three of his color guard fell wounded, still he moved on, 
 ,next came a cannon shot striking his color staff just above 
 his head and cutting it in two, and the colors fell forward 
 on the ground. Two or three of his company sprang for 
 them, but our young friend threw himself prostrate on his 
 face, gathered the colors in his out stretched arms and with 
 the remark to those who sought to obtain his colors, " No 
 you don't," he arose and moved on flaunting the stars and 
 stripes where the grape and canister fell nearly as thick 
 as hailstones in a northern storm. I have asked the Gov- 
 ernor and council to appoint him to a vacant lieutenancy. 
 He is certainly deserving and I most certainly hope he will 
 obtain the place. His name is John Nolan. Good night. 
 
 O. W. Lull. 
 
 (The above is an exact copy of Colonel Lull's letter. 
 George W. Fowler, editor of daily and weekly "Gazette," 
 Nashua, N. H., March 6, 1891.) 
 
 Extract from Adjutant-General's report. James H. 
 Marshall, First Lieutenant and Adjutant Eighth New 
 Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
150 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 The enemy evacuated the Lafourche country and crossed 
 over Berwick bay into Attakapas. After a day's rest at 
 Thibodeaux, the Eighth was sent with two squadrons of 
 cavalry and a section of artillery under the command of 
 Colonel Fearing to take possession of the New Orleans and 
 Opelousas Railway. After a hard march through cypress 
 swamps heavily wooded and festooned with the somber 
 drapery of moss that characterizes southern forests, the 
 expedition reached Tigerville, La., capturing an immense 
 amount of material which the rebels had been obliged to 
 abandon. On reconnoitering the railway, it was found 
 that a bridge across the Bayou Boeuf, one hundred and 
 twenty feet long, had been destroyed, while a mile of the 
 track was covered with the ruins of engines and cars 
 burned to prevent their being of use to us ; but Yankee 
 skill was called into requisition, a detail was made from 
 the regiment, the bridge rebuilt, the track relaid, the engine 
 put in running order, and in one week trains were passing 
 over the road bringing stores and ammunition from New 
 Orleans ninety-three miles distant. 
 
 Letter of Lieut. D. W. King to Mrs. J. Q^ A. Warren, 
 of Nashua, N. H. : 
 
 In the field near Tigerville, La., Nov. 9, 1862. 
 Dear Madam, — At a meeting of the line officers last 
 evening, resolutions of respect to your late husband were 
 unanimously passed, and as clerk I was instructed to for- 
 ward them to you with this letter, testifying to the high 
 regard placed upon your husband as an officer and com- 
 panion, and the sympathy entertained by the officers of 
 the regiment for yourself and children, also his estimable 
 mother. Rest assured that his name will ever be held in 
 the greatest esteem by us ; we feel that we have lost a 
 friend that we cannot replace and his death cast a gloom 
 over the entire regiment such as is never exceeded by the 
 death of any prominent person in civil life. Our regiment 
 is our world; its members, its society; and when the 
 brightest one is taken away an aching void is created ; a 
 wound is made not to be healed in a day or a year. 
 Believe us, ours is no commonplace grief. It is heart- 
 felt and deep and we mourn for him as few are mourned 
 for. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 151 
 
 In behalf of the line officers I subscribe myself for the 
 committee, Sincerely your friend, 
 
 Dana W. King, 
 Lieut. Co .A. 8th Reg. N. H. Vols. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty in his infinite 
 wisdom to remove from us by instant death upon the battle 
 field our esteemed friends and brother officers. Captains 
 John Q^ A. Warren and John Kelliher, they dying while 
 nobly leading their men in defense of their country and for 
 the honor of our glorious flag ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That we, the line officers of the 8th Regi- 
 ment N. H. Vols, tender our sincere and heartfelt sympathy 
 to the friends and families of the deceased. May they be 
 comforted by the thought that they died the death of 
 heroes, nobly facing death for what is dear to every 
 patriot — for the Constitution and the Union as it was. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Capt. Warren, we lose 
 the kindest of companions, the best of friends, and the 
 bravest of officers ; that his death shall urge us to greater 
 efficiency and greater zeal in the work before us ; that it 
 shall be our untiring aim to make the regiment worthy the 
 honor of having held the brave spirits, Warren and Kelli- 
 her. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Captain Kelliher we lose 
 a man who, though not native to the soil, was a fine officer 
 and a firm friend, who left the green isle of Erin, came to 
 our shores and has nobly fallen in the defense of his 
 adopted country. His name should be cherished with the 
 galaxy of Irish patriots who have shed their blood to sus- 
 tain our time-honored institutions. 
 
 Resolved, That we wear the usual badge of mourning for 
 thirty days. 
 
 Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the 
 "New Orleans Delta" and the newspapers printed at 
 Manchester and Nashua, N. H. (Signed) 
 Capt. G. A. Flanders, ) 
 Lieut. C. H. Camp, > Committee. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King, ) 
 
 Did Captain Kelliher feel a premonition of death? 
 Some of his intimate friends say that he expressed it. 
 
152 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Just as he was starting on the expedition, he came into the 
 .hospital opposite Camp Kearney and told the writer that 
 he would " like to borrow a pair of shoulder straps to be 
 buried in." He was answered that he might have a pair, 
 but that he ought not to use those words. " Oh no," said 
 Kelliher, as he went out laughing, " I shall not take the 
 words back ; I think that you will see neither me nor the 
 straps again." And it proved to be so. The two officers 
 did not meet again. 
 
 Letter of Lieut. D. W. King, Baton Rouge, La. Ex- 
 tract : 
 
 The remains of Capt. Warren are doubtless in New 
 England to-night. The body was exhumed and given in 
 charge of Adams & Company's Express at New Orleans. 
 My heartiest thanks are due to Col. Fearing for the many 
 favors shown in giving me the fullest liberty for the suc- 
 cessful completion of this mournful task. Lieuts. Stokes 
 and Eayrs and others are deserving of much praise for 
 their fidelity and assistance. With this I drop the painful 
 subject. The last sad duty that I can do for my cherished 
 friend is done and we turn to the sterner duties of every 
 day military life. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 153 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 Thibodeaux. — The Poet and Patriot, Richard Dalton Williams. — A 
 Monument Raised by Companies C and K. — Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Lull as Provost Judge. — A Hanging. — The Court. — Niggers 
 Bob, Dude, and Jim. — The Regiment at West Baton Rouge. — 
 Destruction of the Rebel steamer " Cotton." — At Baton Rouge. — 
 Indian Village. — Target shooting. — Improved Firearms of to- 
 day. — The Chaplain enjoys a Sunday's Preaching. — The Lobby at 
 
 Washington Damage to Property. — At Algiers. — Officers of 
 
 Eighth under Arrest. — At Baton Rouge. — Preparing to Advance 
 on Port Hudson. 
 
 Lieutenant King's letter : 
 
 Camp Stevens near Thibodeaux, Nov. 17, 1862. 
 Tigerville is a small station at the junction of the bayous 
 " Tiger and Black." It is not, at least now, as ferocious 
 as the name implies. It is rather dead property. The 
 few planters have generally taken the oath of allegiance 
 and are up in camp often, looking after their live property, 
 the ubiquitous negro, who comes and goes at his own 
 sweet will, while the Government is protecting him and, 
 too, the planter's property. Sugar was the great staple 
 here once ; "but times isn't as sweet as they were." The 
 station agent had five flag poles out and he being a noted 
 rebel we hunted the house for flags. The man of the house 
 had hastily removed to Texas. We found no Confederate 
 flags, but we did find a virago whose tongue beat the rag- 
 gedest kind of a flag in a flutter. Shades of Nabby Fol- 
 som, Abby Kelly Foster, and the " Aunt Sarah" of my 
 boyhood, couldn't she talk ! Out of the deluge of vitupera- 
 tion we escaped through the back door. She had a long, 
 loud voice and if now alive it hasn't stopped. These 
 women are worse than the men; no reason, no listen, we 
 can't put them in a guard tent ; we might match them with 
 a regiment from old North street of Boston. 
 
154 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 The Railroad is open for use from New Orleans to Ber- 
 wick Bay and as it is through the richest part of Louisiana 
 it will prove of great value as it is well stocked with sugar, 
 cotton, cattle, horses, etc. The return here was made by 
 railroad, and our camp is on the same field as before. 
 Our tents have arrived and we are more comfortable. 
 Thibodeaux was once lively in the piping times of peace. 
 The cathedral is a fine building costing thirty-five thousand 
 dollars, and furnished with a magnificence rare at the 
 North. The cemetery connected with it, in which Cap- 
 tain Kelliher was buried, is laid out in the manner of 
 French burial places, abounding with crosses, and almost 
 every grave adorned with wreaths and flowers made of 
 beads. Among the notables buried here is one who was a 
 townsman of Lieut. Healy, the poet Richard Dalton Wil- 
 liams, a co-patriot of William Smith O'Brien in the rebel- 
 lion of '48. No stone has marked the final resting place 
 in a strange land of this gifted Irishman until Captains 
 Connelly and Healy raised in their own companies, C and 
 K, the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, which 
 they expended in the purchase of a monument to his mem- 
 ory. It is a beautiful shaft, and an honor to all concerned 
 in its erection. It tells its own tale with its humble inscrip- 
 tion and will, years hence, note the whereabouts of the 8th 
 N. H. Vols, at the close of the year 1862. 
 
 At this writing a letter was received from Lieut. J. J. 
 Nolan, who enclosed one from Rev. C. M. Manard of 
 Thibodeaux. Extract as follows : 
 
 Thibodeaux, La., Oct. 21, 1890. 
 yohn y. Nolan, Esq., 
 
 41^ Broome St., New York City. 
 Dear Sir, — In answer to your enquiry of Oct. 15th, 
 1890, please find enclosed a copy of the inscription asked 
 for, also a copy of the certificate of burial. Although 
 twenty-eight years have passed since the untimely death 
 of Mr. Williams, yet his scholarship, patriotism, and, above 
 all, his meekness and the great fervor of his faith, are well 
 recollected by the good father. "I saw him," he says, 
 " frequendy during his last illness, and it was from my own 
 hands that he received the last sacraments." Far away 
 from his afflicted native land he found a resting place 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 155 
 
 among friends. He is not unwept and unknown. Each 
 year when we are called to the commemoration of the 
 dead, he is not forgotten, for tokens of kind remembrance 
 adorn his humble grave. 
 
 CM. Manard, 
 Per Jas. p. O. Reilly, 
 
 Thibodeaux College. 
 
 The following is the inscription : 
 
 SACRED 
 
 TO 
 
 THE MEMORY OF 
 
 RICHARD DALTON WILLIAMS 
 
 THE IRISH PATRIOT AND POET 
 
 WHO DIED JULY 5TH, 1862, AGED 4O YEARS. 
 
 This stone was erected by his countrymen serving in 
 Cos. C and K, 8th Regt. of N. H. Vols., as a slight testi- 
 mony of their esteem for his unsullied patriotism and his' 
 exalted devotion to the cause of Irish freedom. 
 
 Lieutenant Nolan adds that Mr. Williams was in 1848 
 the comrade of Maher, Mahoney, Mitchell, and O'Brien ; 
 and that twenty-eight years ago from the date of this letter 
 Rev. Father C. M. Manard was the pastor of St. Joseph's 
 church at Thibodeaux, and that on the morning of that 
 day, we were firing upon the town ; and twenty-eight years 
 ago to-morrow morning, about the time that you receive 
 this letter, adds he, we were taking possession of it. 
 
 Lieutenant King says : " One tomb bore the name of 
 Edward Douglass White, once governor of the State, also 
 a member of Congress. Philip Barton Key was the name 
 upon another slab." 
 
 Francis Scott Key, the renowned author of the " Star 
 Spangled Banner," was a cousin of the above named Philip 
 Barton Key, who studied law in the former's office and was 
 a member of the Louisiana Legislature and the Constitu- 
 tional Convention of 1850. He died on his plantation, 
 Acadie, near Thibodeaux, May 4, 1854. 
 
156 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Lieut. King's letter. Extract : 
 
 Our stay at Thibodeaux was very pleasant, our camp 
 being the finest we have had. With an occasional visit to 
 New Orleans and good mail facilities, soldiering is ren- 
 dered endurable for a short time. Lieutenant Colonel O. 
 W. Lull is appointed provost judge of all the State lying 
 west of the Mississippi river except two parishes, and has 
 organized his court at Thibodeaux, detailing Co. B of our 
 regiment to assist him. Lieut. Camp is prosecuting attor- 
 ney, Lieut. Eayrs is high sheriff, and Sergt. D. B. New- 
 hall, deputy. Sergeant Blanchard being the efficient and 
 gentlemanly clerk. Altogether, they keep a place where, 
 as says Mrs. Partington, "Justice is dispensed with." 
 There is no lack of business as the court tries all cases, 
 both civil and military, and as the people are not all 
 Christians, they manage to keep the jail full most of the 
 time with a motley group interspersed with negro soldiers, 
 of whose behavior there are endless complaints of burning, 
 stealings, ravishings and lesser crimes. It is thought that 
 Gen. Banks will have to disband them or put them under 
 iron rule, or to garrison some fort away from civilization. 
 They are termed "The Louisiana Native Guards," osten- 
 sibly freemen of color, but we know that slaves are in their 
 ranks. One is Sergeant Leonard, a slave from Pearl 
 river, whom I picked up in a starving condition on Lake 
 Borgne last spring. The law is that no colored man can 
 be enlisted without his showing the necessary papers to 
 prove his freedom. Some negroes are getting tired of 
 camp life and are returning to their masters. They are so 
 thick that we all can have servants who can be very atten- 
 tive for a week, and then each needs an every day strap 
 admonition in order that he shall attend to his business. 
 My man, Bob, is a genius of many virtues ; a good cook, 
 carpenter, mason, thief, etc., for he takes nothing that he 
 can't lay his hands on. 
 
 The writer first tried a negro server who came recom- 
 mended from the front row of a camp meeting. At the 
 start he must have been colored good. He was absolutely 
 clean, and so black that his eyes shone and his teeth 
 flashed like diamonds. His countenance was vast, and 
 open like a bursted shell ; legs like a scythe snath ; feet, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 157 
 
 No. 19. For shoes he could wear ammunition boxes. He 
 was as graceful as a derrick, and could get around as lively 
 as a Nim's caisson going into a fight ; but he spent too much 
 time over the regimental line at the camp-meeting, and 
 his female co-laborer could not account for the washing, 
 and, too, the religious idea in his head was so large that 
 like Wouter Van Twiller's, he could not turn it over and 
 look- upon the two sides, so we had to part. Our next was 
 Jim. He was smart and good looking. A great interest 
 was taken in him. We saw him well fed, clothed, and 
 armed with a knife suitable for wood, flesh, bread, and 
 soup. We stuck a pistol in his belt, and have him now — in 
 a picture. He was bound to get married, so we saw that 
 he was legally tied by a chaplain and sworn in on the 
 Army Regulations, a book that he feared, for he saw that 
 it was consulted, studied, and anathematized more than all 
 other printed matter. Finally, as he was an intelligent 
 negro, he ran away and enlisted. With him disappeared 
 clothing and things for toilet use, which no common negro 
 would be expected to corral. We next saw him, trim and 
 erect, resplendent in black, blue, and brass, one of a thou- 
 sand guarding the railway over which we were passing in 
 the enemy's country. We forgave him. We could not do 
 otherwise, for we could not get at him. Comrade Henry 
 L. Robbins of Company B, when riding with the 6th 
 Massachusetts battery, the enemy at their heels, caught 
 up by the woolly topknot a little black brother about five 
 years of age, and elevated him upon his horse, and in the 
 scale of being, by making him generally useful. He was 
 an apt and interesting youth, good at figures, that is in 
 turning handsprings and, too, any stray dollar into his own 
 possession. Robbins clothed and fed him and took him 
 up North and Yankeefied him into the principles of money 
 getting, so that he became an adept at boot and head shin- 
 ing, which resulted in many multiplied dollars ; at the last 
 he amply repaid his benefactor, and finally returned to 
 
158 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 his native swamps to illustrate the triumphs of Northern 
 civilization. 
 
 Thibodeaux, November 18, 1862. Chaplain's diary: 
 
 Camp Stevens. Went to New Orleans and to the hos- 
 pital at our old Camp Kearney, Carrolton. Saw Lieuts. 
 Locke and Landers, also Capt. Stanyan. They are suf- 
 fering with inflammatory rheumatism. 
 
 Nov. 27th at Camp Stevens. Thanksgiving at home, 
 but I am thankful to be here on rather poor rations. 
 
 30th. Lieut. Col. Lull in command and orders church 
 services. 
 
 Dec. 4th. Col. Lull has been appointed Provost Judge. 
 
 27th. Sent home for the men 1804 dollars. 
 
 30th. Leaving Lieut. Col. Lull and Co. B as Provost 
 Guard, the regiment marches towards Donaldsonville, 
 passing on the 31st our old battle ground at Labadieville 
 or Georgia Landing. 
 
 Jan. 2d, 1863. In Camp Weitzel, opposite Baton Rouge. 
 
 13th. Moved back across the river to Baton Rouge. 
 
 29th. Wedding ! Lieut. Lighthizer of 4th Wis. and 
 Miss Laura S. Jones of this city. Col. Fearing desires me 
 to dress, and with Dr. Smith and Adj. Head attend him as 
 staff, while he reviews a brigade. 
 
 At Camp Stevens, near Thibodeaux. By General Order 
 
 No. 25 : 
 
 Capt. W. M. Barrett of Co. A 8th Reg. N. H. Vols, 
 was appointed on a Military Commission for the hearing 
 of and determining the case of one Burrell, a colored per- 
 son, formerly a slave, and for the trial of crimes and mis- 
 demeanors. Said court to meet on Tuesday, Nov. i8th, 
 1862. By order of 
 
 Brig. Gen. Weitzel. 
 J. B. Hubbard, 
 A. A. General. 
 
 Provost marshal, Lieutenant-Colonel Lull and Company 
 B at Thibodeaux. Of the court the prosecuting attorney, 
 Charles H. Camp, says, that it drove at conclusions very 
 rapidly and fairly ; that it was soon found out by the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 159 
 
 planters and the negroes that no liars were tolerated, and so 
 the truth was soon got at and by short stories. Confine- 
 ment in the jail soon fell into desuetude as the ease and 
 good rations thereat were provocative of a continuance of 
 crime. 
 
 Comrade X. E. Mills was appointed as jailor, and found 
 there a sleepy, kink-wooled nigger about twenty-four years 
 old. He seemed to lie about as if he had a right to draw 
 rations and pulp them down. At last Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Lull noticed him and said that he had better be put at work 
 about the kitchen, but there was no work in him to be got 
 out. Then he was ordered out and oft", but the darkey 
 would not go, but continued to lay his bones, well cush- 
 ioned with fat, around the premises, his eyes scarcely 
 blinking at noonday, and not minding an occasional kick 
 nor the report of a pistol fired near his flabby ear. By 
 and by some old citizen happening about, asked why said 
 nigger was allowed his liberty. Being told the circum- 
 stances, he said, " Why, the fellow has been tried, con- 
 victed, and is under sentence of death for the crime of r^pe. 
 He is to be hung." Accordingly, after looking up the 
 records, arrangements were made to carry the sentence 
 into execution. A carpenter rigged in the loft of the jail 
 a rude but strong scaffold ; but all the preparations for his 
 taking off" and the announcement of the same to the victim, 
 seemed to have no effect save to render him more limp, 
 numb, and impassive. He refused his food entirely and 
 would not talk. At the time of execution, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Lull went up to see that all was done judicially, 
 but when the dread event occurred, Comrade Mills says 
 that "he came down three or five steps at a leap, and he 
 declares that it was the only time when the Colonel ever 
 looked scared. 
 
 Peter A. Shedd of Company C was an unique character. 
 He came from a fighting ancestry, but his energy and 
 genius was unfortunately limited in the Eighth Regiment 
 
i6o History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to the management of a mule team. There he was 
 supreme. General Banks on his favorite horse looked no 
 more the commander than did Peter on a mule looking 
 after his load and beasts ; then he was like a king in voice 
 and action. He had an intuitive understanding of and 
 with mules, and mules knew him for a master. If a mule 
 got off his base from four legs onto two or none, Peter's 
 halloo and stinging lash brought the refractory animal from 
 his airy flights to a dead level or death. But Peter had an 
 occasional humiliation when coming in contact with the 
 brute called man. On one occasion Comrade J. C. Phil- 
 brick of Company A, with others, went to load on one of 
 Peter's carts commissary stores for Donaldsonville. Peter 
 on being asked how much he could draw, said, " pile on, 
 my mules will draw any load." Philbrick accordingly 
 built up a packed load, and as it was mostly of beef and 
 boxes of crackers, they fitted in well, and being bound 
 upon each other they projected over the wheels. Just as 
 they began to taper off the load towards the towering top, 
 Peter A. Shedd appeared with his four restive mules, and 
 as he beheld the commissary monument on his cart he 
 broke out with a whole broadside of invectives peculiar to 
 
 army life and wound up by saying that he'd be if he 
 
 would ask his mules to draw the whole commissary depart- 
 ment. This explosion was mollified by a draft of " com- 
 missary" which had a history. Sergeant Laton had given 
 quite a slice of a month's pay for a canteen full, and Phil- 
 brick in loading had kicked that innocent looking article, 
 which by some strange oversight had been left upon the 
 floor of the storehouse. The heft of the canteen led to the 
 discovery of its intrinsic value in that climate. Afterwards 
 on the march. Sergeant L. complained to Philbrick that he 
 felt sort o" bayou like, or sickly sluggish, and said that he 
 had lost his tonic and cash too. The identical canteen 
 being produced in a friendly manner, Laton instantly 
 pounced upon it as his own, and in proof, showed its ear- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. i6i 
 
 marks. So the property was soon divided, accounts bal- 
 anced, and Louisiana looked lovely. 
 
 Some account of First Sergt. J. M. Blanchard, clerk of 
 court at Thibodeaux, La., 1862. 
 
 Mr. Shaffer, an elderly gentleman of the old school, 
 who was Confedei-ate enough to have implicit faith in rebel 
 bonds and notes, was impressed with the necessity of hid- 
 ing the same from the sight and possible touch of Federal 
 troops, so on our approach he glided into his garden with a 
 valuable package of many thousands of dollars and placed 
 it within one of his deserted bee-hives ; so far good and 
 cunning, for the Union soldier was only to be tempted by 
 hives in full and active operation ; but Mr. Shaffer's 
 actions had been watched by the colored brethren and they 
 appropriated the package of money. Mr. Shaffer in his 
 despair and indignation, applied to the provost court for 
 redress. The precious cash was recovered and remained 
 in the possession of the clerk of the court, Sergt. J. M. 
 Blanchard, for many days, being kicked about the office 
 with less consideration than would have been a bundle of 
 home newspapers. Six of the African thieves were jailed 
 and the case came up for trial. The whole Shaffer 
 family were summoned, and they were an interesting lot, 
 which included Miss Belle, who was a beauty of sixteen 
 summers. She was viewed with a good deal of awe by 
 the gentlemanly and efficient clerk though he did not know 
 her at first to be really beautiful when he swore her in as a 
 witness, as she gave her evidence through the thickness 
 of three veils. But at the noon recess. Colonel, otherwise 
 
 Judge Lull took the g and e clerk by the arm and 
 
 said in his well known style, with voice pitched at b flat a 
 big octave below middle c, "Jim don't you ever again put 
 a witness under oath without seeing his or her face during 
 the operation." The young girl was put upon the witness 
 stand again in the afternoon and was re-sworn with an 
 open countenance, but with evident and painful reluctance. 
 
i62 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 But the elder Shaffer recovered his money and his com- 
 posure. As a consequence Company B had as much 
 fresh provision as three donkeys could draw from the 
 Shaffer plantation, and the honorable court rode twenty 
 miles and dined with the family, the Belle of the house 
 doing the honors gracefully. 
 
 In January, 1863, General Banks ordered General 
 Weitzel to unite his forces with the naval and hunt up on 
 the Bayou Teche the gunboat "Cotton," and to destroy it. 
 That gunboat, which had been the terror of our naval 
 forces in that section, was named after one John L. 
 Cotton, a wealthy planter who was at the first an ardent 
 Union man like a majority in that county of Attakapas ; 
 but after the State of Louisiana officiall}'^ seceded, he 
 turned into an out and out Confederate and vented his 
 enthusiasm for the newly fledged government by equip- 
 ping a river steamer which he owned, as a gunboat, and 
 presenting it to the Confederacy. The craft was partially 
 iron-clad and heavily armed. Its commander was Captain 
 Fuller, one of that daring class of western boatmen who 
 fight to the bitter end with tooth and nail, for after his pilot 
 was killed on the " Cotton" he was partially disabled, and 
 steered his boat by the use of his feet till it had crawled 
 out of the fight. Our Eighth New Hampshire was at 
 Baton Rouge, but in this affair Lieutenant-Colonel Lull 
 acted as chief of staff to General Weitzel and of course 
 Company B went along with him, having begun to wind 
 up their judicial proceedings at Thibodeaux. In a letter 
 written to his wife, dated January 23, 1863, he gives the 
 following account of the affair, the more interesting as it 
 was not intended for publication : 
 
 My Dear Wife, — I am at home in camp again, have 
 been in another fight, came out all right, and so think I am 
 in luck. We left here on Sunday before last with seven 
 regiments of infantry, twenty-one cannon and a company 
 of cavalry. Went by railroad to Berwick city. There 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 163 
 
 the infantry by steamer to Pattersonville, landed, formed 
 line of battle and advanced about three miles, encamped 
 for the night. Jan. 14th the plan was for the fleet to pro- 
 ceed up the bayou and open the attack with the infantry 
 supporting on each side, so the 8th Vermont was crossed 
 over and we resumed our march. In about an hour we 
 came in sight of the "Cotton " and saw that she was well 
 protected with railroad iron from below her water line to 
 some feet above her main deck. Soon she began to shell 
 our advancing forces and our artillery answered and the 
 Union gunboats opened fire. Gen. Weitzel ordered me to 
 go forward and send a line of skirmishers of the 75th New 
 York out, supported by the regiment, to silence the guns 
 of the "Cotton." By that time the air was full of shell, 
 grape and canister and my way lay right between the two 
 fires for nearly a quarter of a mile, but away my Golden 
 Eagle went like the wind. The skirmishers were thrown 
 out, proper orders given and back I started ; got nearly to 
 our artillery again when a spherical canister, that is, a 
 shell holding about two quarts of small balls, burst exactly 
 over my head and fell in a shower all around me. I took 
 off my hat in acknowledgment of the compliment, and was 
 soon away ; but it was seen that the firing was too hot for 
 the I2th Conn, and i6oth N. Y. and they must be ordered 
 to lie down as a partial protection. I was sent with the 
 order and my way lay again over the same course. Soon 
 the New York boys drove the gunners of the "Cotton" 
 off'; our artillery riddled the craft well, so that she sought 
 safety by moving around a short bend in the bayou where 
 she was sheltered by the woods. She ventured down once 
 more in the day, but a ready shower of balls drove her 
 back. At night we laid down in the cornfields, the water 
 standing between the rows, in mud. It rained and blew 
 unmercifully. About four o'clock in the morning a senti- 
 nel came galloping down reporting that a fire-raft was 
 coming down the Teche. We were all up in a moment 
 and soon found that the " Cotton " was on fire. She made 
 a magnificent flame with ever and anon the shell upon her 
 bursting. She probably was so disabled as to be useless, 
 so they destroyed her rather than that she should fall into 
 our hands. Her destruction assured, we returned to camp 
 upon Friday. Commander Buchanan of the Calhoun was 
 killed upon his own deck, he being at the extreme front 
 
164 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 fighting the " Cotton" and Semmes battery, and not wait- 
 ing for the 8th Vermont to clear out the rifle pits. He 
 was a glorious fellow ; young, bold and genial. Our loss 
 was comparatively light ; six killed and twelve wounded. 
 We took fifty prisoners, killed about thirty of the enemy, 
 which were buried. The casualties on the "Cotton" we 
 know not. Gen. Weitzel is being glorified by our boys. 
 He seems to be invincible. 
 
 Howarth of Company B, at date of January 24, Baton 
 Rouge, says that the company being provost judge's guard 
 were well out of the fight, and during the rain storm spoken 
 of housed themselves in a row of new molasses casks, they 
 being luxurious after having been driven from the negro 
 quarters by the fleas. During the night, he, having a sol- 
 dier's hunger, found in the darkness a hen coop and a 
 dozen eggs. On undertaking, however, to cook the hen 
 fruit, it was discovered to be preoccupied by immature 
 chicks, much to his disgust and the laughter of comrades. 
 He reports that the regiment of Louisiana cavalry enlisted 
 at the finale of General Butler's administration, was an 
 awful set to fight, not afraid of anybody or anything, they 
 knowing that to be captured was sure death. General 
 Weitzel was as cool as the old fashioned cucumber, smok- 
 ing his cigar during the fight and moving about on his horse 
 as unconcernedly as if bossing a gang of field hands. The 
 enemy's force to support the "Cotton" was three regi- 
 ments of infantry, two squadrons of cavalry and two bat- 
 teries. 
 
 THE COLONEL'S TURKEY. 
 
 BY LIEUT. JAMES H. MARSHALL. 
 
 It was a drizzly, dismal afternoon in January, the rainy 
 season in tropical climates, and Gen. Weitzel's division, 
 about five thousand infantry, cavalry, and artillery, were 
 marching down the bank of Bayou Teche toward Berwick 
 bay in Louisiana. The sacred soil of this part of the 
 quondam Confederacy had been trampled and cut up by 
 the wheels of scores of wagons and guns, the hoofs of hun- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 165 
 
 dreds of horses and mules, and the feet of thousands of 
 men, into a sort of porridge which adhered to the feet of us 
 unfortunates of the infantry with a tenacity which promised 
 us our "bounty land" without the formality of an act of 
 Congress ; and the rain, varying from a Scotch mist to 
 down-pouring floods as though the bottoms of the celestial 
 cisterns had been suddenly knocked out, fell alike on all, 
 from the major-general on his charger, to the company 
 cook laden with camp-kettles and messpans. But not- 
 withstanding the mud and rain the hearts of the boys in 
 blue were light, for we had once more encountered the 
 gray-clad legions of Dick Taylor, had driven them to their 
 fastnessess in the swamp, and had blown up their boasted 
 iron-clad " Cotton," to accomplish the destruction of which 
 we had exchanged our comfortable quarters for a week's 
 marching and fighting in the mud and rain, and our sumpt- 
 uous fare of fresh beef and soft bread for the more frugal 
 rations of hard-tack and coffee. 
 
 And now that our work was done, and our line of march 
 was toward camp, the men, elated with their victory, and 
 regarding more the adage, "To the victors belong the 
 spoils," than good order and military discipline, began to 
 fall out of the column and make furious onslaughts on the 
 pigs and poultry of the unfortunate inhabitants of the 
 debateable ground, and the squeals of the porcine quad- 
 rupeds and the cackling of the feathered bipeds as they 
 fell before the sabres and bayonets of their pursurers, were 
 fearful to hear. Now we of Company B were the Provost 
 Guard of the command, and our Lieut. -Col. O. W. 
 Lull was the Provost Marshal General ; and as the 
 Colonel was something of a "martinet" such a flagrant 
 infraction of the rules and discipline of war could by no 
 means pass unnoticed, so Company B were straightway 
 set to arresting and driving back to the column, the ruth- 
 less invaders of the sanctity of the barn-yard. By dint of 
 some threatening and much swearing, the marauders were 
 finally all driven back to the road : save one long-legged 
 Indiana boy, who in the ardor of his chase after a huge 
 turkey, disregarding the loud command " to halt" of the 
 Colonel, struck down the luckless gobbler at the very feet 
 of the mistress of the plantation, who stood in the doorway 
 wringing her hands in agony at the devastation going on 
 around her. Reining round his horse, the Colonel leveled 
 
1 66 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 his revolver and sent a bullet through the regulation hat 
 of the culprit, and, as he started up, cried, " Stand still my 
 man, I'll shoot lower next time." The soldier, however, 
 didn't wait to be the object of further practice, but abandon- 
 ing his booty fled precipitately through the fence and dis- 
 appeared in the column which filled the road. The 
 Southern matron was profuse in her thanks to the Colonel 
 for stopping the slaughter, and, as a more substantial 
 token of her gratitude, begged him to accept the turkey 
 which lay quite dead from the last furious stroke. 
 Delighted, doubtless, with such a welcome addition to his 
 mess table, the: Colonel received the gift ; the turkey was 
 transferred to his orderly's saddle-bow and the column 
 marched on. 
 
 II. 
 
 How THE Colonel Lost his Turkey. 
 
 By sundown, the column reached Berwick bay, and 
 before the sudden, nightfall peculiar to those regions had 
 dropped the curtain on the day's performance, the wet, 
 tired, and hungry men were housed in the sheds and ware- 
 houses of the dirty collection of wooden buildings dignified 
 b}' the title of " Brashear City." Now Provost duty was 
 what was denominated in the army vernacular " a soft 
 thing," thereby implying less work and better quarters 
 than fall to the lot of troops of the line, and Company B 
 on this occasion enjoyed their " otium cum dignitate" in a 
 deserted store whose well shingled roof defied the rain, 
 while the shelves and counters made excellent sleeping 
 places for the men. Stocked as it now was, however, it 
 was anything but a dry-goods store, rather a storehouse 
 for wet hides. The heavy accoutrements had been 
 unbuckled and laid aside, the last remaining drops of 
 moisture carefully wiped from the polished rifle barrels, 
 and the coffee and hard-tack discussed with as much gusto 
 as though it were champagne and roast turkey ; the 
 bugles had sounded the last notes of "tattoo" and the 
 sergeants of Company B were enjoying the solacing 
 fumes of the Indian weed, which, as BjTon hath it, — 
 
 * * * ♦ from East to West, 
 Cheers the Tar's labor, and the Turkman's rest, 
 
 upon the piazza in front of the building. The group con- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 167 
 
 sisted of J. M. B., his triple chevrons surmounted by the 
 diamond denoting his rank of Orderly Sergeant, his athletic 
 form as well-knit and firm as the Granite Hills of his native 
 state, fiis clear blue eyes — one of which, alas, went out 
 forever when that fatal shell sent its murderous fragments 
 whistling into Company B at Fort Hudson, on June 14, 
 1863 — though stern and fixed in action, yet full of friendly 
 light when, as now, we gathered to smoke the social pipe ; 
 D. B. N., the originator of all the fun and mischief in the 
 company, from his short statue familiarly denominated 
 " Stub" ; C. R. S., steadier than his comrades yet equally 
 ready to share the hazards of a scrape ; G. S. C, the son 
 of a Major in the old regular army, and who, singularly 
 enough, was not only by birth a native of the state in which 
 we were then campaigning, but who, impelled by inevita- 
 ble fate, was destined to sleep his last sleep upon her soil, 
 where he fell in a fierce night skirmish on the banks of 
 Red river; and lastly, your " humble servant" in all, five 
 as jolly soldier boys as ever wore sergeant stripes. 
 
 The Colonel had taken up his quarters in a building 
 directly opposite ; on the piazza lay his saddle and horse 
 equipments, and as the gleam of the camp-fire flashed and 
 flickered upon the front of the building, something large 
 and white suspended from one of the pillars stood out in 
 bold relief against the dark background. It was the 
 Colonel's turkey denuded of its feathers and hung to cool 
 in the night breezes ; and as he swung pendant by his 
 drumsticks, his skin white as an infant's, his rounded out- 
 line plainly showing that his part of the confederacy had 
 not been starved out. No sight could have been more 
 tempting to Yankee soldiers who had been for two years 
 deprived of their annual Thanksgiving cheer. Many were 
 the longing, lingering looks from across the way, till at 
 last " Stub" removing his " briar root" from his lips and 
 sending a gush of smoke from under his mustache, gave 
 utterance to his longings. 
 
 " Orderly, what a bully dinner that turkey would make 
 for our mess, just enough for five." 
 
 "That's so," quoth the Orderly, chorused by assenting 
 ejaculations from the other three. 
 
 " We ought to have him," said " Cless." 
 
 " We will have him," decisively responded " Stub," and 
 when he said a thing, it was generally done. 
 
1 68 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 But how? For there upon the piazza directly beneath 
 the pendant treasure, sat its Cerberus in the form of the 
 Colonel's negro boy "Bill," energetically polishing his 
 master's sabre, crooning the while some old plantation 
 melody, and ever and anon turning up the whites of his 
 eyes toward the turkey, till they glistened in the fire-light 
 like distant locomotive headlights. 
 
 A faithful henchman was Bill, drilled to obedience by 
 eighteen years of servitude, there was little hope of his 
 betraying his trust. 
 
 But Bill had his weakness, and, like most of his sable 
 brethren , this weakness was rum, a common beverage of the 
 country. So in a few moments of whispered consultation, 
 the sergeants matured the plan of their campaign and like 
 good generals lost no time in putting it into execution. 
 " Cless" left the group and disappeared in the darkness, 
 till under its cover he crossed the street and cautiously 
 gained the rear of the Colonel's quarters. The rest of the 
 party then sauntered toward the camp-fire in the middle of 
 the street, and standing full in its light, ostentatiously 
 passed a canteen from hand to hand, or rather from mouth to 
 mouth, each as he lowered the tin utensil giving an ejacu- 
 lation of satisfaction. This operation was not lost upon 
 Bill, his song and his labor ceased simultaneously, his 
 big eyes took in the scene and his thick lips quivered as 
 though the loved fluid was at their portals. 
 
 "Wat's you all got dere, Mas'r Orderly?" sung out the 
 thirsty Ethiopian. 
 
 " Good Louisiana rum. Bill," answered the Orderly, 
 smacking his lips. 
 
 " Come now, Mas'r Orderly, jes gib dis nigger a Htde 
 taste," cried the darkey. 
 
 " Well Bill," said the Orderly, " you're not such a bad 
 nigger after all, so come out here and get a dram." 
 
 No sooner were the words spoken than the sable Ameri- 
 can dropped his sabre and brick-dust, and, forgetful of his 
 dudes as sentinel, left the turkey to take care of itself, 
 while with eager hand he grasped the canteen and glued 
 his thick lips to its mouth piece. As his eyes closed in 
 satisfacdon upon the deep potation, a dark form came 
 around the corner of the Colonel's quarters, gained the 
 piazza, seized the turkey, and in another instant both had 
 vanished in the darkness. Though finally obliged to 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 169 
 
 lower the canteen to take breath, Bill could not tear him- 
 self from its vicinity while it contained any of the seduc- 
 tive fluid, till at last, under the potent influence of several 
 drams, he took his serpentine course back to the piazza, 
 too much confused to tell whether there were one, two, 
 or a dozen turkeys, even had he possessed the accomplish- 
 ment of counting, which is very doubtful, and rolling 
 himself in the Colonel's saddle was soon in the negro 
 beatitude — sleep. 
 
 The turkey was disposed of by being deposited in the 
 bottom of a barrel of hard-tack, and the five conspirators 
 were soon sleeping as soundly as Bill himself. Reveille 
 had hardly sounded the next morning, when there was a 
 great outcry from Bill. "With eyes sticking out like a 
 Ship Island sand crab, he came in and exclaimed, " Who 
 done stole dat turkey ?" 
 
 " Why, is he gone?" says the Orderly. 
 
 " Yaas, he's sure 'nuffgone," says Bill. 
 
 " I wouldn't wonder if that was what that 6th Michigan 
 fellow was hanging around here for," says "Stub." 
 
 " You should have brought him in here, and let us taken 
 care of him," says " Cless." 
 
 Off goes Bill to the Colonel with his tale of woe, but 
 what the Colonel said or thought was past finding out. 
 
 We were soon on our way to Thibodeaux, going by 
 rail to Terre Bonne station, and marching from there after 
 dark, a distance of about seven miles. To get our bird 
 to Terre Bonne was easy, but how to get him the rest of 
 the journey was a serious question. "Cless" had confis- 
 cated a grain bag from some source and the turkey was 
 soon transferred to that. We each took turns in " toting" 
 our prize and all declared that the weight of the fowl had 
 increased to at least fifty pounds, before reaching our 
 quarters. 
 
 III. 
 How THE Colonel Regained his Turkey. 
 
 Early the next morning a detail started out to find some 
 reliable person to cook the turkey. A colored baker was 
 found who agreed to stuff, bake, and fix the bird in fine 
 shape. For obvious reasons our banquet was to take place 
 at night. Our quarters were in what was formerly a hotel 
 and the sergeants all occupied a room which could be 
 
170 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 locked. We had secured some other things to go with it, 
 both liquid and solid, and everything looked promising for 
 a grand feast. Apparently the Colonel and Bill had for- 
 gotten the existence of the turkey, and the boys thought 
 they were safe. Soon, however, their joy was turned to 
 sorrow. " Stub " had been skirmishing around the bakery 
 and what should he see but Bill in close confab with the 
 baker. He watched him and saw him return to the 
 Colonel's quarters with a broad grin on his face. "Cless" 
 was sent to the cook to see if everything was O. K., and 
 came back with the information that all was lost. The 
 turkey was discovered and the Colonel had ordered the 
 baker not to deliver it to any one without his permission. 
 The " non coms" were completely outflanked, and 
 moodily the sergeants gathered in their, room with " curses 
 not loud but deep," to meditate on the mutability of human 
 affairs. One o'clock came, and Bill emerged from the 
 bakeshop with his goodly burden, flanked by the Colonel's 
 men to prevent the possibility of a rescue. Close beneath 
 the sergeants' window passed the triumphal procession, so 
 close that the appetizing odors titillated the nostrils of the 
 downcast lookers on, and finally the turkey, the loved 
 and the lost, which we had carried ninety miles, which we 
 had washed and dressed, and to crown all, which we had 
 paid for cooking ! vanished in the Colonel's door thence to 
 come, ah ! never more. 
 
 Diary of Henry J. Durgin, principal musician : 
 
 Thibodeaux, La., July 8th, 1862. Issued by command of 
 Col. Lull, an order to regulate the Drum Corps ; I intend 
 to have discipline. 
 
 2/|th. Tremendous thunder storm and drums breaking 
 fast. 
 
 Aug. 5th. Thunder and lightning, The bass drum 
 arrived. 
 
 29th. General Butler reviewed our brigade to-day. 
 We did not pay the salute properly and Gen. B. rode up 
 to me and corrected us by giving the proper instructions 
 on something we had never done before. 
 
 Sept. 25th. Our drum corps was highly complimented 
 by Col. Fearing to-day. It will play for ten days at bri- 
 gade guard mounting. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 171 
 
 Oct. 19th. Sick with fever and chills at hospital, also 
 very unwell on the subsequent march. 
 
 Dec. 5th. Found the man who stole my pistol, valued 
 at $20.00. Lieut. Col. Lull sent for him and took it. He 
 will test the peculiarities I said that it possessed and if 
 satisfactory will give it to me. 
 
 8th. Munsey is discharged and D. Franklin appointed 
 as " principal musician." 
 
 14th. Got my revolver from Col. Lull who was satisfied 
 as to its ownership. 
 
 2ist. Attended church at Thibodeaux, but the services 
 were entirely in Latin and French. 
 
 25th. The regimental officers by subscription bought me 
 a $20.00 E flat clarionet. Lieut. Bell went to the city and 
 got it. It is a beauty and got here on the 28th. 
 
 30th. Marched for Baton Rouge where we arrived 
 Jan 1st. 
 
 Jan. loth. I was made " drum major." 
 
 West Baton Rouge, Jan. 6th, 1863. Extract from letter 
 of Corp. J. F. Chandler : 
 
 One week ago to-day we left Camp Stevens, striking 
 our tents at 6 a.m., and then waiting for some govern- 
 mental reason in the rain until 11 a. m., and then off, for 
 Donaldsonville. The mud was deep and we made only 
 about twelve miles and then encamped in an old pasture. 
 The next morning we passed our old battle ground at 
 Labadieville and stopped to rest and have a look at it. 
 No one seemed to have troubled it. The fences were as 
 we left them, broken down ; even the dead horses were left 
 unburied. Marched until seven p. m. and camped in a 
 field. Next morning was New Years, Jan. ist, 1863, and 
 Col. Fearing rode out in front of our battalion in line and 
 wished us very pleasantly " A Happy New Year," and we 
 all greeted him with three hearty cheers. My New Year's 
 breakfast was raw pork cooked on a splinter before the 
 camp fire with an addition of two hard-tacks and coffee ; 
 for dinner salt junk and hard-tack with Bayou Lafourche 
 water ; for supper hard-tack and river water, for we were 
 on the iron-clad transport "St. Mary" bound for Baton 
 Rouge, and we landed opposite that city. Several hun- 
 dred of the enemy had been hovering there and Gen. 
 
172 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Grover said he did not wish to send a new regiment to 
 cope with them, so here we are and the pickets are some 
 troubled by the wandering imps. 
 
 Lieutenant King's letter. Extract : 
 
 We left Thibodeaux in a rain and mud storm on Dec. 
 29, 1862. Reached Donaldsonville on the third day, went 
 on board steamer " St. Mary." Glad to get under cover. 
 By ID A. M. next day anchored opposite Baton Rouge. 
 
 A happy New Year to it ! Pitched camp on west side 
 of the river in a sunken hole; guerrillas all about. The 
 Essex is just opposite us. Port Hudson is eight miles by 
 land and eighteen by water, Gen. Grover in command. 
 When we do get across we shall be on highest land we 
 hav^ struck since we strided the sands of Ship Island. 
 Baton Rouge is the first bluff above the Passes. The 
 mouth of the Miss, was right here some three million years 
 ago, according to geology and common sense. Our being 
 sent here with the 13th Conn, breaks up Gen. Weitzel's 
 brigade. The Gen. expressed himself as very sorry about 
 it, and we echo the feeling ; we are mutually proud of 
 each other. He should be a Major-General. Every 
 inch of his six-feet-four is soldier. His disposition is 
 kind and he is social. He wins the esteem of all, giving 
 all his command confidence and making them willing and 
 eager to do his bidding, whatever the task may be. 
 
 Jan. 6, 1863. On the 5th I was " Officer of the Day" 
 and placed the usual pickets, one of a corporal and three 
 men at an old sugar mill, a steam mill by the way, and 
 toward night they saw a human head poked out of an ash 
 hole. They ordered said head to come forth, and lo ! it 
 was attached to a well developed male body clothed in 
 full rebel uniform. He claimed to be a deserter, first from 
 Vicksburg, then Jackson ; lastly Port Hudson. Putting it 
 all together, we called him a " spy" and sent him over the 
 river to the General commanding. 
 
 To-day I visited Baton Rouge and pronounce it a very 
 uninteresting town. Although I conversed with some of 
 the supposed " aleet," they seemed to know precisely 
 nothing ; whether they were married or single ; whether 
 this was a war for the Union or a continuation of that of 
 181 2. They do not know enough for their own interest 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 173 
 
 to charge two dollars and a half for a ninepenny plug of 
 tobacco. There are no celebrities to look at. They are 
 all at war or in hiding. Gen. Zack Taylor was reported 
 buried somewhere here. The State House was burned 
 long ago and with it was lost a mass of valuable papers. 
 The late battle field included the cemetery. The slabs 
 and mounds bear the marks of shot and shell, and the long 
 piles of earth testify to the numbers of slain. 
 
 Jan. 23d. We have moved across the river to Baton 
 Rouge. Since coming I have seen the ruins of the once 
 magnificent State House. The grounds are laid out beauti- 
 fully, all surrounded by a fine iron fence which encloses 
 statuary, trees and shrubbery of many kinds which grow 
 in this latitude ; all well kept. Just below is the asylum 
 for the deaf and blind and dumb. It is now used as a 
 general hospital. Further back from the river stands the 
 State penitentiary, a vast establishment, with room enough 
 planned for a vast lot of State rascals. That was right. 
 It is now used as a huge guard house, the necessary num- 
 ber of troops keeping there such rascals as are always 
 found in an army, and in the wake of an army. That is 
 right too. 
 
 The day before we left the west side of the river, Capt. 
 Healy and myself with a detail of thirty men went up the 
 river with the intention of capturing some signal officers 
 who were stationed about six miles above us. When 
 about five miles away from camp we ran on to a force of 
 two hundred cavalry who were lying in wait for us behind 
 an extensive cane field. We immediately took to the 
 levee for protection and in turn waited for them. After a 
 good square look we concluded to be discreet, and keeping 
 on the safe side of the levee we retreated to camp. Had 
 they known the smallness of our force, they could probably 
 have bagged us at a considerable loss to themselves. 
 The able-bodied inabitant here is to be pitied or not, just 
 as you look at him and his case. He very often takes the 
 oath of allegiance to our government, and we through 
 military or other reasons, go off and leave him, so that he 
 is instantly a prey to regular Confederate or to guerrilla 
 forces. So mote it be, I see no remedy. 
 
 We are now quartered in tents inside of the breastworks 
 which enclose about fifty acres of the best camping 
 ground in the vicinity, being on the bank and sixty feet 
 
174 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 above the river. It is a sightly place. We have a fine 
 view of the opposite shore, the passing boats and the men 
 of war below. Ours is the only brigade inside of the 
 works, and consists of the 8th N. H., 133d and 174th N. 
 York regiments, also Nim's Battery. It is 2d brigade, 
 Emory's division, and is commanded by acting brigadier 
 Gen. Halbert E. Paine. Our pickets are exchanging 
 bulletins with rebel pickets around Port Hudson. Co. B 
 has just returned from Thibodeaux. After a confinement 
 of over two months in the hospital at Carrolton by a severe 
 attack of inflammatory rheumatism caused by exposure on 
 the expedition to Pass Manchac, last September, Capt. 
 Stanyan is again in command of that Company. Lieut. 
 Col. Lull still retains his position as Provost Judge of the 
 parish at the earnest request of the citizens who appealed 
 to Gen. Banks to have him retained. 
 
 ' From "Sam": 
 
 Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 19th, 1863. 
 
 My Dear Little Brother, — You are so good Fll 
 write you a letter. It is not as cold Here as it is where 
 you are, but cold enough. When we move to a new camp 
 we dig a Hole in the Ground in the middle of the tent and 
 cover it over with brick or stones and dirt and make a 
 ditch covered from the Hole out to the back of the tent to 
 let the smoke go and a little hole in front to put wood in 
 and it keeps warm and the ground Dry. 
 
 We sleep on the ground, I have not slept on anything 
 softer than Ship Island Sand since I left my Attick bed on 
 straw. From your loving 
 
 big brother. 
 
 While Lieutenant-Colonel Lull was provost judge at 
 Thibodeaux a question of law came up and he wished to 
 consult General Banks before rendering his decision. 
 At New Orleans in the ante-room of the General's office, 
 he found a staff officer who was noted for his boor- 
 ishness and incivility. On inquiring if General Banks 
 was within, he was answered, " Yes sir, but you can't see 
 him." " Why not? I have important business with him," 
 said the Colonel. " No matter ' why not,' " was the reply, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 175 
 
 " I have told you you can't see him and that is enough." 
 "Well," persisted the colonel in his peculiar way, "what 
 kind of a man is General Banks ?" The staff stick blurted 
 out, "He is a gentleman and a^ soldier, sir, why do you 
 ask?" " Because," said the colonel, "if he is a gentle- 
 man and a soldier, as you say, I have business with him. 
 If he is an ass he needs you for a door-keeper." The 
 colonel turned the knob and went in to interview General 
 Banks, leaving the officer assured that there was one man 
 not to be scared by his audacious superciliousness. 
 
 The dilapidated letter of the "Unknown" before 
 referred to is in order, dated at Baton Rouge, Jan. 8th, 
 1863. It is apparently addressed to an old friend and an 
 editor. It says : 
 
 Dear Sir, — Your paper has reached me; at intervals, 
 "without money and without price" as you said it should 
 "to a friend and a soldier." I thank you for so much, 
 anyway. 
 
 On leaving you asked me to write to you or your paper 
 " something literary." Well perhaps I'd better try that, 
 for as to news of us you seem to have more than we do up 
 here at the front. And in the views you have of the situ- 
 ation here, they are superior (?) to ours. You have of late 
 advocated the " peace at any price " doctrine. That don't 
 go down with us. We out here don't care much about, so 
 we don't hear much talk on politics. We all feel that we 
 must conquer a peace without regard to part}^ We have 
 no drafted men yet in our regiment and don't want any. 
 Give us the volunteer to uphold the honor of our Govern- 
 ment. If you had been with us in New Orleans and 
 worked your way round, leaving comrades, some dead at 
 Ship Island, New Orleans and Georgia Landing ; some 
 suffering, as now, in hospitals, till you rested here, tem- 
 porarily, at the base of Port Hudson, you would hold our 
 views. Why do they not fill up by enlistment at home? 
 I well recollect the enthusiasm with which eighteen months 
 ago, we started in on drill on the green in front of our 
 old meeting house. How well militia Captain "Sam" 
 used to put us through in Scott ; how serious some of the 
 solid business men were and how, after the first reverses 
 
176 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 seriousness deepened into almost despair with some men 
 and into a stern and grim determination with others. 
 How some remained with the Home Guard and promised 
 symfathy and material aid, while others grasped weapons 
 and fought without much thought oi fay. I recollect the 
 gatherings in the Town Hall and the speeches by promi- 
 nent men, full of appeals to the sturdy, middle aged and the 
 enthusiastic youth to enlist, till the embryo soldier began to 
 feel that he indeed was a unit of consequence to his coun- 
 try. It was no matter who the individual was, or his social 
 standing in the community, provided that he enlisted. He 
 was then transformed into a heroic savior and when he 
 had donned his new and clean blue uniform, he was a sub- 
 ject for adoration. As looked at through thoughtless or 
 cynical eyes, all this is amusing, but to the true and 
 loyal the spontaneous movement was sublime and the true 
 and loyal were and are right. The given signature and 
 oath opened the gates of martyrdom, through which is 
 passing a continuous train to early and oft times lingering 
 deaths, aye, even to-day, thus early, many are slowly and 
 painfully carrying the cross that they took up in 1861. 
 Haven't you any more of our sort? We dread the coming 
 of the drafted men and, too, the men lured by big bounties, 
 if, indeed, they get here at all ! Oh, Patriotism ! In spite 
 of all the avarice and duplicity in high and low life, in spite 
 of all the mean, cool and insane deyiltry that hedges about 
 and preys upon the national life from the Capitol to the 
 farthest hamlet, it was, it is the unmeasured mass of ster- 
 ling Patriotism among the people that saves us ; we know 
 not exactly -where it is nor with whom it is, but at the 
 demand it crops out and saves us at the last extremity. 
 Perhaps we are not in the last ditch yet, but by your col- 
 umns we should think so. Better sell your type to the 
 bullet foundry and come out here. Haven't you anj^ of the 
 old militia spirit? The old " slam-bangs " served to keep 
 the war spirit alive just a little. How we used to laugh at 
 the able-bodied summoned to appear " armed and equip- 
 ped as the law directs," with, among a mass of things 
 "two spare flints, a priming wire and brush." We well 
 recollect one of the most noted and popular muster fields 
 with its necessary adjunct, in those times, the ancient 
 "Tavern," where the honored, newly elected officers stood 
 treat on that day. In the autumn, musters, like scores of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 177 
 
 good things were ripe. To our young eyes, the evolu- 
 tions were majestic and imposing. We loved to watch 
 the long columns marching to the music of bands, led not 
 by the accentuating cornet of now-a-days but b}' the' 
 smoothly drawn notes of the old-fashioned bugle, played 
 by Ned Kendall, eh? The rattle of the snare drum and 
 the squeak of the shrill fife were not then music for us, 
 but .we thought much of our town bass drummer. ' ' Our 
 John " came on with the big drum slung on his. neck ; no 
 small boy then weakly assisted in carrying one end, but it 
 was hung in front of the beater and carried with a back- 
 ward strut as a part of himself. Oh ! didn't he pound his 
 personality on to it with both loaded fists, determined that 
 each note, if 'twere his last, should be there on time, each 
 muscle strained, the perspiration pouring from him, while 
 his large blue eyes bulged half way over the drum. 
 And, too, did not "we boys " run the lines, in spite of the 
 impotent guard, whose rations, a cod, were derisively 
 slung from his bayonet. So we watched the forming of 
 hollow squares, the grand review, till the affair culminated 
 in the sham fight which often caused real fights. All this 
 was not very dignified nor helpful to military discipline 
 and none but a few city organizations, held together by law 
 and cash and drill and consequent pride, were in condition 
 to go to the front in April, 1861, when the first deadly mis- 
 sile from the South hissed into our lines breathing more 
 than " threatenings " — even "slaughter"! and found us 
 possessed, except in rare cases, of not the faintest idea or 
 suspicion of the big war that ts upon us. 
 
 But my friend perhaps my pen has run away with space 
 and time. I am going to say plainly to you with no ill 
 will, that I do not think that you will publish any of my 
 writing, and as long as your paper keeps its present tone, 
 I do not want you to send it to me, it only provokes swear- 
 ing among the boys of all parties, and you will need all 
 your friends when we ^et back — for we are coming back 
 after we conquer that Peace. Things look black enough 
 now, but its always darkest just before day. 
 
 Yours for the Right and nobody and nothing else. 
 
 In reading over the " Unknown" a second time, we are 
 inclined to think that he got some one to help him with 
 
178 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 some ' ' literary taffy " so as to get his communication into 
 the home paper. 
 
 The writer having examined several volumes of the 
 government's official published Records, here commences 
 to use condensed extracts which are thoroughly reliable. 
 Of Grant's siege of Vicksburg, those extracts only will 
 be used which show contemplated or actual movements 
 toward the reduction of Port Hudson, and an understanding 
 of the situation will be given as viewed at the time on both 
 the Union and Confederate sides. 
 
 Serial 38, page 645. Confederate. February 27, 1863. 
 Major-General Gardner to Major-General Pemberton : 
 
 The "Essex" can be bought for 300 bales of cotton. 
 This is considered reliable. 
 
 Pemberton to Gardner : 
 
 Jackson, Miss., Feb. 27th, 1863. Buy her at any 
 price. I will guarantee payment. 
 
 Lieut. Slime Slack is on lookout for these negotiations, 
 and if any are found he will hereafter report in these 
 pages. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King bound for Indian Village, Feb. 
 loth, 1863 : 
 
 Gen. H. E, Paine's brigade, of which we formed a part, 
 started on the above date, as was supposed to form a junc- 
 tion with our old commander, Gen. Weitzel, somewhere 
 on Grand river. We landed on the west side of the Mis- 
 sissippi river at the town and bayou of Plaquemine, twenty- 
 two miles below Baton Rouge ; from thence we marched 
 nine miles down the bayou to a little gathering of huts 
 glorying in the name of " Indian Village," and occupied 
 by a few families of the copperskin persuasion and a few 
 rebel whites who all left at our approach. The " Village " 
 is as forbidding a looking place as we have as yet occu- 
 pied ; the ground being some feet lower than in the bayou 
 was, of course, very wet. A couple of reconnoissances 
 were made, one down the bayou and one towards Grosse 
 
Engfbf O.E.fwfis 
 
 14:^a 
 
 OlUaJO 
 
 HON. HALBERT E, PAINE, 
 
 BEPBESENTATIVE FROM ■WIS CONSrPT. 
 
i8o History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Emory deemed it proper to make further examination. 
 This was done in part by myself. On the. 22d, pursuant 
 to orders from Gen. Emory, I marched with the 4th Wis- 
 consin and 8th N. H. to Plaquemine and embarked for 
 Algiers, leaving the remainder of the force with Col. 
 Currie to finish the exploration of the country. 23d, arrived 
 at Algiers, went into camp and remained until Mar. 5th, 
 then started up the river. On the loth of March the brig- 
 ade was reunited at Baton Rouge. 
 
 Incidents. — " Alick's the boy can do it." Sergt. J. J. 
 Nolan had a boy Alick, that was bound to go with him 
 from Baton Rouge down to Indian Village. He says 
 the " boy " was sixty years old, straight as a steeple, coal 
 black, with gray hair topped with a white plug hat. He 
 went. First day about i p. m., as the brigade rested in 
 front of one of the poor plantations Alick went off to raise 
 something to pay for his board. Soon he came running 
 back puffing, with an old nig and an old nig woman at his 
 heels "hollering." Alick ran straight to me, opened his 
 coat tails, pulled out a big rooster and shoved it under the 
 American flag. Rooster began to crow. Captain Haley 
 and the nigs deployed as skirmishers and captured the 
 noisy rooster, but Alick had gone, humming "Alick's the 
 boy can do it." No more was seen of him till we got 
 camped. The sergeant was declared innocent of all 
 blame. 
 
 Among the Vets, the name "Indian Village" excites 
 derision, but we saw some fun there. The writer there 
 wished that Company B, at least, should practice at target 
 shooting. He had, when a boy, handled a rifle considera- 
 bly, when turkeys " were sot up at 40 rod " and " chickens 
 at 30 rod at 10 cents a shot." Then, we used to load at 
 the muzzle altogether, with great care, moulding our own 
 bullets, using nicely greased "patches" and exactly 
 measuring our powder ; even then, in the firing, the slug 
 balls would turn and go off" in strange tangents ; then the 
 turkey and his owner were happy. At Indian Village 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. i8i 
 
 we got a board about the size of a man and set it up with 
 one end resting on the ground at the bank of the bayou. 
 In a couple of days the ball cartridges that had been teased 
 for, came. The company was called out on Hne and 
 remarks were made to the effect that the piece should be 
 held level in aiming, also that the trajectory must be 
 taken into account, for, although we had a score of good 
 shots in the company, a large number thought that the 
 bullet went from the gun as straight as a string to the 
 mark. Vain delusion ! for with all the modern improve- 
 ments, it is said that the rifle ball then fell, in 1863, forty 
 inches in traversing five hundred yards. Well, each man 
 was to make his best record, so the first man stepped for- 
 ward and fired. His ball made the dirt fly a little to the 
 right of the target, when lo ! the figure of a badly scared 
 man jumped out from behind the board and yelled out 
 " Blankety, blank, blast ye ! why didn't ye let a fellow 
 know that you was goin' to sho-ot?" When it was seen 
 that the man was lucky enough not to be hit, all hands 
 roared. It seems that Charley Hale, our fifer, wanted a 
 retired and shad}^ place in which to read unmolested and 
 behind that board looked to him to be a nice spot for quiet 
 contemplative peace. Rube Howarth, of Company B, 
 vouches for the last part of the above, and Rube was an 
 honest boy, now grown into an honest man. He was one 
 of our best shots, for when we first came to Camp Para- 
 ' pet, the prize in Company B one day for the best shooting 
 was a pass to New Orleans, and Mr. R. Howarth now 
 shows with commendable pride the paper target shot at. 
 It is about the size of a goose egg, and the mark of the 
 winning bullet is on the edge. He sent it there with his 
 pet rifle which he kept in the best of order. 
 
 Since the foregoing has been written about the trajec- 
 tory and so forth, the following correspondence has 
 occurred. It is pleasant to acknowledge the promptness 
 with which the government officials have always answered 
 
i82 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 inquiries, and the uniform courtesy shown in regard to all 
 communications addressed to them. In regard to the fol- 
 lowing letter, the writer saw in the Boston " Traveller " an 
 article in relation to the efficiency of modern firearms and 
 addressed a letter to the War Department covering the 
 points made. The newspaper was right in one statement, 
 viz., that the projectile was one half of the weight used in 
 the civil war. 
 
 National Armory, 
 Springfield, Mass., February 14, 1891. 
 Cap. J. M. Stanyan, Milford, N. H. : 
 
 Sir, — Your letter of the 2d inst. to the War Dept. small 
 arms, has been referred to this Armory for reply. The 
 weight of the present O. "30 calibre arms" projectile 
 varies from 212 to 230 grains thus being less "than 
 half the weight of that of the civil war." The powder 
 has about " 25 per cent greater force" but the pressure in 
 the rifle chamber has been very largely increased to obtain 
 the great velocity of projectile (about 2,000 feet per 
 second). The velocity of the bullet is (about) doubled. Its 
 curvature for 600 yards is not imperceptible, but the tra- 
 jectory is sufficiently flat for that distance to make a dan- 
 gerous zone of that depth. To fire " 7 rounds per 
 second " with a single barrelled rifle is not practicable. 
 From 25 to 30 rounds per minute can be fired from maga- 
 zine rifles, and one charge of magazine varying from 5 to 
 10 rounds can be fired more rapidly. With machine 
 guns, using small arms, ammunition from 400 to 500 
 rounds per minute can be fired. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 A. R. BUFFINGTON, 
 
 Col. of Ordnance Commanding. 
 
 July, 1 891. And, too, the next killing will be done 
 probably with smokeless powder. 
 
 One energetic soldier to pass off" the time in the desolate 
 hole with its doleful surroundings, did in a sort of lost and 
 gone way, by the use of oil and emery and much labor, 
 tribulation, and perspiration, scour all the beautiful blue off" 
 his gun, and it did shine and shine for about a day, and 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 183 
 
 then it began to rust and rust, and then the soldier " cust " 
 and " cust." 
 
 Letter extract from Howarth : 
 
 The old chief lies buried on their own grounds, the old 
 squaw, his wife, with the five sons still lives here. The 
 rebs wanted them to enlist, but no. To avoid their 
 entreaties they retreated into the swamp. Two of us stood 
 guard over the remnant of her property and she, venturing 
 out to see about it, was assured by sign language that the 
 remains would be safe while "them Yankees are here." 
 She retired with a beaming smile as far as we could judge 
 by the workings of her wrinkled countenance, which was 
 about as expressive as a dried potato. 
 
 An account of Sunday services by Capt. T. C. Pres- 
 cott: 
 
 An incident of camp life occurred here which illustrates 
 the humor of an officer who afterwards attested his bravery 
 on a most terribly bloody field, and also the fact that 
 sacred matters were not always exempt from its effect. 
 Sergeant T. C. Prescott, of Company G, had been 
 appointed sergeant major just previous to this time by 
 Colonel Fearing (a proceeding not wholly in accord, 
 perhaps, with the wishes of Lieutenant-Colonel Lull), and 
 had entered upon his duties. Adjutant Head had obtained 
 leave of absence to visit the city, as we all designated New 
 Orleans, and was away some six or eight days. During 
 this absence, the colonel had directed the sergeant major 
 to perform most of the duties pertaining to the adjutant's 
 office, even to officiating in his place at dress parade, and 
 guard mounting. The propriety of this course may have 
 been questioned by some of the officers of the regiment, 
 but whatever may have caused Colonel Fearing to adopt 
 it, instead of detailing a commissioned officer for the place, 
 certain it is that the retiring disposition of the new sergeant 
 major did not suggest it. In truth, it may be said, how- 
 ever, that there were no blunders in executing the duties. 
 
 It happened also, during the absence of the adjutant, 
 that Colonel Fearing was called away to be absent over a 
 Sunday and the command devolved upon Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Lull. Chaplain Cilley, "good soul" that he was. 
 
184 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 as Captain King would sometimes say, had some peculiari- 
 ties that all the officers did not like, and he was strenuous 
 in his efforts to have divine service in the regiment every 
 Sunday. The attendance was usually voluntary oh the 
 part of the soldiers, and the number present did not always 
 indicate such a degree of interest as the chaplain desired. 
 He had complained and sometimes appealed to the colonel 
 for an order to compel full attendance. On this bright, 
 autumn Sunday, Chaplain Cilley was anxious to have his 
 wish gratified, and resolved to try his persuasive powers 
 on Colonel Lull. On approaching the colonel, he found 
 him in a gracious mood, and soon had the satisfaction of a 
 promise of the desired order, which promise the colonel 
 proceeded at once to put into execution, issuing an order 
 in writing, the important portion of which read something 
 like this: "At three o'clock p. m. to-day, the several 
 companies comprising this command, will assemble on the 
 parade ground, forming battalion under command of the 
 sergeant major, then be marched by him to the chaplain's 
 tent and there attend religious services." This order fell on 
 the unsophisticated sergeant major like a thunderbolt from 
 a clear sky. To say he was nonplussed, would but faintly 
 express the situation, and it may be questioned whether he 
 did not doubt for a time, patriotic as he was, the advisabil- 
 ity of saving the Union, if at such cost and sacrifice. But 
 this was an order, it was in writitig and not to be trifled 
 with, so he quickly determined to execute it fully and in 
 strict obedience. It was sent to the company com- 
 manders. At the appointed time the drum corps sounded 
 the proper call and the battalion was formed. The com- 
 mand was then given to march by the right flank, and when 
 approaching near the chaplain's tent, column was formed 
 by companies on the first company at close distance and 
 halted at the proper place, having marched with colors 
 flying and drums beating. If the colonel was viewing the 
 proceedings, he had no occasion to criticise tlie execu- 
 tion of his order. The chaplain was surprised evidently 
 not to greet Lieutenant-Colonel Lull in his congregation, 
 but he was eloquent ; the singing was hearty and strictly 
 congregational, and the preacher voted the meeting a suc- 
 cess. At the close of the exercises the companies were 
 taken in charge by their officers, and thus ended an 
 episode not laid down in the regulations. 
 
Ne.w Hampshire Volunteers. 185 
 
 Indian Village had, too, its representative at the Capitol 
 at Washington several years after the close of the strife in 
 the person of a Mrs. Eliza Hebert, who presented a claim 
 to the senate committee for losses incurred while we were 
 there. She claimed to have there a plantation planted, 
 which was true ; but she claimed that there was a spoliation 
 by us to the amount of $40,000 and a list was made out of 
 said losses which included negroes and negresses, mules 
 and molasses, corn, cows, and hogs, rails and chickens, 
 ducks, general damage, and dirt. We did lug off the last 
 in quantities, it stuck so. In tramping about we churned 
 a lot of the sacred soil into common mud. Senator Bain- 
 bridge Wadleigh, of New Hampshire, told the chairman of 
 the committee that probably some of the live members of 
 the Eighth New Hampshire knew something about it, so 
 he stated the case to the writer, who told him that as he 
 happened to be there and at one time for twenty-four hours 
 to be an officer of the day, his duties had taken him over 
 the whole ground and that he should not have to sleep 
 on it over night in order to give an opinion of the claim, 
 so he wrote out an affidavit to the effect that no such losses 
 occurred or could occur in the locality named ; that Indian 
 Village in its entirety was only worth about a split New 
 Orleans car ticket, and moreover, as far as the Eighth New 
 Hampshire and Fourth Wisconsin Volunteers were con- 
 cerned, their every day drill and conversation demonstrated 
 that they were incapable of appropriating any such 
 extraneous property or a share of it, especially as they 
 couldn't there get hold of it. The set forth of the case in 
 not exactly the above words may have had effect, for the 
 government saved its money, and the widow moved to 
 other spheres to trap the careless and the unwary. 
 
 The above version has been lately submitted by the 
 writer to very high authority, and it is declared to be true. 
 
 " Sam" has been interviewed on the negro and negro 
 troops; he doesn't think much "I tell you" of their 
 getting thirteen dollars a month and no "fitin," besides 
 twenty-five cents a day when they work, and as they do 
 work, and their big families getting rations down to the 
 smallest yelper. He hasn't seen but one honest nigger 
 
i86 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 and that's the company " Caleb," who says that all niggers 
 is liars, and he, head and heel belongs to Hisself and 
 Goramity — good property — Hoo ! 
 
 Chaplain : 
 
 Sunday, Feb. 22d, Washington's birthday. We are off 
 by moonlight for Plaquemine, the men happily singing. 
 
 23d. At Algiers. A large mail distributed. A big 
 rumor went North that the officers of the Eighth were all 
 under arrest. A big rainstorm was on when they came 
 here at night and they temporarily appropriated some 
 lumber to lie upon. " Hinc Lacrymae." 
 
 Mar. 5th. Ordered to Baton Rouge, arrive there at 7 p. 
 M., Mar. 6th. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 187 
 
 CHAPTER Vni. 
 
 General Bank's Powers by Authority from Washington. — Communicates 
 with General Grant. — March on Port Hudson. — The " Hartford" 
 and "Albatross" pass the Batteries. — Lieut. G. W. Bridges, 
 Personal. — " Rattlesnake Swamp." — A Mudstormand Whiskey. — 
 Back to Baton Rouge. — To Algiers. — For Berwick City. — Pat- 
 tersonville. — Battle of Bisland. — General Paine plants our Regi- 
 mental Flagon the Works Gunpowder and Whiskey. — That 
 
 Steer. — Two of Them — On to Franklin. — General Grant going 
 to Port Hudson. — Company G Mounted. — At New Iberia. — St. 
 Martinsville. — Vermillionville. — At Opelousas. — Army reviewed 
 by General Banks. — Banks to Grant. — Diary Letter. — Marched 
 to Alexandria. 
 
 Important and True. At a reunion and banquet of the 
 19th Army Corps held in New York City at the " Down 
 Town Club Rooms" on February 18, 1888, Col. R. B. 
 Irwin, who was General Banks' adjutant-general, read a 
 paper giving an account of the siege of Port Hudson. In 
 it he said what proved to be a matter of history, "That 
 General Banks carried in his pocket to the Gulf written 
 orders, that -provided that, ' when in ascending the Missis- 
 sippi any of his troops should meet the forces of General 
 Grant, General Banks was to assume the supreme com- 
 mand.'" The effect of this would have been that when a 
 force, however small, of Banks' army met a force, however 
 large, of Grant's army, then the latter would become sub- 
 ordinate. This was the deliberate intent at Washington ; 
 but General Banks magnanimously took no advantage of 
 this opportunity. He manfully set himself at work to cap- 
 ture Port Hudson. He was criticised for stopping to 
 besiege Port Hudson. The impression at New Orleans 
 
1 88 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 and at Washington was, that Port Hudson was not fortified. 
 At his first attempt the assault was recommended by each 
 general officer save one. As an official backing to the 
 statement that he did not wish to supersede General Grant, 
 the writer appends correspondence between Banks and 
 Grant ; and in its proper place in the United States official 
 records will be found the foregoing evidence of General 
 Banks' power, which was not used by him. 
 
 Official Records, Series i, vol. 24-104. U. S. Flag- 
 ship " Hartford," March, 1863, received by General Grant, 
 March 20, 1863 : 
 
 Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding United States 
 
 Forces, Vicksburg: 
 
 Sir, — I herewith transmit to you by the hand of my 
 secretary, a despatch from Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks. If 
 was sent up to me the evening I was to pass the batteries 
 at Port Hudson. Farragut. 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, 
 19TH Army Corps. 
 Baton Rouge, La., March 13th, 1863. 
 Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding De^t. of the Ten- 
 nessee : 
 
 General, — Anticipating the success of Admiral Farra- 
 gut's proposed attempt to run the enemy's batteries at Port 
 Hudson and to open communication with you, I will avail 
 myself of the opportunity to give you a statement of our 
 position, force and intentions. We have at Baton Rouge a 
 force of about 17,000 effective infantry and one negro regi- 
 ment, one regiment of heavy artillery with six light batter 
 ies, one 20-pounder battery, a dismounted company of 
 artillery and ten companies of cavalry, of which eight are 
 newly raised and hardly to be counted on. Leaving a force 
 to hold Baton Rouge we marched to-day upon Port Hudson 
 by the Bayou Sara road to make a demonstration upon that 
 work for the purpose of cooperating in the movement of the 
 fleet. The best information we have of the enemy's force 
 places it at 25,000 or 30,000. This, and his position, pre- 
 cludes the idea of an assault on our part. Should the 
 admiral succeed in his attempt, I shall try to open com- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 189 
 
 munication with him on the other side of the river, and in 
 that event, trust I shall hear from you as to your position 
 and movements and especially as to your views of the most 
 efficient mode of cooperation upon the part of the forces 
 we respectively cotnmand. 
 
 Very respectfully your obt. servant, 
 
 N. P. Banks. 
 
 Before Vicksburg, Mar. 226., 1863. 
 MaJ. Gen. N. P. Banks, Comdg. Deft, of the Guf: 
 
 Your communication of the 13th inst. per Admiral Far- 
 ragut was duly received. The continuous high water and 
 the nature of the country almost precluding the possibility 
 to land a force on the east bank of the Mississippi any- 
 where above Vicksburg, has induced the hope that you 
 would be able to take Port Hudson and move up to Black 
 River. By the use of your transports I could send you all 
 the force you would require. The best aid you can give 
 me, if you cannot pass Port Hudson, will be to hold as 
 many of the enemy there as possible. If they could be 
 sent, I could well spare you one army corps to enable you 
 to get up the river. U. S. Grant. 
 
 Continuation of Gen. Halbert E. Paine's diary. (As 
 will be recollected, the Eighth New Hampshire was in his 
 brigade.) 
 
 The 3d and 4th divisions were reviewed by Gen. Banks 
 at the race course at Baton" Rouge upon Mar. 12th. 
 Rations cooked and all packed for Port Hudson, March 
 13th, 1863. The orders in force require us to drill at 
 every opportunity. At 2 p. m. we marched one mile to the 
 race course for brigade drill, drilled during the afternoon ; 
 on our return met orders to march at once for Port Hudson 
 and started at the head of Emory's division; at 11 p. m. 
 bivouacked one half mile north of Bayou Montesino. 
 
 14th. At 2 a. m. received orders to march at four, but 
 immediately ran into Gen. Grover's train, which this day 
 had the advance, and halted till 8. At 11 a. m. had 
 reached the 12 mile post from Baton Rouge. At this 
 point Gen. Emory received information from Gen. Banks 
 that the enemy was advancing on the Clinton plank road 
 east of us. Formed line of battle and waited for the enemy 
 
190 History of. the Eighth Regiment 
 
 all day. The army included parts of Augur's ist, Emory's 
 3d, and Grover's four divisions of the 19th Army Corps. 
 Gen. Augur stood in reserve on the south of the Bayou 
 Montesino. At night took my brigade with two regular 
 batteries through Grover's division to a point on west bank 
 of Bayou. We lay on our arms. Witnessed the bom- 
 bardment of Port Hudson and the disaster which befell the U. 
 S. Steamer " Mississippi." After her explosion, received 
 orders from General Banks to move toward Port Hudson ; 
 were soon ordered back to our bivouac. At daylight 15th, 
 a circular from Gen. Banks was read to the troops stating 
 that the " Hartford" and the "Albatross" had passed Port 
 Hudson and the object of the expedition was accomplished. 
 Returned through Grover's division which was posted at 
 the junction of the Port Hudson and Ross Landing roads, 
 and bivouacked near Montesino Bayou on the ground before 
 occupied. Until the 20th, the corps quartermaster used all 
 the wagons in collecting cotton which was hauled past our 
 camp into Baton Rouge. On the 20th returned with the 
 army to Baton Rouge and encamped. Daily brigade 
 drills on the race course. 28th, moved brigade to Camp 
 Indiana beyond the cemetery. 
 
 The object of the expedition was to draw the attention 
 of the enemy from the river's front, while Farragut's fleet 
 or some part of it passed the batteries of Port Hudson. 
 We do not think that the draw amounted to much, but we 
 lost no men killed, and but a few prisoners, say a few late 
 sleepers who belonged to a band. Some think that if we 
 had advanced, we should have taken the Post, but no, it 
 was an unknown ground to fight over with unknown forces 
 in front, protected, and so we watched the grand pyrotech- 
 nical display of rockets and deadly thirteen-inch shells 
 which fell within the rebel lines, meaning business. The 
 chief illumination was caused b}' the burning of the 
 " Mississippi," which when deserted, turned around and 
 floating down stream, is said to have discharged her port 
 guns at the enemy, they being fired by the action of the 
 heat. Cannon answered cannon with a continuous roar, 
 the rebels having the advantage of not being likely to fire 
 
SERG'T GEO. W. BRIDGES, CO. B. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 191 
 
 into their own side. No lights were on the passing fleet, 
 but the decks being whitewashed, the tars could see to 
 work the guns. The " Hartford" towed the "Albatross" ; 
 the "Richmond," the "Genessee"; the " Monongahela," 
 the "Kineo"; and the "Mississippi," the "Sachem." 
 The " Hartford" and the " Albatross" alone got by and 
 those with the saucy and unbought " Essex," kept the river 
 clear of Confederate craft of any consequence. By the 
 way, the Vets would like to give a cent a pound for some 
 of those iron vest linings which were thrown away on the 
 road up to Port Hudson, the- thermometer being at 100 in 
 the shade. One is to be seen at the adjutant-general's 
 office at Concord, N. H. According to Captain Dan some 
 soldiers attached them to their persons in such a manner 
 as to have their rear well guarded. 
 
 Personal. — George W. Bridges enlisted in Company 
 B, Eighth Regiment, September 30, 1861. December 
 20, was appointed corporal and detailed a corporal in the 
 color guard. March 15, 1863, was promoted to sergeant; 
 was wounded June 14, 1863, by a shell at Port Hudson, 
 La.; September 21, 1863, was commissioned a Second 
 Lieutenant in the Ninety-second Regiment, U., S. C. F., at 
 New Orleans. June 21, 1865, was commissioned a First 
 Lieutenant same regiment. January 12, 1866, was finally 
 discharged from the service at New .Orleans, La. 
 
 For the last seventeen years he has resided in Brook- 
 line, N. H., engaging successfully in various business 
 schemes ; also has filled various civil offices, at present 
 being a member of the town school board. Is a justice of 
 the peace and notary public for the State. 
 
 " Rattlesnake Swamp," Comrade J. F. Chandler's let- 
 ter extract : 
 
 When returning from Port Hudson, we had got within 
 six miles of Baton Rouge towards night, when we were 
 ordered to halt and make coffee. In less than ten minutes 
 
192 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 it began to rain and we had to stay and take it all night 
 and next day, and then waited three days for the roads to 
 dry. It brought out the snakes and alligators on to the 
 logs, and fallen trees, and all together, it was rightly 
 named " Rattlesnake swamp." Now, Mar. 26, we are 
 a little better off; we are just outside of Baton Rouge in a 
 graveyard, and with an average of a grave in each tent, 
 yet we don't mind it and sleep well and eat well. 
 
 The writer's recollection is, that we turned for the night 
 out of the road into the woods to our left and, completely 
 tired out, laid down in the dark on the brush heaps as best 
 we could, supperless, and with no light nor fire, and went 
 to sleep in a rainstorm. The locality was full of 'em. It 
 is related of Jack MuUins, that he found in the morning 
 that his knapsack had been taken possession of by a deni- 
 zen of the swamp, who when disturbed, set his fourteen 
 rattles agoing, whereat an interested, large, and respectful 
 circle was formed around the snake's quarters, and when 
 he appeared he was gunned out of existence. If you don't 
 believe it, by " the sword of Bunker Hill " ask Del. Frank- 
 lin ; couldn't he sing that patriotic song when he felt like 
 it? (Since the above words were first written the poor 
 fellow, after losing one arm by amputation, died about 
 August 1, 1890.) 
 
 Yes, at midnight, it rained worse and worse ; any 
 change of base or back was out of question. We 
 knew not the lay of the land nor any better quarters, so the 
 only endeavor was to lie squarely with the nose cocked to 
 the zenith. It seems as if at such a time the legitimate, 
 military use of a ration of good whiskey was eminently 
 proper ; so thought as brave an Irishman as ever wore the 
 blue or the name of Michael. He did not blow a bullet 
 hole into a cask of whiskey nor ram a bayonet into it, but 
 he wormed his way into it with a convenient augur that he 
 borrowed from one of the plantations. Then he, beneath 
 the wagon, caught the exhilarating fluid in camp kettles, 
 and rapidly slid it out into the hands of his waiting and 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 193 
 
 watching comrades. Soon almost everybody smelt of 
 whiskey. It got among our comrades of the Fourth Wis- 
 consin. All this, of course, soon created a noise which 
 woke up the corporal and the sergeants, reached the 
 second lieutenants and first lieutenants and the captains, 
 so on up to the officer of the day who was not equal to the 
 night so he got out Com. Sergt. T. M. Shattuck. He, too, 
 smelt whiskey, and proceeded to examine one of his 
 wagons in which before starting, he was ordered to place 
 three barrels of whiskey in as private a manner as possi- 
 ble. He had done so and covered them over with bread 
 boxes securely, and that night had a guard placed over 
 them, a soldier whose temperance principles were of a 
 high order of merit. Said guard was found pacing his 
 beat with great care and had seen no one around, nor 
 any suspicious movements ; still there was a smell of 
 whiskey in the air, and when Shattuck had pulled off 
 bread boxes and rapped on those barrels, one of them 
 sounded hollow ! then the guard was again examined, dnd 
 maintained his innocence. The mystery was by and by 
 solved on looking under the wagon, for the remains of the 
 implements for gathering and dispensing the fine old dew- 
 drop were there, and it was still drop, dropping, like that 
 which the gentle Portia in Shakespeare, speaks of. There 
 was talk of a drumhead court martial, and hurried shooting 
 among some subordinates, but it was soon calmed and 
 quiet reigned over the swamps and sloughs beneath the 
 mournfully dripping trees that hung their drooping boughs 
 in apparent sympathy over the sloshy camp of the tired 
 Eighth which was soon wrapped in serene repose. It was 
 afterwards discovered that the brave Sergt. Michael T. 
 Sullivan who lost his life in the charge on Port Hudson on 
 June 14, was the hero of this raid in the interest of the 
 common soldier. 
 
 Our second lieutenant, Geo. S. Eayrs, at this time was 
 brigade commissary and enjoyed the honor of officially 
 
194 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 guarding, in a lone tent, alone, up the road beyond the 
 headquarters tent, a single barrel of whiskey. It goes with- 
 out saying that in the morning he had many interested 
 callers. The line officers, somehow or other, found a dry- 
 ing off place on a high ridge on the opposite side of the 
 road and tented there for two days. 
 
 Commissary Shattuck in his official newspaper report, 
 said that the above night whiskey affair occurred just after 
 Lieutenant King had dismissed his Sunday school class, 
 but on applying to higher authority, we find that that was 
 generally omitted when on the march. 
 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan writes that through the terrible rain- 
 storm on the night of March i6, Sergt. Pat Dougherty, 
 of Company K, and a good sized alligator slept on the 
 same log, of course "unbeknownst" to each other, and 
 that Jim Coughlin assisted Mike Sullivan in his raid on 
 the government whiskey, they being desirous of drinking 
 St. Patrick's health on the morning of March 17, 1862. 
 
 Grant to Farragut, March 23, 1863. Extract: 
 
 I expect to be able to effect a passage through from 
 the Mississippi to Bayou Macon and from thence to the 
 Red river. With Ohio river steamers which I have sent for, 
 I can send a force of say 20,000 effective men to cooperate 
 with Gen. Banks on Port Hudson and enable them to come 
 on up the river. I look upon it as of vast importance that 
 we should hold the river securely between Vicksburg and 
 Port Hudson. U. S. Grant. 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 April 3d, 1863. Took my brigade (this included the 
 Eighth New Hampshire) in rear of division to Algiers and 
 encamped. Daily brigade drills until April 7th. 
 
 7th. Broke camp at Algiers at 4 a. m. Started by rail- 
 way for Bayou Ramas to await orders. Reached there at 
 5 p. M. Bivouacked east of the bridge, and three and one 
 half miles east of Brashear City. Weitzel's brigade of 
 Augur's division was there, and Grover's division back on 
 the railway at Bayou Boeuf , having marched from Donald- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 195 
 
 sonville. Weitzel sent word that he expected an attack in 
 the morning, and desired me to march to the sound of the 
 cannon. 
 
 8th. Lay all day at Bayou Ramas, Gen. Emory, divi- 
 sion commander, arrived. 
 
 9th. Marched to Brashear City, my brigade in advance, 
 crossed the bay and bivouacked in line of battle north and 
 east of Berwick City. 
 
 loth. Moved munitions across the bay in order to inter- 
 cept and strike the enemy on the right. Gen. Grover's 
 division went by water from Donaldsonville, through 
 Grand Lake to Irish Bend ; ours by land, preceded by 
 Weitzel's brigade, my brigade leading Emory's division. 
 
 nth. Marched westward to Pattersonville, Weitzel 
 skirmishing most of the way. 
 
 Official 1.24. Grant to Halleck : 
 
 Milliken's Bend, April 12th. 
 There is nothing but high water in the way now of my 
 throwing troops into Grand Gulf and destroying the works 
 there, and then sending them on to Port Hudson to co- 
 operate with General Banks in the reduction of that place. 
 
 Upon the ninth, Lieut. Robert Swiney, Company K, 
 becoming suddenly insane, shot himself with his revolver. 
 On the evening of the loth, Lieutenant-Colonel Lull 
 brought to me a paper which was ultimately signed by a 
 majority of the officers of the Eighth, agreeing that in the 
 case of the death of any of their number during the cam- 
 paign, their bodies should, if possible, be sent home, each 
 of the living bearing their share of the expense. 
 
 A serious personal loss occurred to individual members 
 of the Eighth in this campaign, which was no less than 
 that of their knapsacks which were stored by order at 
 Brashear City. We all know that the loss of nicknacks 
 and trinkets is often more serious than that of clothing, etc. 
 The enemy invaded that section and appropriated all such 
 leavings. 
 
 Report of Gen. H. E. Paine : 
 
 April 1 2th. As our army approached the fortifications of 
 
196 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the enemy at Bisland near Centreville, Weitzel's brigade 
 and my own marched in line of battle. My brigade 
 formed the second line when the enemy's fire opened on us 
 in the afternoon. 
 
 We recollect General Paine's tactics here. Of course, 
 after passing the ditches spoken of hereafter, our line was 
 in some disorder, so by his orders guides were stationed 
 and the whole alignment made perfect. This was 
 repeated as each ditch was passed under fire, and served 
 to fasten our attention and cause a steady advance. 
 
 The fortifications behind which an unknown quantity of 
 the enemy awaited our approach, were constructed on both 
 sides of the Bayou Teche, which at that point closely 
 approached Grand Lake and commanded all ground prac- 
 ticable, even for infantry. We had advanced all day in 
 line of battle (occasionally for a short distance by the 
 right of regiments ready to form instantly), and found our- 
 selves at 4 o'clock p. M., in front of the works distant 
 about one thousand yards. The force present included 
 Weitzel's brigade of Augur's, division, Emory's entire 
 division with parts of Emory's and Augur's artillery and 
 cavalry, and also a part of the Indiana heavy artillery 
 regiment. We were on the south side of the Teche which 
 was deep though narrow, and navigable for large 
 steamers. The road along the bayou and between us and 
 the enemy, was skirted with trees. Between the road and 
 the bayou stood a sugar-house, distant about eight hundred 
 yards from the intrenchments, and near the sugar-house, 
 the negro quarters. These obstructed the view between the 
 right of our line and the left of the enemy's. But the large 
 open cane field to the left rendered the view to the enemy's 
 right clear. The swamp to the left was covered with tim- 
 ber. At the end of the artillery fire which developed the 
 position and character of the enemy's works, three of my 
 regiments, the 8th N. H., Col. Hawkes Fearing, 133d N. 
 Y., Col. Currie, and 173d N. Y., Major Galloway, took 
 position for the night with their right on the bayou road 
 and their left on Weitzel's right. Col. Bean of the 4th 
 Wisconsin reinforced by three companies of infantry, and 
 thirty cavalry went forward to the sugar-house and posted 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 197 
 
 his force to look out for the gunboat " Diana," then in 
 rebel hands. A dense fog enveloped us until 8 a. m. the 
 next morning. Capt. Moore of Co. E and Capt. Carter 
 of Co. B both of the 4th Wisconsin, distinguished them- 
 selves greatly by holding their positions, the latter until 
 noon of the 13th, his ground being swept by the artil- 
 lery fire of both armies. 
 
 Apr. 13th. Before the fog lifted the 8th N. H. regi- 
 ment was moved up in obedience to an order from Gen. 
 Emory to support the 4th Wisconsin regiment. The 
 area in front of the intrenchments which eventually 
 became the battle-field, was crossed by deep plantation 
 ditches nearly parallel with the line of the works. These 
 ditches were of the greatest service to us, enabling us to 
 place our batteries within easy range of the enemy with 
 the infantry supports protected, except as against shells 
 exploding above or within the ditches. The 4th Wiscon- 
 sin and 8th N. H. regiments, took position two hundred 
 yards in advance of the army in these ditches. The front 
 covered by skirmishers of the 4th Wisconsin ; afterward, 
 the 133d and 173d New York regiments, came up and 
 were posted, the former on the left and the latter in the 
 rear of the 8th N. H. The " Diana" and the enemy's 
 force being covered or masked by the grove and negro 
 cabins, they were fired, and their smoke materially 
 impaired the accuracy of the enemy's fire when the 
 action opened, by concealing the puffs of our guns. By 7 
 A. M. on the picket line, I was satisfied that the " Diana" 
 and light batteries would open on us when the fog arose, 
 and soon seeing its flag and hull, I sent a request that 
 heavy guns of the 21st Indiana artillery might be sent up 
 to destroy her. Immediately a heavy fire was opened on 
 us from the whole length of the rebel line besides a bat- 
 tery across the Teche. The movements of the " Diana " 
 indicating that she was about to change her position, it was 
 hoped to capture her, as four companies of the 4th Wiscon- 
 sin and five companies of the 8th New Hampshire had 
 been deployed along the bayou to fire on its men at short 
 range, but as she did not venture down the bayou the 
 companies returned and the artillery crippled and drove 
 her off" up the river. Soon Capt. Mack reported to me with 
 two sections of his splendid "Black Horse Battery " of 
 twenty pound Parrots, and I posted him on my right near 
 
198 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the bayou road, and he opened on the retreated " Diana" 
 and the whole range of rebel works with admirable effect. 
 Information having been received from the pickets that an 
 infantry force of the enemy was advancing down the 
 bayou, the right wing of the 8th N. H. under Major M. B. 
 Smith, was thrown out to the right of Mack's battery to 
 repel any possible attempt against it. Capt. Mack having 
 exhausted his ammunition, two sections of Duryea's bat- 
 tery under Lieut. Norris and one section of ist Maine bat- 
 tery under Lieut. Haley relieved him. 
 
 At iii A. M., the enemy having ceased firing entirely. 
 Gen. Banks through Gen. Emory, ordered me to send for- 
 ward skirmishers to ascertain if an evacuation was in prog- 
 ress. They imqiediately drew the fire of the enemy and 
 the contest was renewed on both sides, but again ceased at 
 noon. Gen. Emory ordered another advance, I disposed 
 my brigades in two lines in front of the left of the intrench- 
 ments. Gen. Weitzel the same to my left. We advanced 
 rapidly until our first line was close up to the works. The 
 artillery of our division was on my right and left. My 
 first line was composed of the 4th Wisconsin and 8th N. 
 H. ; my second of 133d and 173d New York. At noon, 
 Gooding's 3d brigade was sent across bayou ; continual 
 fighting all the p. m. Weitzel said that if I would assault 
 he would conform his movements to mine. I started but 
 was then requested by him to withhold until he could hear 
 from Gen. Banks. I moved the brigade back into the 
 ditches. Gen. Banks sent word to use our discretion and 
 if not prepared to make an assault, to fall back at dark to 
 a line with the right resting on the point of woods in front 
 of sugar-house, and picket strongly. We fell back and 
 the line was picketed by a fresh regiment, viz. : the 4th 
 Mass., Col. Colby, who occupied the ditches which our 
 front line had during the day. The picket reserve held 
 the 2d line of battle with the 8th N. H., 133d N. Y., and 
 brigade headquarters between them. At i a. m., a mes- 
 senger from the picket line reported the moving of artil- 
 lery. A personal observation upon the picket line failed 
 to satisfy me whether a general evacuation was going on 
 or only a transfer of guns from one part of the fortification 
 to another. Soon Gen. Emory ordered me to go into the 
 works if I could. A like order came from Gen. Banks 
 while I was forming my brigade and I sent Capt. Allaine, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 199 
 
 Co. E, 133d N. York, forward as skirmishers with orders 
 to advance and report at intervals. The 8th N. H. being 
 deployed as skirmishers along my entire front, marched to 
 the entrenchments. As I took and planted the flag of the 
 8th N. H. on the breastworks, they all bounded in with 
 three loud cheers, the gallant 133d on their left and the 
 other regiments following. The behavior of all of the offi- 
 cers and men of my regiments was most admirable. For 
 the 4th Wisconsin and 8th N. H. to be brave was only to 
 be true to their hard earned fame. 
 
 Most respectfully 
 
 Your obt. servant 
 
 Herbert E. Paine, 
 Col. ^th Wisconsin Regt. Comdg. Brigade covering the 
 three days in front of Bisland. 
 
 The above is Gen. Paine's official report to Lieut. Peter 
 French, A. A. A. Gen. 
 
 Incidents. — When Captain Mack's "Black Horse 
 Battery " came up to the front, we were astonished at being 
 ordered to " attention" and "fix bayonets." A blue streak 
 came over the Eighth as it felt that it was pretty certain an- 
 nihilation to charge on the rebel works, but we as instantly 
 were ordered to unfix and get into the friendly ditch, so it 
 dawned on us that the movement was only to give confi- 
 dence of support to the artillery. At one o'clock Captain 
 Duryea's battery of 12-pound Napoleans came up to the 
 front, and Lieut. Morris planted one piece right in front of 
 the left of Company B. It was an exciting time for many of 
 our infantry boys. The horses galloped to the rear. On 
 call, three of Company B men leaped out and helped to set 
 the piece, then followed a pretty bit of artillery practice. 
 The object was to disable a gun which was planted at the 
 enemy's sally port. General Paine having, with a single 
 aid, ridden out in front half way to the intrenchments to 
 watch the effects of the shots, gave an occasional coach as 
 the artillerists ran up on the wheels to see over the smoke 
 after each discharge. At last he was heard to order "half a 
 
200 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 degree lower," and after the next shot he very quietly rode 
 to the rear, and off, too, went our friend, the gun. When 
 we went in we found the antagonist, a brass piece, struck 
 in the axle and of course out of true. It was labeled as 
 cast from the bells of, and presented by the ladies of St. 
 Mary's parish. Its captain, Valverde, and several men and 
 horses were killed and many lay there unburied. One 
 horse of the battery was sitting as if alive, but a pistol shot 
 in his wide open eye did not cause a wink. 
 
 In answering a letter of inquiry in regard to the action, 
 General Paine writes : " What brutes war makes of us all. 
 Duryea and I actually laughed at the havoc we made." 
 
 Upon the other side of the bayou General Grover had 
 fought the enemy at Irish Bend. That was far on the 
 right and in advance about eleven miles. The C. S. A. 
 troops were those of Gens. Dick Taylor, Mouton, and Sib- 
 ley, and the intention was to surround and capture them, 
 but " the bag didn't hold," and even their right in front of 
 us got away on the night of the 13th. 
 
 Losses. Two men of the Eighth were killed and seven 
 wounded, including Colonel Fearing and Lieutenant 
 O'Grady. 
 
 Lieut. John J. Nolan relates that being then the color 
 sergeant. General Paine, who led the charge in person, 
 asked him on the morning of the 14th to let him have the 
 privilege of planting our flag on the works. Sergeant 
 Nolan cheerfully assented and after driving the staff into 
 the parapet, the General ordered three cheers for the 
 Eighth New Hampshire. They were given with a will, 
 after which he gracefully thanked the sergeant for the 
 honor and handed him back the flag. 
 
 It is worthy of remark that Gen. Dick Taylor, utterly 
 ignorant of General Banks' intentions and movements, had 
 planned to attack Brashear City on the very day that our 
 guns were opened on Bisland. If the Union advance had 
 been planned in Washington, probably General Taylor 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 201 
 
 would have known our line and time of march, if a wire 
 had run to him. 
 
 The " Black Horse Battery." Some of our men, it can- 
 not be found out who, helped at their guns on the last 
 day. Capt. A. A. Mack writes, "The members of your 
 regiment did not, as I recollect, move forward and remain 
 with us after the fight. One of the squad of men that 
 came to our assistance that day was killed and two or 
 three wounded. They were a gallant lot of men and I 
 regret that I haven't their names. I afterwards understood 
 that the sergeant and most of the detail fell at Port Hud- 
 son." 
 
 The one of the Eighth killed, as above stated, is still 
 unknown as this book goes to press. 
 
 If anyone has certain knowledge of the one killed or 
 who helped on Captain Mack's battery as reported, they 
 will please communicate it to the writer at any time here- 
 after. 
 
 He continues : " I do not think that my boys got the dis- 
 tinction they deserved for the destruction of the ' Diana.' 
 " The Indiana battery got the credit. But I had four guns 
 trained on the boat in good easy range and gave her the 
 best I knew how. One shell entered her bow port I know, 
 for I followed its flight till it was lost in the boat. We 
 fired at least one hundred and ten 20-pound shots, and 
 must have damaged her, but we were not mentioned in 
 connection with the matter in the slightest manner." We 
 suppose that Captain Mack means in the official reports 
 (printed). General Paine's was, of course, an official 
 report, and perhaps Captain Mack has not seen it. Our 
 boys certainly had a great admiration for the "Black Horse 
 Battery." 
 
 On the forty-fifth page, et seq. of Flinn's book. Captain 
 Mack's battery gets full credit for silencing and driving off" 
 the "Diana." 
 
 Gunpowder mixed with whiskey will make men fight 
 
202 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 like demons. It fairly crazes them. Since the war, the 
 writer, for the first time learns that some soldiers (many 
 may have done it) did eat gunpowder to fire up with before 
 or in a fight. Howarth, of Companj'^ B, declares that he 
 found it (powder and Louisiana rum) in rebel kettles at 
 Camp Bisland, and Comrade J. F. Chandler says that the 
 rebels had it in their wooden canteens at Sabine Cross 
 Roads when driving Banks back to Pleasant Hill. One 
 of our newly arrived recruits who was a very sharp fellow 
 found on the 14th a canteen full on a dead enemy, but 
 being very suspicious that it was poisoned lost three 
 drinks by trying them on three victims. He watched 
 them until he was satisfied that the article was innocuous 
 and then proceeded to punish the remainder of the fluid. 
 It must be that the wait was a terrible strain on the bottle 
 holder. 
 
 That steer ! Before the writer had touched pencil to the 
 history, Colonel King said, "We must be sure to get in 
 that steer story, Comrade Ezra E. Morrill did one of the 
 most daring things that I ever saw." I soon received a 
 letter from comrade Hodgdon in which he said, " Get that 
 steer story of Lieutenant Beckford ; " and probably being 
 fearful that I should miss it, told it himself, thus : "It was 
 a day's march above Franklin, we came to a halt at night 
 upon the open prairie. Our sight was first out for rails, 
 but Sergeant Beckford saw coming down on Company F, 
 a big -wild steer from a herd grazing near by. It came 
 direct for him with lowered head, carrying a pair of horns 
 branching out a yard each side, eyes ugly and rolling with 
 mad, mouth open and bellowing like the infernal regions, 
 tail up and stiff with rage, hair sticking out like Shakes- 
 peare's porcupine. It did not take " Beck" long to grab 
 a musket from the stack, spring forward and bring down 
 the piece to a rebel charge with the butt in the earth. 
 Then there was a cloud of dust, a mixture of man, gun 
 and steer, next the steer was executing a flank movement 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 203 
 
 with the gun a bobbing in his cheek, the sergeant was 
 covered with dirt and glory. The steer swam the bayou 
 and fell for beef to some regiment on the other side. We 
 don't know as this gallant action had any influence, but 
 the sergeant went out of the service as a lieutenant. 
 
 It took a dozen letters to get the facts. On writing to 
 Lieut. William A. Beckford, he responded as follows: 
 
 My Dear Comrade, — In reply to yours of Mar. 17th, 
 1890, I will say that the wild steer collision spoken of, was 
 not at Franklin at all. You will recollect that we crossed 
 Berwick Bay and advanced on Camp Bisland that night. 
 May i2th, I think, we went into camp close beside the 
 bayou and stacked arms in column by companies. That 
 steer came down from the direction of the rebels' breast- 
 works very near their right. At that time Gen. H. E. 
 Paine was in Co. F street, talking with Capt. Flanders. 
 The boys on the left began to cheer and get out of the way. 
 I may have wanted to play smart, so I says, " If he comes 
 this way I'll charge bayonets on him." Well, he kept on 
 coming, and pretty soon it became evident that somebody 
 had got his mother's fool into trouble. I stepped back and 
 took Charles Willey's gun from the stack and came to a 
 charge. On he came as straight as a bullet and I caught 
 him between the eyes. He slid me about ten feet on the 
 grass ; the bayonet broke off at the shank, and the steer 
 went plumb into the bayou about two rods to the right of 
 company. Gen. Paine told the boys to shoot the steer, and 
 they did so. Capt. Flanders then reminded me that I 
 should have the bayonet to pay for, but Gen. Paine said, 
 " No, Captain, call that lost inaction.''' I, of course, was 
 excited when I saw what I had done, and the General 
 wished to help me out. Willey did not like my breaking 
 his bayonet, but it came out all right as the poor fellow 
 was shot through the head on the next day. 
 
 Hoping that the foregoing will settle the ' ' steer story " 
 I remain 
 
 Yours in F., C, and L., 
 
 Wm. a. Beckford, 
 
 Co. F8thN. H. Vols. 
 
204 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Sergt. C. E. Conant in a letter of Mar. 26, 1892 says 
 that Willey laid in the ditch about the third man from him 
 at Bisland and was there shot through the head, and that 
 his brother, George Willey, and Steve Mills carried him 
 back to the hospital where he died about i p. m. 
 
 But it required considerable correspondence to find out 
 that there were two steer collisions nearly alike. Soon 
 there came a letter from Corporal E. Morrill of Company 
 D as follows : 
 
 Dear Sir and Comrade, — I know nothing of the 
 steer story of Lieut. Beckford at Bisland, and I do not wish 
 to match any story that has been told ; I only know that 
 you wish me to relate to you the story of the steer as it 
 happened at the time. I am not anxious to have it made 
 a matter of history, but my steer story is correct and came 
 about in this way ; somewhere between Franklin and 
 Alexandria, we went into camp after a hard march, on an 
 open prairie, with a large herd of wild cattle upon it. As 
 rations were all used up we went for a supper ourselves, 
 as the old 8th N. H. was always noted for, so as soon as 
 we broke ranks Sergeant Flagg and myself started for the 
 herd. We both fired and brought down our steer, and 
 while in the act of reloading to fire again. Sergeant Flagg 
 said, "Ezra, look out!" There came a bull on the 
 charge and there he was almost upon me, head down and 
 tongue out. My only hope was to charge the bull, so I 
 dropped down on one knee and received him on the point 
 of my bayonet, striking him fair in the head and driving 
 the bayonet clear through the side of his head. I turned a 
 double somersault in the air and the bull went flying off 
 with my gun. After running some distance, the bull 
 shook off the gun and I got it and carried it to the close of 
 the war. Very truly yours, 
 
 Ezra E. Morrill, 
 
 Co. D 8th N. H. 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 April 14th. Pursued the enemy to Franklin ; narrowly 
 escaped collision with a part of Grover's division which, 
 on its march to Franklin from the battle of Irish Bend, 
 mistook us for the enemy. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 205 
 
 Milliken's Bend, La., April 14th, 1863. Grant to 
 Banks : 
 
 I am concentrating my forces at Grand Gulf. Will 
 send an army corps to Bayou Sara by the 2sth to cooperate 
 with you on Port Hudson. Can you aid me and send 
 troops after the reduction of Port Hudson to assist at 
 Vicksburg? U. S. Grant. 
 
 The above was received by Banks May 5th and under- 
 stood by him that Grant's force would be at Port Hudson 
 May 2Sth. 
 
 April 14. C. A. Dana to Stanton: 
 
 Grant decides to take Grand Gulf and go on to Port 
 Hudson with 20 or 30 thousand men. 
 
 Letter of Lieut. Thomas C. Prescott, of Company G, 
 mounted : 
 
 The army in the Gulf department was organized without 
 cavalry, owing, no doubt, to the difficulty in transporting 
 the required horses so far by water, and the scarcity of 
 steam vessels for that purpose. Until after the opening of 
 the Mississippi river, this condition existed in all that 
 department, and no attempt was made to organize cavalry 
 regiments until after the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hud- 
 son. Two or three companies of cavalry comprised the 
 whole mounted force, and these were wholly inadequate 
 for the demands of the service. After the campaign 
 opened in the spring of 1863, on the west side of the Missis- 
 sippi, in preparation for the siege of Port Hudson, the need 
 of a small mounted force in our division became urgent 
 for various purposes, and Gen. Paine commanding the 
 division, desiring such a company always at his disposal, 
 detailed Co. G of the Eighth for that service and it reported 
 to him in the latter part, of April. 
 
 The first duty imposed upon the company under this 
 detached service, was to procure horses and saddles from 
 the country around sufficient to mount its officers and 
 men. The division was now resting near Opelousas in a 
 country of marvelous richness, and the rapidity with which 
 the company became equipped for duty was surprising. 
 
2o6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 There was a little fellow in the company by the name of 
 Huntley, who had a wonderful faculty for procuring 
 horses, finding them on plantations from which every horse 
 had been driven to Texas long before we came into the 
 country, if the stories of the owners were to be believed, 
 and with this valuable service, they soon had quite a 
 respectable outfit of horses, saddles and bridles. Those 
 who were not used to riding soon learned, and every day 
 brought some necessary duty to be performed in special 
 guard duty, scouting in the vicinity of the camp to look out 
 for the enemy, protecting forage trains, and especially 
 looking for horses and mules to recruit the teams and 
 artillery. 
 
 Upon one of these expeditions for horses, which took a 
 much wider range from camp than usual, the company 
 came near getting into serious trouble and had an experi- 
 ence which may be worth relating. While the army was 
 still at Opelousas, there being urgent need for various pur- 
 poses and a desire to ascertain the location of forage, the 
 company was ordered out for a two days' expedition. The 
 route selected did not follow the main roads, except where 
 unavoidable, in order that certain plantations might be 
 visited which had not been favored by Yankee calls. 
 About noon they came upon the home of a farmer some 
 distance off" the road, where there was considerable forage, 
 and a halt was made for dinner. Lieut. Col. Lull, who 
 was provost marshal of our division, had accompanied the 
 expedition, and he with the three company officers, went 
 into the house and upon inquiry, found that the planter 
 was absent; in fact, was in the rebel army, protecting his 
 home, as the lady of the house informed them. There 
 being indications of preparation for dinner, the Colonel 
 invited himself and companions to dine with the family. 
 While ample justice was being done by her guests to the 
 somewhat restricted bill of fare, the hostess interspersed her 
 excuses with a vivid account of the hardships and priva- 
 tions they were experiencing, frequently directing the little 
 slave who stood at the foot -of the table pulling a rope 
 which propelled a large board fan suspended from the 
 ceiling over the table, to "pull faster" as she became 
 engrossed in the recital. At last the woman subsided for 
 a moment, and Col. Lull in his inimitable way said, 
 "Have you suffered badly, Madam?" This inquiry 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 207 
 
 seemed to open a fresh store of grievances and she let 
 loose a shower of invectives on the whole "Yankee tribe," 
 ending up by asking how long this cruel war would 
 last, to which the Colonel replied with that same 
 immovable expression, " It will continue madam until the 
 last rebel lays down his arms, or we drive every one of 
 you into the Gulf of Mexico." This settled the discussion 
 of the war topic, and the dinner having been finished, the 
 guests took their leave, receiving no expressions of regret 
 from their hostess. 
 
 Resuming the march, the company, about three o'clock, 
 came to the back portion of a large plantation remote from 
 the buildings, where some fifty or more slaves were hoe- 
 ing cotton, the typical driver being there with the veritable 
 whip. Men, women, girls and boys, of various shades and 
 color, were toiling side by side. The fading process had 
 been at work. One girl was so light colored as to attract 
 attention, and it was learned on inquiry that she was born 
 on the plantation, had been brought up a house servant 
 but as she grew older had been banished to the fields. 
 This girl, with most of the slaves on the place, afterwards 
 followed the army across the Mississippi river, but whether 
 for a better or worse condition, the writer cannot say. 
 
 All the information we desired was readily obtained 
 from the negroes, viz. : that some rebel soldiers had 
 recently been in the neighborhood ; that there were some 
 good horses concealed on the place and their location 
 pointed out. Ed. Huntley, who never failed to find where 
 the chickens slept, the hams were buried, or the horses 
 concealed, was sent with a few others to find and bring up 
 the horses, while the company rode up to the big house 
 to interview the planter. He was found comfortably 
 seated on the wide upper veranda with his lady and two 
 or three nice looking daughters, but did not come down 
 to greet us. Col. Lull questioned him with reference to 
 rebel soldiers, and asked if he had any horses, to which 
 he replied that no rebel soldiers were or had been in the 
 vicinity, and that he did not have a horse on the place ; 
 all had been taken to Texas. But while the conversation 
 was going on, after repeating that he had no horses, 
 Huntley came dashing up a lane behind some ten or more 
 fine looking horses, even then riding one of the planter's 
 thoroughbreds. Mr. Planter seemed utterly astounded at 
 
2o8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 this turn of affairs, and the daughters commenced a chorus 
 of " O, papa." It was Col. Lull's turn now, and looking 
 sternly at the planter he said, " Sir, you have lied to us 
 about your horses ; you may have lied about your 
 soldiers ; but if we are molested in our march and you 
 assist in any way to that result, I will put your miserable 
 body where it belongs, and I assure you that Ship Island 
 is too good a place for it." The Colonel's style satisfied 
 the planter that he was in dead earnest, and the interview 
 ended. The confiscated horses being ready, the march 
 was resumed toward the Atchafalaya river. The night 
 found us at a small plantation, the buildings being a short 
 distance from the road, surrounded and hidden by trees, 
 and we decided to remain there until morning. Upon 
 inquiry of the owner of the place in regard to supper and 
 lodging, he replied that he could give the ofiicers a chance, 
 "but," he added, " I can't take care of your crew." After 
 posting a good picket on the road and a guard about the 
 premises, the balance bivouacked in readiness for an 
 attack or for marching instantly. Sleep came to all very 
 readily, but about one o'clock the report of a musket at our 
 picket post brought every man to his feet and into his sad- 
 dle. A party of men coming up the road had been twice 
 challenged and, no answer being received, the guard had 
 fired and the party turned and fled. The blowing of horns 
 in different directions could be distinctly heard, appar- 
 ently answering one to another, so it was thought best to 
 fall back without delay, not waiting for any formal invita- 
 tion to that effect. The march commenced on the gallop, 
 the captured horses being led. This gait was kept up for 
 several miles. At daylight, there were no pursuers that 
 reached us, and we gained camp about noon, safely bring- 
 ing in the trophies of the expedition. 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 April 15th, 1863. Encamped between Franklin and 
 New Iberia. 
 
 i6th. At New Iberia. 
 
 17th. Marched on and encamped near St. Martinsville. 
 Grover's division took the left hand road to Vermillionville 
 and sent a detachment to destroy the Avery salt works. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 209 
 
 Chaplain's diary 
 
 I stop at Louis Prudhome's, a jolly French Dutchman's 
 place. He has worked in the salt mines, says that they 
 were discovered in 1862, a salt spring there having been 
 used by the Indians, Confeds. have taken out millions of 
 pounds, rendering them before now, for a time, indepen- 
 dent, in salt, of the U. S. and England. The mine is 
 16 feet under ground, and the salt is blown out in huge 
 bowlders, some of it being as clear as glass. 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 April 1 8th. Encamped at St. Martinsville. 
 
 19th. At Vermillionville. 
 
 20th. Emory's division and Weitzel's brigade encamped 
 at Opelousas. 4th Wisconsin ordered to become Mounted 
 Infantry. 
 
 Banks to Grant, Opelousas, April 23 : 
 
 States that the army and navy of this part of the Con- 
 federacy is destroyed, and the most important officers of 
 all arms taken, as Captain E. W. Fuller, commander of 
 their fleet, their " King of the Swamp" the representative 
 of their fighting element and candidate for governor ; 
 Capt. Semmes, their first officer of artillery, and Col. Vin- 
 cent, chief of cavalry. Says the route to Alexandria is 
 open, six days' march. We can cooperate with you in 
 any manner you suggest, by a junction on the Red river, 
 or by an attack from Baton Rouge, joining your forces at 
 Bayou Sara. Waiting anxiously your response and with 
 full confidence in your judgment I am very truly yours, 
 
 N. P. Banks. 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 24th. Review of army by Gen. Banks at Opelousas. 
 Supplies reached us from New Orleans. The troops hav- 
 ing a surfeit of corn bread and fresh beef, called loudly for 
 salt pork and hard-tack. 
 
 Opelousas, April 21st, 1863. It was tiresome chasing 
 the retreating Confed. Gov't, or Headquarters of which 
 the genial Flinn said was not in the saddle but "on 
 wheels." We have at last caught up with a wash, a ckan 
 
 14 
 
2IO History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 shirt, and got a mail, and while the navy is being loaded 
 with cotton by Col. Chickering, a short unofficial trip can 
 be taken from New Orleans over the route just passed. 
 
 Diary letter : 
 
 Starting at Algiers, opposite to New Orleans and going 
 by railway west, a low region is entered, alive with water- 
 fowl, snakes and alligators, and it was fun for the boys to 
 shoot the latter with harmless balls. The long stretches 
 of cypress swamps, thickets of Spanish bayonets, poisoned 
 black waters overlaid with plants, rank and rampant vege- 
 tation, luxuriant foliage knit upon vines leaping from tree 
 to tree, funereal with the ever present Spanish moss, fur- 
 nished wonderfully new scenery to our northern eyes. By 
 and by, firm arable land appeared and, too, the negro ; 
 not with clout and hoe, but clad in the (to him) gorgeous 
 uniform of the U. S. Army, and grasping the implements 
 of liberty and progress. They were stationed along the 
 line as railway guards, and some of our impious white 
 soldiers would, as we ran slowly along, call out, " take off 
 your hat," " present arms." The responsive blacks would 
 show a wide battery of white teeth, throw up a gun with 
 one hand and crack a thigh with the other, ejaculating 
 with a roll of the eye, " Bress the Lord, massa," " Roll on 
 Glory," " Goin' to the Kingdom." 
 
 After crossing Berwick Bay and turning north, we soon 
 reach the fertile lands of the Acadians, the Paradise of 
 America ! These people made a splendid exchange, little 
 as they thought so in 1755, when they left bleak Nova 
 Scotia for this land and climate, suited to their idiosyn- 
 crasies and where they have easily preserved their primi- 
 tive traits. Being isolated from modern life, they have 
 kept the habits and customs of the eighteenth century. 
 They spread themselves loosely over the vast expanse, 
 nowhere gathering in compact form, save perhaps in the 
 neighborhood of Abbeville and St. Martinsville along the 
 Teche. The latter was Frenchy, and of course, came to 
 be the social capital ; in tone, Parisian. The Bayous were 
 the making or preserver of the country in a business and 
 social sense, for they were the means of communication. 
 The Atchafalaya starts in near the Red river and, reliev- 
 ing the Mississippi of much of its stream, takes its way to 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 211 
 
 the Gulf leisurely in all directions, frequently expanding 
 into lakes. The Teche, a dark, muddy, sliding river, 
 comes from Washington and Opelousas and wanders along 
 about parallel with the first named, and joins it at Morgan 
 city. Steamers go up to New Iberia through a flat region 
 of sugar plantation. The way is, to the new comer, strik- 
 ing for its picturesqueness ; its peaceful, quiet sleepiness. 
 The afternoon sun strikes down, but is absorbed. The 
 wind, perhaps, stirs not the black bayou nor waves the over- 
 hanging gray moss. The cattle graze, and the everlast- 
 ing negro sleeps and fishes ; that is, he will wake if he has 
 a bite. It is almost sacrilege to march through such a 
 country, but the rebs. are scurrying away ahead, and catch 
 them we must, so en avant. 
 
 Ah ! there is a group about a wounded soldier, one of 
 Perkins' cavalry, and the surgeon is busy with a sabre 
 cut. The only satisfaction is that the enemy is not entirely 
 out of reach. As we move on we see brilliant expanses 
 of water mirroring huge cotton-woods, an old vine-clad 
 sugar-house, an old begass chimney and a cotton press, 
 all lazily propped up ; negroes coming to see us, over a 
 bridge all awry, its timbers shaking and creaking ; more 
 oaks and moss and palmetto thatched houses standing far 
 from the road and led to b}'' rose bordered paths ; occa- 
 sionally a pretentious frame one upon a substantial brick 
 underpinning and mounted to by a broad flight of steps 
 which landed one upon a spacious piazza. 
 
 St. Martinsville. A part scene of Longfellow's "Evan- 
 geline." Of this region he sings thus : 
 
 On the banks of the Teche, are the towns of St. Maur and St. Martin. 
 There the long-wandering bride shall be given again to the bridegroom, 
 There the long-absent pastor regain his flock and his sheepfold. 
 Beautiful the land, with its prairies and forests of fruit-trees ; 
 Under the feet a garden of flowers, and the'bluest of heavens 
 Bending above, and resting its dome on the walls of the forest. 
 They who dwell there have named it the Eden of Louisiana ! 
 
 Through such scenes we came to Opelousas, where our 
 Company G, the first mounted infantry, of the Eighth was 
 organized as was the Fourth Wisconsin and Third Massa- 
 
212 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 chusetts, and, too, General Banks issued his first order 
 for organizing the colored troops, to be called Corps 
 D'Afrique, to ultimately consist of eighteen regiments, of 
 all arms. 
 
 From "Sam," extract: 
 
 Opelousas, La., Ap. 23d, '63. 
 Dear Folks, — When you see by the Papers that the 
 19th Army Corps, 3d Division, 2d Brigade', 2d Battallion, 
 — th Co. is anywhere you may expect me to be there too. 
 I generally have been and intend to be in the first platoon, 
 front rank, 3d file unless we are shot out. we were up at 
 the front at Bisland, I tell you ; cannons firing all ways, 
 the rebs. were a good rifle shot off' and if I had had that 
 Telescope on I could have got in some Work between the 
 smoke before we got up to their breastworks. Lem. 
 Used to say that he hated to work for his Relations but 
 Uncle Sam is the hardest one that I have found yet. 
 
 Lieutenant King's letter : 
 
 Opelousas, La., May 4th, 1863. 
 
 A few words more from the warm end of our dilapidated 
 Union. This is a town or city or Capital, s'tl vous flait. 
 The rebel column has led the way and we're off" for Alex- 
 andria, some day, soon. 
 
 Our brigade (Gen. Paine's) has been sixteen miles out 
 on the Texas road to a Bayou Brule, the road is mostly 
 prairie, dotted with ponds ; country filled with cattle ; 
 beefs a drug. Camped in a fine grove at Brule. The 
 bayou was there spanned by a very rude bridge. Beyond 
 nestled a church, and all the surroundings were pastoral 
 and so forth, " and only man is vile." 
 
 Opelousas is " splat out" over much ground. Flour is 
 $90perbbl. Gen. Banks gave the nunnery here, containing 
 many children, large supplies of food. Gen. Paine has 
 just been put in command of the 3d Division ; Col. Fear- 
 ing is Acting Brigadier General; Maj. Siifiith has a 
 detachment across the bayou, and Capt. Stanyan com- 
 mands the regiment. 
 
 May 5th. Our 3d Division marched for Alexandria, our 
 brigade in front camped at Bayou Boeuf. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 213 
 
 The following contains the extraordinary official state- 
 ment before referred to by Gen. R. B. Irwin, in regard to 
 General Banks' official powers, which has remained, 
 probably, secret until it reached the hands of the gove.n- 
 ment printer. At least, the writer knows that it was, until 
 very recently, unknown to many prominent military peo- 
 ple. On account of its importance as regards our purpose 
 we anticipate the date. 
 
 Halleck to Banks, Washington, May 23d, 1863. Offi- 
 cial records. Series 41, page 500 : 
 
 General, — Your despatches, dated Opelousas, May 
 2d and 4th are just rec'd. I regret to learn from them that 
 you are still pursuing your divergent course to Alexandria 
 while Gen. Grant has moved on Jackson, instead of con- 
 centrating with him on the east side of the Mississippi as 
 you proposed in your previous despatch, and as I have 
 continually urged. If these eccentric movements do not 
 lead to some serious disaster, it will be because the enemy 
 does not take full advantage of his opportunity. I assure 
 you that the Government is exceedingly disappointed that 
 you and Gen. Grant are not acting in conjunction. It 
 thought to secure that object by authorizing you to assume 
 the entire command as soon as you and General Grant 
 could unite. (The italics are not Halleck's.) The open- 
 ing of the Mississippi river has been continually presented 
 as the first and most important object to be attained. If 
 Gen. Grant should succeed alone in beating the enemy 
 and capturing Vicksburg, all will be well, but if he should 
 be defeated and fail, both your armies will be paralyzed 
 and the entire campaign a failure. I can well understand 
 that you have had great obstacles to overcome with inade- 
 quate means ; but yoii have had all the means we could 
 possibly give you, and \i you succeed the glory will be so 
 much the greater. 
 
 The same. May 25 : 
 
 Gen. Grant seems likely to succeed in capturing Vicks- 
 burg, but the government is still uneasy at your separa- 
 tion. 
 
214 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Official Extracts. — Halleck, Banks, Grant. — Confederate Extracts. — 
 Logan, Gardner, Pemberton. — On to Port Hudson. — Grierson's 
 Raid. — Company G. — Port Hudson Invested. — Assault on May 
 27, 1863. — Company B to the Left. — Charge by the Regiment. — 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Lull killed. — Charge of the Colored Troops. — 
 A Mysterious Flag of Truce. — Colonel Lull, Personal. — Banks to 
 Gardner. — Flag of Truce. — Banks and Halleck's Correspondence. 
 — Confederate Account. — Southern Historical Society Papers. — 
 Inside Port Hudson. — March to Clinton. — Chaplain's Diary. 
 
 The following is in answer to Grant's of April 14. 
 Banks thought that Grant's Corps would be at Port Hud- 
 son on May 25, while Grant intended to be there on April 
 25, but was incidentally, or accidentally turned into the 
 interior around towards Vicksburg from Grand Gulf. 
 
 Banks to Grant : 
 
 Opelousas, La., May 6th, 1863. 
 By the 25th probably, by the ist certainly, we will be 
 there. (This received by Grant, May 10.) 
 
 Banks to Grant (condensed) , Series 38, 281 : 
 
 Alexandria, May 8th, '63. 
 Our successful march here enables me to say that I can 
 cooperate with you for the reduction of Port Hudson upon 
 the 25th of May with fifteen thousand good men, all told. 
 
 Grant to Halleck : 
 
 April 14, '63, I sent to Gen. Banks that I could send an 
 army corps to Bayou Sara to cooperate with him against 
 Port Hudson on the 25th. This will now be impossible. 
 
 Office of Chief of Subsistence, C. S. A. Theo. Johns- 
 ton to Memminger : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 215 
 
 Jackson, Miss., April 20th, 1863. 
 In reply to your inquiry as to the supply of subsistence 
 at Port Hudson, I have the honor to state that that fost 
 is better supplied now than any in this department. 
 
 (The report below is of number of troops at Port Hud- 
 son and vicinity on April 29.) 
 
 General Gardner to Pemberton, April 29, 1863 : 
 
 Report. Effective infantry 8,600, artillery 1,700, cav- 
 alry 1,400, including Ponchatoula force. (Total, 11,700.) 
 
 General Pemberton to President Davis, May 2, 1863 : 
 
 Unless I am heavily reinforced I think Port Hudson and 
 Grand Gulf should be evacuated and all concentrated for 
 the defense ofVicksburg and Jackson. 
 
 Gardner to Pemberton, May 2, 1863 : 
 
 Emory's raid (Grierson) has successfully passed to 
 Baton Rouge. I need more cavalry and a good com- 
 mander. Can I break up the post at Ponchatoula? 
 
 Pemberton to Gardner, May 4, 1863 : 
 
 You must come here and bring five thousand men with 
 you, Maxey's brigade, call in out-posts except cavalry; 
 leave sufficient artillery for the defense of Port Hudson. 
 
 Davis to Pemberton, Richmond, May 7, 1863 (impor- 
 tant) : 
 
 Beauregard cannot spare more than the five thousand 
 sent. Want of transportation must compel the enemy to 
 seek again their fleet in a few days. To hold both Vicks- 
 burg and Port Hudson is necessary to a connection with 
 Trans-Mississippi . 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS. 
 
 Pemberton to Gardner, May 8, 1863. Vicksburg (at 
 Osyka) . 
 
 Return with two thousand troops to Port Hudson and 
 hold it to the last. President [Davis] says both places 
 must be held. 
 
2i6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 (A bird's eye view at Washington, D. C.) 
 
 Halleck to Grant, May ii, 1863 : 
 
 If possible the forces of yourself and Gen. Banks should 
 be united between Vicksburg and Port Hudson so as to 
 attack those places separately with the combined forces. 
 The same has been urged on Gen. Banks. 
 
 Grant to Banks, extract : 
 
 Rocky Springs, Miss., May 10, 1863. 
 
 It was my intention on gaining a foothold at Grand Gulf 
 to have sent a sufficient force to Port Hudson to have 
 insured the fall of that place with your cooperation, or 
 rather, (mark Gen. Grant's delicate way of stating the 
 case,) to have cooperated with you to secure that end. 
 Meeting the enemy, however, as I did south of Port Gib- 
 son, I followed him to the Big Black and could not afford 
 to retrace my steps. (Italics not Grant's.) 
 
 Many days cannot elapse before the battle will begin 
 which is to decide the fate of Vicksburg. I would 
 earnestly request therefore, that you join me or send all the 
 force you can spare to cooperate in the great struggle for 
 opening the Mississippi river. 
 
 Banks to Grant : 
 
 Alexandria, La., May 12, 1863. 
 I have neither water nor land transportation to join you at 
 Vicksburg. The most I can accomplish is to cross the river 
 for the purpose of operating with you against Port Hud- 
 son. Were it within the range of human power I should 
 join you, for I am dying with a kind of vanishing hope to 
 see the armies acting together against the strong places of 
 the enemy. We believe that seven thousand of the enemy 
 have left Arkansas river to join Kirby Smith. 
 
 Banks to Halleck : 
 
 New Orleans, La., May 18, '63. 
 GeNERAL, — Grover's division left Alexandria 14th, 
 Emory's i6th ; Weitzel probably marched on the 17th, thus 
 concentrating all our troops at Simsport about the 20th. 
 We shall move on Port Hudson with the best chances of 
 success and join Grant immediately after. That is satis- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 217 
 
 factory to him and he will send reinforcements to us as pro- 
 posed earlier, for which, however, we shall not -wait. 
 Three or four' thousand men are disabled from the inces- 
 sant labor of the last six weeks. Gen. Emory will be left 
 in command at New Orleans, and Gen. Sherman will be 
 assigned to his division. General Augur's forces move to- 
 morrow towards Port Hudson. Admiral Farragut's fleet 
 is now there. 
 
 Halleck to Banks : 
 
 Washington, May 19, 1863. 
 I see by the newspapers that you have Alexandria and 
 Gen. Grant has Jackson. These operations are too eccen- 
 tric. I urge that you unite with Gen. Grant as soon as 
 possible. I have no troops to re-enforce him. He must 
 concentrate his forces and not move east until he gets con- 
 trol of the Mississippi river. 
 
 Gen. Halbert E. Paine's diary : 
 
 May 6th, 1863. At Cheney ville. 
 
 7th. At Williams R. R. 
 
 8th. Entered Alexandria. Gunboats were there, camped 
 on the Red river below the town. 
 
 13th. Took command of 3d Division of 19th Army Corps 
 in place of Gen. Emory who went to New Orleans sick 
 and took command of the defences of that city. 
 
 15th. Marched the Division for Simsport and Port 
 Hudson by way of Bayou HufFpower. Sent cavalry to 
 hold the bridges. 
 
 i6th. Marched twenty-five miles to Bayou Rouge on 
 the HufFpower road. Held the bridges for Weitzel. 
 
 Johnston to Gardner, C. S. A., Camp, near Vernon, 
 Miss., May 19, 1863 : 
 
 Vicksburg is invested. Evacuate Port Hudson forth- 
 with and move toward Jackson. Bring all but heavy 
 guns and their ammunition, which destroy. 
 
 John L. Logan, C. S. A., Col. Comd'g Cav. Brigade, 
 to Gardner, May 21, 1863 : 
 
 I am at Bayou Sara in enemy's rear with three hundred 
 cavalry and three hundred infantry. Gen. Augur's divi- 
 sion has passed up. I move to Clinton. 
 
2i8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Banks to Grant, May i8, 1863 : 
 
 My belief is that your first suggestion of sending a force 
 to cooperate with us against Port Hudson is best. Port 
 Hudson can be reduced certainly and without delay, if you 
 can assist us with ten thousand to twenty thousand men. 
 The moral effect on Vicksburg of the reduction of the 
 post and the junction of our forces would be great. 
 
 Confederate. Gen. John Adams to Maxey : 
 
 Brookhaven, May 14th, 1863. 
 Halt ! Fall back on your wagons. Go in the direction 
 of or to Port Hudson. We are evacuating Jackson. 
 
 Gen. J. E. Johnston to Pemberton, May 18, 1863 : 
 
 If you are invested in Vicksburg you must ultimately 
 surrender. If it is not too late, evacuate Vicksburg and 
 march to the northeast. 
 
 (Gen. Grant has been accused of being reckless in 
 exposing his troops to slaughter. In this next communi- 
 cation he says that he wishes to " save my men." Also, in 
 a line to Admiral Porter, he says. May 23, "There is no 
 doubt of the fall of Vicksburg ultimately. I intend to lose 
 no more men, but to force the enemy from one position to 
 another without exposing my troops.) 
 
 Near Vicksburg, May 25, 1863, Grant to Banks, extract : 
 
 I now have Vicksburg invested, and can hold the enemy 
 or whip him if he comes out. The place is so strongly 
 fortified that it must be taken by an assault and great sac- 
 rifice of life, or a regular siege. I have determined to 
 adopt the latter course and save my men. The greatest 
 danger is that the enemy may collect a force outside and 
 attempt to rescue the garrison. 
 
 When I began writing this, it was my intention to pro- 
 pose sending you ten thousand men to cooperate with you 
 in taking Port Hudson, but while writing, a courier came in 
 from my cavalry saying that a force of the enemy was now 
 thirty miles northeast of here, so it is imprudent for me to 
 send away any men. I would be pleased. General, to have 
 you come with such force as you are able to spare. I am 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 219 
 
 in hopes this letter will find you in possession of Port 
 Hudson. 
 
 Confederate John L. Logan, nth Arkansas Infantry to 
 Gen. J. E. Johnston : 
 
 C. S. A. Headquarters, 
 
 Clinton, La., May 29, 1863. 
 
 Your despatches for Gen. Frank Gardner came to me 
 25th inst. I could not get them through to him. The 
 despatches ordering the evacuation of Port Hudson were 
 also received and sent through. Gen. Gardner was then 
 comj)letely invested, and to have attempted to cut his way 
 out would have been attended with great loss. I doubt 
 his being able to get through at all, and then, if successful, 
 his line of retreat to Jackson would be long. I have not 
 heard from him since the 24th. He intended to come out 
 then. I have a small command of cavalry and mounted 
 infantry, twelve thousand men, and am doing all I can to 
 aid Gen. Gardner by dashing upon the enemy's lines, 
 thus drawing troops from Port Hudson. 
 
 I have prevented the enemy from making raids into the 
 country. Can we get reinforcements? I am informed 
 that Lieut. Gen. Smith is near the mouth of the Red river 
 with ten thousand men. If he would come down and 
 cross at Port Hudson under cover of our guns, that post 
 would be relieved at once. Despatches by way of 
 Natchez, would reach Gen. Smith. 
 
 Mr. C. A. Dana (see government official reports. Series 
 I, vol. 24, pp. 66, 67) was a special commissioner of the 
 United States War Department sent upon the ground to 
 report to and by orders of Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of 
 war. 
 
 Dana to Stanton, behind Vicksburg, May 26th, 1863 
 (see page 89 of reports) : 
 
 Gen. Grant last night sent a staff officer to Gen. Banks 
 urging him to bring his forces here as promptly as practi- 
 cable, and assuring him that he (Grant) would gladly 
 serve under him. as his superior in rank, or simply co- 
 operate -with him for the benefit of the common cause, if he 
 should prefer that course. 
 
220 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Dana to Stanton, May 30, 1863 : 
 
 At Gen. Grant's request, went down to see Gen. Banks, 
 but, meeting on the 31st Grant's previous messenger, I 
 returned. Banks has invested Port Hudson and declines 
 to send any forces here. 
 
 Continuation of General Paine's diary : 
 
 May 17th, 1863. Bivouacked at Bayou Glace on Marks- 
 ville and Simsport road. 
 
 i8th. Arrived at Simsport in the morning, Grover 
 already there. 
 
 19th. Crossed the Atchafalaya with steamers and flat 
 boats ; marched to Trist's plantation. 
 
 2 1 St. Marched on for Port Hudson; at night at Wil- 
 liamsport on the Mississippi. 
 
 2 2d. Marched to Morganza. On landing at Bayou 
 Sara, I received an order from Gen. Banks that Augur 
 was engaged southwest of Port Hudson, and directing me 
 to hurry forward, marched at once in a violent storm. 
 Stopped on Perkins' plantation one mile in rear of 
 Grover's division (Banks' headquarters), which had been 
 transported from Simsport to Bayou Sara by water. 
 
 23d. Crossed Thompson's Creek, met Grierson's cav- 
 alry. By order of General Banks, took a position on 
 Flower's plantation and posted my division so as to form 
 the right of the line of investment, being separated from 
 Port Hudson by densely wooded, broken grounds, by the 
 Big Sandy, mainly a dry ravine, and by a bay of the 
 river. Captured the steamers "Starlight" and "Red 
 Chief" in Thompson's creek. 
 
 24th. Advanced my line a mile, my special duty to-day 
 being to resist any attempt of the garrison to escape 
 through my line, which extended from the Mississippi 
 above Port Hudson around to the south side of the Big 
 Sandy. Reconnoitred in force, met the enemy, cut the 
 artillery road across the Big Sandy, was ready for 
 an advance. 
 
 25th. Crossed the Big Sandy, Dwight's brigade of 
 Grover's division in advance. Drove the enemy steadily 
 through the woods to within a half-mile of his fortifica- 
 tions. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 221 
 
 Irwin to Weitzel (Riley's), before Port Hudson, May 25, 
 1863: 
 
 The commanding general directs that you assume com- 
 mand of the right wing of the forces before Port Hudson, 
 including the Third Division under Col. Paine, your own, 
 and Dwight's brigade and Prince's cavalry. 
 
 Col. Benjamin H. Grierson's run of eight hundred miles 
 through the enemy's country, was one of the most remark- 
 able raids on record. Starting from La Grange, Tenn., 
 with his own Sixth Illinois, the Seventh Illinois, and 
 Second Iowa, in all, less than one thousand men, he took 
 a straight southerly course through the State of Mississippi, 
 but sending detachments oiF to strike the Mobile and Ohio 
 railroad. At Decatur, due east of Jackson and Vicksburg, 
 he deflected to the southwest and crossed the Gulf and 
 Ship Island railroad, and the New Orleans and Jackson 
 railroad three times, then on to Baton Rouge. Within 
 the fourteen days out, he captured over one thousand 
 prisoners, destroyed miles of railway, and military stores 
 to the amount of four millions of dollars, arriving in Baton 
 Rouge on May 2. It is almost impossible to calculate 
 the assistance that the raid was to us by crippling John- 
 ston's movements so that he could not relieve either Vicks- 
 burg or Port Hudson. As will be seen, he was retained 
 by General Banks, and continued hovering at our rear and 
 keeping off the aggressive enemy. 
 
 Company G. On the afternoon of May 26th, Gen. 
 Banks desired to discover the exact position of the enemy 
 in front of the centre and asked for a detachment of Co. G 
 to advance until they should be found. Lieut. T. C. Pres- 
 cott and six men were detailed to accompany an officer of 
 Gen. Banks' staff, and at once started from the woods to 
 the front. Between us and the enemy were found, first an 
 open field, some five or six hundred yards across, and 
 beyond this was thick, heavy timber in which it was 
 
222 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 expected the enemy would be found. A bridle path was 
 found leading into the woods, and before entering, two men 
 were advanced some fifteen paces, the two officers follow- 
 ing at this distance, and the balance of the detachment 
 bringing up the rear. After advancing in this manner 
 about twenty rods, suddenly one of the men in advance 
 threw up a hand to indicate a halt, and there a short dis- 
 tance in front could be seen a breastwork composed of 
 logs and earth, with now and then a musket barrel and a 
 head visible. This sight was anything but agreeable, and 
 it needed no order for retreat. As each man turned sud- 
 denly and gave rein to his horse, a volley from the rebel 
 line sent a shower of bullets which cut the trees and limbs 
 all around them, whistling like a storm of hail, but fortu- 
 nately without deadly effect. The bullets followed us clear 
 back across the field, but strange to say, not a man nor 
 horse was hurt. This developed the position of the enemy 
 and on the information gained, the attack in the centre was 
 arranged for the next daj'. Company G was now ordered 
 to move to the extreme right of the line, there to cooperate 
 with a cavalry company of regulars under Capt. Williams, 
 who afterwards drilled the regiment in cavalry tactics at 
 New Orleans, and there assist in supporting the two 
 regiments of colored troops which were posted on that 
 flank. The company was under fire for considerable 
 time on that day, and in the afternoon made a charge 
 on foot with the company, under Capt. Williams, nearly 
 up to the rebel batteries under a heavy artillery fire, but 
 the infanti-y had to fall back taking the little force of cav- 
 alry with them, and the charge failed of advantageous 
 results. To get back to our original position, we had to 
 cross a pontoon bridge over a creek, and it seemed almost 
 impossible to live on this crossing as the enemy had it 
 under complete range. The passage was successfully 
 made, however, without loss to Company G, every shot 
 either falling short at the moment of crossing or going too 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers.' 223 
 
 high ; but the other company was not as fortunate, losing 
 several men in the retreat. 
 
 Banks to Farragut, May 26, 1863 : 
 
 Admiral, — Today we concentrated Paine's (Emory's) 
 division, reduced to about a brigade, and Weitzel's and 
 D wight's brigades, all under Weitzel's command on the 
 right; turned the head of Big Sandy Creek and pushed 
 through the woods on that part of the line up to the abattis 
 which continues the enemy's line of defence toward his 
 left. During the afternoon he made quite a determined 
 attack on our right. For a short time the action was brisk, 
 but the enemy was soon driven back in considerable con- 
 fusion and at dark we held the ground I have indicated, 
 on our right. 
 
 Please let the mortars destroy the enemy's rest at night ; 
 to-morrow (27th) at daylight, we shall assault; the light 
 artillery will then open fire, the heavy batteries on left 
 centre at 6 a. m. Your fire should cease as soon as you 
 observe our artillery slacken, which will probably be at 
 10 a. m. 
 
 Gardner to Banks, May b6, 1863 : 
 
 Commanding 'Officer U. S. Forces, near Port Hudson: 
 
 Sir, — I have some U. S. prisoners of war within my 
 line of fortifications that I am willing to release on parole 
 if you will authorize them to give their parole and receive 
 them. I find myself constrained to mention that some of 
 your troops have violated the rights of the flag of truce in 
 making use of it to pick up killed and wounded in front of 
 the breastworks. I request that orders be given to pre- 
 vent the like occurring again, or otherwise, I will be com- 
 pelled to fire upon the flag used for such purposes. 
 
 Irwin to Sherman (in regard to the foregoing) : 
 
 May 26th, 1863. 
 Sir, — The commanding general directs that no flags 
 of truce be sent to the enemy without orders from these 
 headquarters, and that in all cases the flag shall not be 
 used to cover anything except the special object for which 
 it is set. (Copies sent to Augur, Weitzel, and Grover.) 
 
224 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 May 26th. Perfected our line of investment. The bri- 
 gades of Generals Weitzel and Dwight were temporarily 
 united in a division under Gen. Dwight. This division 
 and mine were made the right wing of the army and were 
 under Gen. Weitzel's command until the afternoon of May 
 27th, when they were attached to the command of Gen. 
 Grover. The general officers met in the evening at the 
 headquarters of Gen. Banks. A general assault was 
 ordered for the next morning. The position of the troops : 
 On the left was ist, Sherman's division ; 2d, Augur's ; 3d, 
 Grover's ; -^th, Paine's ; 5th, Dwight's (Weitzel's). Two 
 colored regiments reported to me. I posted them on the 
 extreme right. At Gen. Dwight's request, they were 
 transferred to him, and they fought bravely in the attack 
 which followed. The nature of the ground rendered it 
 difficult for all of the divisions to make a simultaneous 
 assault on the fortifications, because the troops on the right 
 had to drive a large rebel force over densely wooded hills 
 and ravines, and then over ground very precipitous and 
 rendered almost impassable by felled timber, before we 
 could see his works, whereas on the other portion of the 
 line of investment the fortifications were nearer, and to a 
 great extent visible from our own position. Weitzel's two 
 divisions prepared to form at three o'clock in the morning. 
 I ordered my pioneers to follow the infantry rapidly under 
 the supervision of Capt. Duryea, chief of Division Artil- 
 lery, who was directed to bring up the batteries with the 
 utmost promptness. We had not definite knowledge of 
 the ground over which we were to fight, for the enemy 
 occupied it. The forest was so dense that glasses were 
 useless. The difficulties actually encountered were very 
 great. Port Hudson was naturally very strong on the 
 northeast. 
 
 May 27th. At first Gen. Weitzel placed a part of Gen. 
 Dwight's command in the first line and mine in the second, 
 but very soon after the advance commenced, that portion 
 of Dwight's line which was in my front, for some reason 
 obliqued from my front. Perhaps because a section 
 of the 1st Maine Battery went to the front on our left, and, 
 too, as observed, our advance, as far as the ground was 
 concerned, was a trifle easier to the right. A very slight 
 reason will deflect a body of iften advancing.) 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 225 
 
 The attack was a huge bushwhack. The rebels availed 
 themselves of the thickets, trees, fallen timber ridges, 
 ravines, and also of rifle pits and breastworks of earth and 
 logs constructed at convenient points, and being concealed 
 and protected themselves gave us a most destructive rifle 
 fire, retreating rapidly from point to point. From favor- 
 able positions, their light artillery fired upon us grape, 
 shell, and canister, and for a few minutes with comparative 
 immunity, on account of our momentary uncertainty as to 
 the position of Dwight's troops, resulting from the darkness 
 of the morning, the underbrush and the smoke ; but we 
 pushed on until we drove the rebels within their works, 
 capturing many prisoners, but suffering heavily in killed 
 and wounded. At length we reached a ridge two hundred 
 yards from their fortifications and the enemy met us with a 
 concentrated artillery and infantry fire. With admirable 
 celerity the pioneers opened up the roads and Capt. Duryea 
 brought up the division artillery, and within fifteen minutes 
 after driving him in, our batteries were answering his guns 
 from two commanding points, which positions were 
 retained until the surrender. While we were wait- 
 ing for Augur's and Sherman's guns, Grover, whose divi- 
 sion joined our left, took command of the right wing. 
 Positions were gained within one hundred yards of the 
 parapet and kept in those hazardous places by frequent 
 reliefs until the assault of June 14th. From the 27th of 
 May until the 14th of June, there was by day and night a 
 constant fight of artillery and sharpshooters on my front 
 from Weitzel's left to Augur's right. There were repeated 
 night attacks by my troops, and sorties by the enemy. 
 Communications were opened between adjacent divisions 
 and preparations made for another assault. 
 
 On May 27, Company B of the Eighth, being detached 
 by command of General Paine, given through Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Lull, obliqued slightly to the left and passed on in 
 the line of fire from the rebel gun we were to look after, 
 and soon issued from the woods and saw before us an 
 abattis about two hundred yards wide, extending up to 
 the heights on which zigzagged the line of rebel works, 
 and within which was plainly to be seen the smoke of the 
 piece we sought. To our. right and left upon the tree 
 
 15 
 
226 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 trunks, were nailed white crosses which had evidently 
 served for practice, to get the exact range of the rebel 
 guns, and they had it. For instance, a section of the 
 First Maine Battery came plunging forward into position, 
 and as the horses wheeled, shots came thick and instantly 
 we saw a wheel knocked to pieces, several horses killed, 
 and a lieutenant came down the slope towards us, his 
 clothing torn by shell, and he bloody from head to foot; 
 yet he coolly said, " Can you tell me where I can find a 
 surgeon?" We could only direct him straight to the rear 
 where he would soon find our own. 
 
 The ludicrous always occurs in the midst of carnage. 
 Just as we started, Comrade McKensie was completely 
 covered with debris caused by a shell from the aforesaid 
 gun bursting near. Shifting his gun to his other hand he 
 commenced a whirling and brushing which caused some- 
 one to sing out, "Bob, that's no hornet's nest," and all 
 hands laughed as they passed on with the re-assured Bob 
 in their midst. 
 
 Advance was necessarily slow. Company B skirmished 
 through the underbrush, gaining ground ahead till it 
 emerged from the woods and entered the dense abattis 
 spoken of. A few j^ards further on, we came across 
 Colonel Fearing who was in command of the second bri- 
 gade. Said he, " This is as far forward as we can get, 
 the force of the charge is spent," and added that Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Lull was disabled, which was the first 
 information of it we received. We were then on a line 
 with the left wing of the regiment and about thirty rods 
 distant from it. We took a temporary partial shelter in a 
 little gully where we chanced to meet. The lay of the 
 land was very peculiar, looking like the skeleton of a 
 huge fish, the backbone representing the long ridge run- 
 ning from the woods towards the fortifications, and the 
 ribs the short ridges which partially protected us in the 
 gullies. Company B was picking up prisoners, who, in 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 227 
 
 our advance, had got stuck in the abattis and gullies. 
 One healthy looking young Texan hung with wood can- 
 teens, said, " We didn't think you'uns had got so along." 
 He had come out for some good water for forty comrades. 
 
 Soon in our gully struck a huge solid long shot, smok- 
 ing hot. The colonel made a remark about lightning not 
 getting into the same place twice, but in about five minutes 
 another of the same sort struck within four feet of the old 
 hole, and we left. I went up to the right upon the back- 
 bone and saw Frank Lawrence, of Company B, lying 
 behind a stump and firing with raised sights at some 
 of J. Davis' army a quarter of a mile away behind the 
 intrenchments which reminds me of a " Hatch story." 
 The genial C. G. can locate the men, the place and the 
 dates. 
 
 One " X," a regular old thorn and borer, would mortify 
 and disconcert Mr " Y" by asking him in a crowd who 
 was listening to "Y's" yarns of doings in the late war, 
 "How many rebels he ever killed?" What made the 
 inquiry most aggravating, was that Mr. " Y" had been a 
 good soldier in the Mexican war and was of an age not to 
 be snubbed like a young buck of the civil war, so finally, 
 having patiently endured the periodical question that came 
 to him every fifteen minutes like one of those night-mare- 
 rotten-old-fashioned shells that used to break in on our Port 
 Hudson snoozers, Mr. " Y" turned on his tormentor, and 
 told him very spitefully that he had killed an almighty 
 sight more of rebs. than they had of him, which axiomatic 
 statement shut up the questioner. 
 
 Frank J. Lawrence was wounded soon after he had gone 
 a few steps to the rear. A solid shot from the enemy 
 glanced from the trunk of a tree and passed near one of 
 his legs. Capt. J. M. Blanchard says that it was a pecul- 
 iar case. It is not known that the shot even grazed his 
 leg ; the skin was not broken in any place, but there was 
 a black stripe about two inches wide on and from the thigh 
 
228 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 down, and the bones of the foot and lower portion of the 
 leg were crushed. He adds that as they carried him off 
 the field, he coolly marked time so that the stretcher bear- 
 ei-s might step together and cause less jar ; that he saw 
 him next day, and that he had suffered amputation below 
 the knee. He was carried to hospital at Baton Rouge and 
 there died on June 30, after the third amputation. 
 
 Such cases as the above are very rare. The old 
 fashioned idea was that the bones were crumbled by the 
 wind of the ball in passing. A modern theory is that a 
 certain rotary motion of the passing ball causes the strange 
 effect. 
 
 Passing on to the top of the ridge, I saw three men about 
 half way on towards the intrenchments, apparently light- 
 ing their pipes Their attitudes and position were instantly 
 photographed upon my memory as if by one of our modern 
 kodaks. The fact that their backs were to the enemy, and 
 that they were standing quietly as if merely looking over 
 the ground, all this while active firing was going on all 
 about them, looked, when recalled, as at least odd ; but 
 they were forgotten for ten minutes as I passed over to the 
 slight depression where the major, who was in command 
 of the regiment was stationed. He told me that the regi- 
 ment was ordered back from the front, and as I started out 
 to notify all, the spot upon which the three men stood, was 
 vacant, and they were seen just vanishing around an angle 
 of the rebel works far to the right. The three men started 
 the fire which, with the help of the wind, rapidly swept 
 the ground over which we had fought all the morning. It 
 did not probabl}' do much damage, but the smoke was in 
 our faces, and some wounded may have suffered. 
 
 The Confederate line of defense here fell off sharply on 
 the right, and after proceeding about a third of a mile to a 
 spot in the Wood clear of underbrush where Lieutenant 
 Thompson of Company E was shot on the 29th, I found 
 some of the right wing, and then returned to our line of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 229 
 
 advance in the morning. Right there I met Lieutenant 
 King, acting ordinance officer, 3d division, who had 
 charge of the ammunition train. The meeting was acci- 
 dental, -but it could not have been more satisfactorj- if it 
 had been primarily planned. We have since thought it, 
 as we did then, very refreshing. I then turned to the 
 right again, my attention being called by the energetic 
 appeals of an aid who stood, before General Dwight who 
 was sitting at the foot of a big magnolia tree. The aid 
 was asking the general to allow the colored troops who 
 had charged on the right, to retire to the rear, but the 
 general refused, ordering " charge again." The aid ven- 
 turing to remonstrate, a bit of shell came spinning in near 
 by. Says General Dwight to the aid, " Don't jump, it's 
 nothing but a shell," running the last word up through an 
 octave in tone. The aid kept on with his entreaty, saying 
 that the colored regiments were all cut up and had lost 
 half their numbers, but Dwight broke in sharply saying, 
 " Charge again, and let the impetuosity of the charge 
 counterbalance the paucity of the numbers." (The strik- 
 ing verbosity and pomposity of the order caused me to 
 recollect the wording exactly.) The aid, of course, 
 retired. It was said that General Dwight was greatly 
 opposed to the use of colored troops in the field and 
 thought, like many others, that their place was in garrison 
 and there only under the bravest and most reliable white 
 officers, as when they entered the service, they were as 
 children with little of the stimulus of ambition to energize 
 and uplift them, and that therefore they placed their reli- 
 ance upon their white officers. Under their influence, 
 where properly led, they would at least start to go or do 
 as they were bidden, but were easily confused, for there 
 was little or none of the inter-dependence which is found 
 in the ranks of white soldiers, and assists their esfrit de 
 corps; but their services were important, sometimes glori- 
 ous, which is remarkable, considering that they had been 
 
230 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 previously slaves M^ith all which that implies in regard to 
 will and manhood. It is but just to say that these remarks 
 apply to the mass of the thousands enlisted, and not to 
 those from the North merely, nor to those recruited in and 
 near the great cities of the South. The majority could 
 fight when Providence seemed to be on their side, but 
 when adversity came they had no reserve force, had no 
 self-reliance, and, too, disease swept them away swiftly, 
 as they died quickly from lack of the higher pluck or 
 moral courage. We think that the friends of the colored 
 soldier will admit that the charges on the enemy at Port 
 Hudson and Wagner, were made by a higher class of 
 men than those generally in the field. Capt. T. C. Pres- 
 cott writes of them as follows : ' ' The two colored regi- 
 ments who were under observation, acquitted themselves 
 like veterans, standing under heavy fire for hours, and 
 this first experiment with that class of soldiers proved 
 their valor and worth. They suffered severe losses, and 
 as we moved back at night to our quarters, we passed the 
 little house on the road where a temporary hospital had 
 been established for them, and at the back door of this 
 house we saw a pile of considerable size of legs and arms 
 which had been amputated from those poor fellows." 
 
 Banks to Weitzel : 
 
 May 27th, 1863, 10.40 A. M. Grover will re-enforce 
 you with his whole force, except one regiment. Augur 
 and Sherman will attack at once. 
 
 Banks to Weitzel : 
 
 May 27, 1863, 1.4s p. M. General, — General Sher- 
 man has failed utterly and criminally to bring his men 
 into the field. At 12 m. I found him at dinner, his staff 
 officers all with their horses unsaddled, and none knowing 
 where to find their command. I have placed Gen. 
 Andrews in command to advance with Augur who waits 
 for him. 1 should have sent Augur to you, but thought 
 Andrews could join sooner than he could reach you. We 
 hear that you are supporting your position successfully. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 231 
 
 General Sherman s failure to charge was not due to any 
 lack of push or bravery. It has never been fully explained, 
 and as he died soon after, it probably never will be. 
 
 Just after the regiment had been called back to the edge 
 of the wood, not out of range, about 2 p. m., a line of white 
 flags appeared along the rebel breastworks. I heard Major 
 Smith call out, " Port Hudson has surrendered." Major- 
 General Gardner on a white horse was seen galloping along 
 inside the rebel line. Afterwards it was reported that one 
 of our shells had burst in one of their batteries, killing 
 twenty-five men and doing so much damage that they 
 called for a truce. After writing to many parties who 
 know nothing of it, including General Andrews (General 
 Banks' chief of staff) , who has very kindly furnished 
 many valuable facts, I conclude to put in the following 
 newspaper account. It is at least interesting reading, and 
 will serve the purpose of setting the boys talking. It 
 agrees in time with the display of flags above mentioned. 
 
 A strange incident happened during this assault, that 
 might have resulted in the surrender of Port Hudson. At 
 one moment a white flag showed above a rampart in the 
 fort. A regiment of men in butternut gray filed out at an 
 opening and stacked arms. 
 
 "What does that mean?" asked the Union troops 
 nearest them. 
 
 "We suppose we have surrendered," replied the men 
 in butternut gray. 
 
 If any Union officer of sufficiently high rank had been 
 present to order the Union troops to enter the fort, the Port 
 Hudson siege would have then and there ended. But 
 there was no such officer near enough to the skirmish line. 
 There was an interval of silence and waiting on the part of 
 both armies. Then a Confederate officer, said to be Gen- 
 eral Gardner himself, rode out of the opening and qrdered 
 the surrendering regiment back within their intrenchments. 
 
 An incident both ludicrous and tragic caused the display 
 of this white flag. A New York colonel had been leading 
 the advance column. Carried away by his enthusiasm, 
 he had approached nearer and nearer the Confederate 
 
232 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 works till, turning suddenly, he found himself, single 
 handed, up to their very lines. Either to advance or 
 retreat would have been certain death. At this emergency 
 he tied his handkerchief to a stick in token of his personal 
 surrender. A Confederate colonel some distance away 
 saw the handkerchief above the Confederate lines, fancied 
 it was displayed by the Southern side, and at once got out 
 his handkerchief and waved it, believing that the proper 
 thing to do. The New York colonel succeeded in getting 
 away, but the Confederate colonel was court martialed. 
 
 The same reliable author says that General Gardner re- 
 plied to General Banks' demand for surrender on June 13, 
 that he felt it to be his duty to hold out as long as Vicks- 
 burg did. The same says in " The Reformer" of Brattle- 
 boro', Vt., that one, Sergt. Rufe Dooley of the Twenty-first 
 Indiana, fired a gun whose shell struck the hard packed 
 face of the rebel works, exploded, and a piece flew back 
 high overhead and crushed the skull of a Union soldier a 
 long way in rear of the gun, which was stationed on the 
 west side of the river, (according to Lieut. Freret) three 
 fourths of a mile distant. The Twenty-first at least fired 
 splendidly and did tremendous execution (see Freret's 
 account) , but out of such capacity are born squads of lies. 
 
 Personal. — Lieut.-Col. O. W. Lull was commissioned 
 October i, 1861. He died fighting gallantly for his coun- 
 try at the head of his regiment, on May 27, 1863, his age 
 being thirty-seven years. He was a man of commanding 
 presence, of marked character, persistent, of great energy, 
 even aggressive. Such a man always has enemies, but 
 his were ready to concede that he was honest and consis- 
 tent. Whatever he was and whatever he accomplished, 
 was done by no favoritism, but by his own eflx)rts. In his 
 youth, he received but a high school education, afterwards 
 teaching and studying law in Framingham, Mass., and 
 finishing the prescribed course with the Hon. David Cross 
 at Manchester, New Hampshire, being admitted to the 
 
 Middlesex county, Mass., and the Hillsboro' county bar in 
 1852. 
 
CL-'T^^i.^^i^ 
 
 0, ^^, X^. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 233 
 
 In 1848, he married Mary Augusta, granddaughter of 
 Gen. Stephen Hoyt, of Bradford, N. H. 
 
 One child only remains living, a daughter, Ada 
 Georgianna, wife of Hon. M. J. Gray, now of Crested 
 Butte, Col. Little Nell sleeps beside her father and 
 grand-parents who loved her so well. 
 
 He commenced and continued a lucrative law practice 
 in Milford, N. H., until the breaking out of the civil war. 
 At that time he held a commission as First Lieutenant in 
 the Governor's Horse Guards. Instead of doing as some 
 prominent military peace men did do, viz. : throw up his 
 commission and attend to getting rich on the country's 
 misfortunes, or wear in certain positions the insignia of 
 rank while shirking the dangers of war, he offered his serv- 
 ices to the governor of the State and went forth to battle 
 for its honor and the preservation of the Union. In fact, 
 he was always urgent to be at the extreme front. Before 
 me lies one of his letters addressed to General Banks at 
 New Orleans asking for further instructions in regard to the 
 status of the n.egro, that black ghost that will not, to-day, 
 "down" at anyone's bidding. He finally says, he then 
 being provost judge of the military district of Lafourche, 
 " I hope, general, on the moving of General Weitzel's 
 Brigade, to be relieved from my present position and 
 duties, as fighting disloyalty is much more to my taste than 
 settling the peccadilloes of negroes and planters." Many 
 men would have preferred to enjoy the dignity, power, and 
 comparative ease of his semi-civil position at Thibodeaux, 
 La. 
 
 The above extract is in line with the sentiment expressed 
 at home in public in 1861, as follows : "I am willing to 
 give all that I have, all that I am, or expect to be, for my 
 country, in this her hour of peril, asking only that the dear 
 old flag may be my winding sheet." It is appropriately 
 graven upon the marble shaft that now stands over his 
 grave where his remains rest in the ancient cemetery situ- 
 
234 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ated upon a high bluff above the Souhegan river at the 
 chosen home of his early manhood. Over him the grand 
 old pines sigh a requiem, and around, the "forefathers of 
 the hamlet sleep." A little way off is the bustling centre of 
 trade, and often we have heard his old friends say at times 
 which called for private or public action, " What would 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Lull have said or done now, if he had 
 come back to us in the pride of his strength and intellect 
 to take his willing share of the burdens of the hour?" 
 
 At the time of his departure, friends in Milford presented 
 him with a sword and belt, also friends in Nashua with a. 
 fine horse and trappings. In regard to the particulars and 
 manner of his death, the following accounts are at hand. 
 
 At the time that we approached the defences of Port 
 Hudson, he was in a place of honor and comparative 
 safety ; but he chose, on invitation of the officers of the 
 regiment, to leave the staff of General Emory and assume 
 the command of his own regiment, as Colonel Fearing was 
 acting brigadier-general and led the second brigade. 
 
 On the evening of May 26, as we prepared to bivouac in 
 the woods , within three hundred yards of the enemy's 
 intrenchments, he said in a familiar way but reverent tone, 
 " Boys, eat your suppers, say your prayers, sleep well, 
 and in the morning we will attack Port Hudson. Some 
 of us will be sure to fall, but you know that all good sol- 
 diers go to heaven." At daylight we formed our lines of 
 battle, Lieutenant-Colonel Lull was seen writing a note, 
 resting his paper upon the pommel of his saddle. It was 
 despatched to Lieutenant-Colonel Bean of the Fourth 
 Wisconsin, who also lost his life upon the same day. It 
 read as follows : " The Eighth New Hampshire greets 
 the Fourth Wisconsin, and will march with you into Port 
 Hudson to-day or die." A line to his wife reads thus: 
 " Dearest Wife and Little Ada, — This morning we storm 
 Port Hudson, many of us will never see another day; if I 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 235 
 
 am one, I shall have done my duty. Good bye, God bless 
 you, dear old father, mother, all. 
 
 (Signed) Oliver W. Lull." 
 
 He then dismounted and gave his writings and valuables 
 to a friend. Perhaps it is well hereto remark that, judging 
 from the general trend of his action and expressed thought, 
 his friends think that he then had a strong presentiment of 
 near death. If so, how much greater the courage needed 
 to face it, that moral courage which is sublime, which we 
 think finally gave the victory to the North, so much was 
 seen of the collapse of mere physical courage. Soon he 
 moved to the right in consultation with Brig. -Gen. Halbert 
 E. Paine, commanding. Then, turning to the writer he 
 said, "Captain, deploy your company as skirmishers, find 
 that gun (one that was shelling us through the woods upon 
 our left) and take it if you can." 
 
 Twenty-nine men of Company B had enlisted in Mil- 
 ford. The first lieutenant, Charles H. Camp, was then 
 a law student in his office. As has been said, the com- 
 pany was his provost guard the previous winter at Thibo- 
 deaux, and as it moved on obeying the order, that 
 was the last time that any of its members saw Colonel Lull 
 alive, as the regiment immediately charged to the right 
 and our company obliqued to the left. He was soon 
 struck by a Minie-ball while cheering on the regiment. 
 The wound was not instantly fatal, and as he was being 
 carried to the rear, he called out to his old comrades, 
 "Don't let the regiment break ; we can whip them." But at 
 about six o'clock that evening he died. His last words 
 were of his family, and finally when informed that he could 
 not live he said, "Thank God! I die for my country." 
 His body was put in a receiving tomb at New Orleans, and 
 in the autumn removed to Milford, where on November 17, 
 in the church in which the deceased was accustomed to 
 worship, the funeral services were held. The church was 
 filled with sorrowing kindred arid friends. A detachment 
 
236 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 of the governor's horse guards was present and performed 
 escort duty. At the close of the religious exercises Hon. 
 David Cross of Manchester spoke in terms of highest 
 eulogy of the deceased, and the remains of the distin- 
 guished dead were conveyed to their final resting place. 
 
 An extract from a letter to his wife, contains the follow- 
 ing assertion which was prophetic of the final ending of 
 that for which he paid a treasure which is dearest to man, 
 his life ! "I am for fighting until the South makes an 
 unconditional submission to the Constitution and Laws of 
 the United States ; no hesitation ; no compromises ; no con- 
 cessions." A forcible and noble sentiment supplemented 
 by an honorable record. 
 
 Lieut. John J. Nolan as an eye witness, gives the fol- 
 lowing particulars in regard to the charge on the 27th, 
 and the fall of Colonel Lull. "Though all of the field ofii- 
 cers were ordered to go into the fight on foot, the colonel 
 ordered Joel Stimpson to bring up his horse, I carried that 
 order. He then called me to him and said, 'Johnnie, I 
 want you to bring those colors to-night to my headquarters 
 in Port Hudson.' I answered, 'I will, colonel, if I am 
 alive.' When General Paine gave the order to advance, 
 the colonel was directly in rear of our regiment behind 
 the colors. When the brigade in front ceased to advance, 
 he ordered Colonel Lull to charge as we had arrived at 
 very serious obstructions, abattis, etc. Colonel Lull dis- 
 mounted and, placing himself about twelve paces in front 
 of the colors, gave, while waving his sword, this his 
 last command, 'Eighth New Hampshire, forward, smartly 
 and steadily, and follow me.' When he was shot, he 
 dropped on his sword and tried to steady himself, and I 
 passed on within three paces of him. I saw the action, 
 but did not see him fall, and did not think or know that he 
 was badly wounded until after the battle." 
 
 Comrade H. J. Durgin's account: "Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Lull was the second one that I helped to bring off" the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 237 
 
 field. He was struck in the thigh. The doctor said that 
 the bone was not broken, yet as he died before night, it 
 was thought that the ball glanced up and cut an artery." 
 
 Comrade Charles F. Smith was a drummer in Company 
 E. Among incidents of the service, he relates that on the 
 27th of May, 1863, he helped carry Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Lull off the field, being shown where he lay by Lieut. 
 Tyler M. Shattuck, of whom, by the way, Principal 
 Musician H. J. Durgin, who had charge of the stretcher 
 bearers, speaks in the highest terms in regard to the help 
 given freely by him at all such times. His duties as com- 
 missary, of course, did not demand that he should be up 
 there in so dangerous a position at the front ; but he says 
 that he often met him in such places when he least 
 expected to see him; that he (Shattuck) had a great deal 
 of esprt'i de cor^s — a pride in the old Eighth. 
 
 Sergt. C. A. Emerson's letter, extract : 
 
 On the 27th of May we got well scattered at the latter 
 part of the day. I got well up to the works on the right 
 of where we went in. I think that if a regiment could have 
 been organized from the remnants up there, it could have 
 easily gone in. The rebs seemed to be prepared and 
 expected to surrender. If Lieutenant-Colonel Lull had 
 lived, he would have been the kind of a man to have 
 headed a party to go in. 
 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan's letter, extract : 
 
 May 27th. The flag that I carried was then partly torn 
 away by a piece of shell, and two sets of color-guards 
 were nearly all shot down. I was wounded, and none of 
 them escaped untouched, except a corporal of Company 
 B, I forget his name, who was killed on June 14th. 
 
 The above named corporal was Edward P. Ross, of 
 Company B, a very peculiar and a very brave fellow. He 
 was one of the few who would tell what he was going to 
 do, and then go and do it, and perhaps more, to the great 
 surprise of some of the doubters. He was not satisfied as 
 
238 HfsTORY OF THE ElGHTH ReGIMENT 
 
 corporal until he got upon the color guard, and he felt a 
 great pride in his colors. He spoke of taking them up on 
 the skirmish line on June 14, but as that was not allowable, 
 he said that he was not going to be cheated out of that 
 fight, and so in the gallant attempt he lost his life, which 
 he might have saved for a while, at least, by remaining in 
 his rightful and honorable place. His record is thus 
 worthy of being preserved. 
 
 By Lieutenant Nolan : 
 
 A curious circumstance was the death of Edward Metti- 
 mus, of Company K. On May 27th he was shot through 
 the neck, cutting the windpipe. He lived until the next 
 day. We went to see him. He made an attempt to drink 
 our health in a dipper of water, but the water ran out 
 through the hole in his windpipe, and he instantly lay 
 down and died. 
 
 Banks to Grant, May 28 : 
 
 General, — May 27th, we made a combined assault on 
 Port Hudson. The fight was very bitter and our losses 
 severe. Our men, after a march of five hundred miles, 
 have done all that could be expected or required. 
 
 Banks to Gardner, May 28, 1863, 6 a. m. : 
 
 I have the honor to request that there may be a suspen- 
 sion of hostilities until 2 p. m., in order that the dead and 
 wounded may be brought off the field. 
 
 Gardner to Banks : 
 
 7.30 A. M. I consent, provided you withdraw your 
 entire force to a distance of not less than eight hundred 
 yards of my lines and send in only unarmed parties for 
 that purpose ; also that the fleet withdraw to its original 
 position. 
 
 Banks to Gardner, 8.30 A. m. (in reply to note of 7.30) : 
 
 I cannot comply with your request to withdraw my 
 entire force to a distance of not less than eight hundred 
 yards from your lines. I cheerfully consent that only 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 239 
 
 unarmed parties remove the dead and wounded. It is 
 unnecessary for me to refer to your suggestion in regard 
 to the fleet, as I am compelled to decline compliance with 
 a similar request in regard to the forces wholly under my 
 own command. I have the honor to renew my request for 
 a general suspension of hostilities for the purposes named. 
 
 Gardner to Banks, May 28, 1863 : 
 
 Your note of 8.30 received. As a matter of humanity, 
 I will comply with your request to permit unarmed parties 
 to pick up the killed and the wounded, if you will give 
 orders that your skirmishers shall not make any advance 
 toward my breastworks. I am compelled to make this 
 request or condition, because your entire line moved some- 
 what forward yesterday afternoon under white flags dis- 
 played. The fleet is still firing, and your skirmishers on 
 my left also. I must request that hostilities shall entirely 
 cease to carry out the object you desire. I will fix the 
 time until 2 p. m. which can be further extended if 
 required. 
 
 I have also to request that I may be permitted to send 
 unarmed parties into the woods on my left to pick up the 
 killed and wounded. 
 
 Banks to Gardner, May 28, 10 A. m. : 
 
 I accept the proposed conditions. I have given orders 
 to suspend firing from this moment ; also that no flag of 
 truce shall be used without authority from these headquar- 
 ters. If any incident like that which you refer to, has 
 occurred, it is through misunderstanding, and will not be 
 permitted. It is my desire to take no advantage of any 
 arrangements which may be consented to on your part 
 tending to mitigate the horrors of war. 
 
 P. S. I have ascertained that a white flag was in fact 
 improperly used on my right yesterdaj'. It was displayed 
 by an inexperienced officer, without the knowledge of 
 his commanders, and the flag which you displayed in 
 acknowledgement, gave them the first information of its 
 existence. I need hardly say that I regret the circum- 
 stance exceedingly, as I have taken great pains to enforce 
 the observance of the usages of war in regard to such flags 
 within my command. 
 
240 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Same. Gardner to Banks : 
 
 General, — I am informed that your troops are erect- 
 ing a battery within easy range on my left. As this work 
 could be materially interfered with if I should open on 
 them, I conside^^it a violation of"the truce. 
 
 Same. Banks to Gardner, May 28, i.io p. m. : 
 
 It was my intention in proposing a cessation of hostili- 
 ties, for the purpose of relieving the wounded, to cease all 
 offensive operations, and have given orders to this effect. 
 I have sent a staff officer to ascertain if work is being done 
 of the character you describe, and if so, to suspend it. 
 Several complaints of infringements by your command 
 have been made to me. I have considered them unauthor- 
 ized by you, and have forbidden my men to return them • 
 in kind. 
 
 The foregoing correspondence about the flags of truce 
 of May 27 and 28, is given quite fully as it deserves, both 
 as concerns those days, and afterwards during the siege. 
 The final decision after the passage of four more notes, 
 was embodied in the following circular : 
 
 Hdqtrs. Dept. of the Gulf, 
 19TH Army Corps, before Port Hudson, 
 
 May 28th, 1863, 3.30 p. m. 
 A suspension of hostilities until 7 p. m. is just agreed on. 
 The conditions are 
 
 First, Total suspension of hostilities, 
 Second, We are to send the enemy's killed, who have 
 not been buried, and his wounded, not picked up and sent 
 to the rear, to the enemy's lines by unarmed parties. 
 
 Third, We are to send unarmed parties to pick up 
 our own killed and wounded bt^fore the works. 
 
 Fourth, Our skirmishers are not to advance during the 
 armistice. 
 
 These conditions will be strictly observed. 
 
 By command of Maj. Gen. Banks. 
 Rich'd B. Irwin, A. A. General. 
 
 Banks to Farragut, May 29 : 
 
 The enemy took advantage of the armistice yesterday 
 to move the commissary stores from the storehouse on. our 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 241 
 
 right, which was under our fire, and to mass new guns 
 against us in that quarter. 
 
 In the light of subsequent events it is well to make note 
 of the strong language used by Halleck at Washington to 
 Banks on the spot, as follows : 
 
 Halleck to Banks, June 3, 1863 : 
 
 I cannot ascertain from your letters whether you pro- 
 pose to reinforce General Grant or not. The newspapers 
 say that you are moving on Port Hudson instead of coop- 
 erating with Grant, leaving the latter to fight both Johnston 
 . and Pemberton. As this is so contrary to all your instruc- 
 tions, and so opposed to military principles, I can hardly 
 believe it true. 
 
 June 4, 1863, same : 
 
 I received from you four letters yesterday. They 
 account for your, before now unaccountable, movement on 
 Port Hudson. As at Alexandria you were almost as near 
 to Grand Gulf as to Port Hudson, we thought it very 
 strange that you and Grant should move in opposite direc- 
 tions to attack both places at the same time. I hope that 
 you have ere this given up your attempt on Port Hudson 
 and sent all your spare forces to Gen. Grant. 
 
 Halleck is ably answered in the following : 
 
 Banks to Halleck, June 4 , 1863 : 
 
 General, — I marched to Alexandria for the double 
 purpose of dispersing the rebel army said to be concen- 
 trating there under Kirby Smith and destroying the mate- 
 rials upon which an army could be organized or supported 
 in that country. In both objects I succeeded. The 
 enemy was driven into the pine woods more than seventy 
 miles above Alexandria and the destruction and seizure of 
 war material, the advantage of which I am now reaping, 
 has made it impossible to organize and supply a large 
 force from that country. Besides, my arrangement with 
 Gen. Grant, upon his own proposition, was that I should 
 join a corps of his force in the reduction of Port Hudson 
 on May 25th. I reached this place on the 23d, and a 
 
2^2 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 part of my force was earlier prepared for the attack. It 
 was only at Alexandria that I learned that Gen. Grant had 
 been diverted from his original plan. If now I abandon 
 Port Hudson, I leave its garrison, some seven thousand 
 strong, the force under Mouton and Sibley now threaten- 
 ing Brashear City and the army of Mobile large or small 
 to threaten or attack Mobile. If I go to defend New 
 Orleans, the enemy here will go against Grant. If I go 
 to aid him my rear will be seriously threatened. Under 
 these circumstances, my onl}- course seems to be to carry 
 this post as soon as possible, and then to join Gen. Grant. 
 The separation of the two armies is occasioned by the 
 departure from the original plan of operations. I came 
 here finally after the failure of the first plan, upon the 
 assurance of Gen. Grant, brought by Brig. Gen. Dwight, 
 an oflScer sent specially to him, that he could still probably 
 aid us by a small force, not so large as at first contem- 
 plated, but sufficient for our purpose. I believe Gen. 
 Grant to be still of opinion, as he was then, that an aban- 
 donment of Port Hudson would relieve as strong a force 
 of the enemy to reinforce Gen. Johnston as it would bring 
 to his own aid. 
 
 Upon June i8. Banks feels obliged still to tell Halleck, 
 as follows: "It was not till after the assault of May 
 27th, that Colonel Riggin, Grant's aide-de-camp, brought 
 word that Grant could not spare the troops that he promised 
 General Dwight to send to Banks at Port Hudson ; that 
 Colonel Riggin himself, thought that Port Hudson ought 
 to be first reduced ; that he went to Port Hudson by express 
 appointment of General Grant ; that it was then, or after 
 May 27th, impossible to withdraw without great injury to 
 the government," etc. 
 
 Banks to Grant, May 29, 1863, extract: 
 
 General, — When I came to Port Hudson it was with 
 the understanding from Gen. Dwight's report, that you 
 could assist us in its reduction. It is not stronger than I 
 supposed, but stronger than any one here would for a 
 moment admit. With ten thousand men in addition, we 
 could soon reduce it. I had expected to meet your troops 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 243 
 
 here on the 25th of May in accordance with your letter 
 and despatch. According to your original proposition, all 
 my movements have been made. All we now want are 
 men and muskets. Col. Riggin will inform you what my 
 force is, and how slight the aid I could give you now. By 
 the concentration of our forces, even at some risk, we shall 
 succeed. 
 
 Grant to Banks : 
 
 In Rear of Vicksburg, May 31, '6^. 
 
 General, — Your letters of 28 and 29 instant, by Col. 
 Riggin have just been received. 
 
 While I regret the situation in which they left you, I 
 can make no detachment from my force now. If ten 
 thousand men were taken from my command, I could not 
 answer for the result. Like yourself, all I want now are 
 men. 
 
 The bloody work of May 27 was more than a recon- 
 naissance. We found the lay of the land, we found the 
 enemy ; caged him, and got an idea of his strength, as he 
 did of ours. After that, day and night, there was a con- 
 tinual feeling of him ; a concentration of forces in working 
 up to their lines of defense. On the 30th of May, Com- 
 pany B went into rifle pits a little to the right of our 
 charge of the 27th, and within easy musket shot of the 
 rebel parapet. That night was to us a most uncomforta- 
 ble one. We gained ground forward in the woods to 
 within a few rods of our destination and bivouacked, if that 
 word is proper in describing a sitting up and getting what 
 little sleep we could in a clayed ditch about four feet deep, 
 so crooked that we could choose our positions away from 
 the direct line of fire of the gun we came down to silence, 
 and which sent a shot about every fifteen minutes into our 
 place of broken snooze. The next morning we gained 
 our position forward behind a breastwork of logs, and 
 commenced our job of "keeping that gun down" till 
 Nims' battery could get into position on our left without 
 interruption. We spat the bullets into the embrasure for 
 
244 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 several hours, the rule being for each to make the "dirt 
 fly " which we did to such advantage that the enemy man- 
 aged to load but once during that day and let us know by 
 a close shot that they appreciated our efforts. After 
 Nims' battery was ready and began firing, the second shot 
 knocked the piece awry, and the third cocked the gun 
 right up into the air, which brought out a big cheer on our 
 side. The entrance to our pit was dangerous, as it was 
 elevated and clear of obstructions, and we used to shout 
 to all new comers to come in lively, " double quick." 
 Our negro cook, Morris, had a comical way of doubling 
 himself into a ball and rolling in with his hot coffee. He 
 and his coming and his impedimenta, our rations, were 
 always looked for and cheered with interest. Sergt. C. 
 A. Emerson says of him that he was as brave a man as 
 was in the Eighth, and would find Company B and bring 
 their rations up if he had to go through a shower of solid 
 rebel lead. 
 
 In that rifle pit we took some serious lessons in sharp- 
 shooting. On the level between us and the fortified 
 heights, the enemy was busy from his rifle pits in laying 
 us out, and the officer in charge, put some of our emptied 
 ammunition boxes filled with gravel upon our breastworks, 
 raised upon stones and sticks, so as to allow of musket 
 firing from beneath, but Corp. George A. Dustin thought 
 that there was no danger and fired more openly ; conse- 
 quently he soon fell with a rebel bullet through his brain. 
 It was for him a painless death, and his comrades sorrow- 
 fully took him away upon a stretcher. He was a good 
 soldier and very popular. After that our boys were more 
 careful ; but a Fourth Wisconsin fellow soon crawled out 
 from behind a fallen big tree lying at about right angles to 
 our line, hanging on to his shoulder. He said that the 
 "rebs. had found him." That western lot of boys were 
 always running around to find good places to shoot from, 
 and they were equal to the rebs. at any time, having at 
 home practiced on squirrels, coons, and bears. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 245 
 
 Confederate account : 
 
 Thursday, May 28th. A formal flag having been pre- 
 sented by Gen. Banks and accepted by Gen. Gardner, a 
 cessation of hostilities was agreed on from 12 m. to 7 p. 
 M. Two thirds of the loss sustained during the siege by 
 our left wing, occurred on the 27th. The loth Arkansas 
 lost 80. The 15th, lost 70 ; the First Alabama, 75. 
 
 According to Fox's statistics, the Confederates at this 
 time and forward, acting by orders from Richmond, made 
 no official or any definite statements of losses in battle. 
 Fox gives the total Union loss on May 27, as 293 killed, 
 1,545 wounded, and 157 missing, equalling 1,995. Our 
 regimental loss was, out of 298, 124 killed and wounded; 
 none missing. 
 
 An inside view of the Confederate plans and mode of 
 defense in and about Port Hudson, will be here inserted. 
 It is a condensed compilation of a report by Lieut. James 
 Freret, one of the active defenders of Port Hudson during 
 the siege, who is now a civil engineer in New Orleans : 
 
 On the north of the fortifications (where the 8th first 
 struck them) , the ground was suddenly very much broken, 
 densely wooded, and almost impassable to Sandy creek, 
 a branch of Thompson's creek. The occupation of Port 
 Hudson was determined on in July, 1862. Gen. Ruggles 
 began a line of detached works eight miles long. This 
 would require by military rule a force of defense of twenty- 
 eight thousand men, a reserve of seven thousand, and 
 seventy pieces of artillery, accordingly that line was aban- 
 doned as impracticable. A change of commanders placed 
 Gen. N. R. Beal in charge, and a new and continuous 
 angular line was surveyed on a contracted scope, com- 
 mencing two and one half miles below Port Hudson, and 
 describing a slight curve to a point on Sandy creek one 
 mile back of the town. For about three quarters of a 
 mile, the line crossed a broken series of ridges, plateaus 
 and ravines. For the next mile and a quarter, it traversed 
 Gibbon's and Slaughter's fields where a wide, level plain 
 seemed formed on purpose for a battle-field. Another 
 quarter of a mile -carried it through deep and irregular 
 
246 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 gullies, and for three quarters of a mile more it led through 
 fields and on hills to a deep gorge in the bottom of which 
 lay Sandy creek, thence to the Mississippi river was 
 about a mile and a half. This was a line -four miles and 
 a half long, which required by the books eighteen thou- 
 sand men to hold, including reserves. Through the sum- 
 mer and fall a small force of negroes was kept at work on 
 that line throwing up breastworks and finally soldiers were 
 called to help. When Gen. Banks threatened an attack 
 about the loth of March, 1863, the work was still unfin- 
 ished. Some little activity now became manifest, so that 
 when the siege, really commenced, the line had reached 
 the broken ground to the north of the Clinton road. Soon 
 after, the gloomy looking " Essex" floated down opposite 
 us and went up the river again. The water batteries were 
 then in process of excavation. The "Essex" got ready 
 to go down again, and taking the " Anglo-American" on 
 her starboard side, ran past at 4 a. m. Besides a few 
 field pieces, we opened on her with two forty-two 
 pounders, and a twenty-pound Parrot that had just arrived. 
 She replied, killing one of our horses. 
 
 During the fall and winter heavy guns for river defense 
 arrived and were put in position. A three-pit battery was 
 built at the water's edge and two others sixty feet up at 
 the top of the bluff". Gen. Frank Gardner took command 
 on the 27th of December, 1862, and immediately ordered 
 changes, particularly as regarded subjects of engineering 
 skill. The whole system of river defense was altered so 
 as to cluster the heaviest guns together, bringing them all 
 within a contracted scope, and to support each other. 
 Awakened energy was seen on every side and the spirit of 
 the troops was at a high pitch. During the months of 
 January and February, 1863, troops arrived in considera- 
 ble numbers. Three brigades were formed under the 
 commands of Generals Beal, Maxey and Gregg. In 
 March a brigade arrived commanded by Gen. Rust. 
 About the loth of March it became known that Gen. 
 Banks would make a demonstration of some kind. He 
 moved from Baton Rouge with his whole force, and we 
 were prepared to meet him on the thirteenth. On the 
 14th, Rust in the advance, tried to feel of the enemy and 
 draw him on, but in vain. Gen. Rust next applied for 
 permission to get around Banks' right flank, but was 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 247 
 
 refused ; meanwhile the Federal fleet moved up the river. 
 From the Federal fleet the flag-ship " Hartford " with a 
 gunboat on her port side came so near to our battery on 
 passing, that a pistol shot would have taken effect on her 
 deck at that moment. Owing to the want of reliable fric- 
 tion tubes, we were compelled to use the priming horn 
 and port fires, which, at best, are unreliable in a dark 
 night, and the port fires showed our position. After this, 
 Gen. Banks commenced his campaign against Gen. Tay- 
 lor. We were now lacking provisions ; forage was scarce. 
 On the west side the enemy interfered with our transporta- 
 tion, and the Grierson raid on the east side stopped the 
 corn from coming in, and we failed to stop Grierson. 
 Events began to thicken in this department. Gen. Joe 
 Johnston ordered Port Hudson evacuated; but Gen. Gard- 
 ner had not got beyond Clinton, when he found that Gen. 
 Augur had left Baton Rouge for Port Hudson, and that 
 Banks was coming by forced marches ; so we retreated 
 and the place was finally closed in on all sides upon the 
 2ist of May. The approach of Gen. Augur's division 
 from Baton Rouge, was announced by some slight brushes 
 with our cavalry pickets. 
 
 May 2ist, skirmished heavily all the morning near 
 Plain's store with Augur's advance. More fighting all 
 day ; retired at night with a loss of four officers and 
 eighty-nine men killed. 
 
 Friday, May 22d. Col. Wingfield's cavalry skirmished 
 with the advance of Banks' army moving from Bayou Sara, 
 thirteen miles distant. It had been generally thought that 
 no attack in force would ever be attempted through the 
 swamp above Port Hudson, nor through the heavy timber 
 back of the town ; but it having beconje apparent that the 
 enemy preferred to overcome the natural obstacles of the 
 woods, rather than the artificial ones in shape of fortifica- 
 tions. Gen. Gardner sent a good part of his forces to 
 meet him there, giving the command to Col. Steedman of 
 the 1st Alabama. He had the 15th, loth and i8th 
 Arkansas, ist Ala. and 39th Miss. ; also a company of 
 Wingfield's cavalry dismounted. The left wing had also 
 Herrod's battery and a section apiece of Bradford's and 
 Watson's batteries. Rifle pits were hastily dug and the 
 valleys and gorges were choked with fallen timber, their 
 only protection. 
 
248 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 C. S. A. Colonel Steedman's report of operations in 
 front of the Eighth New Hampshire : 
 
 Sunday p. m., May 24th. With a reinforcement of three 
 battalions, I undertook to determine the enemy's strength 
 and drive him back. Drove back his pickets upon the 
 main body and rested. 
 
 Monday noon, 25th. The enemy advanced twice and 
 although I received reinforcements of two hundred fresh 
 troops, I could not extend my line to Sandy Creek, and 
 the enemy marched around our extreme left and threatened 
 our rear, so we were obliged to fall back to our original 
 position where we remained during the night. These 
 demonstrations showed that the enemy would attack our 
 lines in the vicinity of the commissary depot, arsenal, etc. 
 This evidence being laid before Maj. Gen. Gardner, all 
 the available tools, negroes, etc, were put at the disposal 
 of the chief engineer, and by dawn on Tuesday, a battery 
 of four pieces was in position, and by Wednesday, the 27th, 
 an imperfect line of rifle pits had been thrown up protect- 
 ing the left wing. On Monday, 25th, at the extreme left, 
 the Federals came in heavy force through the plantations 
 of Captain Chambers, Mr. Flower and Mrs. Houston : 
 halting at Sandy Creek they built a pontoon bridge. On 
 Tuesday night it was ready, and we then learned that their 
 extreme right was composed of negro troops. Our casu- 
 alties on the left wing thus far, were about forty in all. 
 The left slept on their arms Tuesday night, the 26th. 
 The enemy were continually cutting timber, moving 
 artillery, etc. My orders were to act on the defensive. 
 Anticipating an attack on Wednesday morning, the 27th, I 
 relieved Miles' battalion and sent in four companies of the 
 1st Ala. Lieut. Col. Locke's command was thusas strong 
 as before. It was about half a mile in advance of Com- 
 missary Hill, and consisted of about five hundred men and 
 no artillery. At about half past five on the morning of 
 May 27th, a heavy artillery fire was opened by the enemy 
 upon the centre and right wing of the defences of Port 
 Hudson. During one hour of this severe firing, there was 
 a perfect calm on the left wing ; the silence was ominous. 
 At about half past seven, without any warning, a heavy 
 body of the enemy in column of regiments, advanced 
 boldly upon Col. Locke's line. In a few moments the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 249 
 
 fight became very severe and raged with great fury. It 
 resulted in considerable loss to us, and a frightful loss to 
 the enemy in consequence of the dense column exposed to 
 our fire, while our men were under cover of logs, trees, 
 ravines, etc. When the enemy deployed his overwhelm- 
 ing force, Lieut. Col. Locke, in obedience to his previous 
 instructions, withdrew his command as promptly as possi- 
 ble to the main Works. Having taken a position in the 
 battery of four guns on Commissary Hill, as soon as I 
 discovered with my glass that our own troops had left the 
 top of the hill and the enemy was occupying it, I ordered 
 this battery to open fire on them. Col. Johnston opened 
 about the same time with two guns from his works. 
 
 Thus began the general engagement and assault upon 
 our left wing. A rapid shelling succeeded in breaking 
 their ranks and creating great confusion in the head of the 
 column, but the artillery fire did not stop the advance. 
 Their lines, though in confusion, were pushed boldly for- 
 ward under cover of the fallen timber and ravines until 
 within good range of our infantry in the rifle pits. The 
 battle was now general on my line, and terrific, continu- 
 ing for two hours with great fury. The enemy's sharp- 
 shooters crept up near our batteries and killed and 
 wounded many of our cannoneers, the falling timber 
 (abattis) giving complete protection. After the enemy 
 found us prepared in front, he fianked to the right, coming 
 up through the field known as the "Bull Pen," but Col. 
 Lyle with the 23d Arkansas, stopped his progress there. 
 Col. Johnston of 15th Arkansas, was heavily assailed at 
 Fort Desperate, but succeeded in driving the masses back. 
 Upon the extreme left of the left wing, occurred one of the 
 most important engagements, not only of the siege of 
 Port Hudson, but of this war. It was a battle between 
 white and negro troops, and as far as I am aware, the first 
 engagement of any magnitude, between the white man 
 and negro. The charge was made by the First and 
 Second " Louisiana Native Guards" (negroes) and two 
 regiments of troops upon the position held by Col. W. B. 
 Shelby of the 39th Mississippi. Shelby says in his report 
 that he determined to hold, at all hazards, a ridge at his 
 front running parallel to the main road and extending to 
 within two hundred yards of the bridge over Sandy Creek. 
 It was a very strong position and easily held by a small 
 
250 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 force. Against this the negro troops advanced under 
 fire, although in confusion and disorder, to within two 
 hundred yards of the extreme left, when the artillery 
 opened on them with canister, and they were driven back 
 with great slaughter after having fired but one volley. 
 Several efforts were made to rally them, but they did not 
 again charge the works during the day. Not a single man 
 was killed or wounded of my command. The enemy used 
 one battery against the left, supported by the negroes, one 
 on the hill opposite the commissary depot and one or more 
 against Col. Johnson (Fort Desperate). The latter were 
 subsequently exceedingly destructive, disabling or dis- 
 mounting most of our artillery by night, and with their 
 sharpshooters, annoying, killing and wounding numbers 
 of our men, but two of their guns were dismounted by a 
 rifled twenty-four pounder manned by a detachment from 
 Company A, First Ala. Vols. The heat of the sun on this 
 day was intense. In the middle of the afternoon a white 
 flag went up and the firing ceased. Upon inquiry, I 
 found that it had been presented by the major of some 
 New York Reg't in front of the ist Alabama. The offi- 
 cer with the flag made the verbal statement that Gen. 
 Banks desired a cessation of hostilities for the purpose of 
 burying his dead. This verbal statement was sent to 
 Gen. Gardner, who rejected it as " informal" and ordered 
 that hostilities be resumed in half an hour. But many of 
 the enemy during this short truce, retired to positions of 
 safety. I have no doubt but that the flag was used for the 
 unlawful purpose of withdrawing the troops to safer 
 positions. 
 
 April 30 to November 30, 1863. Detached abstract 
 from muster roll of First Alabama Volunteers, Colonel 
 Steedman : 
 
 This regiment was withdrawn from west side after first 
 skirmish with Federal cavalry. May 27th, were forced 
 back to a line of defence, a breastwork of logs and rails. 
 This was assaulted with great force by the enemy who 
 attacked with great gallantry, but were repulsed. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King, June 7, letter extract: 
 
 Sergeant J. S. Towle of Co. A was shot through the 
 head near the close of the fight on Ma}' 27th; must have 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 251 
 
 been instantly killed, as when found, his gun was still in 
 his hands. Lieut. G. W. Thompson was killed two days 
 after in the rifle pits by a reb. sharpshooter. Gen. Paine 
 ably filled his position. Our surgeons have done honor to 
 themselves. Dr. Clark was put in charge of one of the 
 main hospitals at the rear, where the amputations were 
 performed, and acquitted himself with credit. Dr. Smith 
 also did well. His position during the fight, was in a 
 temporary hospital where he worked under fire, assisted 
 by Sergt. Tyler M. Shattuck. 
 
 We have been hammering at this job for seventeen 
 days, and the nights are hot! We crawl into grave-like 
 caves for rest ! while the thirteen-inch shells sail up grace- 
 fully into the azure and topple over to come down and , 
 burst and land — anywhere, and one feels like crawling 
 into a pint pot for refuge. 
 
 Port Hudson, General Paine's diary : 
 
 On May 30, a demonstration from Gen. Johnston was 
 apprehended as a heavy rebel force was reported to be in 
 our rear. Attached the 4th Wisconsinv (mounted) to Col. 
 Grierson's cavalry, and sent them out to Clinton on June 
 1st, but they were repulsed by the enemy with considera- 
 ble loss. 
 
 June 4th. By command of Gen. Banks marched with a 
 part of my division reinforced by the 52d Mass. and 91st 
 New York Regs, and Grierson's cavalry to attack the en- 
 emy at Clinton. The extreme heat caused great suffering, 
 my ambulances returned at night loaded with men pros- 
 trated by sunstroke. Bivouacked on the west branch of 
 the Comite ; 5th marched before day for the middle branch 
 of the Comite ; 6th marched at i a. m. and entered Clinton 
 at daylight, the enemy fled and we returned to Port Hud- 
 son on the 9th. 
 
 June 7, Lieutenant King's letter, extract: 
 
 Our regiment, numbering only one hundred and forty 
 for duty, has gone to Clinton. My duties require me to 
 stay at the siege. 
 
 From " Southern Historical Society Papers" : 
 
 About June 5th, the Federals planted a battery of rifled 
 guns on a commanding position opposite to the Slaughter 
 
252 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 pen and kept up a most annoying fire. It was only about 
 four hundred yards from our battery at Bennett's house. 
 It was so destructive to our guns, the cannoneers so ex- 
 posed to sharpshooters, and our ammunition so scarce, 
 that our guns were fired only in cases of necessity. Pits 
 were dug in rear of the platform, in which the guns were 
 placed from under fire, until required for an emergency. 
 
 Port Hudson, La., June 8, 1863. Report of General 
 Beall, C. S. A., commanding brigade (in front of Eighth 
 New Hampshire Volunteers) : 
 
 Sir, — I have just received your communication con- 
 taining instructions from the Maj. Gen. commanding that I 
 shall send eighty men from my line to relieve the Ninth 
 Louisiana . Battalion (Partisan Rangers) on Colonel 
 Miles' line ; that this battalion cannot be trusted on outpost 
 or picket duty; that they are deserting, etc., and that I 
 must put them where they can be watched and shot down 
 in case they desert. I would respectfully call the atten- 
 tion of the Major General to the following facts : Since the 
 enemy have appeared upon my assigned front, more than 
 one third of my best troops have been taken from me and 
 moved to the left, where they now are, under the com- 
 mand of a junior oflicer. This I did not object to in the 
 interests of the service ; but now that eighty men on the 
 right are found, who are worse than no men at all, I do 
 object to having men taken from my line, and eighty sol- 
 diers that cannot be trusted he put in their stead. I have 
 no place to assign these eighty men where they can be 
 watched and fired upon should they attempt to desert. 
 Their place is in the guard house. I cannot guard them 
 on my line. I am respectfully, 
 
 W. N. R. Beall, Brig.-Gen. 
 
 Lieut. Lanier, A. A. A. General. 
 
 Chaplain Cilley's diary : 
 
 June 8th. Have been very unwell since May i8th. 
 Was in New Orleans and attended to many of our wounded 
 at the hospitals. Wrote to Mrs. Lull, giving her probably 
 the first news of her husband's death. Came up on the 
 Iberville ; have distributed the mail. Got a plan and 
 description of the movements of May 27th. Skirmishing 
 is going on continually day and night. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 253 
 
 Confederate. From " Southern Historical Society 
 Papers " : 
 
 About the loth of June, the Federals planted four mor- 
 tars in position near their battery opposite Bennett's house. 
 These gave us great annoyance, being fired day and night, 
 yet few men were killed. Lines of rifle pits confronted 
 ours at every point, even as near as one hundred yards. 
 
 June II, 1863. During the night the Federals threw up 
 a battery pierced for eleven guns in the centre of Schlater's 
 field, and within four hundred yards of our works, con- 
 nected by a line of breastworks with the woods, both on 
 the right and left. The guns were placed therein next 
 night. On the 12th we were heavily bombarded by the 
 land batteries and mortar boats. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 June 1 2th. The old chaplain is the only one of the 
 original staff here on duty. We are all tired and dirty, 
 but wish to see the old flag victorious. Gen. Banks orders 
 that no letters be sent until after the attack on the fort, soon 
 to be made. If my letters are delayed long, I will see 
 that N. H. papers have a good word for Lieut. Col. Lull, 
 for he was a brave man, a great loss to us and our coun- 
 try. He used to talk with me very thoughtfully, and 
 would call for prayers when I had not expected him, which 
 was a pleasure to me. As we are on the eve of a severe 
 battle, more than usual were present at a prayer-meeting 
 in my tent this evening, among the rest young Prescott of 
 Company G, and Lieut. Locke. 
 
254 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Union and Confederate Preparations. — Order of the Assault on June 
 14. — Company G returns to Regiment Banks demands Surren- 
 der General Paine forms his Division for the Assault. — The 
 
 Assault. — Fifty-third Massachusetts, Colonel Kimball. — Adjutant 
 Willis' Account. — Confederate Account. — Personal Experiences by 
 different Parties. — Banks calls for a Storming Column. — Our 
 Depleted Regiment. — Flag of Truce on the 17th. — Losses. — 
 Sergt. C. E. Conarlt, Personal. — Firing on the Wounded and the 
 Relief. — General Paine's Arrest at Baton Rouge in 1862. — Con- 
 federate Outlook from Inside. — King's Letter. 
 
 Confederate account : 
 
 June 1 2th, 1863. Our troops were changed to occupy 
 the following positions permanently during the remainder 
 of the siege. Beall's command from right to left, thus : 
 15th Arkansas, ist Ala., i8th Ark., Wingfield's Company 
 of cavalry, 29th Miss. 
 
 (The 49th Alabama was at the right of the 15th Arkan- 
 sas, close to the railway.) 
 
 Before Port Hudson, June 11, 1863. Union accounts 
 (from " Official Records," Series No. 41, page 548) : 
 
 Special order No. 138. 
 
 For assault on Port Hudson on June 14th. Main 
 assaulting column to march in lines of battle, and the fir- 
 ing should be, if possible, confined to the skirmishers 
 and artillery until the works are carried. The advanced 
 skirmishers should be of the best troops. They and the 
 storming party might be each a well-tried regiment, or 
 volunteers may be called for. 
 
 On the 1 2th of June, 1863, the following order was 
 issued : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 255 
 
 Headquarters Third Division, 
 
 Before Port Hudson, June 12, 1863. 
 
 General Order, No. 64. 
 
 COLUMN OF ATTACK. 
 
 Eighth New Hampshire, Fourth Wisconsin, as skir- 
 mishers, at intervals of two paces. 
 
 Five companies. Fourth Massachusetts and One Hun- 
 dred and Tenth New York with hand grenades. 
 
 Four companies from Third Brigade with four hundred 
 cotton bags. 
 
 Third Brigade. 
 
 Second Brigade. 
 
 First Brigade. 
 
 50 Pioneers, to level parapet for artillery. 
 
 Nim's Battery. 
 
 1. The hand grenade men carry their pieces on their 
 backs and carry each, one grenade. They march three 
 paces in rear of their line of skirmishers. Having thrown 
 their grenades, they go on as skirmishers. 
 
 2. The cotton-bag bearers march at head of column, 
 two hundred paces in rear of skirmishers. They fill the 
 ditch to company front. . Having deposited the bags, they 
 take arms and march at the head of column. 
 
 3. The whole movement will- be in quick time; no 
 double-quick ; but in case the skirmishers encounter bat- 
 teries which the}'^ can take by a double quick advance, 
 they will move in that step. 
 
 4. The skirmishers will clamber upon the parapet, fol- 
 lowed by the carriers of hand grenades, which will be 
 thrown over into the works as soon as the skirmishers 
 are on the outer slope of the parapets. The skirmishers 
 will then rush in and gain ground forward, fighting, lying 
 down, etc., according to circumstances. 
 
 5. As soon as the column is within the works, each 
 brigade will form line of battle and lie down until the 
 artillery is brought up, unless circumstances should neces- 
 sitate different orders. 
 
 6. Each regimental commander will read these instruc- 
 tions to his command, and will carefully explain to his own 
 troops their particular duties. 
 
 7. Each regiment, when forming in the night, will move 
 silently, theofficers speaking in a low tone. 
 
256 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 8. The men will carry two days' rations of hard bread 
 in their haversacks, forty rounds of ammunition in their 
 cartridge-boxes, and twenty rounds in their pockets. 
 The knapsacks will be left in camp under a guard of con- 
 valescents. 
 
 By command of Brigadier-General H. E. Paine. 
 
 George W. Durgin, A. A. A. G. 
 
 Official, E. B. Bell, A. A. A. G. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 June 13th, 1863. Had prayers in my tent this evening' 
 by request of many who do not usually come. By order 
 of Gen. Paine we move nearer the fort. 
 
 Diary of General Paine : 
 
 13th. The general officers met at corps headquarters. 
 We were ordered to assault in the morning in three col- 
 umns, Weitzel's division on the right, my division in the 
 centre, and Dwight's (formerly Sherman's) on the left. 
 
 The last of Captain Prescott's article is here inserted on 
 Company G (mounted) : 
 
 We were occupied during the days intervening up to 
 June 14th in guarding foraging parties and trains, short 
 scouting marches and headquarters duties, having detached 
 quarters on plantations near the right of the line. On the 
 13th we were ordered to join the regiment, and on that 
 evening we marched over to the centre and took our place 
 in the regimental line. This ended the mounted service 
 of the company, and on the 14th, that bloodiest day that 
 the Eighth ever experienced, its men stood shoulder to 
 shoulder with their comrades taking their full share in that 
 terrible strife. 
 
 Major Henry H. Huse was born in West Fairlee, Vt., 
 in 1839. H^ w^s educated in schools at Lowell and 
 Manchester and taught the High School in HoUis in 
 1859-60. 
 
 In 1 861 he raised in Pittsfield and Barnstead a company 
 of volunteers and went into camp at Manchester about 
 November 25, as captain of Company G, Eighth New 
 
MAJOR HENRY H. HUSE. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 257 
 
 Hampshire Volunteers. Just after the fight at Bisland, 
 La., in April, 1862, Company G under Captain Huse 
 made the first departure from the regiment as "mounted 
 infantry " and returned to the regiment on the eve of the 
 14th of June, 1863, attack on Port Hudson. Continuing 
 ill-health, resulting from service in the malarious districts 
 of Louisiana compelled him to resign and he received an 
 honorable discharge on September 22, 1863. Previously, 
 on July 16, he had been commissioned as major by the 
 governor and council. 
 
 He resumed his law business in Pittsfield and was 
 admitted to the bar in March, 1864. For three years he 
 was the principal of Pittsfield Academy. In October, 
 1868, he went into law partnership with Lewis W. Clark 
 in Manchester, in 1872 with Hon. James F. Briggs. He 
 served several terms in the Legislature, and in 1879, ^^ 
 speaker of the House. In 1885, he was elected com- 
 mander of the Amoskeag Veterans. In March, 1888, he 
 was appointed by the governor and council as insurance 
 commissioner, which office he held at the time of his death 
 on September 7, 1890. 
 
 On the 13th of June, about a score of officers were 
 ordered to go under the leadership, I think of a New 
 York officer, to look over the ground on which the charge 
 was to be made. As we went up the Clinton road we 
 were co'ntinually notified by the picket boys, who were 
 stuck in the sandy holes on each side, "'that we were com- 
 ing to it," and so we did, away up and beyond the 
 advanced line where, lying down, under fire, we employed 
 ourselves in looking over a blank, level plain, and in see- 
 ing said officer dodge from one tree to another with pencil 
 and paper, ostensibly taking drawings, meanwhile shout- 
 ing to two of our picket behind an old chimney, to fire 
 constantly and keep the whole rebel force down. Lieu- 
 tenant Landers, of Concord, and the writer happened to 
 run up together, and after clambering over a garden 
 
258 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 fence, lay down just in rear of a little slip of a tree about 
 six inches through at the butt. After awhile some rebel 
 fellow made a good shot at us, as a Minie-ball spat right 
 into the tree on a line between us. We had seen enough, 
 and Landers, who was a dry humorist, said that it 
 reminded him of one of Watt's hj-mns, viz. : 
 
 Ye living men come view ihe ground 
 Where you must shortly lie. 
 
 And that was true of many of us on the next day ; but 
 we had our laugh all the same, right there and then. 
 
 Headquarters United States Forces, 
 
 Before Port Hudson, June 13th, 1863. 
 Maj.-Gcn. Frank Gardner, Cotninanding at Port Hudson: 
 Sir, — Respect for the usages of war, and a desire to 
 avoid unnecessary sacrifice of life, impose on me the neces- 
 sity of formally demanding the surrender of the garrison 
 of Port Hudson. I am not unconscious, in making this 
 demand, that the garrison is capable of continuing a vig- 
 orous and gallant defence. The events that have trans- 
 pired during the pending investment exhibit in the 
 commander and the garrison a spirit of constancy and 
 courage that, in a different cause, would be universally 
 regarded as heroism ; but I know the extremities to which 
 they are reduced. I have many prisoners of war and 
 deserters. I have captured the couriers of the garrison, 
 and have in my possession the secret despatches of its 
 commander. I have at my command a train of artillery 
 seldom equalled in extent and efficiency, which no ordi- 
 nary fortress can successfully resist, and an infantry force 
 of greatly superior numbers and most determined purpose, 
 that cannot fail to place Port Hudson in my possession at 
 my will. To push the contest to extremities, however, 
 may place the protection of life beyond the control of the 
 commanders of the respective forces. I desire to avoid 
 unnecessarj' slaughter, and I therefore demand the imme- 
 diate surrender of the garrison, subject to such conditions 
 only as are imposed by the usages of civilized warfare. 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, very respectfully 
 Your obt. Servant, 
 
 (Signed) N. P. Banks, 
 
 Maj.-Gcn. Comvtdg. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 259 
 
 HEADQiiARTERs, Port Hudson, June 13, 1863. 
 Sir, — Your note of this date has just been handed to 
 me, and in reply I have to state that my duty requires me 
 to defend this position, and therefore I decline to surrender. 
 I have the honor to be, Sir, 
 
 Very respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) Frank Gardner, 
 
 Major- General Commanding 
 Confederate United States Forces. 
 Maj.-Gen. N. p. Banks, 
 
 Commdg. U. S. Forces near Port Hudson. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 June 14th, 1863. Clear and cool. Battle begun at 3.30 
 A. M., and the heaviest firing lasted six and one-half 
 hours. A terrible Sabbath ! Gen. Paine has said that he 
 wished no order would ever again be given for a Sunday 
 fight. 
 
 From history of Fifty-third Massachusetts, by Adjutant 
 Willis, page 136 : 
 
 No point presented less protection to an attacking 
 party than the one selected for this column. The ground 
 in places was slightly depressed, but every hollow which 
 would have afforded any protection to a body of men 
 approaching was completely enfiladed. 
 
 Sunday morning at 3 A. m., this regiment moved quietly 
 to its position for the assault, and stood in line of battle in 
 rear of the 38th Mass., and in support of the Eighth New 
 Hampshire and Fourth Wisconsin deployed as skir- 
 mishers. 
 
 General Paine's diary : 
 
 14th. At 2 A. M. began to form my division for the 
 assault. It was covered by a heavy cannonade in which a 
 battery of Dahlgren guns behind my division and served 
 by sailors, participated. Our advance was checked at 
 ninety yards from the face we attacked. I went from the 
 head of the column to the line of skirmishers, and while 
 giving an order to advance, as loudly as I possibly could, 
 at the first word of which the men sprang forward, was 
 
26o History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 struck, soon after daylight, by a rifle ball, and fell in the 
 midst of many dead and wounded about fifty yards from 
 the enemy's works, into which portions of the 4th Wis- 
 consin and 8th N. H. penetrated. I have no official infor- 
 mation, and very little personal knowledge of the subse- 
 quent operations of the division. Slight ridges of the field 
 which had formerly been cultivated, protected me from the 
 fire of the enemy, which broke out with great fury as often 
 as the intolerable heat compelled me to move. Two sol- 
 diers, whose names I have not yet been able to ascertain, 
 attempted to reach me with a stretcher and fell near me. 
 Private Patrick Cohen of the 133d New York, lying 
 wounded near me, tossed me a canteen cut from the dead 
 body of a soldier. That doubtless saved my life. In the 
 evening I was rescued by a party under Col. Kimball, 
 53d Mass. I think I should have had my division within 
 the fortifications in less than twenty minutes if I had not 
 been wounded, but with a fearful addition to the slaughter of 
 brave men from which the eventual surrender saved them. 
 June i6th. Was taken to the Hotel Dieu, New Orleans, 
 where after three hemorrhages, the femoral artery having 
 been taken up at the thigh, amputation was performed on 
 the 23d. 
 
 This closes Gen. H. E. Paine's diary, from which the 
 writer has quoted liberally, because it was concisely writ- 
 ten, and also thoroughly reliable. All veterans think and 
 speak highly of Gen. Paine and we continue quoting from 
 Adjutant Willis' admirable history of Fifty-third Regiment 
 Massachusetts Volunteers, as follows : 
 
 These same qualities (referring to his arrest and its 
 cause) stood him in hand for the coming emergency, and 
 when he decided to lead the assault in person, it meant 
 that he would enter the works or fall in the attempt. We 
 did not know that he was to lead us. In our previous 
 fights, we had not seen any general officer in a very 
 exposed position, and it was not a custom known in the 
 department, so that his appearance before our regimental 
 line after it had formed for the charge, passing up and 
 down sajnng, as he walked, " Men, I want you to follow 
 me right into those works " was an inspiration. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 261 
 
 The official report of Colonel Kimball says : 
 
 By order of Gen. Paine, I deployed the regiment in 
 rear of 38tfi Mass. at a distance of about twelve paces 
 while under fire, and advanced at 4.15 by order, in quick 
 time, supporting the 38th, who were following a line of 
 skirmishers. Our centre, within twenty yards of the rebel 
 works, came upon the first line of skirmishers who had 
 been repulsed, but were holding their position. I was 
 here obliged to halt on account of the broken condition of 
 my line. At this juncture. Gen. Paine came up and after 
 examination, gave the order to charge forward and enter 
 the works. I immediately repeated the order and the men 
 sprang forward and some reached the works and were 
 captured. 
 
 It was intended to have Weitzel's command effect a 
 lodgment inside the rebel works and thus prepare a way 
 for the operation of Paine's division. Had the attacks of 
 the two storming columns been exactly simultaneous, the 
 result might have been different. Dwight's on the left, 
 proved an utter failure, owing, it is said, to being mis- 
 directed by its guides. If the attempt to carry these works 
 had at any time any show of success, it was when our four 
 regiments led by the gallant Paine, hurled themselves 
 against them, taking the brunt of the enemy's fire, thus 
 enabling the brigades in the rear to follow en masse, 
 and complete the breach in the enemy's line where he 
 had inserted, as it were, the point of a wedge. The loss 
 on this occasion was over seven hundred ; mostly from Gen. 
 Paine's division. 
 
 An important point is (page 139), that during the after- 
 noon, after the assault had proved hopeless. Col. Kim- 
 ball of the 53d made his way to Gen. Grover and sug- 
 gested that a truce be asked for the purpose of getting off 
 our wounded, but the proposition was received with 
 disdain. 
 
 "Southern Historical Society Papers," page 328 : 
 
 June 13th, 1863. That night we were shelled from 
 the mortar boats and pounded by the land batteries. Just 
 before daylight, on June 14, they massed their forces in. 
 front of the left of our centre and under a heavy fire of our 
 artillery, a simultaneous attack was made upon the ist 
 
262 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Miss., the 49th Alabama and the isolated position held by 
 the 15th Arkansas. Against the latter, but one charge 
 was made ; against the former four desperate efforts were 
 made with no success. The ground immediately in front 
 being much broken, afforded facilities for the Federals to 
 form their troops in line of battle protected from our fire. 
 Their advanced line was composed of three picked regi- 
 ments, the Fourth Wisconsin, Eighth New Hampshire, 
 and a New York regiment, preceded by two hundred 
 and fifty select men with hand grenades. (The last 
 sentence is, of course, an error, as we started and ad- 
 vanced as per order No. 64. See page 255.) These all 
 fought gallantly, but the main body in the rear evidently 
 could not be induced to come up to their support. The 
 Federals at first pressed heavily upon the right where the 
 /f.^th Alabama was stationed and it became necessary to 
 close our men down in that direction leaving a -portion of 
 the lines almost entirely unprotected, which movement 
 came near proving highly disastrous to us. The smoke 
 was so thick that nothing could be seen more than twenty 
 steps in advance, and before our troops were aware of it, 
 the Federals '^^r& pouring into the ditches and scaling our 
 breastworks on the left. A rapid counter movement, 
 however, frustrated their designs and they were driven 
 back with considerable slaughter. Again and again, they 
 rallied, but were each time repulsed and forced to seek 
 shelter in the ravines behind them, and there to reform 
 their shattered ranks. In several instances, their skir- 
 mishers succeeded in gaining our ditches and hurling their 
 grenades over the parapets, many of which failed to 
 explode and were thrown back at them by our boys. The 
 engagement lasted from four till eight o'clock, when the 
 Federals were driven back for the last time, leaving a large 
 number of their dead and wounded on the field. The 
 ground in front of our works was blue with their uniforms, 
 and the weeds and bushes still further forward, were 
 strewn with them. At one point in our ditches fourteen 
 dead bodies were counted in a single group. Across the 
 road leading to Troth's landing and in front of our 
 extreme right, the enemy in line of battle came charging 
 on with four regimental colors streaming in the wind ; at 
 the same time another line of battle was formed in front of 
 the left of the right wing, stretching across the lower part 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 263 
 
 of Gibbon's field ; both of these were repulsed by the fire 
 of our artillery. After this, our ammunition being scarce, 
 the men were not allowed to fire at their inclination ; only 
 a few of the best shots being permitted to fire at intervals, 
 when good opportunity offered. For several nights after 
 this our Columbiads sent eight and ten-inch shells over the 
 heads of our own troops on the land line until our stock of 
 reliable fuses was exhausted. Five weeks of this kind of 
 work passed away without rest to our men either by night 
 or by day, on account of the nightly shelling of the Fed- 
 eral land and water forces. This, combined with con- 
 tinued exposure to the sun, rain and night dews, brought 
 on much sickness. Our stock of medicines proved to 
 be even shorter than our stock of provisions ; an increas- 
 ing list of chills and fever, exhausted our quinine. Ipecac 
 took its place as long as it lasted, and nothing was left 
 but a decoction of indigenous barks to check fever, that 
 did not effect any wonderful cures, so far as heard from. 
 
 " Sam," extract of letter : 
 
 June 20th: This is to let you know that I live in good 
 health and spirits, having marched five hundred miles and 
 been in Several fites. On the 27th of May, I was in 74 
 hours and didn't get a Scratch, but it was awful and came 
 near taking the courage out of rrie for the next one on 
 June 14th. We've been blazing away ever since with 
 only 96 men for duty. I want you to send me a Farming 
 paper and some Larkspur seed (What for?) I've got to 
 go into the rifle pit to-night to scrape acquaintance with 
 rebs. you will see Gen. Banks' speech to us in the news- 
 papers, he wants us to celebrate inside on the 4th but 
 there ain't many of us 8th to divide up the fuss and glory 
 with now, but 1 have got to go back a mile to fill my can- 
 teen for tonight. So good by and my love to Nettie. I 
 wish this cruel war was over so I could get onto that 
 Land. 
 
 I'd rather handle a hoe and hard cash than a gun and 
 glory. 
 
 The writer now proposes as recommended in the pref- 
 ace (quoting Mr. Todd, the " Tribune " editor) , to insert 
 more of personal recollections of the attack, repulse, and 
 
264 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 prison life inside. Full personal narratives have been dili- 
 gently sought for, but it is a fact that the average veteran 
 dislikes to write even a postal, so one must not criticise too 
 harshly omissions and sardonically laugh because it is not 
 told in this book that Lieut. Slime Slack walked off Long 
 wharf and got his picture taken in the mud when the tide 
 was out. I have found that I could sit down by the side 
 of the ordinary seam-hunter and find him wound up for an 
 interesting story. 
 
 The other day in a mixed company having some Eighth 
 boys in it, I caught one (a story) in my best ear. I wrote 
 it out at night and sent it to the teller the next day, and he 
 was a most astonished fellow to learn that his story had 
 got half way, at least, into the history. Another, a lieuten- 
 ant, wrote in answer to circular, that he could recollect 
 nothing of interest ; yet the next day a letter came from the 
 opposite direction incidentally saying that this officer at 
 one time was ordered to detail and command a firing 
 party to shoot two deserters who were also murderers. 
 He did the work and was highly complimented for it by 
 superior officers, it being very effectually done. It had 
 probably passed out of his mind, but he may recognize the 
 recital in another part of this book. 
 
 I propose to record also some movements and incidents, 
 now that we know them, outside, from June 14 to July 8, 
 the day of surrender, so as to keep as near as conveniently 
 can be done the chronological order of events. 
 
 Knowing that Sergt. C. A. Emerson was wounded on 
 the 14th of June and taken inside, the following letter 
 extract tells how he felt on that date : 
 
 My experience on the 14th that you ask for, is that the 
 rebels fired on everything alive, and as oyten as it moved. 
 Being so near the works saved many of us. I was 
 wounded by buck shot from a smooth bore musket. 
 
 There was no living man very near me after we ceased 
 firing. I lay perfectly motionless for hours, the shells 
 from our batteries continually flying overhead. I did not 
 
CHAS. E. CONANT, CO. F. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 265 
 
 at the time know what hit me or how badly I was hurt. It 
 felt as if a forty-pound solid shot had struck my heel and 
 the leg had been driven into my body. There was no 
 shelter and the rebs. had it all their own way, and soon 
 all the living, outside in front of their lines, had to go 
 inside. That time, I think, was about noon, I can only 
 tell what happened in my immediate vicinity. 
 
 In vol. 2, 1866, State Reports, Lieutenant Marshall 
 writes : 
 
 No flag of truce was allowed by the rebels for three 
 days. On the 17th, however, the stench from the putrify- 
 ing corpses had become so intolerable to the enemy, that 
 they raised a white flag and proposed to pick up our dead 
 and deliver them at a given point. This was, of course, 
 accepted, and one hundred and thirteen dead and one 
 ■wounded were brought in, most of them so discolored as 
 to be unrecognized. 
 
 The Confederate account speaks of " one wounded sent 
 back." 
 
 To-day to us, it seems strange that that one's name 
 should have been unreported ; but it shows how severe 
 was our repulse, and how overpoweringly important other 
 matters were. The veterans will understand it. But the 
 comrade has been found, and his name is Charles E. 
 Conant, of Company F, now living at Ayer's Village, 
 Haverhill, Mass. His case is an extraordinary one. 
 The perusal of the account of his sufferings given in few 
 words here, leaves the impression that his life's salvation 
 lay in the peculiar American grit that grins under the 
 most galling circumstances. His story is vouched for by 
 Lieutenant Beckford, who, in a recent letter, says that 
 when Conant got on our side he sent for him and he did 
 not know him — could not believe that it was Conant even 
 after C. spoke to him — never saw such a bad looking 
 live man as he was, — his face was black and swollen, and 
 his wounds full of maggots. 
 
 Comrade Durgin says that that day the stretchers were 
 
266 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 so defiled that they were never again used ; that so 
 decayed were the bodies that the head of one rolled off; 
 that he saw Conant carried by and off the field. Capt. 
 Dan. Newhall says that he knew his case and that C. 
 was " tougher than biled owl." Conant writes that on 
 that 14th of June morning they formed and moved along 
 up a ravine beside a "railroad on stilts" into a field 
 behind a hedge and lay down till the word " Forward," 
 then went straight for the works, but he went into some kind 
 of a hole or rifle pit followed by two men on top of him ; 
 got out of there and on again. Says, " Saw Lieutenant 
 Wallis just a moment to my left; faced at the ditch an 
 Arkansas chap, got hold of the end of his rifle in the 
 struggle, and got my hand shot; dropped down and bound 
 it up ; loaded and shot avvay when I could see a reb. ; got a 
 shot at last through both legs, and went down in a heap 
 into a shallow sand hole ; bound up my right leg with 
 handkerchief twisted in with bayonet, and stuffed my 
 remaining wounds with sand. Johnnies came out after dark 
 and took all I had, even the handkerchief off" my leg, and 
 left me in only shirt and pants. That night a big fellow 
 who said that he was a ' Thirteenth Connecticut man,' threw 
 me a rubber blanket. Asked him to take me off'. Said, 
 ' No,' I'd be dead before morning. I said, ' I'll live to 
 see you under the sand.' I of course suffered for water 
 terribly, but I licked the heavy dew off" that rubber and 
 hid the rubber under my shoulders in the daytime. Slept 
 well, my head to the north. Ate sticks and weeds with 
 all the appetite of the nineteen year old boy that I was. 
 Knew that I was in front of Arkansas boys by the officer 
 singing out in the fight, ' give it to 'um, Arkansas boys.' 
 Couldn't move my head first day. Got over that and felt 
 that I'd come out all right. Didn't know that I was the 
 only one taken off" alive on flag of truce day. I used to 
 count the dead around me every few hours ; couldn't get 
 them twice alike. Rebs. used to come out to me nights ; 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 267 
 
 told me Banks wouldn't raise a flag of truce. I began 
 to believe it and told them that in another day I'd go in- 
 side. I, at the last, had been asleep ; thought I heard 
 digging ; made all the noise I could ; was picked up by 
 somebody and carried past a large tree and brick chimney. 
 (That is right. It is strange that, after lying three days 
 and one half without food or water, he should recognize 
 and take note of his surroundings so correctly.) 
 
 Called for water and got coffee. Next thing — on a 
 board on two barrels and a Dutch surgeon flying round. 
 He gave me brandy. Said I was about as ' good as two 
 dead men.' I called for Lieutenant Beckford. He came, 
 and had a hard time getting me away from the old saw- 
 bones, but did, up to Brigade Headquarters hospital. The 
 Lieutenant saved my legs, for which I am very thankful." 
 
 Comrade Conant enlisted, according to roster, from 
 Londonderry. 
 
 The lone brick chimney spoken of, standing on the 
 west side of the road going up, was a very prominent 
 object, yet few recollect it whose memories have been 
 appealed to. A very true picture of it, and the surround- 
 ings upon flag of truce day was given in " Harper's Maga- 
 zine " of a near subsequent date. The writer fortunately 
 preserved one, but if not mistaken the original plates were 
 destroyed by fire. Comrade Durgin says, " Yes, indeed ; 
 I remember the lone chimney well. It was a prominent 
 feature of the field that we fought over. Many sad mem- 
 ories cluster around it. Our flag of truce station was 
 some twenty rods from it. In regard to Conant, I heard 
 someone say that he would soon die, and it was better to 
 leave him near the ditch than to carry. him to the rear." 
 
 A letter from Lieut. William A. Beckford, to Comrade 
 Conant, dated August 7, 1863, says that there was a great 
 deal of sympathy for him in the company and regiment, 
 and that he had been appointed as sergeant in Company F. 
 
 In regard to the flag of truce line, to which the Con- 
 
268 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 federates brought by agreement our dead on June 17, it is 
 now proved to the writer's satisfaction that the " Harper's" 
 illustration was wrong in that respect, although the land- 
 scape is easily recognized by the cut. At The Weirs, in 
 August, 1891, Comrades H. J. Durgin, C. F. Smith, and 
 John F. P. Robie, of the drum corps, who, of course, were 
 there and assisted in taking charge of and burying the 
 dead, agree in saying that the line was at the crest of 
 the hill in rear of the lone chimney, about the distance 
 which Durgin has set it, viz., twenty rods, whereas the 
 bodies are shown in the picture as being brought only to 
 the large trees in advance of the chimney, and groups of 
 Union soldiers are there seen. 
 
 Speaking of the drum corps, perhaps it is well to say 
 that, at the above time and place, in discussing in regard 
 to who was the youngest enlisted in the regiment, opinion 
 was divided between J. F. Robie and Thomas J. Fitzger- 
 ald, both being in years, thirteen and a fraction. 
 
 The morning of June 14, 1863, was very quiet for a 
 siege. At 3 a. m. there was no wind, no disturbing 
 sounds arose near or afar to claim attention. There was 
 no picket firing of consequence ; even the discordant mule 
 was still. The cautionary order, " no noise," rendered the 
 scene more depressing. As we stood by the slight fire at 
 the rear of some fallen logs waiting for that pot of coffee, 
 which seemed to be the only earthly solace that we could 
 depend upon just then, the oppressive stillness was notice- 
 able ; there was a good deal of steady thinking done. 
 A request to take charge of trinkets, and last messages, 
 kept the chaplain busy. Soon, ranks were formed and the 
 recruits of '61 marched forward as the soldiers of '63. 
 There was little thought of shirking or of anyone's shirk- 
 ing the fight. There was no talk of a picked rear guard 
 to goad up any unwilling or of giving orders to shoot any 
 runaways. Still it is no wonder that we hear of instances 
 of "heart failure" in the presence of the enemy. We 
 
JOHN F. P. ROBIE, CO. F. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 269 
 
 would have felt easier if we could have shouted, laughed, 
 and bantered each other. Compared with the silent and 
 deliberate preparations that we made in the dark, a sudden 
 order to charge on a foe in sight would have been a relief. 
 We moved on the Clinton road and to the left until we 
 neared the old rickety railroad and the slight shelter of a 
 hedged ditch ; here we deployed as skirmishers and 
 awaited the opening by our artillery. Opposite us in the 
 rebel fortifications, was the centre of their line. In our 
 direct front and to our right, their forces were commanded 
 by Brig. -Gen. W. N. R. Beall. Just at daylight, General 
 Paine did not order us to "charge" in stentorian tones, 
 but we heard a low "go ahead," and saw him signal with 
 outstretched arms, and "go," we went. After working up a 
 few rods it was plain to eye and ear that our advance was 
 seriously checked. Numbers were falling on all sides. 
 The writer stopped and, partially turning, looked to the 
 right along our line. Being the ranking officer and in 
 command of the regiment, I gave the order to "lie down," 
 hoping thus to gain time for the main column to come up 
 and that by joining their momentum we might make the 
 attack a success, but the head of the column never came, 
 in force. At that instant, I was wounded and fell. After 
 lying until about 3 p. m., and concluding that I had got 
 too near (within fifteen yards) to get safely back at night, 
 I took m}' sword for a cane and waddled a part of the way 
 to the breastworks. By command of a Confederate officer, 
 two stalwart Johnnies jumped out and helped me over and 
 into the presence of Major Tom Street of the Forty-ninth 
 Alabama. 
 
 It is now seen that in the outside world that I had 
 suddenly left. General Banks was still very hopeful and 
 ardent, for he issued, as follows : 
 
270 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 General Order, No. 49. 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, 
 19TH Army Corps, 
 Before Port Hudson, June 15, 1863. 
 The commanding General congratulates the troops be- 
 fore Port Hudson upon the steady advance made upon 
 the enemy's works, and is confident of an immediate 
 and triumphant issue of the contest. We are at all points 
 upon the threshold of his fortifications. One more ad- 
 vance, and they are ours ! For the last duty that victory 
 imposes, the commanding general summons the bold men 
 of the corps to the organization of a storming column of 
 one thousand men, to vindicate the flag of the Union and 
 the memory of its defenders who have fallen. Let them 
 come forward ! Officers who lead the column of victory 
 in this last assault may be assured of the just recognition of 
 their services by promotion, and every officer and soldier 
 who shares its perils and its glory, shall receive a medal 
 fit to commemorate the first grand success of 1863, for the 
 freedom of the Mississippi. His name will be placed in 
 general orders upon the roll of honor. Division com- 
 manders will at once report the names of the officers and 
 men who may volunteer for this service, in order that the 
 organization of the column may be completed without 
 delay. 
 
 By command of 
 
 Major-General Banks. 
 Richard B. Irwin, 
 
 Assistatit Adj. -General. 
 
 It is well to record that our cousins, the Fourth Wis- 
 consin, probably thought as did the Eighth New Hamp- 
 shire that they had done their share on the 14th, as their 
 only representative was Private Patrick Pigeon, of Com- 
 pany A. The Eighth provided three volunteers, viz. : 
 Capt. J. J. Ladd, Company D; Lieut. Dana W. King, 
 Company A; Private John Riney, Company B. 
 
 Sergeant Farley, of Company K, says, "After the anni- 
 hilating charge of June 14th, our regiment was called out 
 with the brigade to repulse the enemy who was bothering 
 our rear. It mustered only sixty men, commanded by a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 271 
 
 second lieutenant. Companies were commanded by cor- 
 porals. In my company were only three men, and I was 
 in command." 
 
 At The Weirs, in 1890, a good deal of inquiry was made 
 as to who that second lieutenant was who commanded for 
 a short time the regiment, and afterwards, through consid- 
 erable correspondence,- it was found that Lieut. J. J. 
 Nolan was the officer. 
 
 C. S. A. General Beall to General Gardner, Jackson 
 Road, June 14, 1863 : 
 
 General. — The men have repulsed several charges on 
 this line. The First Miss, is scarce of caps, can you send 
 any? Our loss thus far small ; that of the enemy large. 
 Most of our guns (artillery) are disabled on this line. 
 Fire of artillery from the enemy verj' severe. 
 
 Beall to Assistant Adjutant-General Wilson, June 14, 
 1863 : 
 
 The loss of the First Miss, regiment is very severe in 
 to-day's engagement, 18 killed and about 14 wounded. 
 The command is much reduced. 
 
 " Southern Historical Society Papers," Freret, page 
 333: 
 
 On the evening of the 15th (June 1863), General Banks 
 sent in a flag of truce to ask Gen. Gardner to receive 
 medicines, etc., for wounded Federal soldiers. Gen. 
 Gardner assented and took occasion to express surprise at 
 the fact that no cessation of hostilities had yet been asked 
 for by the enemy for the purpose of removing their dead 
 and wounded then upon the field for two days under a hot 
 sun. The medicines were sent in, yet no request for a 
 flag of truce. Our succoring party was fired on. On the 
 i6th, the effluvia was so ofTensive that Gen. Beall sent 
 out a flag of truce, proposing to deliver the dead, which 
 was accepted. 
 
 Beall to Gardner, June 17, 1863 : 
 
 The dead, one hundred and sixty, and one zvounded 
 man have been delivered. There are signs of many hav- 
 
272 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ing been buried by the enemy. Gen. Paine was wounded 
 in three places, and lay all the day of the fight near our 
 breastworks. He will lose a leg. There are hundreds of 
 guns near the breastworks ; also hand grenades. 
 
 Jan. 24, 1864. Report of Captain Girard, chief of 
 ordnance, to General Gardner: 
 
 On June 14th, 1863, three of our guns were dismounted. 
 At the request of Col. Johnson, iSth Arkansas (in front of 
 Eighth New Hampshire), I fixed some 13 inch mortar 
 shell outside the fortifications, to be burst at the approach 
 of the enemy. A few days after, we put in fourteen more, 
 arming the men with hand-grenades. 
 
 June 14, Chaplain's diary : 
 
 Byron D. Hoitt of Northwood was wounded in head 
 and side, and would have been killed but for a piece of 
 castile soap and a large bone ring in his pocket. The 
 ring had three hearts on it, and was broken. An old cop- 
 per cent also helped receive the ball. 
 
 Losses on Sunday, June 14th, total, 124; killed, 16 
 (9 died in hospital of wounds) ; wounded, 85 ; one death 
 from sunstroke ; missing, 22. i 
 
 Capt. Stanyan, Company B, was wounded and is in'the 
 enemy's hospital. Lieut. Newell is a prisoner. Two who 
 slept in our tent are missing : one is killed — Lieut. Wal- 
 lis. Company F. who slept foot to foot with me, and both 
 of us are tall, so we had many laughs as we chanced to 
 touch each other. The other is our Sergt. Major and 
 acting Adjutant, J. M. Blanchard, Company B. He has 
 lost an eye. Capt. Huse will have to go North, he is so 
 feeble. I hope he may get better. 
 
 The chaplain's report was made on the spot, but fuller 
 returns give a loss of one hundred and thirty killed, 
 wounded, and missing, out of two hundred and seventeen 
 that went into the fight. As for Company B, it went in 
 with twenty-six. Of these, six were killed, seven taken 
 prisoners, and only four of the remaining thirteen got to 
 the rear unhurt. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 273 
 
 Under fire. Capt. T. C. Prescott's letter : 
 
 The following incident illustrates how sometimes in the 
 presence of the enemy, an uncontrollable fear will take 
 possession of a veteran who had been and was later, a 
 faithful soldier. For that reason, at least, his name is 
 withheld. On the morning of June 14th, just before the 
 order to advance caTie, a soldier said to the officer stand- 
 ing by his side, " Lieutenant, I can't go into this charge ; 
 for God's sake, let me go back. I know that I'll be 
 killed." His commanding officer said, " The order to 
 charge will be given, and although the most of us will be 
 killed, not a man shall falter." The man seemed suffer- 
 ing the agony of death already. Just then a rebel bullet 
 came on its mission of death and one poor fellow near 
 by went down. Soon came the order for the general 
 advance, and the line moved on through the hedge, but 
 the terror stricken man was paralyzed. Said he, " I can't 
 move, lieutenant." "You must," was the reply, and the 
 officer took him by the shoulders and pushed him as if he 
 had been but a boy, through an opening in the hedge, and 
 up into the line. The rough movement seemed to reas- 
 sure him, and soon he was in the thickest of the fight. 
 Though men were falling all about him he went on with 
 renewed vigor nearly to the works and came off" at night 
 with no serious hurt, while the officer, less fortunate, 
 received a wound that took him to the brink of the grave, 
 maiming him for life. 
 
 The " nerve" of Reed. Lieut. J. J. Nolan's letter : 
 
 On the 14th, Reed had two of his fingers shot, and Dr. 
 Clark was going to cut them ofl' at the joints and proposed 
 to give him chloroform. Reed Sr. said, " No, by — , 
 you don't ; give me a glass of whiskey ! " The doctor 
 did, and performed the operation. Then Reed said, 
 " Well, doctor, I guess that that is worth another glass." 
 Reed got it. I saw him shortly after, sitting under a tree, 
 contentedly smoking his pipe, and he went with me to the 
 Company before going to the hospital. 
 
 Capt. T. C. Prescott's letter extract : 
 Firing on the wounded. The vindictive and cruel spirit 
 sometimes displayed by the Confederates upon the battle- 
 
274 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 fields of the South, has often been denied and is, perhaps, 
 now quite generally discredited. A notable and wholly 
 unjustifiable instance of this characteristic of their conduct 
 occurred at Port Hudson, on the 14th of June, 1863, and 
 came under the personal observation of the writer. 
 
 The command of Company G devolved upon Lieuten- 
 ant Locke for that day. Captain Huse being sick, but very 
 early in the charge he received a severe wound which 
 completely disabled him, and Lieut. T. C. Prescott suc- 
 ceeded to the command, leading the few remaining men 
 of the company up to within a few yards of the enemy's 
 breastworks. Only a remnant of the regiment was left, 
 not fifty Union men being in sight, and it seemed utterly 
 impossible to attempt scaling the parapet with any show 
 of success, so Lieutenant Prescott and his handful of men, 
 some seven or eight in number, lay down in the opening 
 of an angle of the earthworks, keeping up a vigorous fire 
 on the rebels, thus helping to keep them down behind 
 their protection and slackening their fire from that point 
 on the other lines that were struggling up in the rear. 
 Soon a man of Company G was disabled, and Lieutenant 
 Prescott seized his gun and cartridge box, firing as often 
 as he could load and a head was exposed to view. About 
 six o'clock that morning, he received a bullet wound in 
 the left shoulder and breast, and one in the arm, which 
 completely disabled and prostrated him, and he stretched 
 himself on his back as if dead, to await the result. By 
 this time not more than three or four men of the company 
 remained unhurt, and it was thought injudicious to draw 
 the fire any longer, so all took a quiet position and ceased 
 firing. Frequently wounded men were fired upon if they 
 showed any sign of life by moving, and it seemed to give 
 special delight and satisfaction to the rebels to take the 
 last faint spark of life from every Union man on the field. 
 
 Orderly Sergeant Rufus Clark was one of the fortunate 
 ones not wounded, and about noon the lieutenant's suf- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 275 
 
 fering having become very intense, Clark insisted on mak- 
 ing an effort to get him off the field. Prescott would not 
 consent to this, for the reason that any movement by Clark 
 would subject him to great danger, probably costing his 
 life, and for the further reason that in the event a stretcher 
 could be sent there, the enemy, in all probability, would 
 not respect it, as they were constantly firing upon wounded 
 men. Chances of getting away seemed only to be in 
 waiting until the night, and then, if any survived, to crawl 
 quietly to the rear. Clark, however, determined on the 
 effort, and by pushing himself slowlj'' along on the soft 
 sand and thin grass, he finally succeeded in getting down 
 to the right and rear about one hundred yards to the cover 
 of some underbrush, and escaped untouched. About an 
 hour later, while watching in the direction Clark had 
 taken. Lieutenant Prescott saw two colored men crawl out 
 from the cover of some small trees, creeping slowly and 
 quietly towards him, the one in front having a stretcher, 
 he then knew that Clark had succeeded in persuading 
 those men to come for him. When within about fifty feet, 
 both men stood up and ran towards the officer, the one 
 having the stretcher holding it in front of him as if for pro- 
 tection ; but no sooner were they discovered than the 
 negroes became a target for the seemingly infuriated men 
 behind the works, and they were filled with bullets from 
 head to foot, the nearest one being so close to Lieutenant 
 Prescott that the stretcher nearly struck him as the man 
 fell. Both seemed dead, yet strange to say, after lying 
 quietly some time, one moved so that the motion was per- 
 ceptible to his persistent murderers, and a dozen more 
 bullets found a lodgment in his innocent body. Lieuten- 
 ant Prescott no doubt owed his life to the killing of these 
 two non-combatants under protection of a stretcher, but it 
 seemed a terrible sacrifice at the moment, and ever will, 
 so long as memory lasts. 
 
 Such was the spirit exhibited on the field at Port Hudson 
 
276 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 by the " chivalrous" men of the South.' Lieutenant Pres- 
 cott lay on his back on the field, motionless, until 10 o'clock 
 at night, when the darkness made it possible for him to 
 drag himself away by taking hold of the short grass with' 
 one hand and drawing his body a few inches at each 
 effort. This process was continued quietly and slowly as 
 his strength would permit, until the low bushes before 
 mentioned were reached. In his exhausted condition, he 
 could not walk, but succeeded in crawling to the foot of a 
 large tree where he lay until found during the night by the 
 stretcher bearers, who took him to the regimental hospital, 
 a spot of smooth ground in the woods with the underbrush 
 cleared away, and the foliage for a canopy. 
 
 The foregoing evidence in regard to the unnecessary 
 firing upon wounded men, tallies with the account given 
 by Capt. George N. Carpenter in his history of the Eighth 
 Vermont, which was in Weitzel's brigade and which 
 charged in on our right. The assaulting column was 
 headed by the Eighth Vermont under Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Dillingham. The advance was like our own, viz. : Two 
 regiments of skirmishers in front, followed by one regiment 
 with hand grenades, the next with cotton bags. After the 
 beating down of the skirmish line the Eighth Vermont 
 moved to the charge by the fiank through a ravine, then 
 forward. That regiment lost ninety-six in killed and 
 wounded. Further, " all that hot June Sabbath day the 
 men lay there in plain sight, the dead, the wounded, the 
 unhurt, together ; but no help could reach them for the 
 enemy's gunners were unusually active, and woe to the 
 men who showed signs of life on the field, and the pitying 
 comrade who ventured forth on a mission of relief. The 
 least movement drew the fire of a score of sharpshooters. 
 Many who lay wounded before the works were killed dur- 
 ing the da}', and several brave men who set out to carry 
 relief to their fallen mates were ruthlessly shot." 
 
 The experience of the writer was diametrically opposite 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 277 
 
 to the foregoing accounts. After I was wounded and fell, 
 I discovered that Corporal Livermore was lying wounded 
 about ten feet to my right and that he was still firing. I 
 told him to halt that, as it was of little use and would draw 
 the Confederate fire on all of us. I felt that the charge on 
 the works being the main object, and that having failed, 
 the killing of one or more of the enemy was of no account 
 and that we had no right to risk lives in the attempt. 
 About noon a young rebel came out to me, as he narrowly 
 watched the puffs of smoke from our side, he dodged 
 about like a sand crab. I rather unnecessarily said to 
 him, " You are not going to fire on us are you? " Said 
 he, " No ; are you coming in now? You can't get away. 
 If you try we Shall fire on you." He got my broad 
 brimmed hat and went back under cover. 
 
 About 3 p. M. I made up my mind to go in. As I lay 
 within fifteen yards of them I had no long journey. Now 
 certainly, they were fair in not shooting Livermore and 
 others. We were very much alive and lively. I once 
 rolled to the left a few feet to get in the rather imaginary 
 shade of a tempting looking shrub, but soon got back as I 
 liked the hollow that I had made by writhing about in the 
 soft soil of Louisiana. I am inclined to think that our dif- 
 ferent experiences as above related, including General 
 Paine's, were owing to the make up and style of our differ- 
 ent antagonists in front. Company B was, of course, at 
 the extreme left and we went in right on the Forty-ninth 
 Alabama, Tom Street, as they called him, major command- 
 ing, and we got what soldiers might term a very gentle- 
 manly reception. Certainly we must give the credit to 
 the enemy in our front of not killing us unnecessarily, if 
 it was the fashion at other attacked points. I insert a let- 
 ter from Gen. Halbert E. Paine, giving his views on the 
 matter. Like many other cases, a personal explanation 
 of terms used, might result in finding that we all thought 
 about alike. Perhaps a strong if not entirely wrong term 
 
278 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 was used in saying that the "field belonged to the victors." 
 We agree that only a flag of truce secures a right to enter 
 a battlefield unharmed, and of course if an unhurt com- 
 batant tries to get to the rear the trial is at his own risk. 
 
 It is a/act that the Confederates dictated the terms for 
 a flag of truce upon the lyth, and they were, that our 
 dead were by them to be delivered at a point on or near 
 the line held by us, which line was to the rear of the lone 
 chimney before spoken. 
 
 Washington, D. C, Feb. 7, 1891. 
 
 My dear Captain, — In your favor of 2d inst. you 
 say : " The point is made by some that at Port Hudson, 
 on June 14, the field belonged to the victors; so the 
 wounded did too, if they chose to claim them ; and all per- 
 sons trying to succor comrades were on the field at their 
 own risk. We would very much like your opinion on the 
 above statement." 
 
 The proposition that our men who attempted to rescue 
 their comrades on that day, were on the field " at their 
 own risk" is, I think, sustained by the laws of war. But 
 the ground on which you base this proposition seems to 
 me to be erroneous. Your correspondent assumes that 
 the rebels were, on that day, victors in such a sense that 
 the field, between their fortifications and our lines, 
 "belonged" to them, and that our wounded belonged to 
 them, "if they chose to claim them." Upon further 
 reflection he will, I think, see that this cannot be true. 
 
 During the whole of June 14, from daybreak to night- 
 fall, the field in our front could have been swept by a fire 
 from our line more than tenfold as heavy as that of the 
 enemy. I had fifteen guns in battery, including the Par- 
 rotts of the 21st Indiana Heavy Artillery and four steel 
 rifled cannon, all of which were most admirably handled. 
 To these were added the heavy guns brought up from 
 Admiral Farragut's gunboats, and the rifles of our in- 
 fantry, which latter often for hours together kept down the 
 fire of the enemy's cannon. The field was more safe for 
 us than for the enemy. If the entire garrison of Port 
 Hudson had made a sortie in our front at any hour on the 
 14th of June, not a rebel would have stood on his feet at 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 279 
 
 the end of ten minutes. Morever our line, on the morn- 
 ing of that day, was very near the fortifications, where it 
 had been for seventeen days. But when night came that 
 Hne had not receded one inch. Nor did it ever thereafter 
 recede an inch. 
 
 The rebels, then, were victors only in the narrow sense 
 that they had prevented us from entering their works. 
 But this did not make the " field" theirs, nor did it make 
 our wounded theirs if they merely chose to claim them. 
 To make the field theirs, it was still necessary for them to 
 enter it and take possession. Their plight after ten min- 
 utes' possession would have been a sorry one indeed. To 
 make our wounded theirs it was necessary for the rebels 
 not merely to " claim" them, but to march out and take 
 them. It would have been their dead march sure enough. 
 
 The theory that the field and the wounded " belonged " 
 to the enemy, after our assault failed, would, then, lead to 
 this result, that the enemy then acquired a right to emerge 
 from their defences and capture our wounded, and we had 
 no right to prevent it by firing on them, although we were 
 in fact able, after as well as before the failure of our 
 assault, to sweep the field of battle by a fire ten times as 
 destructive as theirs. 
 
 A field of battle does not belong to either army while 
 swept by the fire of both, — certainly not to the army 
 unable to concentrate upon the field one tenth of the fire 
 delivered by the opposing force. 
 
 While, therefore, I assent to the proposition that our 
 men, who attempted to rescue their wounded comrades on 
 the 14th of June, did so " at their own risk," I do not think 
 it based on the true ground. The true ground seems to 
 me to be that while a battle is in progress no man can go 
 upon the field except at his own risk. In order to secure 
 the right to enter a battlefield unharmed there must be a 
 suspension of hostilities, under a flag of truce. 
 
 If the laws of war interdicted firing on stretcher-men on 
 the field during a battle, they would furnish a convenient 
 device for defeating the consummation of a victory ; for 
 the losing army could on the eve of defeat avert the catas- 
 trophe by interposing a swarm of stretcher-men. If rebel 
 stretcher-men had been safe from our fire, they might 
 have stolen our wounded right under our noses. If our 
 stretcher-men had been safe from rebel fire, we might 
 
28o History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 have carried from the field not only our wounded com- 
 rades, but also those who were not wounded. 
 
 In conclusion permit me to say that although I do not 
 think that the laws of war protect stretcher-men on the 
 field while a battle is raging, I consider it basely inhuman 
 to fire upon men known to be carrying off wounded either 
 on stretchers or in ambulances. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 H. E. Paine. 
 
 Capt. J. M. Stanyan, Milford, N. H. 
 
 The following extract from General Paine's diary of the 
 previous year is put in because the veterans of the Eighth 
 will be interested in recalling the fact of his " arrest," and 
 in reading comments on it : 
 
 Baton Rouge, June ii, 1862. 
 
 Placed in arrest for disobedience of orders. 17th, 
 embarked in arrest, with m}- regiment, on the 2d Vicks- 
 burg expedition. My "arrest" was so modified as to 
 always give me command when the troops should land for 
 action, the " arrest" to be at once renewed on re-embar- 
 kation. 23d, took my regiment around Ellis Cliffs after 
 rebels. They fled. Went to rear of Grand Gulf, engaged 
 the enemy, killed the commander, captured prisoners and 
 destroyed their camps. At Vicksburg witnessed the pas- 
 sage of the town, saw the " Essex" and " Queen of the 
 West" attack the terrible "Arkansas." Was ordered to 
 New Orleans to report in arrest to Gen. Butler. Did so. 
 Aug. 5th at midnight was summoned to Headquarters of 
 Gen. Butler. He read a despatch from Baton Rouge 
 written at time of battle. Gen^ Breckinridge had that 
 morning attacked. The ram "Arkansas" had come 
 down to cooperate. Gen. Williams had been killed. 
 Gen. Butler instantly released me from " arrest," ordered 
 me to Baton Rouge to take command as Senior Colonel of 
 the forces there. ' 
 
 6th. Arrived at the port at .midnight; found the 
 " Arkansas" sunk and the rebels retreated. 7th, formally 
 assumed command by a General Order. Intrenched. 
 18th, sent to Gen. Butler requesting him to rescind his 
 order for the burning of Baton Rouge, being convinced 
 that I could hold it. 
 
 19th. Gen. Butler consented. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 281 
 
 The cause of General Paine's arrest is not stated in his 
 diary, and the writer is glad, without consulting him, to 
 make the following extract from the History of the Fifty- 
 Third Massachusetts Volunteers,' by Adj. Henry A. 
 Willis : 
 
 A braver man than Gen. Paine did not tread the battle- 
 fields of the rebellion. A more conscientious one never 
 drew a sword. Witness the following which occurred at 
 Baton Rouge in June, 1862. A number of slaves came 
 into his camp bringing valuable information and to whom 
 he gave shelter and protection. Their masters demanded 
 their return, and Gen. Williams commanding the post, 
 ordered their return. Upon receipt of the order Col. 
 Paine refused to obey it. He wrote in justification of his 
 action, " The order of Gen. Williams forces upon me an 
 alternative which is peculiarly painful, because, to me, 
 obedience to orders has always been in practice as well as 
 in theory, a fundamental military maxim. I am com- 
 pelled to disobey him or defy the sovereign power of the 
 Republic. In this matter I cannot hesitate. No punish- 
 ment for disobedience to this order can be as intolerable 
 as the consciousness of having violated the law by com- 
 pelling my guards to return to the vindictive rebels fugi- 
 tives whose information has been sought and used for the 
 benefit of our arms. While I have command of the 
 Fourth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers they cannot, 
 with my consent, be employed in the violation of the law 
 for the purpose of returning fugitive slaves." Col. Paine 
 was immediately ordered under arrest. The correspond- 
 ence was read on parade ; the regiment gave him three 
 cheers and gathered about his quarters after parade when 
 he came out and addressed them. This looked like rank 
 insubordination, but he was sustained and restored to his 
 command. 
 
 Otficial. Serial 41, page 150. C. S. A., May 31, 1863. 
 Colonel Lyles to Assistant Adjutant-General Willson 
 (within Port Hudson) : 
 
 The enemy has dismounted our large gun and wounded 
 
 five men. I think by getting a new wheel 
 
 O. P. Lyles, 
 Col. Comdg. Right Wing. 
 
282 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Same, June 30, 1863 : 
 
 The enemy is now rolling before him a hogshead filled 
 with sticks. I must arrest his progress before 3 p. m. or 
 he will throw his hand grenades into our trenches again. 
 I am certain I can stop him. 
 
 Same, June 30, 1863 : 
 
 Enemy is making demonstrations. He got in my 
 trenches and got one officer. I whipped him (the enemy) 
 out again. 
 
 Same, June 30, 1863. (According to dates, Lyles did 
 as much writing as fighting. W.) : 
 
 Major, — The enemy, as I said, got into my trenches. 
 I killed six. It was rather a small business, as usual (I 
 mean his charge). He took one captain and three of my 
 men out of the trenches and killed one. All is now quiet. 
 
 Same, July i : 
 
 I am unable as yet to check the enemy. I am of the 
 opinion that he will get in to-night. He has almost ruined 
 my rifle pit with his artillery. I am wide awake. 
 
 Same, Port Hudson, July 3, 1863 : 
 
 Major, — All is well down here in the Devil's Elbow. 
 Last night was unusually quiet. The enemy keeps com- 
 ing with his trench. I am ready for him, let him come. 
 I can whip him in four minutes. I can hold the point 
 and intend to do it. This little report is made simply to 
 inform you that I am still in life and spirits. 
 
 O. P. Lyles, 
 Col. Comdg. Right Wing. 
 Maj. Willson, a. a. G. 
 
 Col. O. P. Lyles' reports are stolen from the front of 
 the Fifteenth New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 Extract from a letter from Lieut. James R. Newell, 
 dated New Orleans, July 13, 1863 : 
 
 On the 14th ult., I was wounded in the shoulder and 
 taken prisoner. The 8th N. H. and 4th Wis. were 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 283 
 
 deployed as skirmishers in advance of Gen. Paine's divi- 
 sion, and ordered to charge at quick time and enter the 
 enemy's works. We charged a distance of three hundred 
 yards and were under heavy fire all the way. But few 
 got into the works, and all who did were either killed or 
 taken prisoners. It was either surrender, or be shot down. 
 I was a prisoner three weeks ; was kindly treated ; was 
 well fed at first, but during the last ten days subsisted on 
 corn meal mush and molasses. From sickness and bad 
 diet I became greatly reduced in flesh and strength. 
 With six other officers, I was confined on the second story 
 of an old building, and we were guarded by a sentinel at 
 the stairs in front. By bribing a negro, I obtained a rope 
 and a suit of Confederate uniform. On the night of July 
 4th, I got the bars off" the window, fastened the rope, put 
 on the rebel clothing over my own, and after having first 
 let down my heavy boots, clambered down the side of the 
 building over this rope. Although my weight was less 
 than one hundred pounds, it required a strain of every 
 nerve, for the wound in the shoulder was sore. I reached 
 the ground, put on my boots and crawled to a shed near 
 by, thence I emerged and walked quietly and composedly 
 through the village, meeting a few soldiers who did not 
 suspect me. Following the bank of the river up and out 
 of their works and avoiding their parapets, I found our 
 pickets and was again free. I went to headquarters, saw 
 Gen. Banks, then went to New Orleans for surgeon's 
 attendance. 
 
 Lieut. D. W. King's letter extract, June 19, 1863 : 
 
 Before Port Hudson. No flag of truce was had until 
 the afternoon of the 17th, and then only in front of our 
 own division. It was raised by the Confederates as they 
 said that the stench was unbearable, and they proposed to 
 deliver our dead and wounded at a certain point. This 
 was acceded to and their detail went at work as well as 
 our party of sappers digging burial pits. Decomposition 
 had so far advanced, none could be recognized, except by 
 the clothing, and but few that way. Corp. Ross of Co. 
 B was thus known by a vest he wore. The situation is 
 that we are badly used up. Only ninety-seven men and 
 two officers report for service, and some of those are 
 
284 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 wounded. The gallant 4th Wisconsin fared as badly as 
 ourselves, and when we lost Gen. Paine, we lost the bat- 
 tle. It is easy to make Brigadiers, but Paines are scarce 
 and hard to find. He is one of God's noblemen, and can't 
 be spared. We are now digging for their works, zigzags 
 and parallels, and have got within fifty feet of their ditches. 
 Sharpshooters on both sides are busy, and a hat with a 
 head in it or not, is sure to get a shot if at all exposed. 
 Our artillery has thrown tons of ammunition, yet the rebel 
 officers that I conversed with under the flag of truce, were 
 fat and hopeful and prone to talk that they can stand it 
 for months. Gen. Banks has called for a *' forlorn hope" 
 of a thousand men to again assault. They are nearly 
 raised and being drilled. A "Cross of a Legion of 
 Honor " or something akin to it, is an incentive to enlist. 
 
 Chaplain's diar}' : 
 
 Set up our tents on the 15th and have a mail. 
 
 June 16. Write for the wounded, etc. We have no 
 flour yet. Am glad to find Jimmy Newell is not killed, 
 although he is hurt and captured. 
 
 June 17. I wish our battle had been to-day in memory 
 of Bunker Hill, instead of on Sunday. Capt. Huse was 
 not well enough to be out. The flag of truce is up and 
 the dead and wounded are being removed. I saw 114 
 dead soldiers buried in one long grave. I have "wallets," 
 papers, and pictures to send to the friends, one of the lat- 
 ter articles, the photograph of a very pretty young lady. 
 How sad a task it is to tell of death and suffering to those 
 at home. I cannot get the scenes out of my mind. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 285 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Confederate Insubordination in Port Hudson. — A Woman Shot. — Ac- 
 counts by Lieutenant Freret, C. S. A. — Colonel Birge's Report on 
 the Storming Column. — The Surrender, Lieutenant Freret, C. S. 
 A. — Inspector General Jackson's Report. — C. S. A. Casualties. — 
 Thanks of Congress to the Union Troops. — Official Reports. — A 
 Prisoner in Port Hudson. — Confederate Opinions. — -The intelli- 
 gent Fly and his Products. — A Shot comes in from our Side. — 
 Creamer, Lieutenant Sea, the Matron, Mule Meat, Spiritus, Beans, 
 Value of Tobacco, Jim of Miles" Legion. — A. A. Livermore died. — 
 The Scabbard. — Emerson's Account. — General Paine's final Ad- 
 dress. — Personal. — Poem on the Charge of June 14. — Incidents. 
 — Lieutenant James Miles, Personal. 
 
 Within Port Hudson, Steedman to Wilson, June 30, 
 1863: 
 
 Major, — About 80 men of i8th Ark are insubordinate. 
 I have ordered them to move to the right and join their 
 regiment. If they refuse, our safety demands the trial 
 and execution of the guilty parties. To hesitate imperils 
 the whole army. I learn that there is serious prejudice in 
 the i8th against Col. Lyles, but, Major, some Arkansas 
 soldier will have to be shot by court martial before they 
 are convinced that they will have to obey orders irrespect- 
 ive of their own feelings. I have lost confidence in their 
 reliability in emergencies. (The italics are Confederate.) 
 
 Same, July 7 : 
 
 I have this morning arrested Lieut. Col. Vaughan, loth 
 Arkansas, and put in command Capt. B. M. Shelton, 
 senior officer. 
 
 Same, no date : 
 
 An 8-inch gun which had been placed by the Federals 
 so as to enfilade our line fired shells with a reduced charge 
 
286 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 of powder, so as to roll them slowly, as a ball on a bowling 
 alley, right in rear of our parapet. 
 
 July 2d, one Mrs. Bnadley, wife of a 2d sergeant in a 
 company of Miles' Legion was struck in the leg by a piece 
 of shell this morning. She suffered amputation, but died 
 soon after. 
 
 Port Hudson, July 6, 1863, Gen. N. P. Banks to Hal- 
 leck : 
 
 General, — Since my last, of June 29th, our ap- 
 proaches are pushed up to the ditch at the Citadel on our 
 extreme left, and in front of the right Priest-cap, where 
 the assault of the 14th of June was made. On the morning 
 of the 4th inst., when the right sap was within ten feet of 
 the ditch, the enemy sprung a small mine and extended 
 the approach into the ditch. By the arrival of Col. Kilby 
 Smith yesterday with despatches from Gen. Grant, I have 
 news from Vicksburg to June 30th and he remarked the 
 coincidence that matters there are the same as here. 
 
 Gen. Emory reports the enemy in force in the La 
 Fourche district, annoying our communications and 
 menacing New Orleans. I cannot refrain from reflecting 
 what would have been the condition of affairs ha-d this 
 command, leaving the hostile garrison of Port Hudson in 
 our rear, marched to Vicksburg where General Grant has 
 already, as he states, " a very large force, much more than 
 can he used in the investment of the rebel works." 
 
 Important Confederate evidence of the state of affairs in 
 Port Hudson. 
 
 General Beall to Gardner, Jul}' 7, 1863 : 
 
 General, — The works of the enemy opposite the First 
 Miss, are strong and extensive enough to enable him to 
 throw a force into our ditch which we cannot drive back, 
 unless with heavy reinforcements. There is more discon- 
 tent among the men within the last few days than I have 
 discovered before, and I very much fear that the officers 
 are at the bottom of it. I do not think that the enemy's 
 attack will be delayed much Idnger. But one company of 
 the Tenth Arkansas has reported; the others refuse, so I 
 am told. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 287 
 
 We will turn back to the account given by Lieutenant 
 Freret, C. S. A., in " Southern Historical Society Papers." 
 
 Port Hudson, June 18, 1863. 
 It was now left for engineering skill to attack our works 
 at three points, viz. : Fort Desperate, also an acute, sali- 
 ent angle on the left, defended by the ist Mississippi, and 
 a projecting work on the river bluff] below the town, called 
 by us Battery 11, and by the Federals the " Citadel." 
 
 Lieut. James Freret, assistant engineer at Port Hudson, 
 the writer and compiler of these sketches comprising parts 
 of one of the " Southern Historical Society Papers " was 
 severely wounded while superintending repairs upon this 
 last named work. Here the Fifteenth New Hampshire 
 was stationed and worked away for the Citadel. Upon 
 May 27, and June 14, they attacked bravely upon the left. 
 Upon each of these days, Lieut. -Col. Henry W. Blair of 
 the Fifteenth New Hampshire was shot by a Minie-ball 
 in the left arm. 
 
 Full accounts are given by Lieutenant Freret of advances 
 and attempts on their right, but we give only what mostly 
 concerns our own regiment, and we sapped and mined 
 upon the Confederate centre and left, having but few killed 
 and none captured in our operations, although we worked 
 up to the enemy's ditches and both parties amused' them- 
 selves by pitching and rolling in troughs lively shells from 
 one side to the other. Occasionally an informal truce 
 would develop trade in tobacco, hard-tack, sugar, molasses, 
 and news reliable and otherwise, so a friendly spirit began 
 to be cultivated in preparation for the final fraternization 
 at the inevitable surrender. 
 
 Seddon to Johnston, Richmond, Va., June 21, 1863. 
 
 C. S. A. extract: 
 
 There is an almost imperative necessity for action. The 
 eyes and hopes of the whole Confederacy are upon you. 
 I rely upon you for all possible efforts to save Vicksburg. 
 I can scarce dare to suggest, but might it not be possible 
 
288 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to strike Banks first and unite the garrison of Port Hud- 
 son with you. 
 
 Johnston to Seddon, Canton, Miss., June 24, 1863 : 
 
 We cannot relieve Port Hudson without giving up Jack- 
 son, by which we should lose Mississippi. 
 
 C. S. A. Lieut. James Freret, July i : 
 
 Some of the splendid Parrott guns of an Indiana regi- 
 ment were taken across the river and put in battery there. 
 They dismounted three of our guns, splitting a rifled 32- 
 pounder on the 5th of July, knocking the trunnion off an 8- 
 inch howitzer on the morning of the 6th, and permanently 
 disabling a rifled 24-pounder on the evening of the same 
 day. This artillery practice was probably equal, if not 
 superior to aiiythiug which has ever been accomplished of 
 the kind, the distance being from one thousand to fourteen 
 hundred yards (about three quarters of a mile). 
 
 Many of our broken guns were, for an emergency, 
 braced up on blocks and loaded with bags of all sorts of 
 scrap iron which were to be fired in the face of a storm- 
 ing party, it being of little consequence whether the dis- 
 abled guns were good for another discharge or not. 
 
 July 7th. During the forenoon the Federals called out 
 to our men that Vicksburg had surrendered on the 4th. 
 That night a council of war was held at Gen. Gardner's 
 headquarters, which was protracted until 2 a. m. On the 
 8th, the situation of Port Hudson was well worthy seri- 
 ous consideration. It was 48 daj^s since the virtual begin- 
 ning of the siege, and a fortified position constructed for a 
 garrison of twenty thousand men had been held by one 
 third of that force for a much longer period than could 
 have been expected by our forces outside. At the hour 
 above named. Gen. Gardner sent to Gen. Banks by flag 
 of truce, for confirmation of the fall of Vicksburg, which 
 was accorded him. Yet Gen. Banks in his report, page 
 149, sqys that Gardner stated that the surrender was not 
 on account of the fall of Vicksburg. 
 
 No one at this date, 1891, questions General Banks' 
 honor, honesty, and veracity, whatever other criticism they 
 may be pleased to indulge in. So we insert a sentence 
 from his report, serial 41, page 14 : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 289 
 
 Gen. Gardner, stated emphatically as if he desired to be 
 
 understood, that his surrender was not on account of the 
 
 fall of Vicksburg, but from the exhaustion of his men 
 
 who had been without rest for weeks and could not resist 
 
 another attack. 
 
 The following is a statement made by Gen. Richard B. 
 Irwin at the reunion of the Nineteenth Army Corps in New 
 York on February 18, 1888, as follows : 
 
 Gen. Irwin refuted the heretofore universal impression 
 that Port Hudson capitulated because Vicksburg had 
 fallen. He said that as he lay awake in his tent on the 
 night of July 7th, he heard the tread of two horses in front 
 of headquarters. One of those horsemen bore a message 
 from Gen. Gardner enclosed in a dirty envelope, which 
 contained proposals for surrender ; the other was an 
 orderly from the fleet with a fuse for exploding the mine, 
 so if no capitulation had been effected. Port Hudson must 
 have fallen with the explosion of the mine. 
 
 Confederate account continued : 
 
 At 9 A. M. on the 8th, Gen. Gardner dispatched com- 
 missioners to treat for the surrender of the Post. They 
 returned in the afternoon with the following terms of 
 unconditional surrender, which were agreed to and signed. 
 
 Art. I. Major-General Frank Gardner to surrender to 
 the United States forces under Major-General Banks, the 
 place of Port Hudson and its dependencies with its garri- 
 son, armament, munitions, public funds and material of 
 war, in the condition as nearly as may be in which they 
 were at the hour of cessation of hostilities, viz. : 6 a. m. 
 July 8th, 1863. 
 
 Art. 2. The surrender stipulated in Art. i is qualified 
 by no condition save that the officers and enlisted men 
 composing the garrison shall receive the treatment due to 
 prisoners of war according to the usage of civilized war- 
 fare. 
 
 Art. 3. All private property of officers and enlisted men 
 shall be respected and left to their respective owners. 
 
 Art. 4. The position of Port Hudson shall be occupied 
 to-morrow at 7 a. m. by the forces of the United States, 
 and its garrison received as prisoners of war by such gen- 
 
 19 
 
290 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 eral officer of the United States service as may be desig- 
 nated by Maj.-Gen. Banks, with the ordinary formalities 
 of rendition. The Confederate troops will be drawn up 
 in line, officers in their positions, the right of the line rest- 
 ing on the edge of the prairie south of the railroad depot, 
 the left extending in the direction of the village of Port 
 Hudson. The arms and colors will be conveniently piled 
 and will be received by the officers of the United States. 
 
 Art. 5. The sick and wounded of the garrison will be 
 cared for by the authorities of the United States, assisted, if 
 desired by either party, by the medical officers of the 
 garrison. Approved. 
 
 W. R. Miles, Commanding Right wing, C. S. A. 
 T. G. W. Steedman " Left 
 M. J. Smith, Lieut.-Col. Heavy Artillery, " 
 Chas. P. Stone, Brigadier-General, U. S. A. 
 
 W. Dwight, " " " 
 
 Henry W. Birge, Col. Comdg. 3d Brig. " 
 
 Grover's Division, " 
 
 Approved — Frank Gardner, Major-General. 
 
 N. P. Banks, Major-General. 
 
 As soon as the above was signed, the late combatants 
 began to fraternize. Soldiers swarmed from their places 
 of concealment on either side and met each other in the 
 most cordial spirit. Groups of Federal soldiers were 
 escorted round our works and shown the effects of their 
 shots and entertained with accounts of such parts of the 
 siege operations as they could not have learned before. 
 In the same way our men went into the Federal lines and 
 gazed with curiosity upon the work which had been giv- 
 ing them so much trouble, escorted by Federal soldiers 
 who vied with each other in courtesy and a display of 
 magnanimous spirit. Not a single case occurred in which 
 the enemy, either officers or privates, exhibited a disposi- 
 tion to exult over their victory, but, on the contrary, the 
 defense elicited only compliments upon its skill and 
 bravery. One of their surgeons came in during a heavy 
 rain storm and brought medicines for our sick, repeating 
 nis visit the next morning and bringing a large quantity 
 of quinine, which he dosed out to the fever patients. 
 
 The following order was published : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 291 
 
 Headquarters, 
 Port Hudson, La., July 8, 1863. 
 General Orders, No. 61. 
 
 I. Nobly have the troops performed their duty in the 
 defense of this position, continued from the 21st day of 
 May up to this time. The place is surrendered at the 
 last moment that it is proper to hold it, and after a most 
 gallant defense in several severe attacks. Let all con- 
 tinue, during the duties that still remain to be performed, 
 to show that cheerful obedience which has distinguished 
 them as soldiers up to this time. 
 
 n. The troops will be paraded at 6 a. m. to-morrow for 
 surrender in line of battle in the same order as they are 
 now at the breastworks, with the heavy artillery on the 
 right in the edge of the prairie, the left extending towards 
 the town of Port Hudson. All officers and men will be 
 in their places under arms. 
 
 By command of 
 Major-General Frank Gardner. 
 (Signed) C. N. Jackson, 
 
 A. A. A. G. 
 
 Shortly after dark a train of wagons brought in a liberal 
 supply of provisions from the Federal commissariat. 
 They were issued to our troops during the night time, and 
 at morning our men enjoyed the first good meal they had 
 partaken of for a long time. 
 
 At 7 A. M. our line was formed and as General Gardner 
 rode along the line with his staff, he was enthusiastically 
 cheered. 
 
 The following assumes a great deal at that date : 
 
 From Brig. -Gen. Thomas Green, July 5, 1863 : 
 
 Assumption Church, on La Fourche. 
 
 (West of the Mississippi river.) 
 To any Confederate force on the east of the Mississippi, 
 — We have here sufficient force to hold against any force 
 the Yankees can bring against us. If a force below Don- 
 aldsonville could hold their own on the river, we can stop 
 Banks' supplies, force him to raise the siege, and. we can 
 whip him in the open field should he move on this side. 
 
292 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 The above was received by Colonel Logan, C. S. A., 
 who says on July 8, the day of the surrender, in a com- 
 munication to Gen. S. Cooper, "I have urged Green to 
 hold his present position, cut off the enemy's supplies, 
 open communication with General Gardner, and provision 
 the garrison at Port Hudson by swimming beeves across 
 the river. Being on the move I write in great haste." 
 
 Union account. Colonel Birge to Ass't Adj. -Gen. D. S. 
 Walker, Port Hudson, June 28, 1863 : 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to report that the volunteers for 
 the storming column are organized in two battalions of 
 eight companies each. Present strength for duty is — 
 commanding officers, 67; enlisted men, 826; total, 873. 
 
 Extract : 
 
 The First and Third, colored Louisiana Guards had 
 expressed, as regiments, their willingness to go, but sup- 
 posing that they were not all wanted, 90 picked men were 
 enrolled. See page 59, series i, part i. 
 
 From Fifty-third Massachusetts History : 
 
 It was the intention to charge at daybreak on July 4th, 
 and the line was formed. Soon Gen. Banks and staff 
 appeared, rode along the front, saluted, read a despatch 
 from Gen. Grant saying that Vicksburg was about to sur- 
 render, and he would send reinforcements. This state- 
 ment of the situation delayed the charge. 
 
 Soon General Grant was penning the following to Gen- 
 eral Banks : 
 
 Near Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. 
 
 General, — Vicksburg surrendered this morning. All 
 my surplus troops are and were on the Big Black River, 
 and are now in motion to attack Johnston. This will have 
 the effect of keeping him from detaching any force to 
 relieve Port Hudson. 
 
 The above was received by General Banks on the 7th. 
 On the morning of the 9th at the head of the victorious 
 column, marched first the drum corps of the Eighth Regi- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 293 
 
 ment New Hampshire Volunteers. Next came the storm- 
 ing column of a thousand men, their services, happily, not 
 called for, next over the leveled intrenchments came our 
 own Eighth New Hampshire Regiment, assigned to the 
 second place in recognition of its work at the siege, and it 
 was further complimented by having its camp ground 
 within Port Hudson directly under the stars and stripes 
 waving from the flag-staff of the post. 
 
 C. S. A. Lieut. Freret in " Southern Historical Society 
 Papers " : 
 
 Port Hudson, July 9. 
 
 The Surrender. The Federal column marching down 
 the road to the landing, approached the right of our line, 
 preceded by General Andrews and staff. As he ap- 
 proached, Gen. Gardner advanced with his sword drawn 
 and presented the hilt to Gen. Andrews with the following 
 words : " Having thoroughly defended this position as 
 long as I deemed it necessary, I now surrender to you my 
 sword, and with it this post and its garrison." To which 
 Gen. Andrews replied : " I return your sword as a proper 
 compliment to the gallant commander of such gallant 
 troops — conduct that would be heroic in another cause." 
 To which Gen. Gardner replied as he returned his sword 
 into the scabbard, " This is neither the time nor place to 
 discuss the cause." The order was given along our line 
 to " ground arms," which was obeyed, and our men stood 
 in line, while the Federals marched from right to left until 
 they had formed a line before us, when they hoisted their 
 flag upon the bluff, fired a salute, and the ceremony was 
 over. It was now announced to our men that they would 
 be faroled — news that was received by them with great 
 satisfaction, particularly as they had made up their minds 
 already to a term of tmprtsomnent . 
 
 As there has been considerable discussion as to the real 
 cause of the surrender, it seems as if the following report 
 would settle it. 
 
 Confederate report of Capt. C. M. Jackson, A. A. 
 Inspector General, C. S. Army, July 9, 1863 (serial 41, 
 page 144) , extract : 
 
294 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Port Hudson surrendered yesterday at 6 A. m. Our 
 ■provisions were exhausted, and it was impossible for us to 
 cut our way out on account of the proximity of the enemy's 
 works. 
 
 Our casualties during the siege are 200 killed, and 
 between 300 and 400 wounded. About 200 men have 
 died from sickness. 
 
 At the time of the surrender, there were only 2,500 men 
 for duty. I came out through the enemy's lines about an 
 hour after the surrender and tried to ascertain the strength 
 of Gen. Banks' army, but did not succeed ; but from my 
 own observation, I am led to believe his force to be 25,000 
 or 30,000 men. 
 
 The C. S. A. returns of casualties in the Confederate 
 forces at Plains Store and Port Hudson are marked 
 " Incomplete." 
 
 Public Resolution No. 7. 
 Resolution expressive of the thanks of Congress to Maj.- 
 Gen. N. P. Banks and the officers and soldiers under his 
 command at Port Hudson, La. : 
 
 Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives 
 of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, 
 That the thanks of Congress are hereby tendered to Maj.- 
 Gen. N. P. Banks and the officers and soldiers under his 
 command, for the skill, courage and endurance which 
 compelled the surrender of Port Hudson, and thus re- 
 moved the last obstruction to the free navigation of the 
 Mississippi River. Approved Jan. 28, 1864. 
 
 Admiral D. D. Porter to Grant: 
 
 Off Vicksburg, July 11, 1863. 
 General, — Port Hudson surrendered unconditionally 
 on the 9th instant. 
 
 Grant to Banks : 
 
 Vicksburg, July 11, 1863. 
 General, — It is with pleasure that I congratulate you 
 upon your removal of the last obstacle to the free naviga- 
 tion of the Mississippi. This will prove a death to Cop- 
 perheadism in the northwest, besides serving to demoral- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 295 
 
 ize the enemy. Like arming the negroes, it will act as a 
 two-edged sword cutting both ways. 
 
 I have telegraphed to Washington in regard to sending 
 troops, and the reason for it. So far as I know of any- 
 thing being expected of my force, I can spare you an 
 army corps of as good troops as ever trod American soil. 
 No better are found on any other. It will afford me 
 pleasure to send them if I am not required to do some duty 
 with them. When the news of your success reached me, 
 I changed the direction of Herron's division to the Yazoo. 
 
 Banks to Halleck : 
 
 Port Hudson, July 10, 1863. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that with the post 
 there fell into our hands over 5.,55o prisoners, including 
 one Major-General, one Brigadier-General, 20 pieces of 
 heavy artillery, 5 complete batteries numbering 31 pieces 
 of field artillery, a good supply of projectiles for light and 
 heavy guns, 44,000 pounds of cannon powder, 5,000 stand 
 of small arms, 150,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, 
 besides a small amount of stores of various kinds. We 
 also captured two steamers, one of which is very valuable. 
 
 Upon the surrender I found it necessary to send all 
 available force to open and preserve communication with 
 New Orleans. I was also compelled to garrison this post 
 by the nine months regiment, whose time they think is 
 out, and the colored regiments. After the post surren- 
 dered unconditionally, I released the non-commissioned 
 officers and privates on their parole. The officers will be 
 kept in confinement until further orders. 
 
 Trusting that my course will be approved I have the 
 honor to be. 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 N. P. Banks, 
 
 Maj.-Gen. Comdg. 
 
 In concluding the siege of Port Hudson I use my ego- 
 tistical pen to sketch some incidents occurring during a 
 twenty-four days' stay in the Confederate hospital. More 
 might have been noted if I could have had the use of my 
 underpinning after the surrender. Although my scope of 
 sight was confined to a small circle, yet every prisoner 
 
296 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 saw that which was to him new and strange, and that got 
 burned into his organism, somehow, to stay. See Camj) 
 Ford accounts. 
 
 It is said that a scorpion caught captive within a ring of 
 fire will mortally sting himself. Thousands will testify 
 that it is a sudden and often an awful change from the 
 comparative freedom of one's own camp to the untried 
 custody of the enemy's ; but the Yankee man, generally, 
 does not torment himself to death with remorse, but 
 accommodates his life to circumstances, makes friends 
 anyway, and keeps his " weather eye open" for chances. 
 
 I, at the first, kept silent when taken within the rebel 
 fortifications. On giving up my sword. Major Tom 
 Street, as he was familiarly called, said significantly, 
 " It is a mere form, we shall have to give up ours in a few 
 days." I saw by his manner that he was in earnest, and 
 the information was a consolation. He then asked me 
 how strong a column was behind the skirmishers. An 
 orderly who had been eyeing me very closely said, " he 
 won't tell you." The orderly being entirely right, caused 
 me to smile and so we all laughed. Major Tom didn't 
 press that matter any further, but after taking my name 
 and regiment, asked who the big fellow was, an officer, 
 carrying a gun, who got well up to the ditch before he 
 was killed ? I told him that I thought it to be First Lieu- 
 tenant Joseph Wallis, of Company F. 
 
 Latest. Comrade C. E. Conant says that he passed 
 Wallis "about ten feet to his right; he certainly had 
 no sword, but did carry something that looked like a gun. 
 He looked and acted tired." So the probabilities are 
 that he had then been shot at least once, and was still 
 advancing. 
 
 I felt in still better hunpr as Surgeon Davidson very 
 carefully attended to my wounds, and told me that I was 
 all right and only the bone in the left was probably 
 nicked, which, in the course of time, proved to be the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 297 
 
 case. Then on a stretcher I was carried to the main 
 hospital tent where I found Sergt. C. A. Emerson and 
 Corporals Haines and Livermore, all three wounded ; 
 the last named, badly. Emerson was soon taken to the 
 Port Hudson Hotel (prison). Livermore was put in a 
 tent across the road, and Haines and myself occupied 
 bunks opposite each other at the east entrance of a long 
 tent containing about sixty Confederates. Our first meal 
 was of corn bread and sassafras tea. The distribution 
 was fair. We always got our share. We were well 
 treated all around, with the exception of a little chin music 
 from a mounted officer, who one day halted in passing 
 and hoped that " Yaller Jack " would sweep us Yankees 
 all into a hotter place than a Louisiana July. But that 
 remark at another time was offset by another mounted 
 staff officer who paid a higher compliment to us than we 
 ever received at the North. That night a driving easterly 
 rain storm set in which wet us completely. I think that 
 that first night was the bluest one that we spent in Port 
 Hudson. The future was not over encouraging. Shot 
 and shell reached us from our own side, the tent was well 
 cut up with Union missiles, often scaring the nurses to 
 take refuge on the opposite side of the narrow valley, 
 whence they would come back in a hurry when a shell 
 from our gunboats came within range, and, too, there was 
 much talk about succor and of cutting their way out, tak- 
 ing us with them for a trip to Andersonville. 
 
 One noon, just as we had been supplied with soup, at 
 least something that floated scum, one of our shells struck 
 their parapet, exploded, and a huge piece came sailing 
 over to us, burst through the tent, and ploughing its way 
 under the bunk of a Frenchman opposite, threw him out 
 and spoiled our dinner with dirt. I was glad to get off so 
 easily for I was right in the line of fire, and a few more 
 ounces of momentum would have spoiled me. On our side 
 I had heard but little of the battle of Shiloh, but here, from 
 
298 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the talk of the Confederates, I began to appreciate its 
 magnitude and importance, for they were emphatic in 
 relating how they found out that we'uns could and did 
 fight, and I thought that to be a healthy knowledge for 
 them to gain, especially the rank and file, as they needed 
 to hold a fair estimate of their opponents. There were a 
 number of old Shiloh veterans in the hospital, and they 
 were full of narration, how up there they so easily ran over 
 our advanced camp in the morning and supposed the vic- 
 tory won by noon, and how they helped themselves to the 
 goodies in the Yankee tents, but found themselves headed 
 for Corinth on the third day, licked. " That Grant o'yourn 
 is 'n ole bool dorg," was their verdict. 
 
 Upon the second day's confinement, I found that I had a 
 big job on hand. The surgeons didn't tell me, but the 
 reb. boys did, to keep my wounds clear of maggots. 
 There being no turpentine in camp they had a good 
 chance to get their final and eternal hold on a fellow. 
 Water being scarce, the bandages came back to us in a 
 filthy state, and all the remedy we had was to put one on, 
 lie down and lie perfectly still for a half hour, and if any 
 life was beneath, one could then feel it, rip off the bandage 
 and substitute another. I have done that six times a day. 
 The blue-tailed fly and his product seemed as intelligent, 
 certainly as cunning, as the average reb. and would lie 
 concealed in clothing waiting for the victim to sleep in 
 order to take possession. I used to get one of the flies 
 transfixed upon a pin upright through its back and lecture 
 it for the edification of the rebs. After a day or two, each 
 reb. had a pin and a fly, and along the rows of cots were 
 rows of flies on pins, and by giving the little pests short 
 straws to handle, they made lots of fun, the flies acting 
 like soldiers with guns going through the manual of arms, 
 etc. It didn't hurt the flies any, and the little school boy 
 trick amused all hands, which leads to the remark at a 
 venture, that there was more fun, per capita, among the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 299 
 
 Northern than among the Southern troops. The boys can 
 discuss that. 
 
 The reb. who occupied the bunk next to mine, was one 
 Creamer by name. He had a reputation for daring to go 
 out over the breastworks and, while under fire, robbing the 
 dead and wounded. He had in his possession a number 
 of purses and plenty of gold and silver. He was wounded 
 by a Minie-ball in one heel, and it took the spirit all out 
 of him. He did not have the energy to brush flies from 
 his foot, so he hired his comrades to do it ; but as much as 
 they wanted the money, they got sick of it and used a good 
 deal of profanity on him, also telling him that the Yanks 
 (meaning Haines and I) would make a live of it, and he 
 die : but neither threats nor the visits of the chaplains did 
 him any good. The latter came in and read to him and 
 prayed with him, but the result was no faith nor hope on 
 his part. The visit of the matron of the hospital provoked 
 a smile which ended in a laugh. I could not help it, as 
 the statement that she made was so true. The poor fellow 
 told her that what he wanted was sympathj' — heart-felt 
 sympathy, and she being deaf, understood him to say 
 chicken soup and she very readily replied that there was 
 none of that article in Port Hudson, and I was very sure 
 that there was no c"hicken soup for us, and very little of 
 the other article. Creamer died in just fourteen days, and 
 a big fellow weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, who 
 had lost a hand, kept up the excitement by going crazy. 
 He began by eating and drinking all the garbage and 
 waste about, and ended by ripping up bunks, knocking 
 out the sick, and throwing the bedding about. Luckily 
 forme, he began at the end of the tent opposite, and Lieu- 
 tenant Sea, C. S. A., who lay on my right was just mad 
 enough and convalescent enough to attack him. He made 
 short work of stopping his raid and he was removed to 
 safer quarters. 
 
 The matron had a two-j'ear-old boy who was born on 
 
300 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the battlefield of Manassas, a thousand miles eastward. 
 He generally turned out in the morning and came trotting 
 — no, he never did trot, he walked around our quarters 
 with deliberation, and usually destitute of all clothing. 
 Owing to the fact that he was invariably sober of counte- 
 nance, I nicknamed him the " smiling infant." The rebs. 
 caught on and kept it going. Neither he nor his ma, who 
 was somewhat " loose" seemed to care at all for the drip- 
 ping of shot about. The woman was perhaps twenty years 
 old and was apparently more ornamental than useful. 
 
 On the eighteenth day of our captivity, we were treated 
 to a new taste of meat, and the smell thereof preceded it, 
 and it was like unto the smell of a saddle blanket after it 
 be removed from a horse which had been ridden hard for 
 five hours. The meat was the meat of a mule, and we 
 did eat of it and were satisfied. It is said that rats were 
 eaten, but we got none of that luxury that we know of. 
 
 In regard to mule eating, we have the testimony of Lieu- 
 tenant Freret, C. S. A., as follows: "The last quarter 
 ration of beef had been given out to the troops on the 29th 
 of June. On the ist of July, at the request of many officials, 
 a wounded mule was killed and cut up for experimental 
 eating. The fiesh of mules is of a darker color than beef, 
 of a finer grain, quite tender and juicy, and has a flavor 
 something bet-wcen that of beef and venison. Some horses 
 were slaughtered, and their flesh was found to be very 
 good eating, but not equal to mule. Rats, of which there 
 were plenty about the deserted camps, were also caught 
 by many officers and men and were found to be quite a 
 luxury. Mule meat was regularly served out in rations to 
 the troops from and after the 4th of July." 
 
 With such unequivocal and official testimony in favor of 
 the goodness of niule and rat meat, the South ought to be 
 generous in its rivalry with the beef-cornered North. 
 
 The stock of corn was getting very low, and besides 
 that nothing was left but peas, sugar, molasses and salt. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 301 
 
 (That a large quantity of peas — black beans — was left 
 on hand, was probably accounted for by the fact that most 
 of the troops would not have them on any consideration, 
 because they were so hard and tough.) The sugar 
 and molasses were put to good use by the trpops in mak- 
 ing a weak description of beer, which-was constantly kept 
 at the lines by the barrel full, and drunk by the soldiers in 
 preference to the miserable water with which they were 
 generally supplied. 
 
 The following, from the same source, tells its own story, 
 and, by the way, that First Alabama Regiment shows up 
 strong at that date ! 
 
 Captain Jones to Assistant Adjutant-General Wilson : 
 
 Major, — The following named commands have ap- 
 plied to me for the respectively named amounts of either 
 mule or horse meat, to wit : 
 
 1st Alabama, 30 officers, 555 men. 
 
 18 Arkansas, 50 " 
 
 12 " 100 " 
 
 16 " 3Q " 180 " 
 
 60 885, Total 945. 
 
 They would like to have the ration for tomorrow this 
 evening. 
 
 Under a flag of truce, medicines were sent in for our 
 use and there was a consequent exaltation of spirits at the 
 surgeon's tent, the noise of which reached us and was the 
 first intimation that any spiritus frumenti had passed the 
 lines. There were several hundreds of bushels of black 
 beans in the body of a church on the hill. The gun prac- 
 tice over our tent was to destroy them, but our side did not 
 know that they were already indigestible. The only and 
 reliable friend that I had was a piece of tobacco of the 
 size now sold for fifteen cents. Not having been searched 
 nor robbed (save of my broad-brimmed felt hat as I lay 
 on the field) I had retained the tobacco, and as my nurse 
 
302 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 loved that weed, I used to purchase extra attention by dol- 
 ing out half-pipefuls for his comfort, and as I would not 
 use any myself, the plug lasted till I was a free man. 
 
 The amount of skulking done was a great consolation 
 to us. When the line firing was very fierce, the hospital 
 was deserted by all who could get away for shelter under 
 the opposite hills. One bright young fellow came into the 
 hospital, who belonged in New Orleans. They called him 
 "Jim." I became quite intimate with him, and he told 
 me that he thought the " thing couldn't last long"; that it 
 was "useless to shed anymore blood," etc. His chum 
 used to come up each day from the " front." I could not 
 see that anything was the matter with my hospital friend, 
 and I guessed, too, that his visitor thought that his health 
 was good enough for him to be down at the " peek holes," 
 for he rallied him about going and told him what lots of 
 fun they had ; but he could not start him. The visitor did 
 not come the next day nor the next, but someone came up 
 and told Jim that his friend was dead — was shot in the eye, 
 and Jim cried so wofully that I felt squeamish ; however, 
 as his soft spot was exposed, I poured in a good dose of 
 United States of America, and made Jim feel quite Union 
 so he blubbered out that more fighting was no better than 
 murder. Said he, "We hated to fire on you on the 14th, 
 for we had ye, back to the daylight, sure death. You 
 'uns be a better lot than we took you to be. Colonel 
 Miles, too, is a blubbering. Lots of his men are deserting 
 every day." They were a part of " Miles' Legion," 
 originally said to be 5,000 men, and occupied the right of 
 the line of defense. A general sort oi getting under cover 
 was plain to be seen, and if the hospital had been a really 
 safe place, it would have been crowded to excess. 
 
 There was little to occupy the attention each day, ex- 
 cept the very necessary taking care of ourselves. Haines 
 and I used to get up a great many imaginary meals of 
 victuals. There was no reading matter save a Testament 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 303 
 
 owned by a nurse who took care of Livermore, who died 
 on July 3 of a compHcation of diseases connected with 
 his wounds. I sent for his chum and townsman, Sergt. 
 Charles A. Emerson, who looked out for and marked his 
 grave. The nurse who carried the Testament did not 
 wish to give up Livermore's valuable watch, but I ap- 
 pealed to the head surgeon and had the good fortune to 
 recover it, and the pleasure of returning it to his friends at 
 home. 
 
 On July 5, we heard of the escape of Lieutenant New- 
 ell, and our rebs. said that they were glad of it as long 
 as he was smart enough to get away. That day Confed- 
 erate officers came to the tent and wished me to sign a 
 parole, but I told them that I would not as I could not run 
 away at all, and did not just then wish to be exchanged, 
 or be liable to exchange, and added jokingly, that they 
 would probably surrender before Christmas, and that I 
 could live as long as they on mule and molasses. They 
 appreciated my " say so," and agreed that they could not 
 hold out long. They expected a heavy bombardment on 
 July 4 and were disappointed at the unusual stillness. 
 On the 6th, the talk was that their line was so thin and 
 weak, that another attack like that of June 14, could not 
 be withstood. It was plainly to be seen and heard that 
 the men were too disheartened to care to fight against such 
 fearful odds. It took all the bluff of the officials to keep 
 the men near the breastworks, and on the 7th of July, 
 it was a great relief to the worn Confederates to even hear 
 the first rumor of the fall of Vicksburg, and when it was 
 confirmed, many felt like firing a joyful salute. 
 
 On the 6th, I gave my nurse a large piece of tobacco, 
 and thus hired him to cut for me some sticks for canes to be 
 used in and about my Northern home as mementoes of my 
 stay in Port Hudson. He did so, but on the way to the 
 boat, I not being well enough to look out sharply for them, 
 they were appropriated by some appreciative individual. 
 
304 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 and they now probably adorn some simply innocent home 
 and are used to illustrate the " wor." If the person who 
 took even one of them chances to see this relation, I hope 
 that he will drop a tear or a postal. 
 
 At last the little "Starlight" took Haines and myself 
 to New Orleans, where the single five-dollar bill that had 
 escaped the Confederacy, bought us a fine meal that we 
 enjoyed hugel}'. After finding Lieutenant Camp, I took 
 our Bis) and contraband — all clean clothing, and went to 
 bathrooms from which I emerged seemingly a new man. 
 Those who have exchanged the dirt and discomfort of a 
 siege, and an imprisonment of even twenty-four days, for 
 freedom and fresh linen, will say that the exhilarating 
 change is worth a line of record. 
 
 When I first landed in Port Hudson in the midst of the 
 Forty-ninth Alabama, I told Col. Tom Street that my 
 sword was given to me and I would like it again. This 
 was just after he had told me that the taking of it was a 
 mere form. He replied that I should have it, so on the 
 day of the surrender, I sent a colored individual after it 
 and he returned it to me in a scabbard on which was 
 engraved, "Presented to Captain David D. Hoag by the 
 church and Sunday school of Sherman, Conn." 
 
 My own scabbard having been worn out in the service, 
 I was glad to get another one and thought not much of the 
 matter until about 1866,. when I happened to note that 
 someone might be much more interested in that scabbard 
 than myself, so I wrote to the postmaster of the town of 
 Sherman. After several weeks I received an answer from 
 the widow of Captain Hoag, saying that she should be 
 extremely glad to receive the scabbard as her husband 
 was killed on June 14, and that his body lay in an un- 
 known grave, nothing at all having been received from 
 him or heard from him save his parting letters written on 
 the evening of June 13. Accordingly I hastened to return 
 the relic to its proper owner, and lately Captain Hoag's 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 305 
 
 son, who is secretary of the Inter-State R. T. R. R. Co. 
 of Kansas, wrote for more information about the highly 
 prized scabbard, he having brought it on with him in 1888 
 to be shown at the dedication of a monument at Sherman, 
 Conn., in memory of his father. In letters from him I am 
 also informed that he has been at Port Hudson, and by the 
 aid of maps furnished by our government showing the 
 lines of attack and defense, also through information 
 gleaned from Southern soldiers now in that vicinity he has 
 succeeded in locating the probable final resting place of 
 his father. I quote his account in part, as follows : "In 
 the year 1867 our government purchased a tract of land 
 containing eight acres lying south and east of Port Hud- 
 son and about one mile from the Mississippi river on quite 
 a high plateau, in a beautiful location and established a 
 National cemetery there, under the direction of Lieutenant 
 Reyburn, who was the first superintendent. The dead 
 were removed to this cemetery. The records show that 
 there were three thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven 
 interments. Of these but five hundred and eighty-eight 
 are known. Capt. George A. De Samo was the succeed- 
 ing officer in command, and his evidence in conjunction 
 with that of the orderly sergeant of Captain Hoag's com- 
 pany, also sustained by some Confederate officers, places 
 his father's grave at the southeast part of the grounds, near 
 a grove of oaks, planted in the shape of a cross. Captain 
 Hoag commanded a full company of one hundred men, ten 
 men being selected from each company of his regiment, the 
 Twenty-eighth Connecticut. They were in the column 
 near the Fourth Massachusetts and carried besides their 
 arms, hand grenades. According to the statement of 
 Orderly Sergeant W. S. Wakeman they lost seventy-five 
 killed and wounded, including Captain Hoag who was 
 killed at the breastworks in the ditch." 
 
 It was generally known in the regiment that Comrade 
 C. F. Smith (musician) was a fine chess player. After 
 20 
 
3o6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the surrender, within the fortifications, he ran across a 
 group of Confederate officers, two of whom were playing 
 chess. Soon looking up, they saw an apparently inter- 
 ested Yankee which caused them to "wink" violently 
 one to another, and he was asked to try a game. Of 
 course Smith did that same, and it was dark when they 
 got through, and the beaten reb. was too " tired" to 
 "wink," but his chum who didn't play " winked " to Smith 
 a pleasant sort of a " wink." It took Smith two hours, 
 which seemed four, to find the regiment, and the cook 
 thought that he was a ration ahead, but Comrade Smith 
 still draws his home rations and can play chess. 
 
 Personal. — First Lieut. James Miles enlisted on Octo- 
 ber 3, 1861, and was discharged January 17, 1865. " He 
 was in all of the fights of the Eighth New Hampshire 
 clean through." On the first Red River march he was dis- 
 abled in right leg and got a bullet in same on June 14, 
 1863. As first sergeant, he commanded Company D for 
 over a year. He was promoted to second lieutenant on 
 June 22, 1864, and to first lieutenant, September i, 1864. 
 He has had charge of the planing department of the Mc- 
 Kay Machine shop in Lawrence, Mass., for twenty-six 
 years. Has been in city government three years. 
 
 Just now there comes to me from across the continent, a 
 letter from Sergt. Charles A. Emerson who was in it from 
 about October i, 1861, to January 18, 1865. He knows 
 it all, but declares that he had rather swing that old ten- 
 pound sabre for a week, than to write a page of history; 
 yet I find out from him a lot of valuable facts. Among 
 others he says that the First Alabama which was in front 
 of us at Port Hudson, was \!n^ first regiment mustered into 
 the Confederate service, and they were armed with the 
 old smooth-bore flint-lock muskets. They also had 
 charge there of a heavy battery of guns. They also, pre- 
 viously, had a battery at Island No. 10, where they were 
 
LT. JAMES MILES, CO. D. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 307 
 
 captured at the beginning of the war and afterward 
 exchanged. One of their pieces in front of us was 
 reduced to the bare gun, and that had a flared muzzle like 
 a bell. Some Yankee shell had given it a kind of stage 
 kiss. They had to load the piece on the ground, lift it 
 upon the parapet, fire it, and the recoil would send it back 
 again. 
 
 Comrade Emerson got a good deal of information from 
 Lieutenant Pratt of the above regiment. He was a native 
 of Temple, N. H. An uncle of his went South, got rich, 
 opposed secession, then gave in, and raised and equipped 
 a regiment at his own expense. Sergt. C. A. Emerson 
 further says that on the 14th, when taken prisoner, that he 
 found inside, Livermore, Haines, Cobbs, Benden, and 
 Clay, all of our Company B. A very small amount of 
 fresh pork and corn bread was the best fodder that they 
 got. Corn on the ear was the_^rst ration given out, and a 
 small one at that. The reb. grinding mills soon got dis- 
 abled. One got a solid shot through its boiler, and 
 the run of stone was ruined. The only way of grind- 
 ing corn at the last, was by raising the forward part 
 of the engine left on the Clinton railroad and running a 
 band, from the grinder to the driving wheel, and they had 
 to keep that on the move to get out of the way of our shot. 
 The principal diet was peas, of which the meeting-house 
 was filled to the top of the pews. Mule steak was issued 
 towards the last of the siege. Lieutenant Pratt said that 
 rats were eaten. 
 
 On July 3, they (the prisoners) were removed from the 
 hotel (the basement) where they had been stopping, to 
 a stockade back in the woods. News of Lee's invasion of 
 Pennsylvania made things look blue ; later news of the 
 taking of Vicksburg made things look a bright crimson. 
 
 The outfit of a prisoner was what he stood in and could 
 Hold on to. In that hotel there were no blankets, no con- 
 veniences at all furnished by the rebs. The bare floor of 
 
3o8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 brick was all there was to lie on, with no spare brick for 
 a pillow. Sergeant Emerson thought himself lucky in 
 having a part of a blanket for bedding, a piece of a beer 
 bottle for cup and plate, and a spoon (of wood) made by 
 himself. He adds, "On the day of surrender loads of pro- 
 visions for us did not reach us, but as we passed through 
 the Confederate camp after our release, we had a smell of 
 the feast." 
 
 The following address was sent to the regiment by 
 Brevet Major-General Paine : 
 
 Hotel Dieu, 
 New Orleans, La., July i6, 1863. 
 Officers and Soldiers of the Eighth New Hampshire 
 Volunteers : 
 
 It is probable that the fortunes of war have permanently 
 withdrawn you from my command. I cannot part with 
 you without at least some faint attempts to express the 
 admiration and affection with which your valor, skill and 
 exalted military qualities have inspired me. It has been 
 my fortune to witness your behavior in all the different 
 phases of a soldier's career. In the hour of victory, in 
 the gloom of repulse ; on the wearisome march, and in the 
 comfortable camp ; and each day has added to my respect 
 for a regiment which I have been proud to see standing 
 shoulder to shoulder with my own. Necessarily your 
 heroism has cost you the lives of many of your best and 
 bravest men. Their memory gives poignancy to the sor- 
 row which I feel at parting with you. If all the soldiers 
 of the Republic had been like you, peace would have long 
 since returned to our unhappy land. God bless you, one 
 and all ! Farewell. 
 
 Halbert E. Paine, 
 
 Brig.-GenH Vols. 
 
 Gen. Halbert E. Paine was born in Ohio. He gradu- 
 ated at the " Western Reserve University" and went into 
 the service as colonel of the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteers, 
 was brevetted as major-general in 1863, was commis- 
 sioner of patents from 1878 to 1880, when he resigned to 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 309 
 
 resume the practice of the law, which at this date is his 
 profession at Washington, D. C. 
 
 The writer inserts the following lines without excuse, 
 and with no remarks save that they were originally pub- 
 lished in the "Veterans' Advocate" (Comrade Evans' 
 paper, published at Concord, N. H.) nearly as at present; 
 that they were "blocked out "within Port Hudson when 
 my mind was seeking to be occupied; that they were sug- 
 gested and colored in sentiment by the knowledge that my 
 friend and comrade, Abiel A. Livermore, was slowly giv- 
 ing up his young life for his country. (This especially 
 applies to the final part which is at the end of this book.) 
 I could tell the rate of his sinking by the failure each day 
 of his voice, as we conversed across the narrow street 
 with increasing difficulty. He was a splendid fellow. He 
 enlisted from purely patriotic motives and followed his 
 marked path to its bitter yet glorious end. 
 
 THE CHARGE ON PORT HUDSON ON JUNE 14, 1863. 
 
 We know not how many are alive to tell 
 
 Of how we ran into that ' ' rebel hell " ! 
 
 (That's what the boys called it — Ah well) 
 
 Of who survived — and the many who fell, 
 
 On that fourteenth of June, in '63, 
 
 When we formed our column, stealthily ; 
 
 Built up of batteries and brigades. 
 
 Pioneers, and a battalion with grenades, 
 
 " Our Eighth" and the Fourth * as they were wont, 
 
 (As skirmishers scattered) to .stand the brunt — 
 
 So, we marched to meet Death — silently, 
 
 On that memorable morning, just at Tliree. 
 
 So silently — by no tap of the drum — 
 
 No loud command — the bugle was dumb — 
 
 No clarion peal from martial bands — 
 
 No waving of banners by fairest hands ; 
 
 Thus through the forest on the broad highway, 
 
 The column moved forward ere break of day. 
 
 * The Foiirth Wisconsin. 
 
3IO History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Our skirmish line fringed the edge of the wood, 
 The rebel force in front — half a rood, 
 The hour of Three was an hour of the past — 
 Hot blood was rushing from heart-beats fast. 
 We watched our leader, the gallant Paine, 
 Who rode down the rebs on Bisland's plain. 
 We heard the word ' ' Forward " given low, — 
 And the answering shots that came from the foe. 
 
 Out from the shadows the skirmish line thrown. 
 Went on like ghosts to the dread unknown. 
 As lines of lightning in their path 
 From the rebel works blazed fiery wrath. 
 From batteries masked on the hillsides spread. 
 Came storm clad War in flaming red ; 
 The sharp winged bullet, the shrieking shell. 
 The shrill buckshot and the rebel yell. 
 
 A mile to the left — a mile to the right 
 
 Fresh guns opened their thundering spite. 
 
 Long tongues of flame leaped out between 
 
 The sulphurous lips incarnadine 
 
 Of rifle's muzzle and cannon's mouth 
 
 Trained on the North and trained on the South. 
 
 Plunging shot and canister and shell 
 
 Through the gathering clouds that slowly fell. 
 
 Mercifully hiding both friend and foe. 
 
 God's sunlight above — Death's havoc below. 
 
 Up in the North the advancing flame 
 Of a burning day o'er the ocean came. 
 Secure on the mountain, on plain, in glen. 
 The loved ones at home were sleeping then. 
 
 Did one awake from a feverish dream, 
 A dream of the real, a shadowy gleam 
 Of sabres crossed and the bayonet's clash. 
 Of the red path of the cannon's crash. 
 Of the riderless horses and mangled forms, 
 Of sulphurous clouds and buzzards in swarms? 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 311 
 
 The sun of New England looked that morn, 
 On billowy fields of waving corn, 
 Through fair blue skies on plains of green, 
 On gray grained hills and the rills between, 
 Leaping from the mountain's granite knees 
 And sliding away to the far off seas. 
 Peace seemed to ride the lazy clouds. 
 Above the street and the passing crowds. 
 Who heard the church bell's winsome ringing, 
 The organ's melody and voices singing. 
 In hopeful moods little thought they 
 That at half past ten on that Sabbath day 
 Their townsmen on a Southern field lay 
 Bleeding beneath a blistering sun — 
 Dying and blackening ere day was done. 
 
 Silent at night ! while from the pitying east. 
 The rain — upon the clamoring winds unleashed, 
 That drove the clouds from the battlefield of red — 
 Poured its sweet libation upon the resting Dead. 
 
312 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Brig. -Gen. George L. Andrews in Command at Port Hudson. — The 
 
 Brotliers Porter and the " Essex" The "Arkansas" destroyed. — 
 
 Death of Admiral Porter and General Sherman, 1891. — General 
 Andrews to Colonel Fearing. — Col. H. Fearing, Jr., Personal. — 
 C. S. A. Officials, Debray, Magruder. — Commander Watson to 
 Adjutant-General Cooper. — Court of Enquiry . — Lincoln's Procla- 
 mation. — Davis' Proclamation. — Retaliation. — Three Despatches. 
 Donaldsonville. — Desecration of the Flag at Brashear City. — 
 Foreign Complications. — " Raise the Flag Somewhere in Texas." — 
 Sabine Pass Expedition a Failure. — Camped at Algiers; at Bis- 
 land; at Franklin; at Opelousas. — Celebration of the Anniversary 
 of the Battle of Georgia Landing. — Colonel Fearing arrives with 
 Recruits. — Mike Fox. — Forty-eighth Ohio. — What did we eat? — 
 The Pipe ! 
 
 General Order, No. i. 
 
 Port Hudson, July 10, 1863. 
 (Extract.) The undersigned hereby assumes command 
 of the Corps D'Afrique, and of the Post at Port Hudson. 
 
 George L. Andrews, 
 
 Brig.-Gen. Vols. Comd'g. 
 
 Reorganization of the Third Division, Nineteenth Army 
 Corps, Brig.-Gen. William Dwight commanding. See 
 special order. No. 166, "which, 'in consequence of the ex- 
 piration of the term of service of several of the nine-months 
 regiments,' transferred the First and Third Brigades, Sec- 
 ond Division to the Third Division, and assigned to Gen- 
 eral Dwight the command. He assumed command on 
 July 12. Col. Hawkes Fearing, Jr., commanded the 
 division from June 15 to July 6." 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 313 
 
 Serial 41, page 632 : 
 
 The second brigade was made up of 
 
 28th Connecticut, Col. S. P. Ferris. 
 
 8th New Hampshire, Col. H. Fearing, Jr. 
 
 15th New Hampshire, Col. J. W. Kingman. 
 
 133d New York, Col. L. H. Currie. 
 
 173d New York, Col. L. M. Peck. 
 
 4th Wisconsin, Lieut.-Col. F. A. Boardman. 
 
 This last regiment was detached for mounted service on 
 July II, 1863. 
 
 Chaplain : 
 
 Port Hudson, July 9th. Our 108 men put in charge of 
 this Post, a desolate forsaken place. 
 
 13th. Capt. Stokes just in from Baton Rouge. Saw 
 Major Smith and did not know him, he looks so sickly. 
 I am sorry for him. We need New Hampshire apples 
 and cider for the hospital. 
 
 William D. Porter created and commanded the iron clad 
 " Essex." He was appointed commodore on August 4, 
 1862. Port Hudson was a harder spot to get by than was 
 Vicksburg. The river made here a turn of nearly a right 
 angle, and in passing, a vessel was under fire for over 
 three miles from the three points of the compass, and shots 
 were thrown from at least a score of splendid English 
 Whitworth guns mounted in water batteries and on the 
 bluffs. 
 
 Lieut. James Freret speaks of the gloomy "Essex" 
 approaching before Port Hudson. The veterans of the 
 Eighth will not willingly allow the memory of the old 
 "Essex" to die out. She had a motherly care for us. 
 That vessel has taken its place in history, but its building 
 and career are not as well known and appreciated as they 
 will be in coming time. Each day adds to the value of her 
 memory. A brief and sharply condensed account of her 
 will here be given. It is not strange and it is true, that a 
 certain curious feeling is inspired by the name of a ship 
 
314 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 that has done and suffered great things ; different from the 
 feeling with which we look on or read about any other 
 work of human hands. Every timber in the old "Constitu- 
 tion" was sacred. The name of Porter has been for over 
 eighty years identified with the United States navy. Com- 
 modore William D., a son of Commodore David Porter, 
 had been in the naval service thirty-eight years when the 
 civil war broke out. On September 27, 1861, he was 
 ordered to the Western Department to take command of 
 the gunboat " Essex" under Commodore Foote, to operate 
 upon the Mississippi. The " Essex" was originally a St. 
 Louis ferry boat. The orders were to make her into a 
 gunboat in eighteen days, and in that time she was off the 
 docks, and in three days after steaming down river. 
 Commodore Porter says that in order to do this, there 
 being no place to do it in, I set up on my own hook, seized 
 three large coal scows and converted them into a locomo- 
 tive navy yard. One was > an iron working and black- 
 smith shop ; another a carpenter's shop ; and another for 
 coal. I took them all with me, and sometimes went into 
 action fighting at one end while working at the other. So 
 the " Essex " was built around in spots. She was of about 
 five hundred tons, with an armament of one ten-inch and 
 three nine-inch Dahlgren guns, two fifty-pound rifled 
 Dahlgrens, one long thirty-two pounder, and a twenty- 
 four-pound boat howitzer. All account of her first fighting 
 is omitted. There, up river, both Foote and Porter were 
 severely wounded and the "Essex" injured so that she 
 was reconstructed, changed from simply an iron beaked 
 vessel to an entirely iron clad at a final cost of ninety-one 
 thousand dollars. She was indeed a gloomy looking sub- 
 ject, being far too squatty and broad for a thing of beauty, 
 but her use made her to us a joy forever. Her casemates 
 were very high, but her hull was entirely submerged. Her 
 forward casemate was of wood, thirty inches thick, plated 
 with India rubber one inch thick and one and three fourths 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 315 
 
 inch iron ; side casemates of wood sixteen inches thick, 
 one inch of rubber and three fourths inch of iron. She 
 had forty-two water tight compartments, was two hundred 
 and five feet long and sixty feet wide, and provided with 
 two engines which worked wheels which were set in a 
 recess at her stern. Her two chimneys bore near their 
 tops the magic letters S. X., one letter on each in white 
 paint. Her ambition was to meet and sink the rebel ram 
 "Arkansas," which was built for a "terror," carrying a 
 beak weighing nine tons, and being clad with railroad iron 
 dovetailed and her after Works and stern covered to thir- 
 teen inches below the water line with two-inch plate iron, 
 with a superior armament, and capable of running twenty- 
 two miles an hour down river. 
 
 On the 22d of July the "Essex" alone attacked the 
 "Arkansas" as she lay moored at a wharf under the bat- 
 teries of Vicksburg. She ran along side of her, and for 
 over an hour endured an unequal fight against her and the 
 shore batteries of one hundred siege guns. After that she 
 had the chosen* run of the river to New Orleans, with the 
 privilege of keeping at bay the dreaded " Arkansas." 
 
 At the attack on Baton Rouge on August 5, 1862, the 
 land forces were forced back by General Breckinridge, 
 and the little "Essex" was called on to assist our left 
 wing, General Williams being killed. A few shells 
 pitched over the bluff" into the cemetery which the enemy 
 occupied, drove them back and saved the town from being 
 fired ; meantime the ram ' ' Arkansas " not appearing to 
 "assist" as threatened, the "Essex," on the morning 
 of the sixth, went after her. Rounding Nigger Point, 
 soon the ram was seen ready, and opened with her 
 heaviest guns. Porter replied with his nine-inch bow 
 guns, and soon had a shot through her after starboard 
 port, and another disabled her rudder. Porter ran up and 
 set her on fire, and she ran ashore to save the crew. By 
 and by she shifted off" the mud bank down the river, and 
 
3i6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 when within four miles of Baton Rouge the fire reached 
 the eighteen thousand pounds of powder in her magazine, 
 and she blew up, and the gloomy looking " Essex " sailed 
 calmly down over her grave. 
 
 On the 31st of August the "Essex "went to Baton 
 Rouge. Information had reached Porter of the intended 
 abandonment of that city by the Federal troops. He 
 instantly communicated with Brig.-Gen. Halbert E. Paine 
 then there in command, urging a delay in that movement, 
 also asking the commandant at New Orleans for gunboats 
 to prevent the erection of batteries at Port Hudson, and to 
 enable him to cut off the supplies being carried to the 
 enemy from Texas and the valley of the Red river. But 
 the destroying of the "Arkansas" did in a large measure 
 stop supplies from crossing, as, if the rebel expectations 
 formed of her had been realized, the Mississippi river 
 would have been cleared of our naval forces, and horses, 
 sugar, beef, and salt would have poured across from the 
 rich Louisiana lowlands, and from the mouth of the Red 
 river into Port Hudson, thence east to the Amite- and Con- 
 federate Camp Moore. 
 
 The "Essex" arrived off Port Hudson on August 26, 
 1862, and came to anchor to reconnoiter, reported bat- 
 teries in progress. The small number of men on board 
 did not allow of sending a number on shore to look up 
 any works. Those that could be seen were destroyed. 
 In this work the ten-inch pivot gun on the " Essex " burst. 
 On the 28th she went to that guerrilla nest. Bayou Sara, 
 for coal. On her return, September 7, she cleared for 
 action at 3.30 a. m. When within fifteen hundred yards 
 of the town, shot from eight, nine, and ten-inch rifled can- 
 non rained with tremendous force upon the gallant vessel 
 and with fine precision. Hard and sharp the "Essex" 
 returned the fire. When reaching No. 2, or central bat- 
 tery, the river being here scarcely five hundred yards in 
 width, the navigable channel compelled the "Essex" to 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 317 
 
 run within thirty yards of that battery, besides receiving 
 the cross fire from the other two batteries. Ten, nine, and 
 thirty-two pounder shots struck her almost together within 
 a square of ten feet, beating in the twenty-four inch wood 
 work and shattering the rubber and iron protection. Still 
 no shot penetrated the ship. For one hour and twenty- 
 five minutes she kept up the fight, until the want of am- 
 munition compelled her to drop down the river, and she 
 reached New Orleans on that evening. 
 
 The " Essex" was the only vessel of the squadron that 
 went where it pleased, at its own sweet will. As to its 
 fate, inquiry of the honorable secretary of the Navy in 
 regard to the following named vessels brought an answer 
 as follows : 
 
 In reply to the inquiries contained in your letter of the 
 — instant, you are informed that the U. S. S. "fissex" 
 (Mississippi Squadron) was sold at Mound City, 111., 
 November 29, 1865. The "Hartford" is in ordinary at 
 the Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal. The "Brooklyn" is 
 laid up at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va. 
 
 By direction of the Secretary of the Navy. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Jno. W. Hoge, 
 
 Chief Clerk. 
 
 Just at this time comes the news of the sudden death of 
 Admiral D. D. Porter, which closes the brilliant career of 
 the Porters in the navy for nearly a century. He was an 
 able, loyal, and energetic officer, who earned his reputa- 
 tion. Again, within a week, upon the morning of the 
 14th of February, 1891, after a very short illness, at the 
 age of seventy-one, the grand old man and loyal fighter. 
 Gen. William T. Sherman died. It was a shock to all 
 veterans when he, the last of the three great leaders, 
 left us. 
 
 It is worthy of note that on the 13th, another man, great 
 in his line, had the vitality to stand upon his feet an hour 
 before an interested audience in the city of Boston and in 
 
3i8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the course of his talk announce such a Butlerism as this : 
 "I hope that the American flag will wave so far north 
 that it will be mistaken for the Aurora Borealis." Still 
 further, Henry C. Lodge of Massachusetts has this week 
 in Congress said with patriotism and emphasis, " If we 
 arc to err let it be on the side of the American Jlag." 
 Amid the insanities of ambition, the rush of common trade, 
 and the influx of some poor foreign blood this cannot be 
 too often and strongly insisted upon. 
 
 Wherever unfurled — on sweeping breezes quivering — 
 On airs of tropics listless — on craggy northland shivering. 
 Torn by the battle's stroke at the head of a column's charge, 
 Borne on by the color-guard across the rampart's marge. 
 On land and lake and sea, in peace or warring strife. 
 Uphold the Flag ! that stands for the nation's life. 
 
 Port Hudson, August 6, 1863. 
 Col. Hawkes Fearing, Comd'g Third Division : 
 
 Sir, — Lieutenant-Colonel Sargent, Third Massachu 
 setts Cavalry, reports that two or three hundred of the 
 enemy (mounted) are now between the Bayou Sara and 
 Jackson roads about one mile from our advanced post. Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Sargent is ordered to report to you, and if 
 you find on examination that his report is correct, you will 
 make arrangements to attack and disperse or destroy the 
 enemy to-morrow morning as early as practicable, send- 
 ing me notice of your proposed arrangements, and what 
 information you have. Meantime you will have the posi- 
 tion of your pickets changed, and caution them to be vigi- 
 lant and to be prepared for an attack on the part of the 
 enemy. The infantry of your command will be prepared 
 to form line at short notice, and the pickets will be ready 
 to start to their arms at once. Frequent patrols will be 
 sent out from three to seven a. m. to-morrow. You will 
 not fail to take sufficient force to make success certain if 
 you attack, and on no account allow yourself to be sur- 
 prised by an attack from the enemy. If the enemy is found 
 to be in force, do not fail to inform me at once, making 
 meantime active preparations to meet him. Keep patrols 
 observing the enemy to-night. I think it not improbable 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 319 
 
 that he is only reconnoitering, and that he will disappear 
 before morning. However be prepared for him in any 
 event. 
 
 Respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 Geo. L. Andrews, 
 Brig.-Gen. of Vols. Comd'g Post. 
 
 Personal. — Hawkes Fearing, Junior, colonel of the 
 Eighth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, was born 
 in Hingham, Mass.,^May 20, 1826. His father being in 
 easy circumstances, the son was given all the advantages 
 to be derived from attendance at the best of the common 
 schools of the period. Parent and grandparent were noted 
 for their constant and devoted patriotism, and this element 
 of character so prominent in the fathers, soon became 
 manifest in the son. The love of country was inherent, 
 and while yet a school boy, military life had charms for 
 the lad that grew with his growth and strengthened with 
 his strength. He gave his evenings and other leisure 
 hours to the reading and study of military books ; found 
 pleasure in plans of battlefields, massing of forces, charg- 
 ing and retreating, and so far as relates to theory, had 
 almost the familiarity of the details of military drill, evolu- 
 tions, and discipline possessed by a West Point cadet. As 
 may be inferred, he was not slow in applying for admis- 
 sion to the ranks of one of the volunteer companies in 
 town, and in 1841, when only sixteen years of age, 
 appeared on parade with the Hingham Rifles, a body of 
 troops that performed service for the country in the war 
 with Great Britain, 1812 to 1815, and had kept up its 
 organization. 
 
 In 1855 the Lincoln Light Infantry, known as Company 
 I, Fourth Regiment Infantry, Mass. V. M., was organized, 
 and the subject of this sketch was at once commissioned 
 captain. The selection met the hearty approval of those 
 in his command, as well as of the public generally. It 
 was a single step from the ranks to a captaincy, a notable 
 
320 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 compliment paid to merit well deserved. A more compe- 
 tent commander could not have been selected, as the 
 sequel abundantly proved, though little of the end could 
 have been foreseen from the beginning. 
 
 On the 7th of August, i860, he was commissioned by 
 Governor Banks as lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth 
 Regiment, and he was holding that position at the out- 
 break of the civil war, being then engaged in mercantile 
 pursuits in the city of Manchester, JST. H. Leaving at 
 once for Boston, he reported for duty at the State House, 
 where on the i6th of April, 1861, a council was being 
 held by Governor Andrew. At the close of the session he 
 went to Hingham, took part in calling together the mem- 
 bers of the Lincoln Light Infantry, urged upon the sol- 
 diers a prompt and hearty response to the call of the State 
 and need of the nation, and returned to the city. 
 
 The Fourth Regiment left Boston at 6 o'clock on the 
 afternoon of the 17th of April, 1861, some ten minutes 
 before the departure of any other, and was really the first 
 body of troops which moved from Boston for the seat of 
 war, though their destination was not reached as soon as 
 some others. During the day, equipments, articles of 
 clothing, camp necessities, and provision, were distributed 
 among the soldiers. 
 
 At Fall River they embarked on the steamer " State of 
 Maine." This boat had been laid up for some time. It 
 consequently was not prepared for the use of passengers, 
 and was generally considered by officers and troops to be 
 unseaworthy. They were eighteen hours in reaching 
 New York city, being all that night and the next day on 
 board, with a large proportion of the rations totally unfit 
 for use by reason of the odor communicated from the rub- 
 ber sacks in which they had been conveyed. Fortress 
 Monroe, their destination, was finally reached in safety on 
 Saturday morning, April 20. After a stay here and in the 
 vicinity for three months, the regiment returned to Boston, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 321 
 
 and, its time being up, it was there mustered out of ser- 
 vice. 
 
 During the autumn of the year 1861, the Eighth New 
 Hampshire Volunteer Regiment was organized, and on 
 the 24th of September the subject of this sketch was 
 appointed colonel by Governor Berry. The summer of 
 1862 was spent in camp at Carrolton, La. 
 
 During this time Colonel Fearing was attacked by fever 
 and confined in hospital for two months seriously ill, at 
 times hovering " 'twixt life and death," health, however, 
 was finally regained, thanks to the aid of temperate habits 
 and a remarkably vigorous constitution. 
 
 His first engagement was at Georgia Landing, October 
 27, 1862. Then followed Bisland, April 12 and 13, 1863. 
 Here Colonel Fearing was wounded in the leg from a frag- 
 ment of a bursting shell, but not incapacitated for service. 
 
 From May to the surrender of Port Hudson on the 8th 
 of July, after a siege of seven weeks. Colonel Fearing 
 was actively engaged, having command at times during 
 the investment of the Second Brigade, Emory's division. 
 It was here that the New Hampshire Eighth distinguished 
 itself for persistent courage and bravery, and " rendered 
 its history one of renown." These forty-nine days were 
 days of blood, and the loss of men was great. 
 
 At the surrender, the New Hampshire Eighth had the 
 well merited honor of first entering the fortifications. 
 
 Colonel Fearing returned to Concord, N. H., and was 
 there detailed for recruiting services. This being com- 
 pleted, he left for New Orleans in command of six hun- 
 dred men intended for filling the regiment, reduced in 
 numbers by disease and the casualties of war. The win- 
 ter was spent in organizing the regiment as cavalry, 
 designed for the Red River expedition in the following 
 spring. Afterwards he was detailed for court-martial 
 duty, and the summer of 1864 was thus spent in New 
 Orleans and vicinity. 
 
 21 
 
322 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 With the close of hostilities, the Eighth Regiment was 
 assigned to provost-guard duty at Natchez, Miss., and was 
 mustered out in October by order of the War Department. 
 On the restoration of peace, Colonel Fearing returned to 
 his birthplace at Hingham, where he was cordially wel- 
 comed by the citizens, young and old. His services in the 
 field from the time of the departure of the Lincoln Light 
 Infantry in April, 1861, to the end of the war had bee;i 
 almost continuous, and his record is unblemished. Of 
 battles and skirmishes, collectively, history gives fifty and 
 upwards to the experience of the Eighth New Hampshire 
 Regiment, in nearly all of which Colonel Fearing actively 
 shared. The distinguished Major-General Davis adds, 
 " to say I am a soldier of this regiment is sufficient to 
 command honor and homage." 
 
 At Hingham, prior to the outbreak of the civil war, 
 civic honors had testified to public esteem. He was 
 elected town clerk, member of the board of school com- 
 mittee, represented the town in the General Court, and 
 filled other positions of honor and trust. He is a life 
 member of the board of trustees of the Hingham Public 
 Library, of which institution he is at the present time the 
 librarian. 
 
 The foregoing record, contributed by a lifelong ac- 
 quaintance and associate, should justly embrace some 
 recognition of the kind consideration given to the numer- 
 ous and continued appeals made since the close of the war 
 by former comrades in arms, not only for counsel, but for 
 more material assistance in the form of pecuniary aid. 
 For the cheerful and generous relief thus afforded, many 
 a needy soldier has cause for gratitude. 
 
 Confederate. Galveston, August 6, 1863. Colonel 
 Debray, C. S. A., to Assistant Adjutant-General Turner: 
 
 I write hastily, the garrison here is in a deplorable state 
 of discipline. The day before yesterday Luckett's regi- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 323 
 
 ment refused to drill. Yesterday Cook's regiment refused 
 duty. I have not enough reliable men to attack them or 
 to hold the ordnance armory. The alleged cause is want 
 of bread. The true cause I believe to be seeds of discon- 
 tent spread by bad citizens, exciting political speeches, 
 and the talk of (Port Hudson) paroled prisoners who are 
 indeed very demoralized and dissatisfied. 
 
 August 24, Gen. J. G. Magruder issued a pathetically 
 palliating, supplicating, and glorifying address to the 
 Texans, begging them to " stick to the holy cause." The 
 same " to be read to the different commands, filed in the 
 adjutant's ofEce, and no newspaper to publish it." 
 
 Confederate. Meridian, Miss., August 4, 1863. Com- 
 missioner Jno. C. Watson to Gen. S. Cooper, adjutant and 
 inspector-general : 
 
 Sir, — In the commissary department here there has 
 been a great want of foresight and energy. Port Hudson 
 and Vicksburg could easily have been provisioned for 
 twelve months. This can be satisfactorily proved. 
 
 At Richmond, August 4, 1863, the President of C. S. 
 A. ordered a "Court of Inquiry" to convene at Mont- 
 gomery, Ala., to inquire into the events of the cam- 
 paigns of Mississippi and east Louisiana during May, 
 June, and July, last, especially as to the surrender of Vicks- 
 burg, Port Hudson, and the evacuation of Jackson. 
 
 "The court will report the facts, together with their 
 opinion on the merits of the case, and the proximate 
 causes which led to the result." 
 
 The above court was ordered (special) on August 24, 
 to assemble at Atlanta, and on September 8, to suspend 
 its sessions until further orders, which was equivalent to a 
 dissolution. 
 
 President Lincoln had appointed August 6, 1863, as a 
 day for national thanksgiving, praise, and prayer, because 
 " it had pleased Almighty God to hearken to the suppli- 
 cations of an afflicted people, and to vouchsafe to the 
 
324 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 army and navy of the United States, victories so signal 
 and effective as to furnish reasonable grounds for aug- 
 mented confidence that the Union of these States will be 
 maintained, their constitution preserved, and their peace 
 and prosperity permanently secured." Per contra, Jeffer- 
 son Davis appointed August 21 to be observed as a day of 
 " fasting and prayer on account of the reverses that the 
 Confederate cause had sustained. That former successes 
 had made them forget their reliance upon God. The love 
 of lucre had eaten into the heart of the land, and the 
 recent lesson should be received with humble thankful- 
 ness." And, too, Mr. Davis calls on the soldiers and con- 
 scripts to return to camp as " now there is no alternative 
 but victory or subjugation." A general pardon and 
 amnesty is granted to all " absent without leave, to join the 
 army within twenty days." He asks all wives, mothers, 
 and daughters "to assist in filling the depleted ranks" 
 now suffering a loss of nearly one hundred thousand men. 
 
 Practically, one third of the available rebel forces was 
 annihilated during July; note, too, the sundering of their 
 territory, the disorganizing of their Western armies, losses 
 in cannon, small arms, stores, ammunition, and so forth. 
 
 Another matter which concerned us very much, was that 
 the law of retaliation was formally announced by both 
 national and Confederate authorities. Two rebel officers 
 had been executed on June 9, in Tennessee, by order of 
 General Rosecrans as spies found within our lines. The 
 Confederates chose by lot from among our prisoners at 
 Richmond two officers, and set them apart for execution 
 when ordered. In retaliation, two officers of the enemy 
 in our hands were then placed in close confinement to be 
 executed if the threats of the rebel officials were carried 
 out. Further, President Lincoln issued a proclamation 
 declaring that no distinction would be recognized in the 
 treatment accorded to our white and colored troops who 
 may be captured by the enemy. Every case of ill treat- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 325 
 
 ment would be " retaliated in kind" — hanging for hang- 
 ing, shooting for shooting, etc. If a colored soldier taken 
 prisoner, was sold into slavery, a Confederate prisoner 
 would in return be confined at hard labor until the colored 
 prisoner was set at liberty. 
 
 The following despatches from Halleck and Lincoln are 
 important as showing the inception of the Red River expe- 
 dition that we are now drifting towards ; but first to the 
 South, to Sabine Pass. 
 
 Halleck to Grant : 
 
 Washington, D. C, Aug. 6, 1863. 
 Please send a special messenger to Major-Gen. Banks 
 with the following telegram : There are important rea- 
 sons why our Flag should be restored in some part of 
 Texas with the least possible delay. Do this by land at 
 Galveston, at Indianola, or any other point you may deem 
 preferable. If by sea. Admiral Farragut will cooperate. 
 There are reasons why the movement should be as prompt 
 as possible. 
 
 Grant to Banks : 
 
 VicKSBURG, Aug. 7, 1863. 
 
 I send you the 13th Army Corps, which, with Herron's, 
 makes thirteen thousand men. Gen. Halleck's despatch 
 does not seem to be in response to any received from you 
 or myself. 
 
 Lincoln to Grant : 
 
 Washington, D. C, Aug. 9, 1863. 
 In view of recent events in Mexico, 1 am greatly 
 impressed with the importance of re-establishing the 
 national authority in Western Texas as soon as possible. 
 
 During the siege of Port Hudson, the enemy west of the 
 Mississippi concentrated and a force under a Confederate 
 major had taken and burned two steamers at Plaquemine, 
 capturing sixty-eight of the Twenty-eighth Maine. Brash- 
 ear City also, with three hundred of our men had been 
 taken. 
 
326 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 On June 28, at 1.30 a. m., over fifteen hundred Confeder- 
 ates under General Green, attacked Fort Butler at Donald- 
 sonville. It was defended by Maj. J. B. Bullen of the 
 Twenty-eighth Maine, who had only two hundred and 
 twenty-five men, including convalescents ; but they beat 
 off" the enemy, killing and wounding more than their own 
 number and taking as prisoners twice as many officers and 
 nearly as many men as they had themselves. General 
 Green sent in a flag to get permission to bury his dead, 
 and strangely enough it was accompanied by an apology 
 for his failure to take the fort. 
 
 The above is given a place here in order to do justice to 
 that little band of heroes, for the defense has a very scant 
 place in any work, but is mentioned in the Fifty-third 
 Massachusetts History, from which this account is mostly 
 taken. The enemy had established batteries below on the 
 river, cutting off" communication with New Orleans. Our 
 force of effective men had fallen as low as ten thousand, 
 which gave General Banks reason for paroling the cap- 
 tured garrison of Port Hudson, as there were twenty-five 
 hundred active Confederate troops at his rear, and said to 
 be twelve thousand at the disposal of Generals Green and 
 Taylor west of the Great river. On July 9, all available 
 forces were sent down to Donaldsonville and drove off" 
 the enemy, and on July 22, Brashear City was recaptured 
 and Banks could freely attend to the sending of troops to 
 Texas as ordered. 
 
 Comrade X. E. Mills, of Company B, calls attention to 
 the desecration of the United States flag at Brashear City 
 after the prisoners were paroled. Of our regiment, George 
 Kelton, Ira Healy, Timothy Coakley, Mills, and Daniel 
 Mahoney were there. The flag first floated over the 
 depot. Looking about for information, I got a letter from 
 Dan Mahoney who says, " I saw the flag torn down and 
 dragged in the dirt, and we received orders to march over 
 it. Some did and some didn't. Everybody was wild ; 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 327 
 
 ladies were out waving their iiandkerchiefs and cheering 
 the Confederate flag. After awhile the rebel commander, 
 seeing that quite a number of us refused to trample on the 
 flag said, 'Well, let 'em go; we won't insist upon it; ive 
 may be prisoners sometime.' They compelled us at the 
 point of the bayonet to march over a burned bridge. 
 Coakley was moon-struck, and could not see in the night. 
 He had to hang on to me to help him over. Dick Taylor 
 was one of the generals present. One of the guard had a 
 chicken and I confiscated it, picked it in the dark, got 
 the reb. captain to have his colored lady cook cook it. 
 He told me to stay and watch it as it was for a ' sick boy' 
 (myself). The old lady gave me a big piece of hoe cake 
 that lasted us several days. They wanted us to take their 
 oath, and they would take us to Houston and Nassau so 
 we could get to New York. I told them that I had taken 
 one oath and meant to keep it, and if the war wasn't done 
 when my time was up, I'd enlist again. The rebel officer 
 said he liked that spunk and added : 'Young man, take a 
 drink' ; so he put up his canteen. 
 
 " On the road to New Orleans, one of the guard invited 
 me to a dance at the St. Charles hotel, as they said that 
 they intended to take the city, but when we reached our 
 lines I found a regiment on guard commanded by an old 
 acquaintance whom I had known in Lyndeborough, N. 
 H., viz., Col. A. F. Holt (who died in December, 1890, 
 and was buried in his native town). The main body of 
 the rebs. remained at a distance and but a small portion 
 came in with twelve hundred prisoners. After a time it 
 was reported to Colonel Holt that the enemy were looking 
 about our lines too intimately. There were but two regi- 
 ments of Union troops at that part of the line, viz. : First 
 Texas Cavalry and one of infantrj'. As soon as the small 
 rebel detail returned with the flag of truce, the enemy all 
 made a break to capture our force, but Colonel Holt was 
 now prepared for their onset, and when they charged with 
 
328 History of the. Eighth Rbgiment 
 
 a yell into the trap he had set, five hundred of them were 
 scooped." 
 
 Comrade D. Mahoney gives no date to the following, 
 but as it is absolutely true, it needs none. 
 
 Veterans will recollect that the taking of whiskey or 
 anything real good to eat by sly appropriation, was 
 regarded by the majority of soldiers with about the 
 same compunction as the average member of society now 
 feels in abstracting a superior umbrella for one's private 
 use, so we insert one of Dan's stories as follows : 
 
 One dark rainy night an Eighth New Hampshire detail 
 was relieved from picket and, losing its way back, it was 
 thought best to break ranks and each find his way. When 
 separating, Bob McKensie of Company B and our Dan 
 struck out together, and soon met a squad from an Illinois 
 regiment returning from a foraging raid. They had a 
 large kettle of Louisiana tangle into which a canteen 
 settled deep enough for a purpose, and thus fortified they 
 soon found themselves in the vicinity of General Dwight's 
 cook-house, from which came the savory smell of roast 
 turkey, which to our heroes was very tempting as they had 
 been on the ragged edge of starvation. Their next move 
 was to get by the guard, which was made by offering him 
 a smell from the canteen which smell was long and deep 
 and made said guard so agreeable that he consented that 
 they might cross his line to the cook-house. 
 
 Looking in, they saw a white man and a negro, and 
 heard the first sajs "I'll go and get the eggs" and left. 
 Soon Mc — stepped to the door and said to cook, " Didn't 
 you hear him call for you?" "No, sah, I didn't." 
 " Well, he did," said Mc — and the darkey left to find the 
 white man. That was Dan's chance, and he seized the 
 platter, turkey, hot dressing, and all, and left in such a 
 hurry that he spilled "scaldings" on his leg, which laid 
 him up for two weeks ; but Dan hung on to the turkey 
 and brought it into camp. Gen. D. afterwards was tell- 
 ing Gen. Paine about his lost turkey meal, and declared 
 that he could not think of any smart enough to steal it, 
 but those notorious, rascally Eighth New Hampshire 
 fellows. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 329 
 
 Another Danism. He one day slid out of the ranks on 
 the march to "forage," put in no appearance till next 
 morning, was reported to the colonel by the captain, but 
 Dan saw Dr. Clarke, and being very friendly with the sur- 
 geon, probably on account of the results of foraging, he, 
 or they, fixed it that when Dan was up before the colonel 
 for absence he hauled out a paper in defense which proved 
 to be a " sick pass " for the day off, signed by said sur- 
 geon. As we could not go behind that, Dan got off. We 
 were always proud of D. Mahoney, of Company B, and 
 could generally put a finger on him — when — he was 
 within arm's length. 
 
 The foreign complications hinted at in despatches to 
 Generals Grant and Banks, were caused by the action, first 
 of the three governments. Great Britain, Spain, and France, 
 ostensibly to obtain their rights. A foothold having been 
 assured on Mexican soil, the two forces withdrew, leaving, 
 apparently with their consent, France to establish an im- 
 perial government ; and its intention was revealed when 
 the emperor, in a letter to the French general commanding, 
 declared, "It is not for the interest of France that the 
 United States should seize possession of all the Mexican 
 gulf, dominate from thence to the Antilles as well as 
 South America, and be the sole dispfenser of the products 
 of the New World." General Forey's proclamations were 
 based on the foregoing, and breathed a spirit of strong 
 hostility to the United States, intimating that the thing to 
 be done was to form a strong Latin race government to 
 act as a counterpoise to the United States. On the 9th of 
 June, 1863, General Forey entered the Mexican capital in 
 triumph, welcomed most cordially of all by the " Church 
 Party." Meanwhile the emperor worked to unite the 
 great European powers for a joint recognition of the 
 Southern Confederacy. Great Britain hesitated, but al- 
 lowed Confederate ship building and arming to go on 
 within her ports ; consequently there was a good deal of 
 
330 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 hostile feeling against England, and there is no subtle art 
 by which international dislike can be conjured away. 
 Somehow we can't forget and forgive the British national 
 drift of double dealing and deviltry. National selfishness 
 will blind common sense. The fact stood that J. Bull 
 exulted with increasing delight as our troubles multiplied, 
 and the destruction of a great and friendly power was not 
 to be regretted by them as a terrible necessity, but it was 
 to be hailed as the discomfiture of a rival. Pretexts of 
 neutrality deceived no intelligent Englishman and cer- 
 tainly did not any American. Sir Bulwer Lytton's saying 
 at the beginning of the war that we were too large and 
 threatening a power and that it was for the interest of 
 England that we be reduced, was echoed two years later 
 by Mr. Roebuck upon his motion that the rebels be 
 recognized. He said, " What is for the interest of 
 England is for the interest of the world, and it is for the 
 interest of England that all popular governments shall be 
 destroyed and all commercial rivalry overthrown." 
 
 A good word for Russia. The Northern Bear had a 
 friendly growl and an affectionate hug for us. Five of 
 her men-of-war visited New York harbor, and startled 
 France and England asked in hushed tones, " What are 
 they there fur?" Immediately our stocks in England 
 went up four per cent, and the Confederate cotton loan 
 down fifteen per cent. Our "Press" at last declared 
 that we had outgrown our pupilage to England ; we 
 had come of age and must work ourselves for ourselves. 
 Even our literature broke fearlessly free from English 
 criticism, for its chief authors persistently maligned a 
 cause, which in maintaining liberty and order, was the 
 champion of intellectual freedom. All at once we cared 
 not for the sneer of their statesmen, the slander of the 
 "Thunderer," nor the disbelief of their public opinion. 
 The aristocracy and the commercial interests were against 
 us. Among prominent men for us were Cairnes, Cobden, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 331 
 
 Bright, Mills, Newman, Dicey, and Goldwin Smith. 
 Ampng influential papers, the " Daily News," " Star," and 
 " Spectator"; with them were the hearts of the common 
 people. All the insults heaped upon us made us feel very 
 warlike, yet without being anxious to go to war with Eng- 
 land or France, so, as they tempered down a little we 
 kept quiet and " nursed our wrath to keep warm." As 
 the territory of the Confederacy contracted, they fought 
 more advantageously on shortened interior lines, while we 
 in the west had yet enough to do in looking after Mouton, 
 Smith, Green, and Taylor, while holding the vantage 
 ground, and in looking for a place to attack while receiv- 
 ing " suggestions" from Washington, thus : 
 
 Serial 41, page 673, Halleck to Banks, extract: 
 
 Washington, D. C, August 10, 1863. 
 In my former despatch it was left to your own discretion 
 to select any point in Texas for occupation, the only con- 
 dition being that the flag of the United States should be 
 again raised and sustained somewhere within the limits of 
 that State. That order as I understood it at the time, was 
 of a diplomatic rather than of a military character, and 
 resulted from some European complications, or more 
 properly speaking was intended to -prevent such complica- 
 tions. 
 
 Halleck continues, not as a military instruction but as a 
 suggestion : 
 
 I give the opinion that a combined military and naval 
 movement up the line of the Red river would be best. 
 Nevertheless, your choice is unrestricted. 
 
 Page 675, same, August 12 : 
 
 Operations proposed by you relating to Mobile in former 
 despatches are received, and are highly important, but the 
 above must be first undertaken. On this matter -we have 
 no choice, but must carry out the views of the governm,ent. 
 
 Serial 41, page 693, Halleck to Banks : 
 
 Aug. 20th. Mexican and French complications render 
 
332 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 it exceedingly important that the movement ordered 
 against Texas be undertaken without delay. 
 
 Serial 41, page 697, Banks replies in regard to the point 
 of attack, August 26, 1863 : 
 
 If the season were different the northern line would 
 doubtless be preferable on many grounds. 
 
 Condensed official reports, serial 41, page 697, August 
 26. Banks to Halleck : 
 
 The enemy has been active in gathering conscripts. 
 There are about fifteen thousand between Natchitoches and 
 Franklin. The governor of Texas has conscripted all 
 between sixteen and sixty years of age. Magruder has 
 five thousand men at Galveston. My disposable force is 
 not over twenty thousand. I can use only one third of 
 that, as there is a lack of water transportation. 
 
 The Sabine Pass expedition a failure. Banks' report 
 condensed from serial 41, page 19: 
 
 The objective point to occupy was Houston, that con- 
 trolling the railway communications of Texas. That 
 necessitated an attack at Sabine Pass. Expedition sailed 
 on Sept. 5th, troops under command of Maj.-Gen. W. B. 
 Franklin. Gunboats under command of Captain Crocker 
 a brave and skillful officer, thoroughl}' acquainted with 
 the waters of Sabine Pass. By final arrangement the 
 gunboats attempted to pass the works, but being originally 
 nothing but lightly constructed merchant vessels, they 
 made no impression on the works and ran ashore in shal- 
 low water and were compelled to surrender. The " Land 
 force " did not land as it ijiight have done, notwithstanding 
 the loss of the boats, and so the expedition was a failure 
 where it might have been a success, as the movement in 
 that quarter was a surprise (for once) to the enemy, his 
 troops being concentrated elsewhere. 
 
 Same, October 16, 1863 : 
 
 I am satisfied that if we could have placed our force at 
 Houston as contemplated, it would have prevented any 
 concentration by the enemy. Had the army relied upon 
 itself exclusively, the failure at Sabine City would not have 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 333 
 
 occurred. It was feasible to land below between Sabine 
 and Galveston Bay. The instructions of Gen. Franklin 
 contemplated this, but the naval officers were so perfectly 
 confident in regard to their information of the fortifications 
 at Sabine Pass, that their boats were disabled and in pos- 
 session of the enemy before any other course was open. 
 
 Further : It is interesting, as well as maddening, to 
 note the mishaps, ill luck and negligence amounting to 
 criminality on the Federal side. The " Granite City " 
 was to place a light for Captain Crocker to run in by. 
 The " G. C." was late, and Crocker ran by, missing the 
 entrance ; thus a whole day was lost, given to the enemy. 
 The naval officers thought that the fort mounted but two 
 guns, they encountered six thirty-two pounders. The stock 
 of fresh water was nearly exhausted ; men living on 
 uncooked food ; no fuel even on shore ; and no water to 
 be had unless the fort was in our possession. 
 
 For real light and interesting reading, let us turn to 
 Maj.-Gen. J,. Bankhead Magruder's proclamation. He, 
 commanding District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona 
 says, dated September 10, 1863 : 
 
 To the men of Texas : 
 
 Almighty God in his divine mercy has given us another 
 signal victory over our enemies. A handful of determined 
 men in the face of fifteen thousand of the enemy's troops, 
 and a powerful fleet of gunboats has for the present 
 defeated their landing, capturing two and crippling two 
 others of the gunboats, taking eighteen pieces of artillery 
 and over three hundred prisoners. Fellow citizens, I need 
 your assistance. Form yourselves into companies arid 
 assemble here with your arms as rapidly as possible. The 
 enemy will return and threaten vengeance for his defeat. 
 Let us meet him like men resolved to conquer or die. 
 Men of Texas, I know I do not call on you in vain. Shall 
 it be said that your State was invaded and you hastened 
 not to the aid of your brethren in the field? Let the 
 mothers, wives and daughters of Texas, remembering the 
 outrages and tyranny their sisters of the South have met at 
 
334 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the hands of the foe, urge every man to do his duty and 
 tarry no longer from the field. The gray-haired sires and 
 women of Texas can defend alone their homes from the van- 
 dals. Business men and planters, the time has come for you 
 to turn aside from your daily pursuits and rally to the de- 
 fense of your country. Wait not. OldTexans, men of the 
 days of '36, men of the Republic, you have grasped the rifle 
 and trusty knife before at the call of danger, come now, 
 and the men who love you for your deeds of valor, the 
 youths who would emulate your example, will follow you. 
 Form with your comrades a wall of fire and steel against 
 which the foe shall press in vain. 
 
 Letter of Lieut. D. W. King : 
 
 Our expedition to Sabine Pass on the mouth of Sabine 
 river was an ill-starred one, so there is nothing in the local 
 papers about the result. We arrived off the bar about 
 noon on the 7th of Sept. and the next morning shelled the 
 rebel works without eliciting any response, which gave the 
 impression that they were deserted, but when the gunboats 
 got opposite them, in the attempt to run by, the enemy 
 opened fire and soon had the " Clifton " and " Sachem " at 
 their mercy, and took about one hundred and eighty 
 prisoners. The transport "Crescent," got off by sacrificing 
 one thousand dollars worth of commissary stores. Signal 
 was made to leave for the Southwest Pass, but night and a 
 gale came on and the river steamers were at a disadvan- 
 tage. The "Continental" ran into the "Suffolk," the 
 excitement was intense ; many that jumped overboard 
 thinking that the ships were sinking, were drowned. We 
 were sixty hours getting to the Passes : horses nearly 
 ruined for want of water for four days. Camped at Algiers 
 on the 1 2th. 
 
 Extract from letter of Comrade J. F. Chandler, Com- 
 pany D : 
 
 Algiers, La., Sept. 14, 1863. 
 
 We left Baton Rouge on Sept. 3d, 1863, to make a 
 landing at the mouth of the Sabine river. We arrived at 
 New Orleans on the 4th and left at evening on the steam- 
 ship " Continental," Gen. Emory in command of our 
 division. We had the ship " Graham Polly" in tow, and 
 on the 6th, she parted both hawsers and ran into us amid- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 335 
 
 ships, letting the light in upon us at the second deck. On 
 the 7th, we came to anchor, and waited for the gunboats 
 to level a small fort containing eighteen guns, but the 
 enemy was too much for us and took two gunboats and 
 started our fleet of transports off in a hurry. In the panic 
 the steamer " Suffolk " ran into us and damaged her so that 
 her crew left and boarded us ; yet some jumped overboard 
 and were lost. Maj.-Gen. Franklin and staff were on 
 board the "Suffolk." He was in command of our 19th 
 army corps. The "Suffolk" managed to get into New 
 Orleans that same day that we did; that is, on the 12th. 
 There is liable to be a call to go over our ground again at 
 Bisland. The rebs. are reported as being fortified there 
 stronger than ever. The 13th corps is now leaving for 
 that locality and we also have hints of orders to go. 
 
 Letter from " Sam " : 
 
 Algiers, Sept. 13, 1863. 
 
 Here we are, camped in a pasture just below " Webster 
 avenue " on Boston land owned in Boston. We have had 
 a Hard time trying to knock the rebs out of the mouth of 
 Sabine river down in Texas we were Run into and 
 almost sunk by a ship called the "Suffolk"; it kept a 
 crunching us till some got drowned. I eat up all my Hoss 
 and hard Tack so as to save that and kept still, knowing 
 that it would be no use to run around and yell ; The 
 "Continental" had Gen. McMillan on board and I, and 
 the other. Gen. Franklin and His Staff but somehow some 
 of us poor fellows were saved but almity scared. 
 
 I sent 70 dollars and my love to Nettie on Aug. 8th to 
 you by Adams' Express and I have got the receift. 
 
 From " Sam": 
 
 Sep. 25. Got here at Bisland in light marching order 
 on the 23d bound for Texas I guess. 
 
 I've got no ink as you can see and the only extra bag- 
 gage is a big knife to kill pigs and Hack beef with. I 
 hope you got that 70 dollars to buy land with and my love 
 to Nettie. 
 
 Jim Sands sends his respects — cause he knows that 
 I've got some good looking sisters. 
 
 26th — Weitzel's Division passed us. 
 
 Oct. 3d. Left Bisland for Franklin and plenty of sweet 
 potatoes. 
 
336 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Troops for operations in the Teche county, La. 
 (serial ^i, page 336) : 
 
 THIRD DIVISION. 
 
 Brig. -Gen. Grover. 
 
 First Brigade, Col. Lewis Benedict, 
 
 iioth New York, Col. C. H. Sage. 
 
 i62d " " Col. L. Benedict. 
 
 165th '■ " (six companies), Lieut.-Col. G. Carr. 
 173d " " Col. L. M. Peck. 
 
 SECOND BRIGADE. 
 
 Brig. -Gen. James W. McMillan. 
 14th Maine, Col. T. W. Porter. 
 
 26th Massachusetts, Col. A. B. Farr. 
 
 8th New Hampshire, Lieut.-Col. G. A. Flanders. 
 
 133d New York, Col. L. D. H. Currie. 
 
 At Opelousas and Vermillion bayou, McMillan relieved 
 Brigadier-General Emory (going on sick leave), Septem- 
 ber 17, 1863, in command of the division, and was re- 
 lieved October 6, by Brigadier-General Grover. 
 
 Lieutenant King's letter : 
 
 Opelousas, Oct. 24, 1863. Our march from Bisland has 
 been very slow ; too slow to catch mounted men. Our 
 numbers are small and average good health prevails ; 
 though the water to drink is scarce and bad, coming from 
 the bayous and prairie ponds it is inferior to whiskey in 
 many respects. 
 
 We were four days at the dry bayou " Carrion Crow" 
 (corrupted from Carron Cro, the name of a gentleman 
 once living in this vicinity). A night's rain filled it six 
 feet deep, but like the witch gruel in " Macbeth" it was 
 " thick and slab " with mud. The 13th corps is with us ; 
 western men, bronzed and tough ; splendid soldiers ; 
 proved before Vicksburg. They are commanded by Gen. 
 Ord, and Gen. C. C. Washburn, Ex. M. C, commands a 
 Division. 
 
 The reporter's reports from Port Hudson remind me 
 of a Frank Leslie picture of not long ago, where a man 
 on Morris island is represented as wheeling a barrow load 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 337 
 
 of thirteen-inch shells, and fifteen can be counted above 
 the top of the vehicle. Men may be there who are 
 strong enough to wheel such loads, but it must be a great 
 strain on the wheelbarrows. Said reporter's reports are 
 probably written in a closet at the St. Charles, New 
 Orleans. 
 
 General Weitzel and Georgia Landing. Lieut. Dan 
 Newhall's letter : 
 
 On October 27, 1863, we were encamped at Vermillion 
 bayou and General Weitzel invited all the officers of his 
 old brigade who were at Georgia Landing, up to his head- 
 quarters to celebrate the first anniversary of that event. 
 He had a big bonfire, the bands played, lots of singing 
 and " corhmissary." Gen. W. gave the following toast 
 in memory of Lieut. -Col. Lull: "Colonel Lull, a heroic 
 leader of one of the bravest regiments in the Department 
 of the Gulf." It was drunk standing and in silence. After- 
 wards, three cheers were given for the old Eighth. 
 
 The letter containing the above, says, "What monu- 
 mental lies those rebel officers used to tell as given in the 
 official records — as — 
 
 July 13, 1863. There were two hundred Yanks left 
 dead on the field at Donaldsonville. (Signed) Gen. 
 Green. 
 
 The writer has under his eye just now, serial 42, page 
 114, a " Proclamation" by Gen. J. B. Magruder, thus — 
 extract : 
 
 July 16, 1863. Fellow Citizens. Vicksburg has fallen, 
 but our insolent foes have but little cause to rejoice, for 
 our victorious arms are now desolating Pennsylvania, and 
 forty thousand prisoners attest the triumphant march of 
 Gen. Lee. The North has a barren victory ! It has cost 
 the destruction of more than half of their largest and best 
 army, and the demoralization of the remainder. Sharp- 
 shooters will line the Mississippi ; ten thousand Texans 
 are being organized. Slaveholders ! I want one quarter 
 of your working hands ; citizens over fifty, form into 
 "minute men" with twenty days' rations of dried beef. 
 
 22 
 
338 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Our barbarous foe already gloats, etc. The spirit of the 
 "Alamo" is abroad ! Protect your wives and daughters, 
 suffer not your sons to be subjected ! Unpatriotic men 
 sha,ll 7iot be left between my lines and the enemy, seeking 
 to cover by perjury wealth amassed by grinding extortion. 
 
 Same, July 30, says Magruder : 
 
 The efficiency of the draft is impaired ; out of seventy 
 persons enrolled, for instance, at Chapel Hill, all but 
 twenty got certificates of exemption. To this increasing 
 class, add those in necessary (?) attendance upon county 
 courts, and but few outside the cities can be held to ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Sergt. C. A. Emerson's diary : 
 
 New Iberia, La., Nov. 12th. Chaplain arrived from 
 New Hampshire. 
 
 15th. Mike Fox sentenced to death, escaped. 
 
 19th. Mike Fox returned by rebels under flag of truce. 
 
 Dec. i2th. John W. Crosby (Lieutenant in 5th New 
 Hampshire), came to regiment in charge of recruits. 
 
 13th. Drew horses and saddles. 
 
 On or about the 25th of November, 1863, four hundred 
 and sixteen recruits who happened to be mostly sailors, 
 were sent from Boston to the Eighth Regiment in charge of 
 Major Connelly and Lieut. John W. Crosby. They were 
 transported on the steamship " De-Molay," stopping at 
 Fortress Monroe and Key West. Col. Hawkes Fearing 
 was on board as passenger, yet was the senior military 
 officer. The ship arrived at New Orleans safely and 
 deposited its precious freight at Algiers, but the tug of 
 transportation came, when on platform cars the reckless 
 crowd was railroaded for camp through the cypress 
 swamps. Numbers jumped off at the rate of a thousand 
 dollars a piece. At one time the train was unshackled, 
 but at last they delivered the lot at a net loss of eighty 
 only. 
 
 On Lieutenant Crosby's return trip North, General 
 Gardner and staff were on board bound for Fort Warren, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 339 
 
 Boston harbor. General Gardner is reported as being 
 very stiff and mightily reserved unless when artificially 
 elevated. 
 
 Lieutenant Crosby had been in New Hampshire on 
 detached service, his regiment, the Fifth New Hampshire, 
 being in the State on furloiigh, and to be recruited. At 
 one time Colonel Fearing, Major Connelly, and Lieutenant 
 Crosby constituted a part of a court martial, holding its 
 sessions at Concord. 
 
 A poor sub. being arraigned for desertion caused a 
 capital case which on trial resulted, by an unanimous vote 
 v^rith the exception of Colonel Fearing, in condemning the 
 culprit to be shot. The president of the court. Colonel 
 Fearing, utterly opposed the sentence, for brave as he was 
 upon the battlefield, he was other wheres a very mild man- 
 nered man ; very different in aggressiveness at the head 
 of his regiment or brigade at Georgia Landing and Port 
 Hudson, La., or sitting as president of a court martial 
 at Concord, N. H. The matter laid over about a week, 
 the colonel's interest not abating in saving the man from 
 being shot "to the great disgrace of our State of New 
 Hampshire." At a meeting when the case was to be con- 
 sidered finally and the court, unchanged in its purpose, was 
 about assenting, an orderly rushed in with the startling 
 news that the condemned sub. had broken through the 
 walls of his guard house and had escaped. The interest- 
 ing finale was that Colonel Fearing's secret pleasure at 
 the fellow's escape was made manifest by denouncing all 
 subs, and their desertions, and declaring that the whole 
 lot ought to be hung for the credit of the State. 
 
 About the redoubtable Michael Fox, of Company C, by 
 Sergeant Farley, of Company K: 
 
 While at the ancient town of Opelousas, La., in camp 
 just outside, before we were mounted as cavalry, some 
 whiskey got somehow over into C street, and hearing a 
 rather unusual amount of noise it drew me in that direc- 
 
340 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 tion. Of course much, too much whiskey meant fight, 
 and it drew a crowd into w^hich the officer of the day got, 
 as was his business, to still it. Amongst the hauling and 
 pulling said officer declared that Mike Fox struck him, 
 whereas Fox declared that he only pushed him, but never- 
 theless, the victim Fox was arrested and put under guard. 
 Soon he was court martialled, found guilty, and sentenced 
 to be shot upon the next day between the hours of nine and 
 twelve. That evening there came an order to me to detail 
 one man to go and help dig his grave, and I recollect that 
 the man growled hard because he was set at that business 
 at nine o'clock at night ; however, we got the hole into the 
 ground. Mike was in jail at Opelousas and had the honor 
 of a guard with a loaded gun before his cell door. Capt. 
 Gannon and Maj. Connelly were allowed to see him and 
 the priest was with him most of the night. Fox said that 
 he knew that he had got to die on the next day, and he 
 would stand it like a brick. I knew him to be a game sol- 
 dier, and would do as he said. The captain, the former 
 officer of the day, came to see him and told him that he felt 
 very sorry for him, but Fox told him that he need not be; 
 said he, "I am going to die to-morrow, and if ever there was 
 a man came back to this world, I'll come back and I'll haunt 
 you night and day." But next morning Major Connelly 
 went and saw Gen. Franklin and told him that it was an 
 outrage to shoot the man for so small a crime, and that the 
 President should be appealed to to reprieve or pardon him, 
 so he got a delay until the President could be heard from, 
 which would take as much as four weeks. In a few days 
 we got orders to return to Franklin, and took the prisoner 
 along handcuffed and under guard night and day. On 
 the second day's march as we went into camp at sunset, 
 two strapping big men, John Cane and Ned McCabe (it 
 would have been hard to get a man to handle Cane), were 
 walking by the guard kind of careless like, when McCabe 
 sprang at the guard catching his gun with both hands 
 while Cane sti-uck him in the jaw and knocked him sense- 
 less. Then Cane says to Fox, "come on" and the two 
 helped him outside the lines towards Opelousas. Fox had 
 the curiosity to go and see his late grave, and left his mark 
 there and kept on till he reached the rebel prison in Tyler, 
 Texas. He had the freedom of that camp, going out and 
 in as he pleased After staying there three months, he 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 341 
 
 picked up a Boston fellow and they thought it to be a good 
 thing to go down into Mexico, so they started on foot but 
 soon picked up two ponies to assist their emigration, but 
 came to grief as a party of men chased up behind them 
 and shifted them from the ponies to a tree near by, hang- 
 ing them up by halters for horse stealing. This last tragic 
 ending of the fellows I got from one of Co. K who was in 
 that rebel prison. 
 
 The foregoing account was written out several months 
 before receiving Sergeant Emerson's account of Fox's 
 return to the regiment. Comrade Emerson now adds 
 nothing except that he thinks that Corporal Dan Hartnett 
 had charge of the detail which dug his grave. It was 
 thought best to make a little inquiry about Fox. His 
 case was mentioned in the presence of Colonel "Fearing 
 in April, 1891, and he positively asserted that Fox was 
 returned to the regiment. Comrade Hodgdon writes : "I 
 have no positive recollection of Mike Fox after he was 
 returned by Dick Taylor's men, but think that he sickened 
 and died in the hospital ; yet the merry devil might have 
 stolen Billy Wilson's Zouaves and taken them to Mexico." 
 Lieutenant Nolan says that prisoners who met Fox in 
 Texas said that he was then acting orderly to Gen. Dick 
 Taylor. Afterwards, in 1865, when I was in command of 
 military prison in Natchez, Miss., I was told by some rebel 
 prisoners under my charge that knew Fox, that Fox tried 
 to desert from the rebel army ; was tried by court martial 
 and shot. At all events, Fox never joined regiment again. 
 If he was alive after, he would go to Manchester, N. H., 
 where he belonged. 
 
 Lieut. Lawrence Foley agrees mostly with Sergeant 
 Farley in his account. 
 
 Comrade Dan Mahoney, of Wilton, N. H., says that 
 before Fox's time of execution arrived, the rebs. made a 
 dash, the guards went for the enemy leaving Mike to run 
 into the bushes, and then to the enemy who filed his hand- 
 cuffs off. In a few days a flag of truce from the enemy 
 
342 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 was met by some troops, not the Eighth ; they were fired 
 on and several shot, the rebs. crying out, "Them's com- 
 pliments of Mike Fox." Comrade John Riney, formerly 
 of Company B, afterwards captain in a colored regiment, 
 says that he met Fox in Santiago, Texas, after the war. 
 So it is still an open question what finally became of 
 Michael Fox. 
 
 June 17, 1891. Will close up on Mike Fox. He has 
 been the standard ? 
 
 Corp. J. F. Chandler writes that he got away as related 
 with " ball and chain" on; told his case to the rebs. and 
 they returned him to us, but in a few days he got away 
 again ; think that one or two deserted with him, they 
 joined the guerillas and were caught and hung by the 
 Confederates. 
 
 Mike Fox, and what became of him, is of not so much 
 importance, but his case came oddly bobbing to the sur- 
 face of the stream of events. It is seen that it is difficult 
 to get at dim, cold, unadulterated yac/5, which even time 
 is expected to assist in bringing to the light. 
 
 From "Sam": 
 
 New Iberia, La., Nov. 19, 1863. 
 
 I guess that we wont go to Texas, you ask about my 
 " Thanksgiving," last year it was mush and molasses. I 
 thought yesterday that I would fill my canteen with 
 molasses so I went to the sweet Grindery and in where 
 they barrel it up I saw about 40 negro Ladies a wading 
 round in a big tank of it a keeping it stirred up I suppose 
 so it would or wouldn't turn into Rum. It was about 30 
 inches Deep o' molasses and I took sugar in mine. 
 
 When Col. Fearing gets his conscripts out here I'd like 
 the detail of Showing 'em Round. 
 
 One fellow was held to be shot and his grave all dug 
 got off" two nights ago. (Oho! Fox again.) But one 
 fellow from 14th Maine tried it and died in a few minutes. 
 The rebs don't like 'em any better 'n we Do. 
 
 The Forty-eighth Ohio very justly decided that they 
 had "struck it rich on fodder" down in the garden of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 343 
 
 Louisiana at New Iberia, although the voracious army 
 mule still took his ration of wood work off the army wagon 
 and his discordant voice seemed always like Dicken's boy, 
 "asking for more." It was a fine preparation, by con- 
 trast, as you, interested reader, will note, to the terrible 
 gauntness of Camp Ford, Texas. The veterans of the 
 Eighth New Hampshire will recollect, if not the scantness 
 of their Thanksgiving dinner in 1861, the lines of poetry 
 that were written and printed by Mr. De Wolfe at Camp 
 Currier on and about that occasion. They began thus : 
 
 Some people think whexi men enlist, 
 
 Young, middle-aged, and hoary. 
 They do not need material food 
 
 For they can live on Glory ! 
 
 The third and fourth verses were as follows : 
 
 They kissed the loved ones they had left. 
 
 And after the caressing. 
 By turns each volunteer received 
 
 Some dear one's parting blessing. 
 
 They braved the chill November damps. 
 
 All thoughts of fear discarding, 
 When you did sleep, — at " Currier" 
 
 They bravely stood — a guarding ! 
 
 Then several verses being employed to show what each 
 company got of the scent in Turkey and fixin's dinner, it 
 ends with prophetic indignation : 
 
 We'll fight our country's battles well 
 
 And struggle for the nation ; 
 But think you, can the Eighth forget 
 
 This soulless aggravation? 
 
 Those who would steal the soldier's joys. 
 
 Can God forgive such sinners? 
 Or send to Heaven those who get 
 
 Up ! such Thanksgiving dinners? 
 
344 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 What did we eat and drink ? In the struggles for and 
 the want of dinners since November, 1861, the veterans 
 have nearly forgotten the pangs which brought forth the 
 poetry of that date, but now they can sit in a circle and 
 retail for hours their experiences in striving to fill the 
 vacuum of the inner man in camp, or anywhere in the 
 South cut by the line of march. Louisiana was a good 
 foraging ground and there was no great sale of canned 
 goods. "Condensed milk" was no go, except as 
 " brandied peaches " ; hog used to be drawn legally and 
 otherwise ; beef was a drug. Folks " don't know beans" 
 until they are cooked and eaten out of doors. Only once 
 I saw them "ground baked." How? Well, dig a hole 
 or trench, in it build a big fire, leave it all coals, put on 
 top hot ashes, then kettles of beans. Then cover with 
 twigs, grass, earth ; let 'em stay ten hours, and then ! Why 
 doesn't Dr. Holmes crown his last laughing days with a 
 serious poem on beans? That succulent, reviving muscle- 
 building, brain-empowering vegetable ! That, with coffee, 
 the tin-pot coffee of the soldier by the wayside, was all 
 conquering. Whiskey nor Louisiana rum ain't nothhC to it. 
 The dullest of us^aw that, one morning on the march, when 
 a well known regiment started out ahead of us swinging 
 along in fine spirits, for the ardent had been liberally and 
 officially dealt out to them, but before ten a. m., the aroma 
 of that juice had evaporated and we in turn passed scores 
 of tliem dropped out. Then occurred a dialogue the most 
 pithy and laconic ever recorded, veni, vidi, vici is nowhere. 
 Ed. Ross of Company B, well known as one of the color 
 corporals, sang out to one of the exhausted as he was lying 
 beside the road, the single word "picket?" The fellow 
 brightened up and indignantly shouted back "picket" 
 with the downward inflection, as much as to say in the 
 slang phrase of 1890, "What are you giving us?" Yes, 
 coffee was the great invigorator, the soul builder of the sol- 
 dier, a twin with the beans that braced his backbone and 
 
SERG'T JACOB F. CHANDLER, CO. D. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 345 
 
 renewed his grit. What chance had the rye tea and corn 
 pone of the South against our Northern fodder? Then, 
 too, there was the peculiar combination known to sailors 
 as "lobscouse" — a thick soup of water, hard-tack, pork, 
 beef with vegetables, plain and fresh from Mother Earth, 
 if possible ; if not, desicated and concentrated from the 
 sutler, in fact, anything and everything was welcome in 
 this hotch-potch of a sea-dish. It was good with an appe- 
 tite in front of it. For the " staff of life " hard bread was 
 the most acceptable form. It was easier to carry than soft 
 bread, and had the advantage of being already dried. 
 The addition of weevils and worms made no difference in 
 the eating, after dark. 
 
 To close, we throw in the following advance letters of 
 Comrade J. F. Chandler, orderly sergeant of Company D : 
 
 On April 9, 1864, at about 5 a. m., at Pleasant Hill, our 
 regiment was given some hard-tack by Billy Adams, 
 formerly of our regiment, but then Q^ M. of colored bri- 
 gade. On our march we ate raw corn on the cob when 
 we could get it. I saw a twenty-dollar bill offered for one 
 half hard-tack which had been run over in the road and 
 picked out of a wheel rut. It warn't for sale. Further 
 on, we came to the frame of a cow which had been killed 
 on our march up. It was covered with maggots. We 
 piled some rails from a fence over it and gave it a roast 
 just to hide the offensive sight and then had a royal bar- 
 becue and feast. At Grand Ecore the rebs. sent in a flag 
 of truce and wanted to swap captured "paper collars" 
 for hard-tack and medicine (that at least was a camp 
 story), the next day some wagons went out with medicine 
 for our wounded. I witnessed the ceremony of the flag 
 of truce; the most prominent feature to me was the fre- 
 quent and harmonious manner of taking the altitude of the 
 sun by use of a long necked jug. At Grand Ecore, we 
 were desperately hungry ; some of our boys stole a lot of 
 rations from a colored regiment, taking a pot of boiling 
 pork right off the fire while the regiment was on dress 
 parade. Those were new troops direct from New Orleans 
 and had not seen a reb. or lost their discipline. This little 
 
346 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 action on our part made them angr3^ and they gave out 
 word that they would attack us that night. We requested 
 them to lose no time but come right on ; but as things 
 began to look bad we were ordered that night to move 
 towards Alexandria, and we did. We rode all night. 
 (What Ibr; to get out of the way of rebs. or the niggers?) 
 
 Fort McPherson, 
 
 Natchez, Miss., Nov. 12, 1864. 
 
 I came off picket guard this morning, and if our little 
 nigger fool Billy will attend to his business, I'll write you 
 a little as Uncle Sam's mail is starting soon. There, I'll 
 send a bit of his wool in the letter ahead of him and his 
 mule, which I intend to bring on home with me. I was 
 all night down in a settlement of contrabands called the 
 corral. I had eight men and two corporals. I had to 
 look sharp after the nigger passes and could let any in or 
 out as I pleased. Some who wanted to cross were very 
 liberal, so I got a lot of pecan nuts, etc. I sat and 
 watched the fire and the rats, of which there was an 
 immense lot. One old fellow managed when I was away 
 a few minutes, to drag off my haversack and gnaw a hole 
 in one corner. If I could have caught him I would have 
 eaten a hind quarter of him so that I could say that I had 
 eaten rat as well as horse's liver and roast skunk. I did 
 get a pumpkin of a colored brother early this morning and 
 roasted it in the ashes. It ate first-rate with my boiled pork 
 which Mr. Rat left so kindly. 
 
 The morning gun was fired about ten seconds ago when 
 all was still as death, but now there is noise enough from 
 drums, bugles, boys, dogs, niggers, horses, and mules, 
 which means that they all want to be fed, so I will be off 
 for baked beans this Sunday morning. 
 
 After eating, naturally follows the pipe, so after a dis- 
 sertation on army fodder, we must say a good word for 
 tobacco, that sweet solace in the lazy or tired hour ; that 
 soothing influence in a mad, melancholy, or suffering hour ; 
 that finder and retainer of friends ; that acquaintance 
 maker and holder ; that which enlivens and gives point to 
 conversation ; which makes the plodding of the day endur- 
 able and the restful night glorious ; when we nearer seem 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 347 
 
 to commune with the intelligent stars, and gaze between 
 their glittering portals into revealed space. Oh, how did 
 the ancients get along without it? If they had had it, how 
 it would have glowed upon the classic pages. We could 
 now be gazing upon the ruins I No, upon the rebuilding 
 of temples once reared by adoring votaries to the Goddess 
 Tobacco. Olympian Jove would have had that divin- 
 ity as a constant attendant, and there would have been 
 around his immortal brows a nimbus of her construction. 
 She would have outrivaled Bacchus. Poetry would have 
 sung her triumphal march, girded with clouds that framed 
 a magnificent splendor. To crown its imperial might and 
 generosity in the late unpleasantness, both Federal and 
 Confederate could and did follow in its train. The rank 
 and file could enjoy its company and consolations, as well 
 as the second lieutenant or the lieutenant-general. We 
 used in Louisiana to get hold of some fine chewing tobacco 
 which was made up in rolls in shape and size like the can- 
 dle pins of bowling alleys. The boys sometimes came 
 from a plantation loaded with haversacks of sugar, a sam- 
 ple of Louisiana and a roll of Killikinnick. Then like 
 Tam O'Shanter, they were " glorious, o'er a' the ills o' life 
 victorious." 
 
348 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Order to change into Cavalry. — General McMillan's Order, Compliment- 
 ary. — Re-enlisting. — Details from the Regiment. — At New 
 Orleans. — Thanks of Congress. — At Cavalry Drill. — Official 
 Order, Battle Flags. — History of the Drum Corps by Principal 
 Musician H. J. Durgin. — The Second Red River Expedition. — 
 King Cotton. — Sherman to Banks, to General Steele. — Distances. 
 
 — Corp. Stephen Williams, Personal. — Adjutant Prescott's Diary. 
 
 — Started on March 3 up the River. — At Brashear City from 9th 
 to 13th. — General Banks' Report. — Returns of Troops. — ^^Con- 
 federate Returns of Troops. — Reached Alexandria. — On to Bayou 
 Rapides. — Confederate Scheme to repossess New Orleans. — 
 Proclamation. 
 
 The following is a copy of the order issued by General 
 McMillan, detaching the Eighth from his brigade in order 
 to change it into cavalry : 
 
 Headquarters Second Brigade, 
 
 Third Division, 19TH Army Corps, 
 
 New Iberia, La., Dec. 21, 1863. 
 Circular. 
 
 In view of the recent orders from Department Head- 
 quarters detaching the 8th New Hampshire Vols, from 
 the command, the commanding general takes pleasure in 
 extending his thanks to Lieut. -Col. Flanders and the 
 officers and men of "The Glorious Old Eighth" for the 
 unqualified good conduct they have always displayed. 
 None can regret more than himself the necessity that has 
 taken them from his command, and his earnest wish is 
 that they will preserve the fair fame (acquired by great 
 sacrifices), now so justly accorded to them. During the 
 many hardships of the present campaign in face of a fierce 
 and relentless foe, many miles away from their supplies, 
 he is happy to testify that he has always found them ready 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 349 
 
 and willing to obey all commands, do their whole duty 
 and render a good account of themselves wherever placed. 
 As in ancient days it needed only the exclamation, " I am 
 a Roman," to command respect, so in this age may it only 
 be required to say, " I am a soldier of the 8th New Hamp- 
 shire," to command honor and homage. He assures the 
 regiment that he will always take more than a common 
 interest in their welfare, and any new laurel won by them 
 will be hailed with the proud satisfaction that he has been 
 one of them. 
 
 By command of Brig. -Gen. McMillan. 
 
 0. P. Hervey, a. a. Gen. 
 
 The following order was issued by General McMillan 
 at same date : 
 
 1. Lieut. D. W. King, aide-de-camp on my staff, is 
 hereby relieved from duty with this brigade and ordered 
 to return to his regiment, at his request, his regiment hav- 
 ing been taken from the brigade and mounted as cavalry. 
 
 II. The commanding general takes this method of 
 expressing his thanks to Lieut. King for his uniformly 
 courteous manner and soldierly conduct. 
 
 III. The commanding general also desires to again 
 express his deepest regrets at the loss of the 8th regiment. 
 Regarding it as one of the most reliable of his command, 
 he had become warmly attached to it and deeply interested 
 in it. Submitting to the necessity that compelled its loss, 
 he desires to express his earnest hope that its new associa- 
 tions may be as agreeable as he desired to make its old 
 associations in the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 19th Army 
 Corps. 
 
 By command Brig. -Gen. McMillan. 
 O. P. Hervey, A. A. Gen. 
 
 In adjutant-general's report. State of New Hampshire, 
 James H. Marshall, first lieutenant and adjutant of Eighth 
 New Hampshire Infantry, says that after the return from 
 Sabine Pass, the regiment took part in a campaign in the 
 interior of Louisiana, marching as far as Opelousas. In 
 December, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Franklin, 
 La., to be changed into cavalry under the designation of 
 
350 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 "Second New Hampshire Cavalry." At this place, the 
 regiment was mounted, armed with sabres, carbines, and 
 revolvers, and constantly drilled in the evolutions of the 
 cavalry tactics. 
 
 The name, '■'■ First New Hampshire Cavalry" is used 
 on one of the late maps, official, of the Red River cam- 
 paign. On looking up the history, it is found that there 
 was, previous to 1864, a battalion of New Hampshire 
 cavalry that finally was consolidated with the real First 
 New Hampshire Cavalry in 1864, leaving ours to be 
 properly designated as the Second New Hampshire Cav- 
 alry. On application to the War Department to know 
 how, at any time in 1863-64, the regiment mounted, was 
 officially styled, the following was received : 
 
 War Department. 
 Record and Pension Division, 
 
 Washington, April 7, 1891. 
 The records show that the 8th New Hampshire In- 
 fantry Vols, was converted into Cavalry by Special Orders 
 No. 314, Par. 6, Dec. 16, 1863, Dept. of the Gulf, and 
 that said order was revoked and the regiment returned to 
 an infantry organization by Special Orders No. 97, Par. 
 3, July 25, 1864, same headquarters. 
 
 Its designation as a cavalry organization was not speci- 
 fied in orders, but on the returns of the regiment Decem- 
 ber 31, 1863, to February 29, 1864, inclusive, it is styled 
 1st N. H. Cav., and from March 31, 1864, to June 30, 
 1864, inclusive, the 2d N. H. Cav. 
 
 By authority of the Secretary of War, 
 
 F. C. AiNSWORTH, 
 
 Major and Surgeon U. S. Army. 
 
 On applying to Capt. T. C. Prescott for information, he 
 gives full quotations how the -regiment was designated 
 while he was adjutant, agreeing with the foregoing. 
 The writer has been partial to the name '' Second New 
 Hampshire Cavalry" to be borne by our " Old Eighth " 
 for the seven months and nine days that it swung the 
 sabre officially, and it will be so called. Certainly the old 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 351 
 
 members of the First New Hampshire Cavalry will claim 
 that title. 
 
 Diary of H. J. Durgin, chief bugler of Second New 
 Hampshire Cavalry : 
 
 Franklin, La., Jan. ist, 1864. Practiced on the bugle; 
 cold work. All the talk is in regard to re-enlistment. 
 Ice is one and a half inches thick ; horses suffer terribly. 
 Tents and baggage have come. 
 
 Sunday, 3d. Review. Inspection and divine service. 
 It seems really refreshing to hear a sermon once in a 
 while. 
 
 4th. Recruiting will soon commence, my name will be 
 among the first. 
 
 5th. A very exciting day. Telegrams rec'd that Gov't 
 ceases to pay all large bounties after today. Rolls were 
 made out and signed by over three quarters of the regi- 
 ment. 
 
 6th. Ordered to New Orleans, two inches of snow ; 
 horses suffering, covered with ice. 
 
 8th. Reveille at 4 a. m. Cos. A, C, and F start for 
 Brashear. Reg't marched twenty miles. 
 
 9th. At Brashear city ; loth, at Algiers ; 13th, reached 
 the steam cotton press in lower part of the city of New 
 Orleans. 
 
 It is known that there were many detailed from our regi- 
 ment, notably into the Sixth Massachusetts Battery, and 
 upon the gunboats, but inquiry at adjutant-general's office 
 in Massachusetts and at Washington, failed to get any infor- 
 mation. The following comes from the examination of the 
 monthly regimental returns filed at Concord, N. H., and 
 are from the three found which contained said details. 
 They are kindly furnished by Adjutant-General Ayling, 
 who says that such details will not be printed in the roster, 
 so they are reproduced here. 
 
 Regimental monthly return for February, 1863, reports 
 the following as absent on detached duty in Sixth Massa- 
 chusetts Battery since October 24, 1862 : 
 
352 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Company A. — J. H. Davis, C. H. Foss, H. D. Adams, 
 W. H. Densmore, and R. D. Caldwell. 
 
 Company B.— J. C. Clark, W. E. Ireland, H. L. 
 Robbins. 
 
 Company D. — Samuel Weston, J. C. Aldrich. 
 
 Company E. — B. F. Philbrick, G. W. Pond. 
 
 Company F. — L. Huse and G. W. Willey. 
 
 Company G. — G. H. Eastman. 
 
 Company H. — C. Aldrich, James Bennett. 
 
 Company I. — E. G. Drew, J. Blaisdell, G. Faigeux. 
 
 Company K. — John Welch, P. McCullough. 
 
 In United States navy the regimental monthly report 
 for June, 1864, the names were the following : 
 
 Company A. — G. Wilson, J. Wilson, T. Thompson, C. 
 Speicheit, C. Olsen, J. McDonald, F. Herdmillen and T. 
 Hooper. 
 
 Company B. — T. A. Buckley, Chas. Johnson, Chas. 
 Wilson. 
 
 Company C. — A. White. 
 
 Company D. — A. Miller. 
 
 Company E. — A. Lingo. 
 
 Company G. — A. Thomas. 
 
 Company H. — G. Dunham, J. McClear, J. Wilson. 
 
 Company I. — Jales Broorm, G. Christy, P. Gay, N. 
 Sweeney, S. Vradenburg, S. S. Wiggin. 
 
 The above list does not include all the detailed. J. 
 Connor, of Company B, was on the United States gunboat 
 " Saxon." 
 
 Diary of Comrade H. J. Durgin : 
 
 New Orleans, Jan. 17, 1864. Had a street parade. A 
 company of mechanics or Union men paraded to-day. 
 
 19th. Commissary T. M. Shattuck joined us last night. 
 He was welcomed by every one. . 
 
 20th. Regiment had two drills to-day. Capt. William- 
 son will teach us all he can in time allowed. Practiced 
 twice on bugle ; lips very sore. 
 
 2 1 St. Mr. Patrick Gilmore of Boston is going to teach 
 our brigade band. 
 
 Sunday, 24th. Grand Review by Banks and Farragut; 
 went to church but the sermon was in French. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 353 
 
 25th. Had musician's drill, and the first cavalry dress 
 parade ; poor ! 
 
 26th. Tried the effect of the bugles on the horses ; mine 
 was tractable. 
 
 Sunday, 31st. Street parade and out on Shellroad, very 
 little like the old N. E. Sabbath. 
 
 Feb. 6th. Presentation of brigade colors to-day on 
 Canal St. ; made by Gen. Banks' daughter. Miss Maude 
 Banks. Col. Flanders and Mai. Connelly mustered out 
 of service to-daly ; much indignation expressed. (They 
 were returned to duty.) 
 
 nth. Brigade drill at Camp-De-Mars from 11 a. m. to 
 4i p. M. 
 
 i2th. I to-day re-enlisted, regular for three years, dat- 
 ing back to Jan. 4th, '64. I expect the bounty and a fur- 
 lough ; so a fine time at home. 
 
 i8th. Had a little snow this p. m. 2d time that I have 
 seen it in this State. 
 
 22d. State election, holiday, consolidated bands under 
 P. S. Gilmore play ; bass part attempted by thirty cannon, 
 did not work well. About one half went off, otherwise it 
 was a grand affair. 
 
 27th. Grand Review. Division flag presentation by 
 Gen. Banks' daughter who was adopted as daughter of 
 the brigade. 
 
 29th. Sworn in the 25th,, was mustered in to-day. 
 
 Official. Abstract from returns. Nineteenth Army 
 Corps, Maj.-Gen. Wm. B. Franklin commanding. 
 
 Fourth Brigade, Eighth New Hampshire, Col. H. 
 Fearing, Jr., of Gen. A. L. Lee's cavalry division, being 
 organized at New Orleans. 
 
 General Orders, No. 88. 
 
 War Department. 
 
 Adjt. General's Office, 
 Washington, March 8, 1864. 
 The following joint resolutions of Congress are pub- 
 lished for the information and guidance of all concerned : 
 
 23 
 
354 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Public Resolution, No. 15. 
 
 Joint Resolution of tlianks of Congress to the volunteer 
 soldiers who have re-enlisted in the Army. 
 
 Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Re-prcsenta- 
 tives of the United States of America in Congress assem- 
 bled, That the thanks of Congress are hereby given to 
 those noble and brave men who, having already so gal- 
 lantly endured the hardships and perils of war for more 
 than two years in support of their country's flag, present 
 the sublime spectacle of again voluntarily enrolling them- 
 selves in the Army of the Union for another three years' 
 campaign, or so long as the war shall continue. 
 
 Sect. 2. And be it further resolved. That the Secre- 
 tary of War cause these resolutions to be read to each of 
 the veteran regiments who have re-enlisted or shall re-en- 
 list in both the volunteer and regular forces of the United 
 States. 
 
 Approved March 3, 1864. 
 
 By order of Secretary of War, 
 
 W. A. Nichols, 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 Part 2, vol. 34, page 370: 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, 
 
 New Orleans, Feb. 19, 1864. 
 General Orders, No. 25 (extract) : 
 
 The following named regiments of 19th A. C. will im- 
 mediately have inscribed upon their colors the names of 
 the several actions set opposite their names, wherein they 
 have borne a distinguished part as follows : 
 First (second) New Hampshire Cavalry, 
 Georgia Landing, Bisland, Port Hudson. 
 
 Company B was in the expedition resulting in the cap- 
 ture of the " Cotton" on January 14, 1863, Colonel Lull 
 being on General Weitzel's staff. (See page 162.) 
 
 From " Sam" : 
 
 New Orleans, Feb. 15, 1864. 
 Last Tuesday was what they called a " Mardi-Gras " 
 day, some like our April fool d&y when you can Cut up 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 355 
 
 all you've a mind to. I've got a big red horse with white 
 eyes and he can jump Big and run awful, he can prance 
 good and show off in style. Nettie wants my picture on 
 horseback as I look Now, when I get home she can have 
 my whole Profile. 
 
 ^■Some of the Dukes and kings haint got over Mardi- 
 grassing yet. 
 
 Extract from " Sam's " letter, Feb. 25 : 
 
 As I have a fiew moments to spare I will try to improve 
 them and Myself. I was up late last night till 2 this 
 morning looking about for there was a Union torch light 
 procession and I tell you how the banners read, "Down 
 with Slavery " " Down with the Black Code of Louisiana." 
 I think New Orleans is more of a Union City than Some 
 in New England. 
 
 Our First Lieut has got an Honorable discharge and 
 the cappen will probably get to Be a Major and as Lieu- 
 tenants are Scarce there will be chances for promotion 
 and I shall get about a second sergeant. I am acting So 
 now. I shall go up the Ladder faster than most young 
 soldiers. 
 
 So I can pay for that Land and settle with Nettie. 
 
 The veterans are fortunate in having an account of the 
 drum corps of the Eighth, written up by one so capable 
 of giving it as Comrade H. J. Durgin, to whose ability 
 and conscientious labors so much of their proficiency was 
 owing. It is very pleasing to say this as the chief bugler 
 is and was altogether too modest to hint it of himself, and 
 it has required a good deal of urging to get his personali- 
 ties into the history, although he has been entirely willing 
 and earnest in helping the work along. As at this date 
 in the campaigning, the original drum corps has finished 
 its work, it is well to insert its record here. He says : 
 
 Had the original plan of organization been strictiy ad- 
 hered to, the Eighth would have had for its music a drum 
 corps of twenty snare drums, two to each company — 
 " simply this and nothing more." The reasons for this 
 
356 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 choice were forcible and sound. It was alleged that no 
 two fifers of the old school could be found who would play 
 together — that is, play any given piece in the same way — 
 and that if by any means as many as ten could be gotten 
 together, there would be exactly ten different renderings 
 of the same piece of music ! Too great a variety, cerr 
 tainly, for any one whose martial soul was not dead to 
 "concord of sweet (or shrill) sounds!" It was not at 
 first thought possible in the limited time allowed for organ- 
 ization to educate new fifers, but it was quite practicable 
 in the case of drummers : hence the choice of drums alone. 
 The organization had been only partly completed, how- 
 ever, when the plan was reconsidered. The desirability 
 of good music was conceded by all ; it could only be had 
 by educating young members of the regiment while in the 
 service, abolishing the time limit, and extending its study 
 and practice to all possible times and places. This plan 
 being soon substituted for the one first mentioned, W. P. 
 Munsey and H. J. Durgin were appointed principal musi- 
 cians on December 20, 1861, with instructions to execute 
 it. As soon as this became known, many candidates 
 appeared, but so few of those were found to be possessed 
 of the proper qualifications, that to obtain the required 
 number, several details were finally made from the ranks. 
 A careful start thus being made, success became merely a 
 question of diligence and time. Though the plan of 
 establishing a school of music in the regiment was not 
 quickly productive of marked results, it ultimately placed 
 the music of the Eighth in the front rank and gave it wide 
 renown. 
 
 Throughout the entire service, "practicing" was not 
 indulged in to any great extent in camp lest the regiment 
 should be bored with the monotony of it. Armed with a 
 " standing pass " the corps would be off each day as soon 
 as camp duty was over, to drill beyond the lines until the 
 time for dinner call or dress parade. In the dead of win- 
 ter at Camp Currier and Fort Independence, icicles would 
 often form at the ends of the fifes, and the drummers' 
 hands become so chilled that they could not hold the drum 
 sticks. The cold was thus a great obstacle to progress ; 
 but from the landing at Ship Island until near the close of 
 the regiment's service at Natchez, Miss., the drilling was 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 357 
 
 constant when not campaigning, and the improvement 
 rapid. " Reading " once mastered, the corps became a 
 unit, and a high quality of music was assured. 
 
 At Camp Parapet a fine bass drum was added, much to 
 the satisfaction of all. New music was introduced as 
 rapidly as circumstances would permit, and the " reper- 
 toire " soon became quite extensive. 
 
 The reputation of the corps extended rapidly, and it 
 soon became a common occurrence to turn out at reveille 
 or tattoo to hear it play. But to see the corps at its very 
 best, one needed to be out campaigning with the regiment 
 during one of its victorious marches through some rebel 
 town. All the martial ardor that each one possessed 
 would be brought out on such occasions, and the boys 
 would fairly " make the welkin ring." Rebel spectators 
 seeing the old Eighth approaching on such occasions, could 
 have no doubt whatever that " The Campbells were com- 
 ing " ; and after the regiment had swept through a rebel 
 town in its grandest style, it was equally certain that 
 "Yankee Doodle" was still a very lively institution. 
 "Marching through Georgia" cpuld certainly have beeri 
 no livelier or more grand than these triumphal marches of 
 the old Eighth through those hot beds of treason. 
 
 But the duties of our corps were not all of this inspiring 
 kind. By far J:he saddest was the burial of the dead. A 
 prominent part of all burial parties was the music, and of 
 this service the Eighth corps had more than its share ; for 
 besides this duty for the members of the regiment who 
 died in camp, in hospital, or on the battlefield, the corps 
 was often called upon to assist at the burial of artillery- 
 men, as the batteries in our department had no suitable 
 music for this service. On the battlefields, burials were 
 sometimes made in such haste that the music and other 
 honors to the dead were dispensed with ; but in camp they 
 were usually observed, so that during the seasons of 
 greatest mortality, our corps has done duty at as many as 
 four different burials in one day, or rather in one day and 
 night, for this number of marches to and from the burial 
 ground could only be made by extending them into the 
 night. The strains of the dirge were always very sadden- 
 ing, even on the brightest of days, but when heard from a 
 
3S8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 distance through the darkness and gloom of night, they 
 were peculiarly weird and depressing. 
 
 The exalted heroism of the noble Eighth and its always 
 ready response to the most exacting call of duty, necessa- 
 rily cost it dearly, and raised its rate of mortality to an 
 alarming degree, and at Port Hudson, almost to the verge 
 of extinction. Never during the entire service of the regi- 
 ment, was the sad parting at burial quite as sad as the 
 parting from those bravest and dearest comrades who fell 
 in the fearful slaughter of the 14th of June, 1863. Only a 
 very small fragment of the regiment was left, and other 
 assaults like the ones of that day and the previous 27th of 
 May, would certainly have closed its brilliant career. To 
 the survivors, it really looked as though the end had 
 come. 
 
 While witnessing thus the heroic conduct of its officers 
 and men, the musicians of the Eighth had their full share 
 of dangerous duty; for example, while the assault of the 
 14th of June terminated early in the day and the small 
 remnant of the regiment not killed, wounded, or prisoners 
 were driven back beyond reach of the rebel fire, the 
 musicians were exposed to it for several hours later, for 
 contrary to all precedent in civilized warfare, the rebels 
 always " peppered " the stretcher bearers as fiercely as 
 they would an assaulting column : and so, until every 
 wounded man who could possibly be reached was taken 
 off the field, the musicians and their colored helpers were 
 under fire. It is no exaggeration to say that not a single 
 stretcher appeared on our part of the field that day that 
 was not fired on by every rebel who saw it. This is 
 monstrous, but strictly true. And so the musicians, as 
 well as the rank and file, were tried in this furnace of 
 fire and were not found wanting. Their eflforts did not 
 cease until every accessible part of the field that was cov- 
 ered by the Eighth on that day had been explored and 
 the wounded removed. 
 
 Towards noon, when it was thought this was done, the 
 chief musician started in again alone, for a thorough 
 examination of the entire field, to make doubly sure of it. 
 Working his way against a very heavy rebel fire, he soon 
 found himself directly in range of our four-gun battery of 
 nine-inch Dahlgrens, which just then reopened fire in 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 359 
 
 lively style. Being between the two fires, the heaviest 
 from the rear, it occurred to him, as it did to FalstafFlong 
 before, that " the better part of valor is discretion," there- 
 fore he laid himself down. Remaining prostrate with his 
 face towards the rebel works, he enjoyed the exquisite 
 pleasure of seeing those nine-inch solid shot make the 
 slivers fly at a lively rate just inside the rebel works. So 
 exactly was he in range, that every shot could be easily seen 
 after it had passed a short distance 'beyond him, and its 
 course distinctly traced. Though his position was far from 
 comfortable, his delight was intense to see that, notwith- 
 standing our disastrous defeat, we could still "plunk it to 
 'em" with such immense " plunks" in such a grand and 
 effective style. The accuracy of this fire wa'S remarkable. 
 Every shot appeared to strike exactly in the same spot. 
 Examination after the surrender showed the extreme varia- 
 tion to be not much over ten feet ; and one of the most 
 completely wrecked pieces of artillery in Port Hudson was 
 evidence of its effectiveness. When the firing of our bat- 
 tery ceased the exploration of the field was resumed ; but 
 only one more wounded man was discovered. 
 
 After the wounding of General Paine on this day, one of 
 his staff officers called for volunteers to try to get him off 
 the field. Five men from the different regiments of his 
 brigade immediately responded. Each of the five took a 
 stretcher, selected four stout young darkies to carry it, and, 
 having ascertained very nearly where the general lay, 
 held a miniature council of war to determine upon the best 
 route. All but the man from the Eighth favored working 
 up through the ravines. He argued that the rebels would 
 be looking there chiefly for prowlers, and that the chances 
 were better to make a quick dash straight up the 
 unobstructed Jackson road. The General's position was so 
 near the enemy's works, and the rebels were so much ad- 
 dicted to "peppering " stretchers, that it was a most forlorn 
 hope by any route. However, four of the parties started 
 via the ravines, and the one from the Eighth via the Jack- 
 son road, but all failed to reach the general. Instead of 
 the Jackson road being unobstructed as expected, a bri- 
 gade of nine months' men lay there closely hugging the 
 bushes and ditches along the sides, and so nearly filling 
 the road as to impede rapid progress. The shower of 
 
360 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 rebel bullets which instantly met the party, gave evidence 
 that the enemy had the road covered as well as the ravines 
 and were still wide awake. Shouts and cries from the 
 nine months' men, " go back, go back, you're drawing the 
 fire on us," together with curses both loud and deep, 
 greeted our party from all along the line. "Keep your 
 eyes on me and do as I do," shouted our man to his darkies 
 and so with forms bent well forward and eyes to the front, 
 and at their highest attainable speed, our party rushed on 
 and soon left the nine months' growlers in the rear ; but 
 the storm of bullets increased so rapidly that it seemed 
 suicidal to press on farther, and the party soon dropped 
 behind a partial shelter that appeared near at hand, to 
 recover their wind, take inventory, and make plans. The 
 inventory showed four darkies in the last stages of fright, 
 but uninjured otherwise, and the decision to go back met 
 their hearty approval. A wounded soldier lay near by, 
 so they need not go back empty handed, if, indeed, they 
 could get back at all. Tlie darkies received the same 
 orders as before, and, in less time then it can be written, 
 the wounded man was on the stretcher and going like the 
 wind towards the rear and relief, followed by showers of 
 bullets from the enemy, and curses from the nine months' 
 men. Inside our camp lines again, our party halted to 
 take breath and another inventory, as well as to compare 
 notes with the other four parties who had already returned. 
 None of our party had been wounded, while about half the 
 members of the others had been hit, and one darkey had 
 been left on the field literally riddled with bullets. No 
 further attempt was made to reach the general until even- 
 ing, when, under cover of the darkness, he was taken 
 off the field by a party from the Fifty-third Massachusetts. 
 Even then the approach could only be made with extreme 
 caution, for the least unusual sound on the field would 
 bring a volley from the rebel works. 
 
 Probably the proudest day in the entire history of the 
 Eighth was the 9th of July, 1863, when our army took 
 formal possession of Port Hudson. Having the post of 
 honor, the right of the line, our little remnant was the first 
 to enter the works, and it is safe to say that no other regi- 
 ment in the Department of the Gulf (unless we e.xcept the 
 Fourth Wisconsin) so well deserved that honor. The 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 361 
 
 musicians of the regiment, inspired by the memory of its 
 heroic deeds, and rejoicing that this most bloody cam- 
 paign had ended so gloriously, did full justice to the occa- 
 sion. 
 
 The nature of the service while in infantry, brought 
 great and almost perpetual losses of instruments and their 
 various parts, more especially of drums and drum heads. 
 Requisitions on the quartermaster for these necessities, 
 seemed to produce a peculiar irritation in the mind of that 
 functionary, very similar indeed to the effect usually pro- 
 duced by the display of a red cloth to a mad bull. In his 
 opinion there never was and never could be got together 
 quite so destructive a lot as the Eighth Regiment's corps 
 of musicians. Had the question, " Is life worth living?" 
 been asked of the chief musician then, he would probablj' 
 have replied, " Not unless some other fellow will interview 
 the quartermaster for supplies." However, the truth lay 
 at the other extreme, for it is not probable that more, if as 
 much, service was got anywhere else in the armj' from the 
 same ainount of material under the same conditions. 
 
 With the change of the regiment to cavalry, however, 
 all this became a thing of the past, for the instruments, 
 — bugles only — gave little trouble. But the task forced 
 upon the musicians by the change proved very difficult. 
 Within the space of about two months, they were to learn, 
 ist, the instrument ; 2d, all the principal calls thereon ; and 
 3d, to drill the regiment by the calls. To reach perfec- 
 tion in all this in the time given, was impossible. But 
 the corps really exceeded all expectation. .While prac- 
 tice speedily became a burden, and cracked and bleed- 
 ing lips the order of the day, the work went finely on ; 
 and when the regiment took the field, most of the buglers 
 were quite proficient, and the regiment quite well drilled 
 to the calls. Some of these calls linger in memory still. 
 '' Reveille," though the most musical, was probably the 
 most disagreeable of all, for the earl}' hours observed at 
 this busy time, did not leave the men as much time for 
 " balmy sleep " as they felt entitled to. The horses, how- 
 ever, did not share this disHke of the " reveille," for the 
 call of all others that interested them the most would fol- 
 low soon after, viz. : " Stable call " when the bugles rang 
 out — 
 
362 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Come to the stable and work while you're able, 
 And give your poor horses some hay, oats, and corn. 
 
 The horses always " seconded the motion " with spirit, 
 becoming quite restless until their wants were attended to. 
 It was indeed surprising and very interesting to see how 
 quickly most of the horses learned the meaning of the 
 calls, and how ready they usually were to respond to them. 
 After a few weeks' drill with the bugles, most of them 
 needed very little guidance in obeying the "Assembly," 
 "Forward," "To the right," "To the left," "Trot," 
 " Gallop," etc.. and during' the execution of the latter, 
 they were usually as much excited as the men. 
 
 The "wit" of the corps was popularly known as 
 " Brutus." Just how he acquired this cognomen is not 
 known, though but few of the regiment knew him by any 
 other name. His inveterate habit of stammering made 
 him doubly interesting, and the boys would often banter 
 him expressly to hear his comical retorts. On one occa- 
 sion the heroic deeds of a brave soldier who had lost his 
 life in the doing of them were under discussion, when one 
 of the boys said, " Now, Brutus, here's a fine example for 
 you to follow. After you are dead everybody will be 
 lauding you to the skies, and telling what a brave fellow 
 you were, etc. ; don't it make your soul burn for glory? " 
 " N-n-n-no, sir," was the reply ; " I'd r-r-r-rather be a 1-1- 
 1-live c-c-c-coward any d-d-day than a d-d-d-dead h-h-h- 
 h-hero." On another occasion, seeing a large buzzard 
 flying overhead, he exclaimed, " S-s-s-say, boys, th-th-th- 
 there g-g-g-goes one of J-J-J-J-JefF Davis' e-e-e-eagles." 
 
 The total membership of the corps from first to last was 
 thirty. Of these, two became lieutenants, one a corporal, 
 one a principal musician in Veteran Reserve Corps, one 
 died of wounds, two died of disease, five were discharged 
 on account of sickness, two deserted, and the rest served 
 out their terms of enlistment regularly. 
 
 On January 4, 1864, at the call of the government for 
 re-enlistments, fifteen of the corps promptly signed for 
 " three years more." 
 
 At the organization of the regiment the principal musi- 
 cians were W. P. Munsey and H. J. Durgin. Soon after 
 its arrival at Ship Island, Munsey was taken sick, and 
 though he partially recovered late in the summer of 1862, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 363 
 
 a relapse soon followed and he was discharged at Carrol- 
 ton, La., on December 3, of that year. 
 
 During this time the entire charge of the corps devolved 
 upon Durgiri. The vacancy cavised by Munsey's dis- 
 charge was filled for a few weeks by E. D. Franklin. On 
 March 17, 1863, James H. Marshall was appointed to the 
 place and served until his promotion to sergeant major on 
 September 2, of the same year. For another year follow- 
 ing this date, Durgin was again in sole charge, and as the 
 service of the regiment as cavalry fell within this period, 
 the duties were arduous and trying. By unremitting 
 eflbrt, however, the ground lost by the change was soon 
 regained, and from the position of novices, the corps soon 
 rose to the front rank again, this time as a bugle corps. 
 In the famous charge of the regiment at Sabine Cross 
 Roads, April 8, 1864, Durgin's horse was shot close to 
 the rebel lines, and he was captured. During the six and 
 one half months of his imprisonment that followed, 
 George H. Dunbar, of Company F, acted as chief bugler, 
 and on September i, 1864, after the change of the regi- 
 ment to infantry, he received the appointment of principal 
 musician to fill the vacancy that had existed since Marsh- 
 all's promotion. At the expiration of the term of service 
 of the original members of the regiment who had not 
 reenlisted, the field and staff", commissioned and non-com- 
 missioned, were mustered out ; and as this included both 
 Durgin (who had been exchanged October 28, 1864) 
 and Dunbar, the company musicians who had reenlisted 
 alone remained. Charles F. Smith, of Company E, was 
 then made leader, and acted as such until the final dis- 
 charge of the veterans in October, 1865. 
 
 The honorable record of the regiment is now, and ever 
 will be, a just source of honest pride to every surviving 
 member ; and for its musicians, there remains the added 
 pleasure of knowing that each one assisted to the best of 
 his ability in winning for its famous bugle and fife and 
 drum corps, the proud title of " the best in the Department 
 of the Gulf." 
 
 From " Sam": 
 
 New Orleans, Feb. 29, 1864. 
 One of the boys who enlisted in 1861 has not had any 
 promotion. He has been a good and reliable soldier. 
 
364 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Col. Fearing applied for him for a commission in a colored 
 regiment and our Boy thought that he was sure of it and 
 being, besides his drill, a considerable of a scholar he 
 went at study for it ; but the big ones began to inquire 
 down and around about him and finally said that he was 
 all right every way ' ' but didn't have 'brass ' enough. " He 
 and I think that that is what some Folks is stocked with 
 most. I guess this war has lasted long enough. 
 
 March ist. Postscript. Sick? I have been just sick 
 enough so my rations have grown Big and I've amused 
 myself by throwing them at the cats and dogs that call 
 around, but I'm not bound for the boneyard Yet. I've just 
 sent you 50 dollars which the girls can do what they are a 
 mind to with. The government bills I sent are drawing 
 Good interest. I'll make the dust and weeds fly on that 
 Land when I get home, I tell you, and Netlie too. 
 
 And " Sam " " got there " and did. If he is now alive, 
 he will swear to or at these extracts. He was a good, 
 reliable soldier and told tlie truth. 
 
 Of the ill-starred second Red River expedition, it has 
 been said that it was ordered by no one. No one was 
 responsible for it. The most, if not all, of the blame of the 
 affair has been laid upon General Banks. We will group 
 a few extracts from official reports. 
 
 Halleck to Banks, August 12-15, 1863, given previously, 
 shows that there was no alternative, but that Banks must 
 carry out the views of the Government. The one condi- 
 tion must be carried out, viz. : That the flag of the 
 United States should be again raised and sustained some- 
 where within the limits of the State of Texas. 
 
 Through the kindness of Maj.-Gen. Geo. B. Davis, 
 superintendent of public printing at Washington, I have 
 been furnished with unbound copies of volume 34, con- 
 sisting of four parts, in which are comprised the official 
 documents in regard to the second Red River expedition. 
 I shall quote from them freely and for brevity use the 
 terms, for instance, part 2, 15, or, simply 2, 15 which 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 365 
 
 is used a page further on to note a letter from Halleck to 
 Banks, to be found on fifteenth page of part 2 of volume 
 34. Ne-arly all of the official is from advance copies of 
 government publications. 
 
 The fault finding brings to mind someone's saying that 
 he would be satisfied if he knew one thing as certain as 
 some assert their knowledge of all things. It has been 
 before remarked of the French occupation of Mexico and 
 of the Confederate hopes in that direction. Already, to 
 check any attrition with us, Brownsville on the Rio Grande 
 had been occupied, and during the winter the movements 
 of the heavy bodies of troops had puzzled the Confeder- 
 ates. The Thirteenth Corps movement and review in New 
 Orleans set them anxiously to thinking of Mobile. Gen- 
 eral Franklin in the interior claimed, too, their attention, 
 but it was not until the advance started that General 
 Kirby Smith boasted that he had known that the Federals 
 were bound for the Red river. He was well aware that 
 Shreveport, his headquarters, the rebel capital of Louisi- 
 ana, the centre of a rich cotton district, the head of steam- 
 boat navigation on the Red river and covering Jackson, 
 Marshall, etc., where were clustered the workshops and 
 huge quantities of the material of war, was a desirable 
 place to be held by the Federals. It being near the 
 boundary line of Texas, it was Banks' business to first 
 possess .himself of it. But to do it, his time and the 
 assisting forces were limited and, too, not altogether under 
 his control. 
 
 On January 4, 1864 (part 2, 15), Halleck writes to 
 him : 
 
 It is agreed that the Red river is the shortest and best 
 fine of defense for La. and Arkansas, and as a base of 
 operations against Texas. The best thing to be done is 
 for you to communicate with Sherman, Steele, and Porter 
 in regard to some general cooperation and all agree upon 
 what is the best plan of operations. Sherman is instructed 
 
366 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to give you all the aid in his power. No efforts have been 
 spared to give you all possible assistance. 
 
 January 6, 1864 (2, 29), Halleck to Stanton: 
 
 All available forces should be sent to Louisiana and 
 Texas to operate during the winter. The occupation 
 of Texas was not simply a military measure. It was one 
 of State policy decided upon by the President. Banks has 
 not men enough to hold and drive the rebels from Texas. 
 
 Banks to Halleck (condensed, 2, 416), February 25, 
 1864: 
 
 I am ready to move with near fifteen thousand men 
 when I can operate with either Steele, Sherman, or Por- 
 ter. I am greatly embarassed and depressed by the 
 demand upon me for troops to act against Mobile. This 
 would meet my desire if it were consistent with my orders 
 from the government. I understand that / am to move 
 against Shreveport. I do not expect instructions from 
 Washington beyond what I have received, except it relate 
 to the movements of Sherman and Steele. 
 
 Same date. General Banks to the President of the 
 United States : 
 
 On the 5th of March I expect to move with either Gen. 
 Steele or Sherman. We are ready and impatient, expect- 
 ing duly the word of command from either Gen. Steele or 
 Sherman. 
 
 March 2 (part 2, 481), Banks to Sherman: 
 
 In order to insure the success of operations indicated by 
 the General-in-Chief I request that you will furnish say 
 ten thousand men, etc. 
 
 General Sherman to Gen. A. J. Smith, March 6, 1864 
 (part 2, 514) : 
 
 By an order this day issued, you are to command a 
 strong well appointed detachment of the army of the Ten- 
 nessee, sent to re-inforce a movement against the Red 
 river line. At the mouth of the Red river confer with 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 367 
 
 Admiral Porter and in all the expedition rely on him 
 im-plicitly. You will meet Gen. Banks at Alexandria, 
 report to him and act under his orders. Whatever Gen. 
 Banks' plans are, your duty will be to conform in the most 
 hearty manner. I confide this important and delicate 
 command to you with certainty that you will harmonize 
 perfect^ with Admiral Porter and Gen. Banks with whom 
 you are to act. 
 
 Grant (^Lieutenant-General) to General Steele, March 
 15, 1864 (2, 616) : 
 
 Move your force in full cooperation with Gen. N. P. 
 Banks' attack on Shreveport. 
 
 Steele had written to Sherman that he could not move 
 until after an "election" on the 14th. Sherman had 
 replied, "if military movements had to be set aside for 
 ' elections,' we had better all go home." Perhaps Grant's 
 above order was a result of Steele's excuse. 
 
 Banks to Lieutenant-General Grant, April 13, 1864 (i, 
 182): 
 
 General, — In obedience to orders received from the 
 government, I established my headquarters at Alexandria 
 on March 25th. The 19th army corps and the 3d and 4th 
 division of the 13th corps. General Ransom commanding 
 encamped there on March 26. The whole under Maj. 
 Gen. Franklin. 
 
 General Steele's attempts and movements with seven 
 thousand men are of no account to us, save to say that on 
 the retreat after April 8, a part of the rebel forces under 
 Gen. Kirby Smith turned in his direction with no very 
 decisive results. (See C. S. A. General Taylor's com- 
 plaints of Kirby Smith.) 
 
 Cotton claims attention. 
 
 The rebels of the Trans-Mississippi were much exer- 
 cised in regard to its disposal for their own private as well 
 as the Confederate government's benefit (see schedule of 
 
36 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 prices, part 2, 812, established by "Commissioners for 
 the State of Texas" at Rusk on January i, 1864). By 
 act of C. S. A. Congress until further notice, the maxi- 
 mum price for Sea Island cotton, baled, fifty cents per 
 pound ; common baled, twenty-five cents per pound. 
 The commissioners add, " We consent to these ad- 
 advanced rates with reluctance, and why? Because that 
 we know that the government intends to redeem -with gold 
 or its equivalent every dollar of its currency — and they 
 wish not to load posterity with a debt ten times greater 
 than it should be." 
 
 C. S. A. Senate Chamber, W. S. Oldham to President 
 Davis (part 2, 820) : 
 
 Sir, — The quartermasters of the army are degraded 
 into cotton speculators on gov't account, and use agents in 
 buying cotton. (Page 822.) Hereafter planters will be 
 allowed to export 40 bales of cotton to each one hundred 
 slaves subject to a 20 per ct. tax loan — unless the stripper 
 has a contract to bring back in arms the value of the cot- 
 ton exported. (Part 2, page 824.) Cotton is now in 
 New York $400 per bale in U. S. Money, or in Liverpool 
 $300 in gold. Assuming that cotton is the sole certainty, 
 the chief wealth, the sine qua non of the Confederate 
 States, the entire proceeds from its sale should accrue to 
 the government. 
 
 General Taylor to Boggs, chief of staff (part 2, 853), 
 sense on cotton : 
 
 I again desire to call the attention of the Lieut.-Gen. 
 commanding, to the subject of private cotton and the hard- 
 ship inflicted on the owner by burning it. It is at the 
 very moment that we are withdrawing all protection from 
 the citizen, leaving him to the enemy's mercy that we 
 destroy the only means he has of supporting his family. 
 This has produced a wide spread hostility to our cause. 
 In the beginning of the struggle, a great political influence 
 was attributed to cotton ; the withholding it from the market 
 was believed would shorten the struggle. Experience has 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 369 
 
 shown the fallacy of these opinions. Now the people see 
 in the destruction of their cotton, a mere sacrifice of their 
 property, useless to the cause and ruinous to individuals. 
 
 Same, page 878 : 
 
 Our government owns twenty-five thousand bales in 
 Trans-Mississippi, east of the parallel of Alexandria : 
 
 Page 924. Colonel Dillon to Gen. S. D. Lee, C. S. A. : 
 
 Scarcely a man or woman within ten miles of the enemy 
 has not gone to Baton Rouge to trade and take the oath. 
 A rigid refusal to restore property seized, either to weep- 
 ing girls, suffering widows (whose husbands have been 
 killed in the Confederate service), or to those whose only 
 desire is to supply the poor soldiers, will, I think, put an 
 end finally to this contaminating trade. 
 
 General Taylor to General Boggs, C. S. A. chief of 
 staff (part 2, page 971), February 16 : 
 
 After fully testing the practicability of getting supplies 
 from the enemy for the use of our army, and exchanging 
 cotton therefor, I am satisfied that the policy of the enemy 
 is so decidedly opposed to such arrangements that nothing 
 can be procured from them with the consent of their 
 authorities. I have been in communication with persons 
 in New Orleans holding high positions under the Lincoln 
 government, and who possess much influence, but they 
 have signally failed in procuring the assent of the military 
 authorities to any arrangements whereby supplies would 
 be furnished to our army for cotton. I feel satisfied that 
 the Federals will not deviate from their established policy. 
 My views upon the subject of the destruction of private 
 cotton have undergone a decided change, and I am of the 
 opinion that cotton belonging to private individuals should 
 be destroyed whenever likely to fall into the hands of the 
 enemy ; I have given orders to that effect. 
 
 Same, February 21 : 
 
 The rage for cotton speculation has reached all classes 
 of people ; foreigners of every hue and all religions, are 
 swarming the land. Unless the most stringent measures 
 are used, we shall soon have no other than a Federal cur- 
 
370 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 rency. The possession of any large amount of cotton will 
 in the end destroy the patriotism of the best citizen. We 
 shall burn all cotton within the enemy's reach, haled or in 
 seed. 
 
 This policy was carried out after the Federal troops 
 marched up beyond Alexandria. In General Banks' 
 report to the secretary of war, part i, 213, he says plainly 
 that under the general prize law, the naval authorities 
 upon their arrival at Alexandria, commenced the capture 
 of cotton, and the army had nothing to do -with it. All 
 such property was turned over to the regular officers of 
 the treasury to be disposed of according to the orders of 
 the government, and the laws of Congress. There was 
 no permission whatever given to any person to trade, to 
 dispose of, or transport -private -property. No privilege of 
 this kind was recognized under any circumstances. 
 Every dollar's worth of property that came into the hands 
 of the army during this campaign, was either appropriated 
 to its use in kind by the proper officers of the commissary 
 and quartermasters' department, receipts being given 
 therefor, or transmitted to the chief quartermaster at New 
 Orleans, and by him turned over to the treasury agents to 
 be disposed of according to law. 
 
 Where cotton or other property interfered with the 
 transportation of any material of the army, or of refugees, 
 negroes or troops upon the evacuation of the country, it 
 was thrown from the boats and abandoned upon the river 
 levee to the enemy. "I intend," continues the report, 
 "this statement to be as comprehc7isive upon the subject as 
 language can make it, and to cover all possible methods, 
 direct or indirect, by which officers or citizens, public or 
 private parties, or any persons whatever, could evade or 
 violate these orders on the river or at New Orleans, or 
 appropriate by any means public or private property to 
 private uses or personal advantage, or to deprive the 
 government or individuals of any property which, by any 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 371 
 
 interpretation of military orders or public laws could be con- 
 sidered as belonging justly and properly to them. General 
 Grover, commanding the Post; Col. S. B. Holabird, chief 
 quartermaster at New Orleans ; and Hon. B. F. Flanders, 
 supervising special agent, treasury department, will be 
 able to account to the government for public or private 
 property coming into their hands during this campaign." 
 Whatever of cotton speculation went on in the extensive 
 area of the Department of the Gulf surely no one 
 acquainted with the facts now thinks, or ever did for any 
 length of time, that Gen. N. P. Banks was cognizant of 
 or privy to any unlawful use of his power, or lowered the 
 dignity of his office by ordinary trade. He came from the 
 service poor, and has continued so. At last advices. 
 Congress, with no dissenting voice, has, in recognition of 
 his distinguished services, voted him by special bill a pen- 
 sion of one hundred dollars per month. His honor and 
 his honesty are and have been above suspicion, and even 
 the bluff and somewhat profane Gen. A. J. Smith, would 
 doubtless to-day temper his old opinion of the ever genial 
 and gentlemanly Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks. He certainly 
 was not one of the parties meant in " Barnes' School His- 
 tory of the United States," 1885, who was in that campaign 
 "simply as on a gigantic cotton speculation, more intent 
 on gathering that staple than on conserving the interests 
 of the Union cause." 
 
 Sherman to Banks, January 31, 1864 : 
 
 You cannot do anything on Red river till there is twelve 
 feet of water on the rapids of Alexandria. That will be 
 from March to June. I have lived on Red river and know 
 somewhat of the phases of that stream. 
 
 In the ensuing summer of 1864, it made up, to the 
 Federals, the worst phases ever known. 
 
 Part 2, 516, Sherman to Steele, March 6, 1864 : 
 
 I embark ten thousand men for Red river to-morrow. 
 I can only spare them thirty days. I feel uneasy at your 
 
372 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 assertion that you can move with only seven thousand men 
 and that you prefer to wait till after the election of the 
 14th. (See Steele to Banks, Feb. 28.) " An election for 
 state officers (Arkansas) , is ordered for the 14th, and the 
 President is very anxious that it should be a success. 
 The troops must protect the votes at the polls." 
 
 Halleck to Banks, March 15 : 
 
 Gen. Grant has telegraphed to Steele to cooperate with 
 you with all his force. 
 
 Sherman to Steele, April 7, 1864: 
 
 (Sherman had lived there.) You will find among 
 the planters, a good deal of friendship ; not that they love 
 us much, but themselves more. They see that war to 
 them is utter ruin. Louisiana had least cause to rebel, 
 and I know that even after Gov. Moore had arranged 
 to go out with the cotton states, the people voted 
 against it, though no attention was paid to their vote. 
 Mr. Elgee, Judge Ariel and Judge Boyce of Alexandria, 
 are reliable and frank in private. Charley Boyce, though 
 in Confederate service, is a Union man. 
 
 Official, 2, 125. Distances. Information called for. 
 D. C. Houston, chief engineer. Department of the Gulf, 
 to Major-General Banks : 
 
 Brashear City to Alexandria, 174 miles; Brashear City 
 to Shreveport, 344 miles ; Simsport to Alexandria, 70 
 miles ; Vicksburg to Shreveport, 148 miles ; Alexandria 
 to Shreveport, 170 miles. 
 
 Personal. — Corporal Stephen Williams was born in 
 Canaan, N. H., March 14, 1828. He lived there until 
 twenty-one years of age. In 1861, he was engaged in 
 furniture painting in Nashua, N. H., but enlisted on Sep- 
 tember 9, in Company A, Eighth New Hampshire. At 
 Fort Macomb, La., he was detailed as nurse in the regi- 
 mental hospital, and remained in that position until June, 
 1863, when he returned at Port Hudson, La., to duty in 
 Company A. At Franklin, La., on January i, 1864, 
 
CORPORAL STEPHEN WILLIAMS, CO. A. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 373 
 
 he re-enlisted for three years and was appointed as 
 corporal in said company. He was, after that, in all the 
 skirmishes, marches, and battles in which his company 
 participated and fortunately escaped being taken prisoner 
 or being wounded. In January, 1865, being one of the 
 supernumerary non-commissioned officers he was dis- 
 charged. He is at this date, 1891, a farmer and settled in 
 the town of Derry, N. H. 
 
 The veterans are much indebted to Captain Prescott for 
 his clear and concise accounts of the movements of the 
 Eighth Regiment in this campaign. It is the basis of 
 recital, the centre around which other reports are clustered. 
 It is thought best to keep a general view of the campaign 
 so that what the Eighth did shall be shown in stronger 
 light, and if maps, such as the government publishes, are 
 added, the situation and work of the organization will be 
 seen still clearer. 
 
 Diary of Capt. T. C. Prescott on second Red River 
 expedition : 
 
 Preparations for the campaign commenced in the fall of 
 1863, and the first indication in the department was the 
 order for increasing the cavalry force. No cavalry had 
 been furnished to Gen. Butler at the start, and the force 
 was small. A division of cavalry was called for, partly 
 from the infantry regiments of the 19th corps, and the 
 Eighth was one selected for the change. Some three 
 hundred 'and fifty recruits had been sent from the North 
 to fill up its depleted ranks, and at Franklin, La., the 
 necessary number of horses were issued for mounting the 
 officers and men. 
 
 A West Point drill master was detailed to give instruc- 
 tion in the cavalry tactics and active drilling at once com- 
 menced. The regiment was transferred to New Orleans 
 and brigade drill in cavalry was started. Constant daily 
 drilling was the unchanging order for two months, eight 
 hours each day being the usual requirement. At the end 
 of this time, both officers and men acquired excellent pro- 
 ficiency, and their appearance upon inspection and brig- 
 
374 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ade drill was such as to receive the commendation of the 
 brigade officers and the commanding general. All were 
 now eager to take up the march and be actively engaged 
 in the campaign under the changed conditions. The men 
 were pleased with the change from infantry, and while 
 they expected more activity and more hours of duty, they 
 anticipated more excitement and pleasure in the cavalry 
 service. We crossed the river on March 2, 1864, at 4 
 p. M., and on March 3, took up the long line of march for 
 the Red River. We were styled the Second New Hamp- 
 shire Cavalry; were in good condition, numbering then 
 about six hundred strong ; well equipped with a good out- 
 fit of sabres, Sharp's breech loading carbines and Rem- 
 ington revolvers ; well mounted on good horses with new- 
 saddles and equipments, and had fully one hundred extra 
 led horses to supply losses. There were two other excel- 
 lent regiments in the brigade, the Third and Sixth Massa- 
 chusetts Cavalry, the Third Maryland and First Texas 
 completing the brigade organization for the campaign with 
 Col. N. A. M. Dudley of the Sixth Massachusetts in com- 
 mand. Under such favorable conditions the movement 
 commenced. Our first day's march brought us to Donald- 
 sonville, where we were once before at the commencement 
 of the first campaign, up the Teche, twenty miles. Sec- 
 ond day, twenty-five miles ; and on the night of March 6, 
 the brigade bivouacked at Labadieville near the field 
 where the Eighth had its first battle and lost some of its 
 best blood. 
 
 On the 7th on through Thibodeaux to Terrebonne sta- 
 tion. On the 8th to Tigerville, and arrived at Brashear 
 City on the 9th in a drenching rain. The roads of mud, 
 wagons far to the rear, no rations for men or horses. 
 Here until the 13th, then began a slow march on account 
 of bad roads and a small force of the enemy in our front. 
 
 Official Records, serial 61, 197 (or i, 197). General 
 Banks' report : 
 
 The advance under Gen. A. L. Lee, left Franklin on 
 March 13th, the whole column soon following and arriv- 
 ing at Alexandria, the cavalry on the 19th and the in- 
 fantry on the 25th. As reinforcements, on the 13th of 
 March, 1864, one division of the i6th corps under Brig.- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 375 
 
 Gen. Mower and one division of the 17th corps under 
 Brig. -Gen. T. Kilby Smith, the whole under command of 
 Brig. -Gen. A. J. Smith, landed at Simsport and carried 
 Fort DeRussy by assault on the afternoon of the 14th, 
 reaching Alexandria on the i6th. My staff was there on 
 the 19th and I made my headquarters there on the 24th. 
 / had no authority to give orders to General Steele, 
 but Gen. Halleck informed me that he had telegraphed 
 Gen. Steele to cooperate with his seven thousand men. I 
 expected him but on April 28, he, at the last, when too 
 late, wrote that he could give me no help. The 13th 
 corps was with Gen. Franklin by way of New Orleans ; 
 but of the fleet, the first gunboat was unable to cross the 
 rapids until the 26th of March ; others on the 28th with 
 some transports ; still others on the 2d and 3d of April. 
 
 Official. Serial 61, 167-8. Return of Troops ( Union) : 
 
 present for duty on march 31, 1864. 
 
 1 TT Officers. Men. 
 
 General Headquarters, staff and escort 
 
 and engineer troops, 
 13th Army Corps, 3d and 14th Divisions, 
 19th " " headquarters, ist, 2d, 
 
 nth, and Artillery Reserve, 
 Corps D'Afrique, 
 Cavalry Division, 
 Army of the Tennessee (Department 
 
 Headquarters) , 
 Army of the Tennessee, ist Div., i6th A. C. 
 
 (( (( it 'jA it '< it 
 
 Provisional, 17th " 
 
 Grand total Red River Expedition, 1,452 29,851 
 
 Of the above, the Marine Brigade, three thousand 
 strong (serial 61, 197), was returned to Vicksburg. To 
 protect the depot of supplies at Alexandria, General 
 Grover used three thousand men, and to protect the fleet 
 of transports and the army train required about three 
 thousand more, which reduced the force which could have 
 been brought into action at any time previous to April 29 
 
 60 
 
 226 
 
 728 
 4'547" 
 
 416 
 
 88 
 
 205 
 
 10,163 
 
 1,447 
 4,448 
 
 4 
 103 
 
 237 
 73 
 
 1,899 
 
 4'97i 
 1,648 
 
376 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to twenty thousand men. Of course no account is to be 
 taken of Steele's force as he was out of the fight. 
 
 Serial 6i, i68 (i, i68) return for April 30, shows 
 changes by reinforcements from Thirteenth and Nine- 
 teenth Army Corps which make the " Present for duty," 
 officers, 1,584; men, 31,918. 
 
 Confederate returns. From vol. 34, part 2, page 1,074. 
 
 An interesting transfer is of a report made by Asst. 
 Adj. -Gen. E. P. Turner to His Excellency P. Murrah, 
 governor of Texas as follows : 
 
 Houston, March 23, 1864. 
 
 His Excellency P. Murrah : 
 
 In your letter of 19th instant Your Excellency requested 
 that I would give you such information as I might possess 
 of the strength, positions, and designs of the enemy, and 
 the means at my control to defend the country against 
 him, as well as the reasons which induced Lieutenant- 
 General Smith to order so many Confederate troops from 
 Texas. 
 
 Your Excellency must be aware of the importance of 
 keeping my own designs and those of the lieutenant-gen- 
 eral concealed from the enemy, and particularly the 
 strength and position of our forces. To have them known 
 in the community would be to communicate them to the 
 enemy, but having every confidence in the patriotism and 
 prudence of the chief magistrate of the State I have no 
 hesitancy in inclosing to Your Excellency a statement 
 showing what you desire. This is done in confidence, 
 which I am sure Your Excellency will respect religiously. 
 
 MEMORANDUM. 
 
 Troops in Texas, exclusive of Ford's and Mc- 
 
 Culloch's commands, about 4»Soo 
 
 Ford's command, i>300 
 
 McCulloch's command, 1,000 
 
 Total, 6,800 
 
 Available against enemy from the east, 9,500 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 377 
 
 Strength of enemy at — 
 
 Little Rock, 20,000 
 
 Alexandria and below on the river, 23,000 
 
 Brashear City and on Teche, 20,000 
 
 On the Rio Grande, 2,000 
 
 At Saluria and Mustang Island, 4,000 
 
 Total, 69,000 
 
 Indian Territory, 6,000 
 
 75,000 
 
 Confederate troops in Trans-Mississippi Department : 
 
 Holmes' army, available, 10,000 
 Taylor's without Green's division and troops 
 
 lately sent from Texas, 8,000 
 Green's division, 2,500 
 Other Texas cavalry on the road to Louis- 
 iana, 3 ,000 
 Ford's and McCulloch's and the garrison left 
 
 in Texas, 6,500 
 
 Frontier regiment, 800 
 
 Luckett's (Third Infantry) , 500 
 
 Total in Trans-Mississippi Department, 30,000 
 
 (31.300) 
 Conscripts under all the acts of Congress, but 
 
 not conscripted, 10,000 
 
 Detailed men (conscripts, etc.), 1,000 
 
 Grand total, 41,800 
 
 (42,300) 
 Of which 3,000 are kept out of the field by having to 
 watch enemy's navy, leaving 37,800 (39,300) against 
 7^,000, not including the enemy's navy. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 E. P. Turner, 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 Chief Bugler H. J. Durgin's diary : 
 
 March 2d. Started for Red river. 
 4th. Caught up with the brigade. 
 "- 6th. Sunday. Halted for the night near our first blood}' 
 
378 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 field, Georgia Landing. Went on through Tigerville, 
 Berwick; reached Centerville at noon on nth. We stay 
 here a few days. 
 
 13th, 8 p. M. A hurried start. The reason why, I don't 
 know unless it is whiskey ! Kept starting ; made six 
 miles in twelve hours. There's a good deal of trouble in 
 Rum! 
 
 14th. At sunset reached New Iberia. 
 
 15th. On through St. Martinsville, halted at Vermillion 
 Bayou. 
 
 i6th. Rear guard. At sunset bivouacked about Ope- 
 lousas. 
 
 20th. Rear guard. Reached Alexandria this date. 
 Camped up the bayou Rapides two miles. 
 
 2ist. Smart rain ; shifting of troops for some purpose. 
 
 22d. It is explained. Our boys got hold of the rebel 
 countersign, and by it captured forty men and four pieces 
 of artillery from " ist Texas Light." 
 
 Sat., March 26th. Reveille at 3.30 a. m. Started at 
 6.30 our regiment in advance. Followed Confeds. all day 
 on Bayou Rapides. 
 
 27th. Brigade rear guard at 11 a. m. Reached a point 
 on the Red river where the dense piney woods commence ; 
 rebel force heavy ahead. 
 
 Captain Prescott's diary : 
 
 Thirty miles march and Opelousas reached, some 
 skirmishing. On the 19th encamped on Gov. Moore's 
 fine plantation. 
 
 20th. Occupied Alexandria, driving eight thousand 
 rebels ahead and out. On to Bayou Rapides where we 
 remained until the 26th, still skirmishing lightly with the 
 enemy. 
 
 Part 2, 724 : 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of the Gulf, 
 
 Alexandria, March 25, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gen. A. y. Smith, Comdg. Detachment of i6th 
 and lyth Army Corfs: 
 
 The Major-General commanding (Banks) desires that 
 you move your command to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock 
 by the Bayou Rapides road to a point above and near the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 379 
 
 upper junction of Bayou Rapides and Red river, there to 
 await further orders. The Fourth Brigade of the Cavalry 
 Division (including 2d N. H.) has been ordered to take 
 the same road at 6 a. m. to-morrow, and its commander 
 will report to you on the march for instructions and remain 
 under your orders while you hold the indicated position. 
 
 Prescott : Marched to Henderson's Hill, tWenty-three 
 miles from Alexandria, where the rich arable lands sud- 
 denly cease and the pine woods of the Red river com- 
 mence. That night bivouacked on the' " Hill," having the 
 advance, the balance of the brigade and the army being 
 encamped in the beautiful valley below, and for several 
 miles back to the rear. 
 
 By General Orders, No. 151, the following men having 
 been examined and declared unfit for further field service 
 are transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, to take 
 effect on April lothf, 1864 : 
 
 Albert Austin, Company E. 
 
 Thomas Blake, " C. 
 
 Amos Kopp, Corp., " D. 
 
 John Dowd, " C. 
 
 C. Laine, " C. 
 
 A. H. Quimby, Serg., " D. 
 
 T. C. Prescott, Adjutant. 
 
 A Confederate scheme to get New Orleans, boiled down 
 from over two pages of official records, 2,1064 : 
 
 March 21, 1864, L. Polk, lieutenant-general command- 
 ing, submits to President Davis that the ' ' moral effect of the 
 following scheme warrants its trial." The scheme is by L. 
 Polk himself, and is to be conducted with the " utmost se- 
 crecy," to obtain possession of New Orleans and the whole 
 Mississippi river. " Divide," says he, " the space between 
 Manchac and Cairo (part 2, page 1,066), in seven divis- 
 ions (the seven degrees of latitude), and raise therein six 
 thousand mounted infantry, persons of all ages living all 
 along on the banks of the river ; these with sixty pieces of 
 artillery are to stop the enemy's commerce and prevent them 
 from cultivating plantations on the river, still would give 
 
380 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 protection to such of Confederate planters as might wish 
 to return to the bottoms to resume their planting. Then 
 he proposes to attempt to capture the river by ' ' buying a 
 river boat and putting on it at Port Pillow an ably com- 
 manded force of five hundred men who, on going down 
 the river, should hail all gunboats, and on pretence of 
 delivering mails get alongside of one lone one after 
 another, and so easily capture them " and proceed unan- 
 nounced to the city of New Orleans, arriving there with a 
 tow of subdued gunboats a half-mile long. 
 
 Indorsement on the above by Gen. Braxton Bragg. 
 
 After a careful consideration, its practicability and 
 policy seem doubtful ; temporary success would require 
 extraordinary luck ; the plan for raising troops and hold- 
 ing the river would demoralize them and have them 
 destroyed in detail. 
 
 In view of the happenings on April 8, 1864, it seems 
 proper to insert the following (part 2, 1,057) : 
 
 Proclamation, C. S. A. 
 
 Headquarters Trans-Mississippi Dept. 
 
 Shreveport, La., March 18, 1864. 
 General Orders, No. 8. 
 
 The Congress of the Confederate States having 
 appointed April 8th as a day of fasting, humiliation and 
 prayer, military exercises will be suspended and a strict 
 observance of the day is enjoined upon all troops serving 
 in the department. On the eve of a campaign in which 
 our resources will be taxed to the utmost, and upon which 
 the destinies of our people depend, we should humble 
 ourselves before the Lord of Hosts, who giveth not the 
 battle to the strong, but upholdeth the cause of the just. 
 The lieutenant-general commanding therefore feels it his 
 duty to invite the people of this department to join with the 
 troops in invoking the blessings of peace and security upon 
 our beloved country. 
 
 By command of 
 Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith. 
 S. S. Anderson, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 381 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Banks to Secretary of War, recommends Eighth New Hampshire to be 
 converted (officially) into Cavalry. — Henderson's Hill. — Enemy 
 driven in and through Natchitoches. — Continual Advance and 
 Skirmishing. — April 3, "White's Store." — To and by Pleasant 
 Hill. — Action at Wilson's Farm. — C. S. A. Magruder to Nichols. 
 
 — General Franklin to General Lee. — Sherman to Banks, the 
 
 "Loan" of troops " C. S. A. Generals" by Kirby Smith. — 
 
 Order of our March. — Banks' Report of Battle of Sabine Cross 
 Roads. — Quartermaster's Report. — General Lee's Report. — Gen- 
 eral Landrum's article in " National Tribune." — Report of General 
 Bee, C. S. A. — Charge of the Second Nevsr Hampshire Cavalry on 
 the Rebel Lines, April 8. — The Repulse and Retreat. — Formation 
 as Skirmishers. — Holding their Position. — Short of Ammunition. 
 
 — Relieved. — Support Nims' Battery. — The Confederate Charge. 
 
 — Bravery of General Banks. — A slow Retreat. — Loss of Wagons ; 
 Prisoners. — Rebels bent on Plunder. — Durgin's Account; a Pris- 
 oner. — The Second New Hampshire Cavalry at the Extreme 
 Front. — Some Criticism. — Extracts from General Lee's Report. 
 
 — Incidents of the Day. — Comrade B. S. Woods, Personal. — 
 Accounts of the Battle by Several Comrades. 
 
 Part 3, 17 : 
 
 Headquarters, Dept. of the Gulf. 
 
 Alexandria, April 2, 1864. 
 Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C. ■ 
 
 General, — The letter of the adjutant-general of New- 
 Hampshire, dated March 11, 1864, with endorsements, in 
 relation to the conversion into cavalry of the Eighth Regi- 
 ment New Hampshire Volunteers, is received. When 
 preparations for active operations commenced last fall, 
 this department was almost destitute of cavalry and in this 
 level country a large force of mounted troops was essential 
 to success. I applied for additional cavalry and was 
 informed that none could be sent to the department. My 
 
382 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 only recourse was to form troops of that arm. I immedi- 
 ately commenced by mounting infantry to act against the 
 enemy's infantry and mounted infantry and encouraging 
 enlistments in the regiments of Louisiana cavalry. The 
 Eighth New Hampshire Infantry was one of the regiments 
 mounted. When the troops of the Nineteenth Army 
 Corps were called upon to re-enlist as veterans, this regi- 
 ment, already mounted, offered to re-enlist, largely, if it 
 could be converted into cavalry, and the order was issued, 
 subject to the approval of the War Department, with ex- 
 cellent effect. I trust those who have thus re-enlisted and 
 who have attained the cavalry drill to a most commend- 
 able degree, may not be disappointed, but that the order 
 will be confirmed and the regiment styled the " Sec- 
 ond New Hampshire Cavalry." A disapproval would, I 
 fear, produce a very bad effect upon this excellent regi- 
 ment. I would further remark that in this department, 
 the cavalry force should be in unusually large proportion 
 to the infantry, since it is a country peculiarly favorable 
 to the use of that arm, and the enemy in this region recog- 
 nizing the fact, have maintained fully one half their force 
 mounted. 
 
 Very respectfully I am, General, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 N. P. Banks, 
 Major- General Commanding. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary, Henderson's Hill : 
 
 At this point on the march the appearance of the coun- 
 try changes abruptly. We now entered a very sparsely 
 settled, poor section of country, covered with heavy pine 
 forests, slightly undulating, with few and very narrow 
 roads. On March 27th a short march of ten miles was 
 made to a point on the Red River where it was decided to 
 wait for the infantry. The halt was continued until the 
 29th. Gunboats had arrived. 
 
 29th. On to Cane river, easily driving the enemy. 
 
 30th. More resistance, but we made seventeen miles, 
 and camped at night on the banks of the river. The 
 enemy were busy burning forage and cotton. The cav- 
 alry advanced early next morning into the town of Natchi- 
 toches where they made a stand. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 383 
 
 H. J. Dur gin's diary : 
 
 Mar. 28th. Rain storm. Several gunboats got up over 
 the rapids and anchored. 
 
 29th. Marched fifteen miles through the piney woods 
 to Cane river ; halted to build a bridge. 
 
 30th. Bridge built ; started on, rebs just ahead. Their 
 path marked by burning bridges and cotton. 
 
 31st. Made coflee ; no time to cook much. Regiment 
 in advance, skirmishing near Natchitoches. 
 
 Prescott's diary : 
 
 We charged through the town of Natchitoches, driving 
 them out and camped on the north side in the suburbs. 
 There were some demonstrations of joy on the part of the 
 inhabitants as we entered the place, and some seemed 
 glad to see the old flag once more. That night some of 
 the men of the brigade who were printers, took possession 
 of the newspaper office in town which the proprietors had 
 left, and the next morning issued a creditable paper 
 printed on that well known material, brown wallpaper. 
 
 Official, " Itinerary" (i. 445) : 
 
 Apr. 2d. The First, Third, and Fourth Brigades (Cav- 
 alry), Gen. Lee commanding, made a reconnaissance to 
 Crump's Hill where the rebels were encountered and de- 
 feated by the First and Fourth Brigades. Rebel force was 
 about two thousand and six pieces of artillery. Besides 
 the killed and wounded, one officer and twenty-eight men 
 were captured. April 3d. The enemy were pressed on 
 the Pleasant Hill road, but showed strong force. The 
 division there, pursuant to orders, returned to White's 
 store and Natchitoches. 
 
 Company B entered Natchitoches on March 31 under 
 the command of Capt. A. F. Tremaine of the Thirtieth 
 Massachusetts. He was a good officer ; had been detailed 
 at New Orleans to command the company. (Lieut. D. 
 B. Newhall's commission not having arrived.) Captain 
 Tremaine's regiment was on veteran furlough, and he 
 commanded Company B, until after the battle of Sabine 
 Cross Roads, when Lieutenant Newhall took command. 
 
384 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 We took the advance that morning, Companies A, B, 
 and F being sent forward as advance guard with order to 
 keep not more than two miles ahead of the regiment. 
 
 After a while we came on to a rebel picket, with whom 
 we exchanged a few shots and they fell back. We fol- 
 lowed rapidly ; passed large quantities of burning cotton, 
 thousands of bales on fire on each side of the road. The 
 enemy gradually increased in force, and finally made a 
 stand behind a bridge around a bend in the bayou. We 
 charged up the road, but soon discovered three pieces 
 of artillery, a few hundred infantry and cavalry that out- 
 numbered us. They undertaking to flank us we didn't 
 stop to exchange shots or compliments, but fell back in 
 rear of some buildings. Captain Tremaine then ordered 
 Lieutenant Newhall to take the rear with Company B and 
 keep them back, while he would look out for the flanks. 
 As we fell back our left was protected by the bayou. 
 
 They did not choose to follow us very rapidly; we 
 were well covered by the smoke of burning cotton. 
 Reaching a favorable place we barricaded the road and 
 waited for the main force to come up, that being, to our 
 surprise, four miles in rear. Then, with the whole regi- 
 ment, we advanced, came up with the enemy, charged, and 
 drove them into and through the town ; the companies 
 taking different streets. We had more fun that morning, 
 in fact, the only fun of the expedition. We took many 
 prisoners, even chasing them into the houses and routing 
 them from under the beds. 
 
 Gen. A. L. Lee ( Union) had requested infantry sent to 
 his help. 
 
 Major-General Franklin to Lee, April 2, 4.30 p. m. 
 (3> 20): 
 
 I prefer not to remove a brigade of infantry from here. 
 If you get them (the enemy) running I advise you to leave 
 your rear as secure as you can and chase them as far as 
 provisions and forage justify. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 385 
 
 Same, extract : 
 
 8 p. M. I have received your despatch of 3.45 p. m. 
 Do not go too far. It will be well for you to go ahead to- 
 morrow and feel them again, and if you find them in 
 great force, so great that you cannot drive them, come 
 back to-morrow. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary : 
 
 April 2d. The cavalry received orders to march on 
 towards Pleasant Hill. They did so and skirmishing 
 commenced at once and kept up most of the day. At 
 midnight we were without supper or sleep. At 3 a. m. on 
 the 4th, after a cup of coffee, we advanced on the enemy. 
 
 Comrade Durgin's diary : 
 
 2d. Marched till 3 p. m. Rebs. shelled out two miles 
 further on a skirmish. 
 
 3d. Bivouacked at White's store. 
 
 /}th. Gave a colored preacher ten dollars for three 
 chicks and a muscovy duck. 
 
 6th. Skirmishing at noon. The 13th Army Corps is a 
 few miles at the rear. 
 
 Orders from Banks. Grand Ecore, April 4 (part 3, 39) : 
 
 Gen. A. L. Lee to report to Maj.-Gen. Franklin until 
 further orders. 
 
 Gen. Charles P. Stone, chief of staff, to General Frank- 
 lin, April 5 (vol. 34, 3, 46) : 
 
 The major-general commanding desires that you ad- 
 vance tomorrow morning on the roads to Shreveport. 
 The main force of the enemy is near Mansfield. Give 
 him batde, if possible, before he can concentrate behind 
 the fortifications of Shreveport, or retreat to Texas. 
 March so as to throw as much of your force as possible 
 into battle at any time on the march — march as rapidly 
 as possible, keeping troops in ^ood fighting condition. 
 
 Same date, to General Smith : 
 
 Provide each man and artillery piece with two hundred 
 rounds of ammunition and follow Gen. Franklin on Thurs- 
 day the 7th inst. until you overtake him — each man with 
 two days' rations in haversack. 
 
 2S 
 
386 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Union. Brig. -Gen. A. L. Lee, commanding cavalry, 
 to Maj. Geo. B. Drake, assistant adjutant-general. Depart- 
 ment of the Gulf (part i, 448) : 
 
 Natchitoches, April 5, 1864. 
 I have the honor to report that I moved from this place 
 with 1st, 3d and 4th (including 2d N. H.) Brigades on 
 the Shrevepprt road three miles on. At a bridge, encoun- 
 tered the enemy's pickets who retired to Crump's planta- 
 tion, here the road forks to "Many" and "Pleasant 
 Hill " country, heavily wooded. Three pieces of rebel 
 artillery were on each road. First Brigade led column ; 
 14th N. Y. cavalry charged and drove the enemy ; Rawle's 
 battery put in position. The fork of the road was gained; 
 the woods full of rebel dismounted skirmishers — they were 
 driven out. The 4th Brigade, Col. Dudley commanding, 
 joined in this skirmishing and did good service. At 6 
 p. M. 4th Brigade rested at a point three miles further on. 
 The enemy's force was 2d and 4th La. Cavalr}^ 2d, 5th, 
 7th Texas and DeBray's Texas Cavalry. 
 
 Union. 
 
 Headqijarters, Bayou Dupont, April 6, 1864. 
 
 Circular (3, 58). 
 
 The order of march to-morrow will be. 
 
 First, Gen. Ransom's division with reserve artillery. 
 
 Second, Ammunition train guarded by a regiment 
 detailed by Gen. Ranson. 
 
 Third, Gen. "Emory's division. 
 
 Fourth, Gen. Ransom's train, including all his wagons, 
 guarded by siich force as he shall consider sufficient. 
 
 Fifth, Gen. Emory's train, including all his wagons, 
 with sufficient guard. 
 
 Sixth, Col. Robinson's engineers, corps d'Afrique. 
 
 Seventh, Col. Dickey's First Brigade, corps d'Afrique. 
 
 Eighth, Col. Gooding's 5th Brigade, Cavalry division. 
 By order of 
 Hoffman, Maj.-Gen. Franklin. 
 
 A. A. Gen. 
 
 About two thousand men on 7th moved to and through 
 Pleasant Hill driving rebel cavalry. At " Wilson's Farm" 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 387 
 
 three miles beyond, we captured twenty-three, and killed 
 and wounded a large number of the enemy. 
 
 By Lieutenant Newhall : 
 
 We skirmished through a partial clearing and into the 
 woods, dismounted ; afterwards mounted and followed 
 them on a trot all that day, skirmishing. 
 
 (3, 726.) April 2, 1864. C. S. A. General Magruder 
 to General Nichols at Austin, Texas : 
 
 The enemy is at Natchitoches on the way to Shreveport. 
 Our troops have deserted in companies and battalions. 
 The governor's attempted organization of State troops is a 
 failure ; many companies elected themselves teamsters and 
 their captains wagon masters and then dispersed ; 4,000 
 men have been detailed by the Governor to haul cotton — 
 the Federal provincial Governor could not have done 
 worse. If the Governor's chasm (created by efforts to 
 impede the conscript law) cannot he bridged, I -will leap 
 it; let him bring his detail to my offer, viz., one man to 
 every 40 bales of cotton. Action now or never. 
 
 Broadhead to Lieutenant-General Smith (3, 730) : 
 
 Office of the Cotton Bureau, C. S. A. 
 
 Shreveport, April 4, 1864. 
 The course of his excellency (Gov Murrah) is illegal. 
 If he is sustained by Pres't. Davis, you must appropriate 
 the cotton of Texas or abandon the department with your 
 troops and let their gubernatorial excellencies take care of 
 their States. We have no public lands to sell ; custom 
 houses yield nothing ; cotton is our chief resource. With- 
 out it, we can command neither money nor credit. The 
 disease in our currency has run so long, it can only be 
 arrested by desperate measures. The war is carried on 
 for the benefit of the people, and their property should be 
 used to protect their rights. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary at White's store : 
 
 On the 7th we advanced and at noon arrived at Pleasant 
 Hill. A little farther on a sharp engagement by the 
 cavalry ensued. At first we were forced back but imme- 
 
388 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 diately recovered our ground and drove the enemy about 
 three miles when darkness coming on, we bivouacked on 
 the field, our regiment being considerably in advance of 
 the balance of the brigade, our horses remaining saddled 
 and without water or forage. (The above is the "Wil- 
 son Farm " fight of the 7th. ) 
 
 Tuesday morning, April 8th. The regiment was in 
 poor condition for work, but it had plenty of courage and 
 at 7 p. M., it advanced joining the brigade as it came up. 
 The infantry had passed on to the front and were skirmish- 
 ing with the enemy as they sullenly fell back contesting 
 all the ground. 
 
 In regard to the foregoing by Adjutant Prescott, recol- 
 lecting that Frederick the Great said that an army, like 
 a snake, traveled (and fought) on its stomach, I wrote to 
 Capt. Dan Newhall to find out what at least he and his 
 horse had to eat on that eventful morning, and got word 
 back that, " We had forage and water for our horses on 
 the morning of the 8th, and probably most of the horses 
 got water at a creek we crossed about 9 a. m. That was 
 the last water till we got behind the Nineteenth Army 
 Corps at night. Men had coffee, hard-tack, and raw salt 
 pork for breakfast (at any rate. Company B had) and car- 
 ried pork and hard-tack enough in our haversacks for one 
 meal. The firs.t square meal that we got after the morn- 
 ing of the 7th, was on the morning of the 9th when Com- 
 pany B got to Pleasant Hill ; there we found our Captain 
 Blanchard (formerly of the Eighth and orderly sergeant 
 of Company B), with his regiment in camp. As soon as 
 he found out how we were situated, he had his cooks sup- 
 ply us with a good breakfast. I don't think that all the 
 regiment fared so well and did not get much till we got to 
 Grand Ecore. In fact we had no rations and nothing to 
 cook rations in. We had little sleep on the night of the 
 7th and none at all on the night of the 8th. At Grand 
 Ecore I went to sleep in one minute under some bushes, 
 and my darkey said that he thought for sure he could 
 never wake me when coffee was cooked." 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 389 
 
 Sherman to Banks, extract (part 3, page 24) : 
 
 Nashville, Apr. 3, 1864. 
 General, — The thirty days for which I loaned yon 
 the command of Gen. A. J. Smith will expire on the i8th 
 instant. He has a big job against Forrest near Paducah, 
 and must start at once. 
 
 Same date, Sherman to Porter (condensed) : 
 
 Dear Admiral, — Am glad you like Smith and the 
 troops. Banks assured me at the start that he was all ready 
 to march and would beat my troops to Alexandria. I 
 stipulated that my quota of ten thousand would be wanted 
 out of Red River by the loth of April. I must have them 
 and leave Gen. Steele to continue to cooperate with Gen. 
 Banks. We are getting ready for big licks. 
 
 In regard to General Banks' alleged tardiness, he 
 unavoidably lost four days before starting (see part 2, 
 544), Banks to Hurlburt, March 10, extract: 
 
 Column all ready (to start from Franklin), but a violent 
 rainstorm which commenced night before last on Berwick 
 Bay, has placed the roads in such condition as to make a 
 march impracticable for at least four days. 
 
 The following tells of the force which the Second New 
 Hampshire Cavalry had to contend with, and how it was 
 managed, on the last eight miles up to the battlefield of 
 the 8th (Sabine Cross Roads). 
 
 Reports of Brig.-Gen. Hamilton P. Bee, C. S. Army, 
 commanding cavalry division (i, 606) : 
 
 Headquarters Bee's Division of Cavalry, 
 Pleasant Hill, Pa., April 10, 1864. 
 
 Sir, — I have the honor to report operations of my 
 command in the batdes of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. 
 
 I marched from Columbus, on the Colorado River, in 
 Texas, March 11, with six regiments of cavalry — 
 Debray's, Buchel's, Terrell's, Woods', Gould's, and 
 Likens' — and reported to General Richard Taylor, com- 
 manding army of operations in Louisiana, on April 5 at 
 Mansfield, La., with the three first-named regiments. 
 
390 
 
 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 The others, being delayed by incidents of so long a 
 march, did not arrive in time to participate in the battles 
 of the 8th and 9th. 
 
 On -the afternoon of the 7th, was ordered to report to 
 Maj.-Gen. Tom Green, commanding cavalry corps, and 
 did so at 5 o'clock at a creek some twelve miles from 
 Mansfield, on road to Natchitoches; found the general 
 skirmishing heavily with the enemy across the creek. 
 My command was formed in reserve and slept on their 
 arms in line of battle. 
 
 At daylight General Green moved back to Mansfield 
 with all of his cavalry and artillery, leaving me with three 
 regiments of cavalry to contest the advance of the enemy, 
 which was successfully done by forming the regiments in 
 successive lines of battle, with interval of 500 yards to 
 the rear, and thus was enabled, owing to the dense wooded 
 country, to delay their advance by forcing them to deploy 
 into line and attack my position, when the regiment 
 engaged, after holding the ground as long as practicable, 
 retired behind the successive regiment, and thus by these 
 successive formations the march of the large army under 
 General Banks was so delayed as to consume seven hours 
 in a march of as many miles, and gave General Taylor 
 time to prepare for the battle of Mansfield. On arriving at 
 the open fields my work of skirmishing and delay was 
 done, and I was assigned to the right of the line of battle 
 then formed in the fields. 
 
 Pleasant Hill, April 7, Banks to Lee (3, 72) : 
 
 A brigade of infantry has been ordered to be within 
 supporting distance of you by daylight tomorrow morning. 
 Order all trains out of the way so that the brigade can be 
 moved to the front. It was supposed that you had a sup- 
 porting brigade of infantr}-. 
 
 Banks to Porter. Report of defeat. Pleasant Hill, 
 April 9 (3, 98, 99) : 
 
 The land column encountered a superior force about 
 noon yesterday, April 8th, four miles this side of Mans- 
 field, and has been compelled to retreat — enemy's loss 
 severe ; ours serious. Grover must join Kilby Smith. If 
 possible, send to Steele. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 391 
 
 Banks to Grant, April 13, Grand Ecore (part i, 181), 
 extract : 
 
 My headquarters were at Pleasant Hill, 38 miles beyond 
 here, on April 7th, the cavalry being several miles in 
 advance. Very heavy rains impeded the progress of 
 trains and troops. The cavalr}'^ had constantly pressed 
 the enemy — had sharp skirmishes, in all of which we 
 had been successful, but with considerable loss. The first 
 fight was at Wilson's farm on the 7th. The next decided 
 stand was at Carroll's mill eight miles beyond Pleasant 
 Hill. A brigade of infantry was sent forward and the 
 enemy retired to within five miles of Mansfield. My 
 headquarters on the morning of the 8th of April, were at 
 a bayou ten miles be3"ond Pleasant Hill, where the column 
 halted to close up. At 10 a. m. I rode to the front where 
 the forces consisted of the cavalry under Brig. -Gen. A. L. 
 Lee and a detachment of the Thirteenth Corps under 
 Brig. -Gen. T. E. G. Ransom. Upon reaching the front 
 I found the line of skirmishers already engaged with the 
 enemy's cavalry, although but few had yet shown them- 
 selves. It soon appeared that our march was likely to be 
 resisted by a stronger force than had yet been encoun- 
 tered. I instantly sent orders for the rapid advance of the 
 troops to the front, though without notice or anticipation 
 of a general engagement. The active movements of our 
 skirmishers soon developed a strong line of the enemy in 
 position, extending at some length on the right and left of 
 the line of march in front of the Sabine Cross-Roads. It 
 had been deemed of considerable importance to occupy 
 this position by our forces in order to prevent a concentra- 
 tion of the forces of the enemy. General Ransom moved 
 forward to the support of the cavalry, and the skirmishers 
 opened a running fire, which lasted for some hours, though 
 without developing the full strength of the enemy's forces 
 or position. At 4 o'clock p. m. on the 8th, a tremendous fire 
 suddenly opened along the whole of this line on the right 
 and left of the road, when it became manifest that the 
 enemy in full force and in strong position was in our front. 
 The contest lasted for an hour, our troops resisting with 
 remarkable spirit and courage the onsets of the enemy, 
 until, utterly overpowered by numbers, they were com- 
 pelled to fall back upon the rear of the column. A sharp 
 
392 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ravine or gully separated the plain where this engagement 
 had commenced from the belt of almost impenetrable 
 woods through which we had marched. On passing this 
 point it appeared that the entire cavalry train, with its 
 artillery, occupied the road nearly to the line of skirmish- 
 ers. The fatal consequences of this most incautious ad- 
 vance of trains and artillery were apparent upon the 
 breaking of our lines in front of the enemy's position. 
 Upon the retreat of the advanced guard the enemy instan- 
 taneously enveloped the train of wagons, and it was im- 
 possible to withdraw the artillerj' in consequence of the 
 preoccupation of the ground by the wagons ; and the 
 encumbered roads impeded the movements of troops and 
 caused many prisoners to fall into the hands of the enemy. 
 The disasters of the day are to be attributed to the fatally 
 incautious advance of the large cavalry train and the sur- 
 plus artillery rather than to the (want of) valor of our 
 troops. 
 
 Every possible exertion was made to rally and reform 
 the forces which had been engaged, but all efforts failed. 
 The loss of prisoners, artillery, and wagons and the fierce 
 pursuit of a victorious and desperate foe for the moment 
 seemed to paralyze individuals and masses. The troops 
 fell back, for the most part in good order, fighting in front 
 of the enemy, the men retaining their arms until toward 
 sunset, when the First Division of the Nineteenth Corps, 
 Brig. -Gen. W. H. Emory commanding, had advanced to 
 our support. Under cover of a line of skirmishers from 
 its First Brigade, the division deployed into line of battle 
 on the crest of a hill, General Dwight's brigade on the 
 right. Colonel Benedict's brigade on the left, and McMil- 
 lan's in reserve. The unexpected encounter with this force, 
 while in pursuit of what the enemy thought a routed army, 
 was very desperate. He attacked the line at every point 
 with demoniac energy, but the division presented at every 
 onset an immovable wall of fire ; and after a contest main- 
 tained with the greatest spirit on both sides for more than 
 an hour and a half, the enemy retired from the field with 
 very heavy loss. The forces of the enemy engaged in 
 this affair were the Louisiana troops and a part of the 
 Texan and Arkansas forces, the whole being under the 
 command of General Taylor and numbering about 10,000. 
 General Mouton was killed. On our side all our forces 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 393 
 
 were engaged at different periods of the day, excepting 
 General A. J. Smith's command — the Sixteenth and 
 Seventeenth Corps. 
 
 It will interest some to know that Brig.-Gen. T. E. G. 
 Ransom, in command of a detachment of the Thirteenth 
 Army Corps, was the son of the distinguished Col. Tru- 
 man Ransom who commanded a regiment from New 
 England in the Mexican war. Col. T. Ransom was a 
 splendid officer, of great gallantry and fine appearance. 
 He was previously the president of Norwich University, 
 Vermont. At one time, I am told by a cadet, then a 
 student there, Mr. E. G. Hooke, now a lawyer in Colo- 
 rado, that the cadets made a marching tour down through 
 the principal cities of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, 
 and young T. E. G. Ransom was so slight that he could 
 not like the rest carry his gun, so he was allowed its trans- 
 portation on the baggage wagon, the battalion being, of 
 course, under strict military discipline, camping out each 
 night, setting guard, etc. General Ransom of the Thir- 
 teenth Army Corps was wounded at Sabine Cross Roads, 
 and finally succumbed to the malaria of the South, and 
 there died. 
 
 Important. Extract from the report of Lieut.-Col. J. 
 G. Chandler, U'. S. Army, acting chief quartermaster, 
 vol, 34, part I, 236-241 : 
 
 New Orleans, La., Dec. 26, 1864. 
 To Maj.-Gen. M. C. Meigs, Washington, D. C: 
 
 I was chief quartermaster imder Maj.-Gen. Franklin 
 (senior officer). The whole material was at Franklin, 
 La., in good working order at the date of starting. May 
 15, 1864. The two divisions of 13th A. C. that joined us 
 were also thoroughly equipped, the transportation number- 
 ing 307 teams. I had nothing to do with Gen. Lee's 
 organization up to the time of its joining Gen. Franklin's 
 command — however, its two hundred and fifty-six mule 
 teams seemed to be well prepared. Gen. A. J. Smith's 
 command was scantily provided with land transportation. 
 
394 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 or quartermaster's supplies ; that department appeared 
 without much system, Gen. Smith attending personally to 
 all the wants of his command. The entire land force, 
 cavalry, and infantry when beyond Natchitoches moved 
 under the immediate direction of Gen. Franklin. 
 
 Then, under my personal control were nine hundred 
 teams, inclusive of the cavalry train, which was generally 
 one day's march, in advance of the infantry column. 
 Such was the case on the morning of April 8, when the 
 cavalry and its train pushed on in advance, followed as 
 usual by the infantry train until about 12 M. on the 8th, 
 when the advance met the enemy in strong position at 
 Sabine Cross-Roads ; then most of the cavalry train was 
 halted in the road, in line of march and well to the front ; 
 urgent calls for reinforcements came at about 3 p. m. 
 Gen. Franklin had made his usual day's march and had 
 ordered the infantry into camp, but on reports received he 
 ordered forward a division of the 13th Corps, and the 
 first of the 19th Corps to follow after suj}-per. Gen. 
 Banks and stafl?" had already rapidly ridden to the front, 
 and Gen. Franklin and staff soon followed, but the troops 
 (in front) had already been engaged, repulsed and in part 
 stampeded; Gen. Lee's cavalry train was, as stated, 
 immediately in his rear. Knowing that artillery and 
 infantry were coming and the road, narrow and skirted 
 with heavy timber and underbrush, would be required for 
 the passage as I advanced, I ordered the teams to leave 
 the road by hauling to one side. To my surprise I found 
 the quartermasters in the advance, by the orders of their 
 brigade or division commanders, turning the teams about 
 in the road faced to the rear. I immediately controverted 
 those orders on my own responsibility and directed teams 
 to move out of tlie road, and those turned to the rear to 
 remain so and out of the road. Then the batteries and 
 troops were passing to the front with little difficulty. The 
 position accounts for the loss of part of the train by cap- 
 ture. 
 
 To account for the unusual position of the train I will 
 further add that Gen. Franklin and Gen. J^ee both wanted 
 the cavalry train to move in rear of the infantry force, 
 hut both generals disagreed as to the -precedence of posi- 
 tion when the trains should be joined. Gen. Lee desired 
 that his train should precede Gen. Franklin's infantry 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 395 
 
 train, and Gen. Franklin insisted that the infantry trains 
 should move just in rear of the infantry force. Because 
 of this disagreement, no change was made on this day of 
 the engagement. The most serious loss of men and mate- 
 rial occurred on this day. 
 
 The foregoing extract with others to follow, combined 
 with the evidence of living witnesses, will serve to throw 
 light on the movements, both Union and Confederate, so 
 that the reader can judge where the responsibility for fail- 
 ures and losses shall finally rest. 
 
 Part I, 454, General Lee's report says : 
 
 My orders from Gen. Franklin were to attack the 
 enemy whei'ever I could find him, but not to bring on a 
 general engagement. I had with my command a train of 
 about two hundred wagons carrying ten days' rations for 
 men, three days' forage for animals, ammunition and 
 camp equipage. 
 
 On the 7th I drove about two hundred of enemy's cav- 
 alry beyond Pleasant Hill, three miles beyond encountered 
 considerable force, sent a staff officer to Franklin at 
 Pleasant Hill about noon, suggesting that a brigade of 
 infantry be sent for my support ; it was started and with- 
 draivn as the heavy firing ceased. At 2 p. m. I despatched 
 that " I shall advance a little cautiously." At 5 p. m. the 
 following despatch came: "The General (Franklin) 
 directs that you proceed to-night as far as possible, with 
 your whole train in order to give the infantry room to 
 advance to-morrow." I was at this time six miles beyond 
 Pleasant Hill, and continued my advance driving the 
 rebels to Carroll's mills, four miles farther ; bivouacked 
 on the field. My train had to be left in the road. The 
 wagons were faced to the rear. 
 
 Despatch, Lee to Franklin, April 7, 9 p. m., extract: 
 
 Fourth Brigade (including Second New Hampshire) is 
 camped on the battle ground of to-day. The enemy is in 
 strong position with four pieces of artillery, we suffered 
 here somewhat. I am simply holding the ground. It is 
 more expensive fighting the enemy in this immediate 
 county with dismounted, and necessarily, somewhat con- 
 
396 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 fused cavalry, than with infantry. I cannot leave to see 
 you, but with entire deference to your own judgment sug- 
 gest that a brigade of infantry be ordered to the front at 
 an early hour to-morrow morning to aid with me in the 
 conduct of the advance. If resistance should be obstinate 
 I should like to leave my train with the advance of infan- 
 try. I am ready to move at daylight. I find here almost 
 no water. 
 
 General Franklin's answer at 12.30 a. m., April 8 : 
 
 Gen. Banks is here, and by his order a brigade of infan- 
 try will move to your support at 3 a. m. 
 
 D. Lyon, 
 Lieut, and Aide-de-Camf. 
 
 At sunrise on the 8th a brigade of the Fourth Division 
 13th A. C. Col. Landrum commanding, reported to me. 
 
 In the '-National Tribune" of March 26, 1891, is a 
 three and a half column article upon this campaign by 
 W. J. Landrum, brevet brigadier-general. United States 
 Volunteers. He says that he told Ransom that his rein- 
 forcements would lead to evil results ; that the presence 
 of the infantry would embolden Lee to push on beyond 
 support. (One naturally asks, what right had he to say 
 that? What did he then know about Lee and the situa- 
 tion up at the front?) 
 
 The reader can judge by the despatches given who was 
 in the right. Landrum makes complaint that Lee wished 
 him to take the advance, and he (Lee) would protect his 
 flanks. " What," says Landrum, "became of the five 
 thousand cavalry from that time on, was then, is now, and 
 probably will ever be a profound mystery." There is 
 evidence and enough of it, as good as his, where our por- 
 tion of the cavalry was, and what it found out and com- 
 municated to Generals Lee and Banks and it is as impor- 
 tant as if a legion of cavalry did it. 
 
 Chief Bugler H. J. Durgin, writes at this date (and the 
 veterans, every one, will endorse Comrade Durgin's vera- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 397 
 
 city) that the timber and underbrush was so dense that 
 Landrum could not have seen us, but a regiment of cav- 
 alry was sent out to his left flank and the Second New 
 Hampshire Cavalry protected his right jlank u-p to noov. 
 "We," saj's Durgin, "could not see his infantry, but 
 could locate them by their firing and too, occasionally. 
 Major Connelly did send a man to our left to see that we 
 were in touching distance.'''' 
 
 Lee's report, i, 451 : 
 
 At I p. M. 8th, Gen. Ransom appeared on the ground 
 with the 2d Brigade of the Fourth division 13th A. C. to 
 relieve the ist brigade (Landrum's), from its duty with 
 the cavalry advance. Immediately in our front was a 
 large clearing on the slope of a hill over which was the 
 course of the road ; we were soon on its crest. Two regi- 
 ments of the Fourth Brigade Cavalry, Col. Dudley com- 
 manding, the Third and Sixth Massachusetts Cavalry, 
 were placed on the left flank, deployed in the woods. 
 The .Second New Hampshire Cavalry of the same bri- 
 gade was deployed on the right flank. 
 
 In regard to the time. Comrade Durgin says that he car- 
 ried one of the best Waltham watches and often compared 
 it with headquarters' time. He looked at his watch just 
 before our regiment charged and he saw that it was near 
 time for the " noon halt." At 12.30 Lee must have had 
 the report from Major Connelly and the "feeler" made by 
 our Second New Hampshire must have enlightened him 
 in regard to the stand made by the enemy in his immediate 
 front. Meanwhile the major-general commanding had 
 arrived and assumed general direction of affairs. General 
 Stone, chief of staff", had ridden with the advance since 
 an early hour in the morning. And yet no officer but 
 Landrum found any fault with General Lee's handling of 
 the troops, but that it was according to orders. 
 
 Lee reported to General Banks in person, explaining 
 the situation and that in his opinion we could not with our 
 
398 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 present force drive them and must fall back or be heavily 
 reinforced in order to advance. He says, " General Banks 
 then ordered me to hold my position and he would order 
 forward infantry. Our forces were now for a long time 
 stationary, light skirmishing, however, continuing on the 
 flanks. The enemy were shifting strong columns to the 
 right on a road to Bayou Pierre at nearly right angles to 
 the Mansfield road. About 4 p. m., by a staff officer, I got 
 an order from General Banks to dispose my troops to ad- 
 vance to Mansfield. I instantly reported in person to Gen- 
 Banks that I was ready, but such a move would ' bring on 
 an engagement.'' He then directed me to let them remain, 
 and sent an officer to hasten forward infantry. But at 
 half past four the enemy made a general advance all 
 along our lines in strong force. We were driven a mile to 
 the foot of the hill to the wood ; no reinforcements had 
 then arrived. A mile from the battlefield a portion of the 
 train of the cavalry division was blocked. Here were lost 
 156 wagons and about 800 mules of said division. The 
 ammunition train only was saved." Gen. Lee continues, 
 " My own despatches cited in report could hardly fail to 
 represent the current cotidition of aff'airs to my superiors, 
 and under such explicit instructions and orders I can see 
 little room left me, as a soldier , for the exercise oj -per- 
 sonal judgment. On the forenoon of the 8th, while my 
 train was at a halt, waiting for a bridge to be built at Car- 
 roll's mill, some five miles from the battlefield. General 
 Banks and stafl?" and General Franklin and staff" stopped 
 there and observed its construction. General Franklin 
 directed the quartermaster of the Fourth Brigade to do his 
 best to keep the train well closed." 
 
 Report of Capt. F. H. Whittier, acting assistant quar- 
 termaster, Fourth Cavalry Brigade, to Colonel Dudley : 
 
 My standing orders from you were, when firing was 
 heard in front to any considerable extent, to draw my 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 399 
 
 train out on the side of the road when possible to do so, in 
 order to permit troops or artillery to pass either way ; also 
 to so arrange my train that I could easily pass it without 
 confusion or difficulty to the front or rear. (Here he gives 
 the incident at the bridge before mentioned by Lee, and 
 the order of Gen. Franklin is related.) The train ad- 
 vanced till halted by the heavy firing in front. I then 
 moved the greater portion of my train to an open space on 
 either side of the road. It was there until Gen. Cameron's 
 command and the two batteries passed to the front. Hav- 
 ing been at the front myself, I thought it best to turn my 
 train (as stated), but, " No," said the chief quartermaster. 
 Chandler, " if you lose your wagons, lose them facing the 
 enemy." Capt. Hoge, division quartermaster, said that 
 these instructions were positive. Finally, when ordered 
 to the rear by Major Howe, I found the road blocked 
 and the entire train of 85 six-mule army wagons, 8 two- 
 horse ambulances, and one six-horse medicine wagon, 
 loaded with medical stores, were captured. 
 
 At the time that the action commenced (4 p. m.), the 
 United States forces were disposed as follows : The Fourth 
 Division, 2,500 strong (Thirteenth Army Corps),- with 
 four brigades of Lee's cavalry in front ; Third Division of 
 the Thirteenth Army Corps in camp six miles in the rear : 
 Nineteenth Army Corps in camp nine miles in the rear. 
 Gen. A. J. Smith's army minus three thousand men, near 
 Pleasant Hill, seventeen miles at the rear. 
 
 H. J. Durgin's diary : 
 
 April 7. Found the rebs in force just beyond Pleasant 
 Hill. 2d La. and 87th 111. engaged them an hour; were 
 driven back, but reinforcements turned the tide in our 
 favor — this at Wilson's Farm. Kept our horses saddled 
 all night. At 7 a. m. on the 8th, moved on again ; went 
 in to protect the right flank of Landrum's infantry. 
 
 Adj. T. C. Prescott's diary: 
 
 At eight o'clock on the 8th, we had advanced two miles 
 and at that time our brigade took the advance with the 2d 
 N. H. Cavalry on the right flank about three fourths of a 
 
400 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 mile from the road in the woods. It was thus impossible 
 for Bvt. Gen. W. J. Landrum to see the cavalry who were 
 protecting his flanks. The regiment received orders from 
 Gen. Lee to push on rapidly and if possible (on the sup- 
 position that they were in full retreat) to pass the enemy 
 and attack them in their front, or, failing in this to fall on 
 their flank. We advanced cautiously in two columns with 
 as much rapidity as the dense undergrowth would permit. 
 The rebels made good progress and kept ahead. About 
 noon we came to an open field about a half mile across, 
 surrounded by a high rail fence. The enemy could be 
 seen on the opposite side, apparently in full retreat, pass- 
 ing across our front and to the right. Major Connelly 
 was in command (Lieut. -Col. Flanders being at the North 
 on leave of absence), and immediately gave the order to 
 " charge." The horses seemed to feel the impulse of the 
 order as readily as the men, and as soon as the fence was 
 fairly cleared, the little command moved at a brisk gallop 
 across the field, still in the double column formation, 
 against the dense ranks of the enemy which filled the road 
 in front, and as far as could be seen, to the right and left. 
 It was a fearful risk to charge upon such a force, ten to 
 our one, but the major was impetuous and he was obeying 
 orders. When the opposite side of the field was reached, 
 a high "Virginia fence " was there found, and some of 
 the men dismounted to level it ; then the enemy opened a 
 terrific fire in our front, they having fallen back a short 
 distance at the immediate point of our attack, into the 
 woods beyond the road which was fringed with white 
 pines. Our men returned the fire using their carbines 
 rapidly and with good eflfect ; but by the time an opening 
 was made for our advance, the enemy had spread out over 
 our right and left and were swarming into the field. A 
 part of our force had passed the fence into the road 
 (Bayou Pierre), and were clearing it of the rebels, but 
 there was great danger of our being completely sur- 
 rounded, and the major, as quick to see his peril as to 
 push a charge, gave the order to retreat. The regiment 
 fell back across the field, and in the direction of the in- 
 fantry on the road, being compelled to leave the killed and 
 wounded, and nearly every man who lost his horse fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. Thus many of our men 
 were taken prisoners, Capt. D. W. King being among the 
 number. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 401 
 
 Upon arriving at the fence, after recrossing the field the 
 regiment dismounted, leaving their horses in the edge of 
 the timber, which surrounded the field on all sides, and 
 in an incredibly sliort space of time they were deployed as 
 skirmishers and pushed out nearly half way across the 
 open space over which but a moment before they had 
 come in full retreat, checking the advance of the enemy 
 and actually driving him back some distance. 
 
 The movement of dismounting and deploying to fight on 
 foot was done as nicely as the writer had ever seen the 
 same executed on the drill ground, certainly more quickly, 
 and would have done honor to the oldest veteran cavalry. 
 The line was formed instantly at the command to halt, at 
 the fence ; the men, always designated to hold the horses 
 when dismounting to fight became necessary, were in 
 readiness to receive the bridles as they were thrown to 
 them ; and before the rebels were aware of the movement, 
 the men had run into the field, were on their faces crawl- 
 ing towards them, and were meeting them with a shower 
 of bullets sent with accurate and telling aim. The dex- 
 terous use of the carbine by our strong skirmish line made 
 it possible to hold the large force of the enemy for a time, 
 but it was clearly evident that we could not withstand a 
 charge for a moment. Adj. T. C. Prescott was now 
 despatched to report the situation to General Lee and 
 found that officer on the road at the front about a half-mile 
 to the left of our position. He reported verbally what had 
 occured on the right and that in the judgment of Major 
 Connelly, a large force was in our immediate front. 
 General Lee seemed to think that we were greatly over- 
 estimating the strength of the enemy before us, saying that 
 he did not apprehend any serious difficulty here, and that 
 we should hold our position. By the time that the adju- 
 tant returned, the skirmish line was being pushed in and 
 our ammunition was getting seriously short. A messenger 
 had been sent back to the train for cartridges and had 
 returned with a box of the wrong calibre. The adjutant 
 
 26 
 
402 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 was at once sent back to report again to the general and to 
 say that we must have support immediately or be relieved 
 by reason of our lack of ammunition and the heavy force 
 of the enemy in our front. This report was quickly made, 
 and now General Lee seemed to realize the extreme dan- 
 ger of the situation. 
 
 The Second New Hampshire was badly off if it had no 
 ammunition and recollecting that Lieutenant Newhall had 
 said that he had brought some up and distributed it, a 
 letter was sent to him and also to Captain Prescott for 
 explanations. It appears in answer that they were both 
 right ; that the left wing got from Lieutenant Newhall the 
 right calibre, while the right wing was short. Adjutant 
 Prescott says that he would not have asked to be relieved 
 but for want of ammunition. He says, " We did get some 
 of the right calibre later." Lieutenant Newhall says, 
 "We must have used a great deal more than we had at 
 first, although in the morning the cartridge boxes were 
 filled. Then some was put in pockets and under blanket 
 straps, for we expected . to fight smartly before night. 
 There is no mistake but that the box that I brought was 
 all right, for all the contents were fired at the rebs." 
 
 Adjutant Prescott : 
 
 Our small force had been placed in as favorable a posi- 
 tion as possible, but the odds against it were too great. 
 One thin line of infantry composed of western troops from 
 the 13th Corps, was posted along by the side of a low rail 
 fence extending from near the position of the Second New 
 Hampshire at the fence to the road (in the centre to Mans- 
 field) where Gen. Lee still stood with a portion of his staff, 
 while the balance of our brigade and of the infantry was 
 on the left extending down an opening in the woods for 
 about half a mile. The artillery, some sixteen pieces — 
 a portion being the famous "Nims' battery" — was posted 
 in the centre on and across the road and perhaps a hun- 
 dred yards in rear of the infantry line. Commencing 
 nearly up to the batteries and extending back on the road 
 into the woods as far as one could see, was our wagon 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 403 
 
 train, a line fully three quarters of a mile in length and 
 on a road so narrow and so flanked by stumps and trees 
 that it was almost impossible to turn a single wagon 
 about and go to the rear. A portion of Gen. Banks' staff 
 had just arrived on the field, and the General himself, 
 who had been at Grand Ecore on the morning of the 7th 
 in consultation with Gen. Smith. In the front was a dense 
 wood in which Gen. Dick Taylor, in command, was mass- 
 ing the rebel forces, preparing to attack. The situation 
 as ive saw it, was truly alarming ; not a piece of the 
 ■ splendid batteries could be moved to the rear, nor was it 
 possible to protect the wagon train. Somebody evidently 
 had made a fearful mistake ! The situation was extremely 
 critical and not at all calculated to inspire hope. The 
 enemy now opened fire with a battery on their right with 
 serious effect. Almost the first shot struck in a group 
 composing Gen. Banks' staff, cutting off both the legs of 
 Capt. Franklin. Gen. Lee sent an infantry regiment to 
 relieve the Second New Hampshire, directing us to take 
 position in the centre near and to the right of the road in 
 support of the artillery. (Lieutenant Newhall writes that 
 it was the Nineteenth Kentucky, Landrum's old regiment, 
 that relieved us and that a part of the Second New Hamp- 
 shire supported at least a section of Nims' battery.) The 
 change was quickly made, the men mounting and moving 
 to the new position where further developments were 
 awaited. Our batteries had opened fire, and cannonading 
 became general. There seemed to be no possible way to 
 strengthen our position, and we must meet an overwhelm- 
 ing force as best we could. 
 
 Repeated orders had been sent back to Gen. Franklin 
 to hurry up a portion of his force to the front, but hours 
 must elapse before his forces could assist. About 4.30 the 
 enemy made a fierce attack along our whole line and on 
 the flanks. Masses of rebels, no less than four lines in 
 depth, emerged from the woods and charged with impetu- 
 ous force, while yelling like crazed demons. Our guns 
 were filled to the muzzles with grape, canister and bags of 
 bullets, making wide gaps in the rebel ranks at every dis- 
 charge, and they were served until the enemy was nearly 
 up to them, when, it being impossible to move them, the 
 horses were cut loose and the battery men rode to the rear. 
 The immense numbers of rebels struck the thin lines of 
 Banks' men with irresistible force and they gave way. 
 
404 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 General Landrum says : 
 
 When notified that the enemy was advancing his lines 
 with evident intention of attacking, General Ransom 
 ordered me to meet them with a like advance, which was 
 done. A terrific engagement ensued lasting about two 
 hours, resulting in our defeat with a loss in killed, 
 wounded, and missing of eleven hundred men ; that of the 
 enemy being as shown by their own statements, upwards of 
 two thousand men. Banks, Ransom, Lee, and Stone 
 were on the field in person. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott : 
 
 New positions were taken a short distance in the rear 
 with as much order as possible, while the rebels, bent 
 upon plunder, pushed through our lines and gave their 
 attention to the tempting wagon train, in some instances 
 the drivers going out of the rear of those wagons which 
 had not been turned round, as the rebels came in at the 
 front. 
 
 This evidence contradicts that of Gen. Dick Taylor in 
 regard to the conduct of his men, and is more reliable than 
 is his report. It was not in human rebel nature to pass a 
 wagon load of the enemy's medical stores without hunting 
 for " cold pisen." The enemy's force being so much 
 superior to ours, they could flank us in every new position 
 we took, and, notwithstanding the coolness of most of our 
 troops and their gallant resistance, we were gradually 
 driven back into the woods. The plunder of the wagon 
 train kept the attention of a portion of the rebels for some 
 time, and their consequent demoralized condition was val- 
 uable to us. 
 
 By Lieut. Tyler M. Shattuck : 
 
 At 4.30 P. M., we began to fall back from the rail fence 
 through the woods to our horses. I was giving out am- 
 munition on the left when the retreat was ordered. A box 
 that I was at that moment carrying I set down on a stump 
 and hastened to the train at the edge of the woods twenty- 
 five rods away. Just then several of the guns of Carruth's, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 405 
 
 Nims' and the Mercantile batteries came thundering down 
 the road on to the head of the train. A company of rebel 
 cavalry dashed in from the woods on the left and began 
 firing on them ; the cannoneers cut traces, mounted the 
 mules, and some got away. At the same time Capt. Geo. 
 S. Eayrs and myself, with the gang of butchers who had 
 remained near the train, started for the rear. As we 
 passed rapidly along the line of wagons, Eayrs and my- 
 self together, and the five butchers on the off side of the 
 teams, a rebel officer and men on horseback came up on 
 our side and shouted out, "Who commands this train?" 
 Capt. Eayrs replied, "The devil, I guess." Just then 
 Edwin D. Cram, of Company A, and a man named Gile- 
 gan of the Fourth Wisconsin fired across the mules and 
 shot the officer dead from his horse. The rebels did not 
 follow us, but stopped to plunder the train. We soon 
 overtook Gen. Banks, who was endeavoring to check the 
 tide by saying, "Don't hurry, boys; we are all right. 
 Fall back on Franklin, and form in his rear." 
 
 Letter extract, H. J. Durgin : 
 
 Major Connelly has been criticised for so readily 
 charging on the rebels at the noon of April 8 ; but we 
 now know better than we then did, the circumstances of 
 the case, "the objects of the expedition" and the orders. 
 Years ago when I first called on the major at his store in 
 Manchester, N. H., as soon as he discovered who I was, 
 he instantly asked, " How did it happen that you were cap- 
 tured?" After the explanation, I asked him, "and how 
 came it. Major, that you ordered such a charge as that?" 
 "Why," said he, "I was under orders to charge the 
 enemy as soon as I came in sight of them, and so ascertain 
 their strength." That being the first time that I had heard 
 his reason, viz., the orders from Gen. Lee, and knowing 
 that the cavalry was the " feeler" of the enemy, I appre- 
 ciated the situation. The major was brave and impetuous ; 
 but let me tell you how it looked to me up at the front, as 
 I was always close to him, being the chief bugler, his 
 "mouthpiece" as it were. We had been in the woods 
 and underbrush marching in any way we could, in single 
 or double file, on the right flank of the infantry all the fore- 
 noon, the major and myself at the front. On emerging 
 from the woods at noon, we saw a little body of rebel cav- 
 
4o6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 airy on the opposite side of the " clearing " over a third of 
 a mile away, moving at right angles to our course towards 
 the right. Without stopping to get any of our boys out of 
 the woods, the major gave the order to charge, and 
 away he went, not waiting until I had finished sounding 
 the order on the bugle ; but on looking back after about 
 only a dozen of us had ridden a few rods, and seeing that 
 the command had not got up out of the brush tangle, he 
 halted and said to me, "I guess they all didn't hear the 
 ' call ' ; ride back to the woods and sound it again." 
 Back to the edge of the woods I went and blew the call 
 " Charge " again twice, with all the vim I possibly could 
 put into it ; I saw that it was repeated down the line in 
 the woods, from which the boys were coming as fast as 
 they could, and then put spurs to my horse to get to my 
 place by the major. My horse being very large and 
 swift, got over the soft, plowed and wet ground very fast, 
 and soon caught up with him as he and the nearest were 
 charging again, right up to a cross fence. But from 
 behind the fence came the thickest storm of bullets that 
 the old Eighth ever knew of, for there, concealed at the 
 point where we struck them, lay in lines, thousands of 
 rebs. firing at us, and I never could account for any one of 
 us getting back to the rear alive, except on the theory that 
 the enemy fired too high, as we could feel the wind of the 
 bullets as they passed, and it was lively " zipping." Just 
 as I reached the major and the fence, down went my horse 
 and I saw a million stars as I struck the ground. When 
 I regained my senses and my feet, every man who was 
 mounted, was making lively time to the rear, and the bul- 
 lets seemed coming thicker than ever from behind that 
 fence which I stood facing. I did more tall thinking in 
 three seconds than I ever did in three hours elsewhere. I 
 was debating whether it was best to get shot in the back 
 running away, or get a dozen in front facing the enemy. 
 Instinct or something, turned me back, but now, instead 
 of bullets, the rebel- cavalry came, and being instantly sur- 
 rounded, I found myself looking into the muzzle of a 
 musket, at the other end of which was a determined look- 
 ing reb. who sang out to me very emphatically, " Surren- 
 der, you d — d Yank ! " Only one of our boys was in 
 sight, and the field was full of rebels, and there was not 
 much time left in which to decide whether to be reported. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 407 
 
 " killed on the field of battle," or to be buried alive in a 
 rebel prison, and that time was cut shorter than the time it 
 takes to write this, by the aforesaid reb. repeating his 
 remark with a " click" at the end of it. I gave up and 
 took my remote chance of being resurrected out of the 
 then unknown, to me, " Camp Ford." I was taken 
 before Gen. Dick Taylor and pumped, but very little sat- 
 isfaction he got from me, as I had pulled myself together 
 and was " sassy." 
 
 Well, as I found out afterwards, the major " charged," 
 and his report of the charge stopped all such " charging" 
 on our side for that day. Later, the rebels tried twice the 
 same trick and were driven back, but " got there" at last 
 in big numbers on our flanks and rear. 
 
 In regard to my case, the boys seeing me thrown and 
 nothing of me afterwards, I was reported " killed" and my 
 name headed that list in the "New York Tribune's" 
 report of the attack. It was two months before my friends 
 found out to the contrary. My mother had then gone into 
 mourning for me, having given up all hope; but we at 
 last got the real truth to them by a flag of truce. 
 
 The following letter came later : 
 
 This habit of close " feeling" of the enemy, was char- 
 acteristic of the regiment. An order to "go in" had 
 never to be repeated, except on question of hearing the 
 " call." Permission to attack was all the regiment 
 wanted, and their eagerness to do so, and their reluctance 
 to " let go" proved to be to them an expensive trait, yet it 
 won the approbation of every commander under whom it 
 served, whether as infantry or cavalry. 
 
 Further, wishing to ascertain if ours was the first 
 assault made on the Confederate force by Union troops on 
 the 8th of April, Comrade Durgin answers : 
 
 Our charge was made nearly parallel with the Mans- 
 field road, slightly converging towards it at a distance 
 from it of about three fourths of a mile, where the head of 
 our column struck the cross (Bayou Pierre) road. A 
 horse or a footman could have been seen on that road from 
 our position, and positively no troops were in our sight 
 except the rebel cavalry that we charged on, and their 
 
4o8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 infantry behind them. I do not think that more than two 
 hundred of our boys got up to that fence. Many turned 
 back when the head of the column recoiled. We must 
 have been well in advance of our infantry as I saw no sign 
 of them. 
 
 In answer to inquiries, he also gives important informa- 
 tion in regard to losses as follows : 
 
 There were there two wounded and thirteen captured at 
 the charge, and twelve more during the fight, making 
 twenty-five prisoners, twenty-eight more being brought in 
 to Camp Ford prison from our regiment before it, in 
 retreat, reached the Mississippi river. 
 
 In regard to being up at the front on April 8, Adjutant 
 Prescott says, "The Second New Hampshire Cavalry 
 was the Jirsl regiment engaged at Sabine Cross Roads. 
 We were near enough to the road (Mansfield) and the 
 front to hear any musket firing and we heard not a single 
 shot on either flank when we charged on the rebel lines. 
 I feel as sure of this as that I was there ; also we felt that 
 they were still in retreat when we attacked, which made 
 our assault the more impetuous. In regard to the final 
 repulse of our main force, there was, no doubt, as you 
 suggest, jealousy among the leading officers. I now 
 believe and always shall that General Franklin might 
 have avoided the defeat." That, too, is the opinion of 
 Lieut. Dan Newhall. 
 
 Further, Comrade Prescott says in relation to General 
 Landrum's article, which owes its importance a good deal 
 to the fact that it is published now when matters have 
 cooled and evidence is at hand : 
 
 In the main Gen. L. is fairly correct in his statements in 
 regard to the conditions, but he gives very little credit to 
 the cavalry for any service in the campaign. The truth is 
 that the cavalry did most of the heavy fatiguing work go- 
 ing up, of clearing out the enemy along the route, the 
 infantry being called to the front only two or three times 
 prior to the attack on the 8th of April. The general evi- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 409 
 
 dently desires to give much credit to his brigade that 
 reported to Lee, and says that they were expected to keep 
 pace with the cavalry on the morning of the 8th of April, 
 when our marching on the flanks was accomplished slowly 
 and with great difficulty. The cavalry had repelled the 
 enemy on the evening of the 7th at the creek and the old 
 mill (Carroll's), of which he speaks. They (the infantry) 
 were not at that time of contact, in the advance, but were 
 ordered up to help the regiment at the lead at that particu- 
 lar point. We formed on their left and drove the enemy 
 easily. On the 8th, the Second New Hampshire made 
 its attack more than one hour before Gen. Landrum! s men 
 could have fired a gun. It had been skirmishing all the 
 time with a much superior force of the enemy. I did not 
 understand that there was any advance to meet charge with 
 charge that Gen. Landrum speaks of, on the part of any 
 infantry. I did not observe any prior to, or at the time of 
 the attack by the enemy, and I passed twice along the 
 infantry front and was watching it closely when the attack 
 was made. The charge of the enemy was received by the 
 men on our side as they lay in line where they had been 
 certainly two hours, and the infantry men driven back the 
 same as were the cavalry. There was no infantry bet-ween 
 our regiment, the -portion I was with and the enemy dur- 
 ing all of the tim-e on all of the way back to the igth 
 Corps. 
 
 General Landrum did see at the last, " the cavalry fall 
 back in great disorder." That quickly moving arm of the 
 service must have been then at the front. By his first 
 assertion, one would think it safe twenty miles to the rear. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's letter : 
 
 The rebel charge was terrific and all were swept back 
 by the weight of numbers. What Landrum says of Gen. 
 Banks on the field is correct. The general exhibited 
 much personal courage, being in the thick of the fight, 
 but showing at the same time great disappointment and 
 chagrin. I did not see Gen. Franklin on the field. 
 
 In answer to a direct inquiry about the review. Captain 
 Prescott writes : 
 
4IO History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 I see no occasion to change anything that I have pre- 
 viously written upon the part taken by our regiment in 
 that unfortunate campaign. My data was written down in 
 my diary immediately after the occurrences and my recol- 
 lection is quite clear on points of interest. 
 
 Sergt. C. A. Emerson says : 
 
 We held the enemy on the afternoon of the 8th of April, 
 with the aid of our batteries, and a small number of in- 
 fantry were steadily forced back upon our small detach- 
 ments that came up from the rear. The enemy came down 
 towards evening in solid colums, by the acre and were ter- 
 ribly slaughtered. About this time my horse went down 
 and I took a general direction towards New Hampshire. 
 When we first made the attack across the field at noon, 
 there were none of our forces, infantr}-, between us and the 
 rebs. The Flying Artillery that we went into this cam- 
 paign with, was a magnificent sight to see. Each gun and 
 caisson was drawn by eight horses ; every man of the 
 batteries was mounted. This day's work about annihilated 
 the advance guard. 
 
 Lieutenant Shattuck's diary : 
 
 April 8th. Lost my wagons with all my books, papers 
 and clothing. 
 
 Lieut. J. H. Marshall's report: 
 
 On April 8th, the regiment came unexpectedly upon the 
 enemy and charged alone and unsupported upon a superior 
 force of cavalry that broke and tied, unmasking two divis- 
 ions of infantry who immediately opened fire. Apparently 
 bewildered by the very audacity of the attack, the enemy 
 allowed the regiment lo retire with little loss, when they 
 might have fallen prey to superior numbers. 
 
 Extract from General Lee's report (i, 458) : 
 
 The regiments of the Fourth Brigade fell back in good 
 order, and according to directions, kept well on the flanks, 
 repelling the enemy in their attempts to press to our rear. 
 The cavalry (mounted) repeatedly formed lines behind 
 our retreatifig forces and stayed the advance of the rebels. 
 Their gallantry and coolness were marked, and the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 411 
 
 repeated checks given the enemy I am confident went far 
 toward saving the routed army. 
 
 Sabine Cross Roads. Lieut. Willim A. Beckford's 
 account : 
 
 On April 7, I was in command of Company F, which 
 was of the " advance guard " and about a mile ahead of the 
 regiment. When we came out of the pine woods to the 
 opening, the rebels had a skirmish line across the field. 
 This was the first notion we had of real trouble on that 
 day. They opened on my company as soon as we showed 
 ourselves. I did not wait for orders, but dismounted the 
 company, formed a skirmish line and drove the rebels 
 back over the hill. Next morning, the 8th of April, Gen. 
 Lee ordered me with my company to go out on the right 
 hand side of the road and deploy as the nature of the 
 ground would admit, and if I saw any signs of a flank 
 movement, to report it and not to leave witkotit orders from 
 him. The rest of the regiment moved up and they opened 
 the fight. So, by orders, I was not with the regiment for 
 all day ; when we fell back we joined the Nineteenth 
 Army Corps, and were with it when the rebels came down 
 and the Nineteenth Corps stopped them. 
 
 Extract from Capt. O. F. Nims' report to Brig. -Gen. R. 
 Arnold : 
 
 On April 8, marched at 6 A. m. in the advance. At 8 
 A. M., got four pieces to the front in the road — shelled the 
 woods in front — moved so till within a half-mile of Sabine 
 Cross Roads — went into battery and shelled the enemy 
 from the heights. Whole in position on the heights. 
 Four pieces to the front and two in battery to the right 
 flank within two hundred and fifty yards of the woods — 
 repulsed three successive charges of the enemy. Three 
 pieces were taken from the field in good order ; three lelt 
 on the field. Lieut. W. K. Snow received a mortal 
 wound, while assisting to limber up a gun, and fell into 
 the hands of the enemy. (Company B, under Lieut. New- 
 hall, was here, for he gives an account of seeing Lieut. 
 Snow wounded.) The three pieces brought off were 
 all ready for action in the road, preparing to retreat, but 
 the roads being blocked and the enemy coming in on the 
 flanks, we lost all. 
 
412 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 April 9, at 2 a. m., at Pleasant Hill. At noon the Sec- 
 ond New Hampshire marched with the cavalry division 
 ammunition train, as guard to the same. 
 
 Lieut. D. B. Newhall writes : 
 
 After our charge across the field and repulse at the 
 fence about noon, we fell back to the woods, and leaving 
 horses, four to a man, advanced again, showing a bold 
 front which convinced the enemy that we had a force 
 behind us, and they in turn fell back after capturing 
 nearly all who were unhorsed and wounded. Major Con- 
 nelly was satisfied that they were 'in large force, and 
 requested me to go back and hurry up reinforcements, and 
 also ammunition, as we were getting short. I found Gen. 
 Ransom's command of one division nearly three fourths of 
 a mile at the rear in line, with guns stacked and getting 
 ready to make coflee — told one of the colonels (think it 
 was Landrum) the situation. He directed me to a house 
 near by where Gen. C. P. Stone was — saw him and re- 
 ported. He didn't seem to believe it; asked me if we 
 "weren't scairt." I was provoked and left; found am- 
 munition train, got a box of cartridges, and went back to 
 the front. Ransom's infantry moved forward. When I 
 got back I found a double line of reb. skirmishers half 
 way across the clearing, and reb. lines were forming 
 back of them near the road. Their lines extended so -far 
 that I could not see the ends on cither JIank. Our regiment 
 still held its position, though outnumbered four to one by 
 the skirmish line alone. Company B was on the left. I 
 rode out into the woods on the left a short distance, found 
 rebs. coming down on left flank ; informed Col. Landrum 
 of 19th Kentucky. One infantry regiment was wheeled 
 to the left just in season to check the rebels for a few min- 
 utes. In the meantime Ransom's men had got to the fence 
 in our rear, and we were ordered to fall back and mount. 
 I saw that some of the men didn't hear the order, so rode 
 out and told them. Johnny Lovejoy was one ; Johnny 
 Burton another, and a sub. by name of Risley, another. 
 Burton said that he wanted "one more shot at them." 
 Both Risley and he staid too long and were " gobbled." 
 (Lieut. John C. French says we held this 2d position as 
 skirmishers for over two hours before the infantry came up.) 
 The regiment fell back to the woods to another clearing 
 
BENJ. S. WOODS, CO. D. (As he enlisted.) 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 413 
 
 and were ordered to the rear of Nims' and Mercantile bat- 
 teries as their support. Then Dick Taylor and Polignac's 
 divisions charged down on us in three lines and we were 
 enveloped on both flanks. The feeble line of infantry was 
 swept away and the cavalry covered the retreat as well as 
 possible for four miles until we passed the protecting wall 
 of the 19th Army Corps. Our whole force engaged was 
 not over three thousand, while the enemy had five thou- 
 sand infantry, three thousand cavalry, and proportionate, 
 artillery. 
 
 The foregoing was written off before Colonel Landrum's 
 article was published. Of the latter. Lieutenant Newhall 
 now says : " It is a good account of the last part of the 
 fight, but Landrum and all other infantry officers knew 
 nothing of what our cavalry was doing for hours before 
 they came up." 
 
 Later. Maps drawn by Lieutenant Newhall have been 
 received illustrating the movements of Second New Hamp- 
 shire Cavalry as above related. He further says that the 
 third position that the regiment took in retreat, brought 
 them near to and opposite the wagon train in the main 
 road, and that they remained there until the guns in front 
 had been captured. The rebels were on both flanks ; had 
 completely turned the left and were going for the contents 
 of the wagons. " At that time," writes he, "I saw Gen- 
 eral Banks ride in front coming from the left. He appealed 
 to the infantry to make a stand and hold the position as the 
 Nineteenth Corps was coming up. I can see just how he 
 looked with his hat off, fearless of personal danger. Saw 
 Captain Chapman carried past, both feet shot off. They 
 tried to get him along the blockaded road in an ambulance, 
 but he was captured. He was captain in the Sixth Michi- 
 gan, and a classmate of Lieutenant-Colonel Flanders." 
 
 Comrade B. S. Woods, letter extract : 
 
 You ask how I used up, at Sabine Cross Roads, my 
 eighty rounds of cartridges. Well, I recollect that on the 
 
414 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 morning of the 8th of April my Company D was detailed 
 as flankers on the extreme right, Lieut. James Miles in 
 command of company, yet under command of Capt. Wil- 
 liamson, who had, in New Orleans, been drill master in 
 cavalry, and somehow seemed to be with the regiment. 
 We kept on the right flank during the advance (not see- 
 ing the regiment again until night). We governed our 
 advance by the firing heard on our left. 
 
 When probably the main column reached the clearing 
 and the firing became more rapid and heavy, Capt. Wil- 
 liamson halted our company in a road, both sides of 
 which were covered with a dense growth of young pine 
 trees, and gave orders that every other man might get off 
 his horse and eat his dinner, after which he was to 
 remount and the rest of the company rest and eat. As 
 luck would have it, I was first to dismount, and got fairly 
 under way with my dinner when there was a rustle of the 
 underbrush, and a line of Confederate infantry dashed 
 into the road and began to grab for the horses' bridles 
 shouting, " surrender you Yankee cusses" ; but we weren't 
 ready for Texas, so emptying my carbine into the crowd, 
 I made a dive for the saddle, forgot all about my revolver 
 and put another cartridge into my gun and let drive again, 
 then retreated. We dashed through the brush for a few 
 yards and then stopped and reformed the company, find- 
 ing our loss to be seven. Captain Williamson was one, 
 for when the rebs. first put in an appearance, he turned the 
 company over to Lieut. Miles and took a bee line for New 
 Orleans : at least he has not been seen since (in military 
 life). The company then started to find the regiment and 
 arrived on the Mansfield road directly in front of the cen- 
 tre of the field. Gen. Banks and staflfwere there, and the 
 rebels were just piling the shot and shell into our lines and 
 replied to by our batteries. Captain Nims being at the 
 right. Confeds. were coming out .of the woods on the 
 opposite side in lines of battle, and an effort was made to 
 gather all the cavalry without regard to regiments, and 
 charge them. A staff officer rode up to Lieut. Miles to 
 get him to form his company on the line, but he declined, 
 saying that he was under orders to report to his regiment. 
 While they were talking, the charge was made and I 
 watched them, as with drawn sabres and a yell, they rode 
 on. The rebel line wavered and partially broke, but 
 
CORPORAL BENJ. S. WOODS, CO. D. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 415 
 
 their officers held their men, and as they returned the fire, 
 our Hne was no more. Riderless horses were going in 
 all directions. A few men got back ; the most were cap- 
 tured or killed. It was now late in the afternoon. Our 
 company was sent out on the extreme left to find out if 
 the enemy was on our left flank. We went so far that 
 when the final rebel charge was made later, the rebel 
 line came in between us and our troops, so in returning 
 we came on the rebel rear, but by making a detour 
 still further out, we made our way round to our lines 
 again just after the rout began. Our company was 
 certainly the last Union one over that section of the 
 field. The rebs. called to us again to surrender, but we 
 kept up the retreat until we gained the 19th Army Corps 
 and the tide of ba-ttle was stopped. At night we found 
 what was left of the regiment, and went on to Pleasant 
 Hill. Had the rebels at noon known certainly of our 
 weakness, more of us would have gone to Texas. 
 
 Personal. — Comrade Benjamin S. Woods was born in 
 Tyngsboro', Mass. Enlisted as a recruit in Companj' D, 
 August 20, 1862, at the age of seventeen years. Joined 
 the regiment at Camp Parapet, La., September 30, 1862, 
 just in time to go in the Bayou La Fourche expedition and 
 take part in the battle of Georgia Landing. Thencefor- 
 ward he was in all the battles and skirmishes in which his 
 company or regiment was engaged, up to his muster out 
 at Natchez, Miss., on June 6, 1865. During all this time 
 he was not wounded, although narrowly escaping. Some 
 instances may be mentioned, -as on May 27, 1863, at the 
 first assault on Port Hudson, his file leader and two left 
 hand comrades were shot dead. On the morning of the 
 14th of June, was struck in the forehead by a spent mus- 
 ket ball and late in the afternoon of the same day, while 
 trying to procure water for some wounded comrades, he 
 ran the gauntlet of the rebel sharpshooters, a whole volley 
 being fired at him alone, through which he escaped unhurt. 
 At one of the severe skirmishes on the Red river, he 
 exchanged places with a comrade, John Ryan, for a 
 
4i6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 moment, but that moment was fatal to Ryan, a shot strik- 
 ing him in the head and killing him instantly. After the 
 war closed, he settled in Nashua and engaged in the 
 grocery business. Joined John G. Foster Post, No. 7, G. 
 A. R. in 1874. Was elected its commander in 1887 : was 
 chief marshal on Memorial Day in 1888 ; was elected 
 president of the Eighth New Hampshire Veterans' Associ- 
 ation in 1886, and has held that office until the present 
 time, 1891 ; also chosen treasurer of the Regimental 
 Historical Association, helping in a large degree to raise 
 the funds necessary to write and print this history of the 
 " Old Eighth." 
 
 Corporal J. F. Chandler writes that Company D was 
 under command of Captain Williamson, who was detailed 
 for scouting duty. He often acted as a kind of aid to said 
 Williamson. On the forenoon of the 8th -of April they 
 rode forward upon a road running parallel with the road to 
 Mansfield, until they reached the Bayou Pierre road, pass- 
 ing at right angles. Off" on that road Captain Williamson 
 and Chandler went some distance and back again, then 
 forward into the woods. The two dismounting then went 
 still further on, some forty rods, when they came to a clear- 
 ing where at a house some rebel generals and staffs were 
 probably at lunch. That being about noon, the body guard 
 was lying about on the grass and their horses feeding. 
 Captain Williamson made the remark, "the company 
 could easily capture them, but it would not do as we could 
 not get them safely away." Comrade Chandler says that 
 he lost track of the company after the surprise spoken 
 of by Comrade Woods. Then went back and staid in 
 support of Company F, U. S. Artillery. 
 
 Abbut 3 p. M. a large body of men in our uniform came 
 out of the woods in front and fired into our force from not 
 twenty-five yards distance. They instantly disappeared 
 and the regular rebels charged right over the fence 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 417 
 
 behind which the Union troops were. He soon found 
 himself near the junction of the Bayou Pierre and Mans- 
 field roads, and was immediately pressed into a squadron 
 of cavalry made up of odds and ends collected by one 
 of General Banks' staff, and ordered to charge the enemy 
 down the Mansfield road ; then ordered back and he was 
 then sent out in charge of a "conglomerate mess" to 
 scout on our extreme left where was old growth of pine 
 timber ; soon found themselves cut off and retreated 
 almost in the rebel line of battle to a large brook. 
 There a short council was held to see if it was best to 
 surrender or run the gauntlet between the brook and the 
 rebel line. Concluded to run it. Chandler being in 
 command, ordered the attempt and they went through com- 
 paratively safe, and afterwards met some army corps yell- 
 ing, "We have got 'em." His squad, it being near night, 
 got separated. He could find nothing of our regiment, 
 and going off the road into the woods he tied the bridle 
 rein to his wrist and lay down and slept. At about 4 a. m., 
 his horse awoke him by whinnying. He saw cavalry 
 going by and going in soon found himself in the midst of 
 rebel cavalry, but it being dark, he was not found out till 
 near the front, when he had to "let out" to get away, 
 which he did after a lively chase of two miles. He then 
 reached a creek where baggage wagons had broken down 
 and were on fire. Had a good drink ; so did horse, and a 
 feed on oats. Took about a half a bushel in a bag and a 
 ham on the saddle; more rebels hove in sight — had a 
 running fight till he passed around the right flank of our 
 army and joined Company D on top of Pleasant Hill about 
 II A. M. on the 9th, and divided up the oats and ham with 
 Lieut. Jim Miles and the boys, which fodder was all the 
 rations we got for a long time. 
 
 Comrade Chandler in another letter adds, in regard to 
 going out on the Bayou Pierre road, which, according 
 to Gen. R. B. Irwin, runs in that direction towards the 
 
 27 
 
4i8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 North, the troops on the Mansfield road coming from the 
 East, that he and Captain WilHamson came to a log hut 
 where, personating rebels, they asked an eighteen-year- 
 old girl if she had " seen any Yanks round." " No," she 
 said that she had " never seen a Yank " and she called her 
 " Paw" out. He, apparently, was an old soldier, wounded 
 and on furlough and crutches. The girl hadn't "ever 
 been to Sabine Cross Roads," but the old man had trav- 
 eled and seen Yanks. Didn't seem to take much stock in 
 this brace of Yanks before him ; said that a " right smart 
 lot" of their men had gone by there that morning, and he 
 asked quite a lot of leading questions, easily enough 
 answered by the captain, but the two decided not to run 
 into a mob of rebels alone, so they got back to the com- 
 pany in the road, and there met the " surprise" related by 
 Comrade B. S. Woods. Chandler sets this at near 2 p. m. 
 Our genial comrade. Corporal Jacob F. Chandler, de- 
 serves the honor of the record that he was detailed to 
 bring to Concord the national flag at the final muster out 
 of the veterans, and, too. Corporal Frank Sleeper of 
 Company G, by detail, brought home the state colors. 
 
 By Lieut. J. J. Nolan, letter extract: 
 
 Our Company K was officered by Capt. Cornelius 
 Healy, ist Lieut. Frank Connor, 2d Lieut. J. J. Nolan. 
 The day before the batde of Sabine Cross Roads, Com- 
 pany K was sent out on the right flank and after a sharp 
 skirmish, drove off" an attacking body of rebs. It was 
 then ordered to act as body guard to Brig. -Gen. Dudley. 
 At 3 p. M. it rejoined the regiment. 
 
 Lieutenant Nolan has read Brevet Gen. W. J. Land- 
 rum's article in the "National Tribune," and is naturally 
 indignant, and declares in regard to that general's criticism 
 of General Lee, viz. : "That he, Lee, would only use the 
 infantry that he called for, as an excuse to forge recklessly 
 ahead, and bring on a general engagement " (which Lee 
 himself says was against his express orders); "that a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 419 
 
 man, a soldier, and most decidedly an officer, loyal to the 
 core, will, without carping at the orders or actions of their 
 superiors follow their instructions to the death." He says : 
 
 At about 5 p. M. on the 8th, we retreated to our horses, 
 numbers of which we found had been appropriated by this 
 very advanced infantry which had ridden them to the rear. 
 Mine was among the missing, and my temper went with 
 my lost horse — the air was blue. We were ordered to the 
 rear of Nims' battery, where we formed in rear of Gen. 
 Banks and staff. We there remained until Gen. Banks 
 ordered us to fall back to a stone wall immediately in front 
 of Gen. Emory's corps, which was lying behind that and 
 another parallel with it, a road running between the two. 
 
 In justice to the Thirteenth Army Corps detachment, it 
 is well to say that they were not under the command of 
 their old and favorite officer, viz., Maj.-Gen. John A. Mc- 
 Clernand, in whom they had entire confidence, but who 
 was at the time at the headquarters of Thirteenth Army 
 Corps in Texas. "The retreat of our regiment," says 
 Lieutenant Nolan, " was in good order. We fell back 
 slowly, and fighting the whole distance." 
 
 In regard to the retrograde movement. Adj. T. C. Pres- 
 cott agrees with Lieutenant Nolan. He writes that " we 
 fell back slowly, forming and fighting the rebels at short 
 intervals, retreating only when there was evident danger of 
 being flanked and cut off; and this was done by detach- 
 ments rather than as a solid united regiment. We at 
 least did as well as any. Officers of Western regiments, 
 invariably tell me of the broken condition on that retreat." 
 Lieutenant Nolan reports that General Emory soon or- 
 dered Major Connelly to form on his right. He did so, 
 and held his position until finally ordered to the rear to 
 guard trains. 
 
 Lieutenant Miles, in command of Company D, writes 
 that in regard to the foregoing " we (Company D) went 
 as far to the front as any one went that was not taken 
 
420 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 prisoner. There was a road that ran at right angles 
 with the one that we were on, and the rebel army was 
 massed on that road, and when we came to the edge of 
 the woods. Captain Williamson stopped and said that the 
 rebel headquarters was but a few rods from us." 
 
 The road that Company D went to the front on is, by 
 rebel account, two miles to the right of the Mansfield 
 road and parallel with it. The charge by Major Con- 
 nelly was up to and upon the one which Lieutenant Miles 
 speaks of as running at right angles to Company D's 
 advance. Comrade B. S. Woods says that Company D 
 went beyond the Bayou Pierre road, then back and turned 
 into it, and had that partial lunch which was broken up. 
 This place was probably nearly a mile to the right of the 
 point where the charge of our regiment proper was made. 
 Lieutenant Miles says that Major Connelly greeted him 
 in the evening on his return with, " Bedad, I thought you 
 and all of ye were dead, or gone with the rest to Texas." 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 421 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Account of the Battle by Gen. Dick Taylor, C. S. A. — His Official Re- 
 port. — Chaplain lost Gold and Pictures. — ^ Banks' Report. — Re- 
 treat to Pleasant Hill. — The Nineteenth Array Corps. — Start for 
 Grand Ecore. — C. S. A. Kirby Smith to General Cooper. — Tay- 
 lor to Boggs. — Casualties. — General Lee and Colonel Dudley 
 relieved. — Chandler's Mule. — For Alexandria. — Cane River 
 Battle. — Monett's Ferry. — C. S. A. General Taylor complains of 
 General Smith. — Colonel Chrysler Compliments the Second New 
 Hampshire. — Occupy Henderson's Hill. — Nolan's Ride to the 
 Rear. — On the March as Rearguard. ;; — At Alexandria. — Corporal 
 J. F. Chandler, Personal. — Scout up the River. — "Snaggy Point." 
 — Back to Camp. — Two Days' Scouting down River. — Gunboats 
 stuck above the Dam. — Banks' Report. — A Slight Review. — The 
 Efficiency of "Irregular Cavalry." — Condition of Second New 
 Hampshire. — Friction between Generals Banks and Smith. 
 
 For a better understanding of the battle of Sabine Cross 
 Roads we here insert an account from the Confederate 
 Gen. Richard Taylor's " Personal Experiences of the 
 Late War": 
 
 Leaving Gen. Green, I returned to Mansfield, stopping 
 on the road to select my ground for to-morrow (the 8th of 
 April). This was in the edge of a wood fronting an open 
 field, eight hundred yards in width by twelve hundred in 
 length, through the centre of which the road to Pleasant 
 Hill passed. On the opposite side of the field was a fence 
 separating it from the pine forest, which, open on the 
 higher ground and filled with underwood on the lower, 
 spread over the country. The position was three miles in 
 front of Mansfield and covered a cross road leading to 
 Sabine. On either side of the main Mansfield, Pleasant 
 Hill road at two miles distance -was a road parallel to it 
 and connected by this Sabine cross-road. My troops 
 
422 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 reached the position in front of Sabine cross-road at an 
 early hour on the morning of the 8th, and were disposed 
 as follows : On the right of the road to Pleasant Hill, 
 Walker's infantry division of three brigades with two bat- 
 teries ; on the left, Mouton's, of two brigades and two bat- 
 teries. As Green's men (composed of three brigades of 
 cavalry, under Generals Bee, Major, and Bagby) came 
 in, they took position dismounted, on Mouton's left. A 
 regiment of horse was posted in each of the -parallel roads 
 mentioned, and Debray's cavalr}' with McMahon's bat- 
 tery, held in reserve on the main road. Dense forest pre- 
 vented the employment of much artillery, and with the 
 exception of McMahon's, which rendered excellent ser- 
 vice, none was used in the action. I had on the field 
 5,300 infantry, 3,000 horse, and 500 artillery men; in 
 all 8,800 men, a very full estimate, and on the morrow, 
 Churchill, with 4,400 muskets, would be up. 
 
 The enemy showing no disposition to advance, at 4 p. m., 
 I ordered a forward movement of my whole line. The 
 ardor of Mouton's troops, especially the Louisianians, 
 could not be restrained by their officers. Crossing the 
 field under a heavy fire of artillery and small arms, the 
 division reached the fence, paused a moment to draw 
 breath, then rushed into the wood on the enemy. Here 
 our loss was severe. Gen. Mouton was killed, as were 
 Colonels Armand, Beard, and Walker, commanding the 
 iSth Crescent, and 28th La. regiments of Gray's brigade. 
 Major of the " Crescent" also fell, and Lieut.-Col. Clark 
 of same regiment was mortally wounded. Adj. Black- 
 man seized the colors and led on the men. Polignac's 
 men at Gray's left, also suffered heavily. Col. Noble, 
 17th Texas, was also killed. Polignac in command 
 pressed steadily forward. Randall's brigade supported 
 him on the right, while Major's dismounted men, retarded 
 by the dense wood, gradually turned the enemy's right, 
 which was forced back with loss of prisoners and guns. 
 On the right of the main road. Gen. Walker, with Waul's 
 and Scurry's brigades, encountered but little resistance 
 until he had crossed the open field and entered the wood. 
 Finding that he had outflanked the enemy's left, he kept 
 his right brigade (Scurry's) advanced and swept every- 
 thing before him. The first Federal line, consisting of all 
 the mounted force and one division of the 13th Army 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 423 
 
 Corps, was in full flight, leaving prisoners, guns, and 
 wagons in our hands. Two miles in the rear of the first 
 position, the 2d division of the 13th Corps was brought up, 
 but was speedily routed, losing guns and prisoners, and 
 our advance continued. Near sunset, four miles from our 
 original position, the 19th Army Corps was found drawn 
 up on a ridge overlooking a small stream. Fatigued and 
 distressed by their long advance through dense wood, my 
 men made no impression for a time on this fresh body of 
 troops, but possession of the water w^s all important, for 
 there was none other between this and Mansfield. 
 Walker, Green, and Polignac led on their weary men and 
 I rode down to the stream. There was some sharp work, 
 but we persisted, the enemy fell back, and the stream was 
 held just as twilight faded into darkness. 
 
 Sitting by my camp fire to await the movement of Chur- 
 chill's column, I was saddened by the recollection of the 
 many dead, and the pleasure of victory was turned to 
 grief as I counted the fearful cost at which it had' been 
 won. The Louisianians were acquaintances, neighbors, 
 many, friends ; above all, the death of the gallant Mouton, 
 affected me. Our total loss during the campaign, in 
 killed, wounded, and missing, was 3,376. 
 
 Vol. 34, part I, 563. Gen. R. Taylor's official report. 
 As this report gives some Taylorized information, it is 
 important : 
 
 Shreveport, La., April 18, 1864. 
 
 At Mansfield on April 7th, I announced to Dept. Head- 
 quarters my intention to fight a general engagement the 
 next day, if the enemy advanced in force, unless ordered 
 positively not to do so. On 8th, soon after our troops were 
 in position, our cavalry was rapidly driven in; on our 
 left, a body of the enemy s cavalry following hard upon 
 ours, ran into the line of the i8th La. and was destroyed 
 (as he thought). I found the enemy was weakening his 
 left and massing on his right to turn me. At 4 p. m., 
 becoming impatient at the delay of the enemy in develop- 
 ing his attack, I ordered Mouton to open the attack from 
 the left. Seven standard bearers fell, one after another, 
 with the flag of the Crescent Regiment, but every line 
 that the enemy formed was swept away ; every gun taken 
 
424 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 that was put in position. The 19th Corps, though fresh, 
 shared the fate of the 13th! Nothing could arrest the 
 ardor of our troops. We camped on the creek at water, 
 as night fell. The conduct of our troops was beyond all 
 praise. There was no straggling, no plundering. The 
 vast captured property was quietly taken to Mansfield and 
 turned over untouched to the proper officers. Daylight 
 on the 9th, found every man at his post, and the pursuit 
 was taken up with full ranks. The village of Mansfield 
 was the scene of order and quiet — not a straggler to be 
 seen on the 8th or 9th. The citizens assured me that but 
 for the sound of the guns, they might have supposed peace 
 to reign in the land. During the fight of the 9th, the 
 fresh troops of the i6th and 17th Corps (Federal) held 
 their ground manfully — the continuity of our line was 
 lost, and at nightfall I withdrew to avoid additional con- 
 fusion. With 12,000 men, we came near capturing a 
 majority of the 20,000 opposed to us ! 
 
 As the Second New Hampshire had done enough at the 
 front on the 8th of April, it was not brought into the battle 
 of Pleasant Hill on the 9th, so it is not our province to 
 recount it, but in serial 61 (part i , 607 ) we find how the C. S. 
 A. General Bee was, as he says, " astonished" at the bril- 
 liant defence by the Federals. When they ran against 
 Emory at the head of the Nineteenth Army Corps they 
 encountered an enemy that remained to be whipped, but 
 never was. When they at night recoiled and retreated, 
 they left prisoners and cannon with the Union forces. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 April 1 2th. In the field at Grand Ecore, diary lost from 
 5th to date. By recollection, on the 7th in saddles at 5 
 A. M., raining. At Pleasant Hill hear firing ; reg't goes on 
 in haste. Maj. Connelly tells me that they are out on a 
 skirmish and I had better return. Stop at Mrs. Childers ; 
 the family is Methodist. Union now. Move on seven 
 miles, camp, a dark, wet night, tent with Capts. Locke 
 and King. 
 
 Friday, April 8th. Clear and windy, marched at seven, 
 I am asked to ride with Col. Dudley's staflf to help pro- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 425 
 
 tect the flag of the Fourth Brigade. Our regiment 
 ordered out as " flankers "-;— a dangerous but honorable 
 place. Battle began soon after noon. It was an awful and 
 sublime sCene. Late in p. m. pushed back to our hospital 
 where I stopped with wounded men until I was nearly 
 taken. 
 
 April 9th. Up at 5 a, m., having rested two hours. 
 Someone kindly gave me a blanket ; mine are gone save 
 a tattered rubber one, also on the captured trains I lost my 
 valise and papers, gold for present use, my fine book of 
 autographs and pictures, together with the miniature 
 painting on ivory of my grandfather. Col. Joseph Cilley of 
 the Revolution, but the soldiers' money in my inside shirt's 
 inside pocket is safe and, too, I have the gold pen given 
 me by Col. Fearing. One of the serious losses from the 
 baggage train was that of the (old) regimental flags ; that 
 is irreparable, but is better than as if lost in action. 
 
 General Banks' report, i, 183 : 
 
 At night our position was lour miles at the rear of the 
 battlefield of the morning of April 8th. Anticipating an 
 attack, we must either wait for Gen. Smith's forces or fall 
 back to meet him. The want of water, the weakness of 
 the position we held, and the uncertainty of Gen. Smith's 
 arriving at daybreak, led to the second course. By day- 
 light we took position, joining the forces of Gen. Smith 
 at Pleasant Hill. The plain here is about a mile square 
 with residences at its borders backed by woodland. The 
 enemy began the attack at 5 a. m., and the battle lasted till 
 9 in the evening. Finally the enemy fled precipitately 
 through the woods to the right. We recaptured three 
 pieces of cannon, and took 500 prisoners. The rout of the 
 enemy was complete but we found ourselves without rations 
 and without water. To clear the field, the trains had been 
 sent to the rear. The exhausted wells aff"orded no water 
 for man or beast for miles around. The whole force of 
 the enemy engaged was 22,000 (13,200) ; ours, 15,000. 
 
 Prescott's letter, evening of the 8th : 
 
 In this gradual retreat in the heavy timber, our regiment 
 became somewhat broken and scattered ; in fact men from 
 diff"erent regiments and States found themselves uniting 
 
426 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to resist the advance of the enemy. A stand would be 
 made in a good position and held by a few hundred men 
 acting together until the fire became so hot in front and 
 flanks as to push them back. This continued until about 
 sundown, our forces being driven back to the line where 
 Emory's Division of the 19th Army Corps had advanced 
 to our help and had formed on the crest of a ridge bej-^ond 
 a narrow opening in the woods at a point called Pleasant 
 Grove. Our retreating troops passed through their lines 
 and as the rebels came on in pursuit, pressing us with 
 renewed vigor, and cheered on by their officers, a most 
 terrible volley was given them by Emory's troops which 
 made them recoil. Another and still another felled hun- 
 dreds to the ground and sent the force remaining down the 
 ridge across the clearing into the woods beyond. One 
 more attempt to charge up the hill was met with a like 
 result and their assaults were over for the night. 
 
 The casualties of the day in our regiment, as reported 
 by Major Connelly, were known to be, killed, four ; 
 wounded, twenty-one ; prisoners and missing, sixty ; 
 horses killed, one hundred and twelve. The regiment lost 
 also all its books, including a fine new set that Adjutant 
 Prescott, assisted by Sergt.-Maj. James Marshall had 
 made up during the winter in New Orleans ; all its papers, 
 muster rolls and blanks ;'all baggage, every blanket and all 
 clothing ; all cooking utensils and all rations. 
 
 Fell back to Pleasant Hill, fifteen miles, the march com- 
 mencing about ten o'clock and lasting until 4 a. m. on the 
 9th. It was a night of hard experience. The road was 
 rough in the extreme, the wagons and artillery were con- 
 stantly getting into holes and rough places, from which 
 they had to be lifted out, and in the darkness all was 
 confusion. The halt was made at Pleasant Hill in order 
 that the army stores and trains might be sent back safely 
 to the landing on the Red river at Grand Ecore, and 
 preparations were made to receive the enemy should they 
 attack. General Smith's force had arrived here and the 
 troops were rapidly placed in position. Our regiment was 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 427 
 
 designated as one of those to go with the trains, consider- 
 able force being necessary for their protection ; and, with- 
 out supper or breakfast, without rest or sleep, we started 
 in the early morning with the train for Grand Ecore, dis- 
 tant twenty-six miles. 
 
 Banks' report, i, 185 : 
 
 It was not until the 12th that we were absolutely assured 
 that the fleet and transports were safe, and protection and 
 supplies were to be relied on. After leaving Pleasant 
 Hill it was fifteen miles before any water was found. 
 
 E. Kirby Smith to Adjutant-General Cooper, C. S. A. : 
 
 April 12, 1864. The 13th Corps, Banks' command, was 
 signally defeated on the 8th three miles below Mansfield, 
 La. The 19th Corps, coming to its support, was repulsed 
 with loss and in disorder. 
 
 Part 1 , 476 : 
 
 Reinforced, the enemy made a stand in a strong position 
 at Pleasant Hill. Our troops attacked with impetuosity on 
 the afternoon of the 9th. The enemy were worsted and 
 retreated under cover of darkness. Our cavalry pursued 
 to Natchitoches. Our forces were under 16,000 in num- 
 ber, enemy's 28,000. Our loss was severe; over 2,000. 
 Gen. Mouton, Cols. Beard, Noble, Armand, Taylor and 
 Buchel among the casualties. Providence has given us a 
 signal and glorioiis victory. 
 
 April i6th, same : 
 
 I go to meet Steele, have appointed Taylor lieutenant 
 general over Magruder and Price. 
 
 Same, May 4, (i, 477), extracts : 
 
 The fruits of this brilliant campaign inaugurated at 
 Mansfield on the day of national fast and humiliation are, 
 under Providence, most glorious and satisfactory. We 
 regret the loss of Gens. Mouton and Greene and Scurry 
 and Randal. Our whole loss is 3,000; the enemy's, 
 14,000 ! 
 
428 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Same to President Davis (i, 482) : 
 
 Your telegram implies that I should have followed the 
 enemy's troops and prevented him from joining Grant or 
 Sherman. In answer, I say, I wrote to Taylor to choose a 
 position in which to fight and then move a reconnaissance 
 to compel him to show his infantry, and I would join him, 
 I hoped, with Churchill's force. Taylor's movement was 
 converted into a decisive engagement and a complete vic- 
 tory, but the next morning at Pleasant Hill the enemy's 
 superiority of numbers threw our troops into confusion. 
 The Missouri and Arkansas troops with a brigade of 
 Walker's division were broken and scattered. The enemy 
 recovered cannon and captured two of our pieces. To my 
 great relief I found that they had fallen back through the 
 night, they intrenched at Grand Ecore. So, why did we not 
 pursue? I answer, because our troops were completely 
 ■paralyzed by the repulse at Pleasant Hill and, too, the cav- 
 alry with three days' fighting almost without food or for- 
 age. Before we could re-organize the enemy was ready 
 for us. If we could not whip him at Pleasant Hill in a 
 fair fight, it would have been madness to attack him at 
 Grand Ecore supported by the gunboats and, too, the coun- 
 try was stripped, and we could not sustain operations and 
 transport supplies trom Shreveport, one hundred miles. 
 It was hoped that the falls would detain Banks until I 
 could finish Steele. 
 
 Taylor to General Boggs, chief of staff C. S. A. 
 (i> 527): 
 
 Mansfield, La., April 8, 1864, 10.30 p. m. 
 I have the honor to report that the fighting continued till 
 night. The fight then for water was very severe ; repulsed 
 and drove back the 19th Corps (the skirmish line). 
 Our loss in officers has been severe. Churchill's and 
 Parson's divisions are fresh troops, shall order them to the 
 front to-morrow morning. 
 
 Same, April 9th, 7.20 a. m. 
 
 The enemy are in full retreat. Came near capturing 
 Gen. Banks last evening. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 429 
 
 Same, April nth : 
 
 Should the remnant of Banks' army escape me I shall 
 deserve to wear a fool's cap for a helmet. I shall strike 
 for Algiers or New Orleans. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary : 
 
 April 9th, 1864. To Grand Ecore. All that day and 
 the next night the march was kept up with only temporary 
 halts for a few moments, and the onl}'^ food obtained was 
 from a box of hard crackers which somehow had been 
 procured, each man taking a few at the roadside as he 
 passed. Some who were fortunate enough to procure a 
 little corn in the poor country through which we passed, 
 for the feed of the horses, were glad to eat the same raw 
 rations. One would hold an ear of corn down to his 
 horse's mouth while on the march, and the horse would 
 take a bite, then the rider would gnaw the same cob. 
 
 We arrived at Grand Ecore on Sunday morning, the 
 loth of April, in an exhausted and deplorable condition, 
 and a breakfast was never better relished by a body of 
 worn men, than that one by our regiment. We remained 
 here several days, constructed an abattis and dug rifle pits. 
 Our whole front was fortified. Our brigade and especially 
 our regiment was on picket duty a large portion of the 
 time. 
 
 (1,260.) Official return of casualties at Sabine Cross 
 Roads and Pleasant Hill, La., April 8 and 9, 1864. 
 Compiled from nominal list furnished by General Frank- 
 lin. Extract, Second New Hampshire : 
 
 Killed, two enlisted men ; wounded, twenty-two enlisted 
 men ; captured or missing, one officer, thirty-one enlisted 
 men. Total, fifty-six. Total in 4th Brigade, two hundred 
 and thirty. 
 
 It is certainly interesting to know Gen. Kirby Smith's 
 opinion of his generals. His letter to Inspector-General 
 Johnson is inserted (part 2, 869) : 
 
 Shreveport, Jan., 15, 1864. 
 My Dear Sir, — The government must not send me 
 any more cast off" material in shape of Brigadier-Generals 
 
430 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 in search of commands. I will drive worthless fellows to 
 their commands east of the Mississippi, by forcing muskets 
 into their hands. I want able support. Taylor is the 
 only district commander in whom I can rely. He is all I 
 could ask if he would forget his habits and training as a 
 politician. Gen. Holmes is a true patriot, but too old. 
 Price is not equal to the command, and I would regard it 
 as unfortunate were he to succeed to it. Magruder has 
 ability and great energy, but acts from impulse ; commits 
 follies and has an utter disregard for law. His selection 
 of agents is bad ; has no administrative abilities, although 
 active and persevering. He can command a corps, but 
 will not obey orders if he chooses so to do. I want a chief 
 of staff badly. I would like my medical director, Dr. S. 
 A. Smith, or a Major General ; either Buckner or Steven- 
 son ; they, 1 know, have fine administrative abilities. 
 
 Yours, 
 E. KiRBY Smith, 
 
 Gen. ComcTg. 
 
 Confederate. Taylor to Gen. S. Hooper at Richmond, 
 Va. : 
 
 Headquarters 
 DisT. OF West Louisiana, Feb. 28, 1864. 
 General, — I have the honor to apply to be relieved from 
 duty in the Trans-Miss. Dept.^ As this is the first request 
 of a personal character I have made to the government, I 
 indulge the hope that it may be favorably considered. 
 
 Your Obt. Servt., 
 
 R. Taylor, 
 
 Major- General. 
 
 Headquarters , 
 Grand Ecore, April 18, 1864. 
 
 Field Orders, No. 23 : 
 
 Brig. -Gen. A. L. Lee is hereby relieved from command 
 of the Cavalry Division to assume charge of the Cavalry 
 Depot at New Orleans. Col. N. A. M. Dudley is relieved 
 from command of the 4th Brigade Cavalry Division, and 
 will report to Gen. Lee at New Orleans for duty. Col. 
 E. J. Davis, First Texas Cavalry, will at once assume 
 command of the 4th Brigade, Cavalry Division, now com- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 431 
 
 mandedby Colonel Dudley, 30th Mass. Vols. Brig.-Gen. 
 Arnold is hereby assigned temporarily, to the command of 
 all the cavalry with the army in the field. He will report 
 to Maj.-Gen. Franklin, Comd'g. 19th and detachment of 
 13th Army Corps. 
 
 By command of 
 
 Mai". -Gen. Banks. 
 Geo. B. Drake, A. A. G. 
 
 By Prescott, at Grand Ecore : 
 
 Our horses were saddled nearly every day and regiment 
 under fire at the picket line which was out from camp 
 about four miles. On the 15th of April, Sergt. McCarty 
 of Co. C was killed while on picket duty ; there were sev- 
 eral casualties of the same kind. The constant, the 
 almost unceasing exposure, danger and strain of this ser- 
 vice was hard on the regiment. On the i8th, Lieut. -Col. 
 Flanders returned from the North and took command of 
 the regiment and Maj. Connelly who had so ably and 
 faithfully commanded during the campaign, being worn 
 down by exposure, was allowed to go on board one of the 
 transports in the river to rest and recuperate. Gen. Lee 
 was now relieved from command ; also Col. Dudley — 
 both to report in New Orleans. Capt. Healy returned to 
 regiment from a short leave of absence. 
 
 From Chandler, letter extract : 
 
 Grand Ecore, April 18, 1864. 
 I am in first-rate health and alive, as you know. The 
 newspapers have probably told you of our advance and 
 retreat before this reached you. I have been skirmishing 
 all the time since I last wrote you, and got through three 
 battles. The first one was the last of March near Natchi- 
 toches, which name is curiously pronounced " Nag-e- 
 tosh," a good word, as Dr. Holmes would say, to " poot 
 aeout" in a spelling match. The second was on April 
 2d, and in both we drove them, but on the 8th we got 
 badly whipped, and driven here on the triple quick. 
 " Tommy," my charger, saved me at the last. Our Gen- 
 eral Dudley made a big farewell speech to us last night, 
 and gave the regiment a good deal of praise. It wont 
 probably come on to us in any " General Orders" so I'll 
 
432 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 give it to you. He said that if it had not been for the 
 2d N. H., his brigade would have been taken prisoners, 
 and if it had not been for his brigade, the whole of Banks' 
 army would have been destroyed. 
 
 Gen. Lee has been out with a flag of truce, and it is 
 agreed on both sides to stop firing on pickets. I hope that 
 they will stick to it. 
 
 Later. Letter extract, J. F. Chandler : 
 
 I have not told you all about my wonderful horse 
 " Tommy " ; some must keep until I get home. He came 
 to a sad but glorious end, for he " died in the harness." 
 
 We had quite a fight just before we got to Alexandria ; 
 we were in it about five hours, when the noise began to 
 lull, and it was necessary to know if the enemy were still 
 hidden behind clumps of bushes at some distance. Instead 
 of fences here, it is common to see large hedges of wild 
 white rose bushes about eight feet high and six feet wide, 
 so thick that one cannot see through them, and nothing 
 bigger than a rat could hardly get through them. Our 
 squadron was in a road which was lined by such a hedge 
 on both sides for a long distance. While the rest of the 
 regiment was deployed off in the field, I started up the 
 road alone to try to see the Johnnies, and had reached a 
 bend in the road, when six men jumped out of the bushes 
 and all fired .at me, but only one bullet took effect, and 
 that struck " Tommy " just behind my leg and went clear 
 through him. I being of no further use there, Tommy 
 carried me three miles to the rear, where I let him die in 
 peace. 
 
 Chandler out of a ride. 
 
 After I lost my pet horse " Tommy," I transferred the 
 saddle and equipments to my own back and started out to 
 get another conveyance. The first thing that I secured 
 was a mild-eyed mule. He never hardly winked while I 
 was decorating him with Uncle Sam's equipments, and I 
 feared that he might be a back date affair and moderate 
 in his movements ; but I was destined to a very large sur- 
 prise on landing on his back in position for a forward 
 movement. He humped it up like a cat seeing a dog at 
 short notice, and placing his four feet all together, made a 
 " merry-go-round," and with the artificial elevation he had 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 433 
 
 secured for me, I was without any effort on my part, in a 
 position to view the whole world about one thousand times 
 a minute ; that is, had I been in a calm state of mind ; but 
 when he assumed the opposite position with his body and 
 instantly with a sudden snap resumed the hump attitude 
 higher than ever, I had an extended view of millions of 
 planets. Our combined efforts brought out more applause 
 from the mixed audience that witnessed it than I ever 
 heard before, and to secure it all to myself I removed from 
 the mule my rig and then shot him in the head. The 
 leaden missile seemed to produce an effect, for when I left 
 him he was kicking the air against all time and all pre- 
 vious records. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary : 
 
 On the 2 1 St of April, the army moved from Grand 
 Ecore in the direction of Alexandria, going through 
 Natchitoches and down Cane River. Most of the troops 
 and all the train moved on the road running on the north 
 side of the river, while our regiment was on the south side. 
 We left camp at 5 p. m., and marched continuously till 
 four the next morning, when we halted and had a short 
 rest. At six o'clock, following, the march was resumed 
 and almost immediately skirmishing with the enemy com- 
 menced. We now crossed Cane river at a ford and halted 
 for the infantry to proceed on the march while we skir- 
 mished with the enemy until dark. The regiment was 
 under arms all .that night, close to the rebel force and 
 about eight miles from the ford. At six o'clock on the 
 morning of the 23d the march again commenced, the 
 enemy opening fire immediately on our rear. Gooding's 
 brigade of cavalry was on the road some distance to the 
 left. The rebel fire became hotter and was increased with 
 artillery on our left flank. Gen. Banks ordered back a 
 force of infantry and artillery, and the firing became gen- 
 eral and heavy., Our brigade pressed further into the 
 woods, passed down through a swamp to Cane river below 
 the ford, and by rapid marching arrived in time to prevent 
 the force of the enemy on that side from crossing and join- 
 ing their main body. Our regiment was now under fire 
 from two directions, but the position was held and the 
 enemy forced back from the river. The day was a trying 
 one for all engaged, and with the exception of a hurried 
 
434 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 and scanty breakfast, we had no food during those long 
 weary hours. 
 
 Lieut. T. M. Shattuck's diary : 
 
 April 2 1 St. Fall back towards Alexandria. The sutler 
 gets no transportation and burns his tent — on through 
 Natchitoches. 
 
 2 2d. Slept about an hour — crossed Cane river — found 
 enemy in small force, deployed to left — drove them; 
 rainy — went into camp ; no forage and small rations. 
 
 23d. At daylight raining ; skirmishing in front. Started 
 out 3d in line ; the artillery opened — went on through 
 the woods and swamp about three miles and turned the 
 enemy's right flank at the ford. Col. Birge turned their 
 left and they retreated. We camped at the ford. 
 
 Colonel Gooding's report, i, 469 : 
 
 On the 22d of April, while marching on the enemy, he 
 retired toward Cloutierville, and at the same time I dis- 
 covered a large body of cavalry coming down the road on 
 the opposite side of Cane river and placed my command 
 in position to receive them. Fortunately I discovered in 
 time to prevent accident, that, ft was the 4th Brigade of 
 our cavalry division under Col. Davis. Leaving this bri- 
 gade at the crossing I proceeded toward Cloutierville and 
 drove in the enemy's pickets and discovered him already 
 on my flanks. I ordered up the Fourth Brigade and the 
 enemy retired, followed by my advance. 
 
 Itinerary of cavalry division, April 23 (i, 446) : 
 
 The enemy was found in force on the bluff at Monett's 
 Ferry, Cane river. Gen. Arnold with the Third, Fourth 
 and Fifth Brigades supported by a detachment of 19th A. 
 C. were ordered to attack and dislodge the force in front. 
 Fighting commenced at daylight and continued till 4 p. m. 
 when the enemy was routed and the army began to cross 
 Cane river. 
 
 C. S. A. General Taylor's report (i, 580) : 
 
 Gen. Bee with four brigades and three batteries holds 
 Monett's Ferry, and up to 12 m. 23d repulsed the Fed- 
 erals. If my orders are carried out the enemy will suffer. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 435 
 
 24th. The enemy has escaped through four errors of 
 Gen. Bee. He has displayed great personal gallantry, 
 but no generalship. 
 
 Bee says (i, 614) : 
 
 I held the position against an immense force, under 
 seven hours' continuous fire, and yielded with no loss of 
 honor. I demand a court of inquiry. 
 
 J. G. Meem, aide-de-camp, answers : 
 
 The General Commanding, directs me to state that your 
 defense was that of a brave and gallant soldier ; further 
 defense was impracticable. 
 
 C. S. A. extracts, June 5, 1864 (i, 547) : 
 
 Gen. Dick Taylor complains to Gen. E. Kirby Smith 
 that at Monett's Ferry, Cane river, the Federals admit that 
 a few hours more delay would have led to the destruction 
 of their army. These advantages were all thrown 
 away. Our material of war is exhausted. Our men 
 are broken down with long marches, 1,000 of our best 
 officers and men were sacrificed. The roads to St. 
 Louis and New Orleans should now be open to us. Your 
 strategy has riveted the fetters on both. You marched 
 after the comparatively insignificant force of Gen. Steele. 
 I have felt it my duty to throw myself between you and 
 popular indignation. I tell you the truth, if not, the grave 
 errors that you have committed may be repeated. I wish 
 to be relieved from serving under you. 
 
 C. S. A. extracts (i, S49), General Orders, No. 18 : 
 
 Shreveport, April 19, 1864. 
 God has blessed our arms with signal victories. You 
 have driven in confused flight from the battlefield the 
 boastful minions of despotism. The names of Mansfield 
 and Pleasant Hill will be inscribed on the colors of the 
 regiments engaged in those battles. 
 
 Gen. E. K. Smith, Comd^g. 
 
 By Lieutenant Newhall, letter : 
 
 You ask about Chrysler. I remember that when we 
 filed up into the woods at the Cane River fight, after we 
 had crossed the river, that Chrysler's Regiment (Second 
 
436 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 New York Veteran Cavalry) was formed on our right 
 and he said that with his " and Second New Hampshire 
 he could lick — out of any force that undertook to drive us 
 out." Chrysler was a keener on a fight, we all liked him. 
 
 Lieutenant Shattuck's diary : 
 
 Sunday, April 24th. Up at daylight. Crossed over 
 and got rations on the road in the woods. Took the cut 
 off road and occupied Henderson's Hill in advance of the 
 column. The regiment was on duty all night. The 
 enemy is burning all before them ; fires in all directions. 
 
 By Adjutant Prescott : 
 
 At six o'clock, 24th, every man was in his saddle ready 
 for work. Our regiment was ordered to take a short cut 
 to Henderson's Hill, a considerable elevation at the termi- 
 nation of the heavy forests of the Red River section, and 
 to occupy and hold that position until the balance of the 
 brigade should arrive and before the enemy could get it 
 by any flank movement. It was an important point, and 
 if not held by us, it might cost a battle to get by it. At 
 noon we were in peaceable possession. At 2 p. m. the 
 balance of the brigade took favorable positions and we 
 were secure against the rebels. 
 
 Colonel Davis was anxious to inform General Emory 
 who was in command of a portion of the Nineteenth 
 Corps, some ten miles in the rear but the nearest of any 
 of our forces on retreat, that he had possession of the Hill, 
 and requested that some officer of the Second New Hamp- 
 shire should take a despatch to him. Lieutenant Nolan of 
 Company K volunteered to perform the service. Four 
 men were detailed to accompany him. They were all 
 well mounted and set out on their perilous mission. The 
 despatch was during the night safely delivered, and the 
 party safely returned. 
 
 Lieutenant Nolan's account of • his ride to the rear. 
 Letter extract : 
 
 After crossing of Cane river on retreat, we had a big 
 race with the rebs. to get to Henderson's Hill. Gen. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 437 
 
 Davis had called for volunteers to carry a despatch to 
 General Emory in the " Piney Woods," that he (Davis) 
 had the Hill and could hold it. Lieut. Thomas Prescott, 
 then adjutant, came to me and told me that Gen. Davis 
 asked for volunteers to carry the despatch and could thus 
 far get no one. He asked me if I would do it. I said, 
 "yes." " By order of Gen. Davis," said the Adjutant, 
 "You can pick your men and horses, no matter" if the 
 horses belong to commissioned officers, order them to dis- 
 mount, take their horses and start." I told Lieut. Prescott 
 to pick me out four good men with good horses ; that mine 
 would do me. He did so and the five of us started for the 
 "Piney Woods," distant, I should think, about eight or 
 ten miles ; at any rate, the record on time for distance was 
 broken. I left the four men behind, they not being able 
 to keep up. I found Gen. Emory and gave him the de- 
 spatch. He read it and said, rather talking to himself at 
 first, "Well done, Davis. Tell the men to fall in and move 
 on." Turning to me he said, " What is your name, offi- 
 cer? I am thankful fory our good news." He asked me 
 to take a drink of whiskey. I did not want to disobey, 
 and so drank his health. He signed his name to the envel- 
 ope and told me to give his compliments to Gen. Davis 
 and tell him he was on the march on his way back. 
 On the return I picked up four men and luckily, too, for we 
 met rebel stragglers in squads of three four and five and 
 had a few shots, but got back all right. 
 
 Lieutenant Prescott's diary : 
 
 Henderson's Hill, April 24th, 1864. Later in the day 
 the regiment went on picket in the woods a mile in the 
 direction of the Confederate approach. Early on the 
 morning of the 25th, it being ascertained that a large force 
 of the enemy was close to our position, we fell back to an 
 open field to the right of the Henderson place with a strong 
 picket line in front. At noon an attack came and soon the 
 whole regiment was fighting on foot in the woods. We 
 forced the enemy back, and at 3 p. m., as most of the 
 army had passed down the valley we were recalled to the 
 brigade. An hour later we vacated the Hill, our brigade 
 being assigned the important position of covering the rear 
 of the army, and our regiment was placed in the extreme 
 
438 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 rear next to the enemy. The Confederate forces immedi- 
 ately occupied the hill and commenced the pursuit. This 
 portion of the Red River valley was fair to look upon before 
 any military force marched through it. It was rich in 
 cotton and other plantation products, almost beyond 
 expression. Large barns and cotton-houses dotted the 
 valley, filled to the roofs with unginned cotton. But as 
 our army passed down, this beautiful valley was trans- 
 formed into a smoking ruin. Not a cotton-barn that could 
 safely be reached from our road, escaped the torch, and 
 many of the dwelling houses showed the same fate. The 
 smoke from the slowly burning cotton filled the valley, 
 and was almost stifling to the rear portion of the army. 
 For miles to the south, this picture of desolation met the 
 eye, and in our rear was another picture presented, more 
 sickening than that in front. The people still remaining, 
 and especially the colored portion, left the burning houses 
 and cabins with such household effects as they could 
 carry, and hundreds of them fell in the rear of our column 
 vainly endeavoring to keep up with the army. The pur- 
 suing rebels were close behind them steadily gaining on 
 them and us, and but a short time could elapse before 
 fighting would commence by the opposing forces with 
 these poor creatures between the lines. Firing on our line 
 commenced by the time we were three or four miles from 
 the hill, and our regiment skirmished with the advance of 
 the enemy until dark. Just before our firing ceased we 
 forced them back some distance, and there our skirmish 
 line became the picket for the night. Every man not 
 required for the picket posts slept on his arms in readiness 
 for an attack which was expected any moment. About 
 midnight, there being fear that our right flank might be 
 turned, we were ordered to push our pickets out a quarter 
 of a mile further into the woods. This was a duty full of 
 danger, in view of the fact that the enemy might be met 
 at any step, but it was accompanied without a murmur, 
 the men responding promptly to the detail, and the adju- 
 tant volunteering to station personally, every post. 
 
 Before daylight our pickets were in readiness for attack, 
 and firing commenced as soon as the men of the two lines 
 could see each other. We fell back slowly and in order, 
 giving the infantry time to make some advance. At nine 
 o'clock we were relieved and joined the brigade in column. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 439 
 
 Later in the day we were ordered back to assist the regi- 
 ment in the rear to repel an attack, and were under fire 
 for some time. That night we bivouacked eight miles 
 from Alexandria. 
 
 Lieutenant Shattuck's diary : 
 
 April 26th. Went to the regiment. They were put in 
 the rear and skirmished until their ammunition gave out. 
 They were relieved by the 6th Mass., and I went for the 
 ammunition wagon. Crossed the bridge and camped. 
 
 Wed. 27th. Sharp firing in front all the forenoon. 
 About 3 p. M. the enemy got up their artillery and we fell 
 back about a mile to the next bayou ; camped and kept 
 the teams close by. The gunboats are playing on the 
 rebs., who are close on to us. 
 
 Thurs. 28th. Got out two days' rations of beef, pork, 
 rice, and beans and issued them. At 10 o'clock the rebels 
 came on in force, sent the teams to the rear — skirmished 
 with them all day and fell back to the infantry. The 
 infantry and battery left us to fight them alone, which we 
 did and camped on the field. 
 
 29th. Gen. McClermand came up but left in a hurry, 
 as the balls flew too thick. Got orders to go on a two 
 days' scout, but bridge was not ready to cross on. 
 
 30th. Started again at 6 a. m. Waited till ten at pon- 
 toon bridge. No forage on the road. Ran into 500 reb- 
 els ; took 30 prisoners. Got back at 5 p. m. 
 
 Lieutenant Prescott's diary : 
 
 On the morning of April 27th, "Boots and saddles" 
 sounded at daylight, and soon we were in line ready for 
 an attack. An assault had been made on the picket line, 
 and a brisk skirmish ensued, continuing for two hours, but 
 there was no general attack. Regiment fell back a mile 
 and stopped for the day. During the night fell back 
 another mile, and early on the morning of the 28th, before 
 daylight, the enemy fired on the pickets. They drove in 
 our outposts. Their force increased, and soon the whole 
 brigade was engaged. Their numbers exceeded ours, 
 and they had several pieces of artillery to assist them ; 
 consequently our brigade, being without support, after 
 heavy fighting, was forced to fall back. Later, some 
 infantry coming up to our support, not finding the situation 
 
440 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 congenial, retreated, leaving a quantity of rations. These 
 we appropriated for supper, and they came very conven- 
 iently as our teams had been hurried to the rear and did 
 not return. 
 
 We held the field at night, having been under fire all 
 day, and we took the picket line until next morning. Our 
 position on the morning of April 29 was two and a half 
 miles from Alexandria. At daylight they opened again 
 till 8 A. M., when they sent in a flag of truce to make 
 enquiries about exchange of prisoners. The balance of 
 the brigade now moved back beyond the town, leaving 
 here the regiment alone. At 9 a. m., rebels opened fire 
 again and kept it up all day. We held the ground against 
 superior numbers. Our carbines here, as many times 
 before, gave us an advantage. They were of as long 
 range as the average muskets of the enemy, and our men 
 could shoot four times to their once. At dark we were 
 relieved and went into camp hoping for a night of rest. 
 This hope was delusion, however, for almost immediatelv 
 on arriving in camp we got orders to march "at midnight 
 on a scouting expedition across the Red river. We 
 moved out promptly at 12, and back again at daylight as 
 the bridge was not in order for crossing the horses. We 
 started again at eight o'clock a. m., April 30, crossed the 
 river at ten, and moved up the road three miles from the 
 city, past the Military Institute where Gen. Sherman was 
 once a professor. The infantry stopped there, and our 
 brigade pushed on twenty-four miles further up the river, 
 meeting with little resistance and halting at 8 p. m. for the 
 night. The next day, Sunday, May ist, we marched 
 early for Alexandria, came upon a small retreating force. 
 When about half way back, we encountered a force esti- 
 mated at 2,000 of the enemy, which fell back from our 
 front and to our left flank. We made an attempt to cap- 
 ture their wagons, but did not succeed. They attacked 
 our rear, but were repulsed. 
 
 Our regiment loss was two wounded. W^e captured 
 quite a number of rebels, and lost no men. At 4 p. m. we 
 recrossed the river and went into camp. 
 
 Part I, 63s : 
 
 Lieut. John R. Liddel was the commander of the rebel 
 force the}^ encountered as above, and his account of the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 441 
 
 affair is inserted. He was officially Brigadier-General 
 Provisional Army C. S. ; and the main action above 
 described, when "half way back" was at "Snaggy 
 Point," according to a number of comrades. General 
 Liddel was coming down to drive off the force at work on 
 the dam, but found that he wanted artillery to do that. 
 
 This is the Confederate account : 
 
 On the night of the 30th, the enemy moved out a bri- 
 gade of cavalry from Pineville, reported 2,000 strong, a 
 battery of artillery, followed by infantry, which last was 
 delayed on the road until the cavalry should get into posi-. 
 tion in niy rear. My command was then at Thornton's 
 place, on Bayou Rigolette. As soon as this movement to 
 attempt to capture mycommand was discovered, knowing 
 that the enemy would fall upon my camp early next 
 morning, I threw out two squadrons to find out his exact 
 locality and moving the remainder of my command under 
 cover of darkness by a detour to the left, about sunrise 
 next morning fell upon his rear at Hadnot's place, surpris- 
 ing him instead of being surprised. Attacking him on the 
 flank as well as rear, and charging him hotly, compelled 
 him to withdraw hastily and in confusion to Pineville, pur- 
 sued by a portion of my command. His infantry force 
 had not been able to come up, as the capture of a staft" offi- 
 cer of General Banks' prevented the order being conveyed 
 to it. The enemy's force was henceforth concentrated at 
 Alexandria, occupying both sides of the river, and 
 engaged in constructing works on the river for the passage 
 of the boats, his infantry from the transports and gunboats 
 guarding this operation being not far from 4,000 men. 
 Having no artillery, I was unable from this time to do 
 much more than skirmish with him- whenever opportunity 
 presented and observe his movements. 
 
 Lieut. D. B. Newhall reports that the rebels had, at the 
 time and place named, nearly surrounded us. Our regi- 
 ment and the Third Massachusetts charged back on them 
 and broke them up, then charged another line on our left 
 and drove them. Nat Kimball had his saddle girth shot off ; 
 also a shot went through the guidon which he was carry- 
 ing. Our department chaplain, James K. Ewer, then of the 
 
442 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Third Massachusetts Cavalry, was there wounded, and 
 says that that is the name, place, and date. 
 
 The force was our Fourth Brigade, Colonel Davis and 
 one section battery, two guns. Marched back some dis- 
 tance in form of hollow square, guns in the centre. 
 
 General Liddel was one who also had trouble with Gen. 
 Dick Taylor according to the report. Here is a little 
 friction which concerns us : 
 
 " Soon after I received a communication from him (Gen- 
 eral Taylor on the opposite side), stating that he had been 
 driven back from one point, repulsing the enemy at 
 another, desiring to hear the sound of my guns, and 
 ordering me to harass the enemy constantly at Pineville 
 and in their works at the falls, the failure to do so being 
 inexcusable, not to be overlooked by him, but would neces- 
 sitate a change in the command." General Liddel asks 
 to be relieved ; says, " The head quarters of the major- 
 general commanding was too far distant on the Bayou 
 Rapides to hear, as he so much desired, the sound of my 
 musketry, and he well knew that I had no artillery except 
 two twenty-four pounders drawn by oxen." And adds, 
 " It could not be a matter of surprise that with my hand- 
 ful of men I was unable to prevent the construction of the 
 dams at the falls of Red river by the enemy, since the 
 large forces on the other side likewise failed to prevent 
 that construction with equal if not greater opportunities." 
 
 Adjutant Prescolt's diary : 
 
 On the evening of May 3d the regiment went on picket, 
 back on the 4th. At 3 a. m. on the 5th, " Boots and sad- 
 dles" sounded calling every man to his horse. An order had 
 been issued for the regiment to go on another scout across 
 the river. At five we crossed on the pontoon bridge and 
 were on our way down stream. At noon we had made 
 twenty-one miles. Four miles further on a small force 
 gave us a vigorous volley which we returned, and they 
 retreated. We bivouacked here in not a safe place, nor a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 443 
 
 pleasant condition for a single regiment, but we were often 
 in such positions and had learned to accept them with 
 composure. 
 
 Although the service was terribly fatiguing in an active 
 campaign, still it had life and called for daring which gave 
 it a fascination which all enjoyed. We started back for 
 camp on the morning of the yth and arrived at 7 p. m. with 
 a few prisoners. On Sunday, the 8th, the 2d N. H. Cav- 
 alry was allowed a partial rest. In regard to work it went 
 on about the same as on other days in the army. 
 
 As is well understood, our delay at Alexandria was 
 caused by the difficulty in getting the transports and gun- 
 boats back down over the falls. They had gone up early 
 in April to cooperate with the army and to carry troops 
 and supplies, but the sudden and unexpected fall of the 
 water at this time, made it impossible for the largest vessels 
 to pass down over the rapids. Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey 
 of the Fourth Wisconsin had suggested apian to save them, 
 and had been allowed by General Banks to try his experi- 
 ment. He constructed wing dams out from the bank on 
 both sides of the river, by felling large pine trees, rolling 
 them into the water with the tops down the stream, and 
 weighing them down with stones and railroad iron. All 
 the men he could possibly work, were detailed for this ser- 
 vice, and they worked night and day on these dams. An 
 opening was left in the centre of the river for the passage 
 of the vessels, and the forcing of the water into this narrow 
 channel caused it to rise. On this Sunday two of the 
 gunboats floated safely over the rapids, and it was thought 
 the others could pass down the next day. 
 
 Part I, 209, General Banks' repor| to the secretary of 
 war : 
 
 In the twenty-four days intervening between the depart- 
 ure of the army from Alexandria and its return, the battles 
 of Wilson's Farm, Sabine Cross-Roads, Pleasant Hill, 
 Campti, Monett's Blufl", and several combats in the neigh- 
 borhood of Grand Ecore, while we were in occupation of 
 
444 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 that point, had been fought. In every one of these engage- 
 ments, except that at Sabine Cross-Roads, we had been 
 successful. The failure to accomplish the main object ot 
 the expedition was due to other considerations, than the 
 actual superiority of the enemy in the field. In these opera- 
 tions, in which my own command had marched by land 
 nearly 400 miles, the total loss sustained was 3,980 men, 
 of whom 289 were killed; 1,541, wounded; 2,150, miss- 
 ing. Our army had captured, up to this time, from the 
 enemy twenty-three guns and 1,500 prisoners. His losses 
 in killed, wounded, and prisoners, officers and men, were 
 much greater than ours. Among the former were some 
 of the most efficient rebel commanders, whose loss can 
 never be made good. Up to this time no other loss of men 
 or material had been sustained by our army. As soon as 
 the lines of defense were completed, preparations were 
 made for the release of the fleet which was then unable to 
 pass below the falls. 
 
 It is natural to hesitate ere letting go of these twenty- 
 four days just recorded by General Banks. In fact, one 
 may slightly glance again at the Red River expedition. 
 The intimations of those high in authority, point to Presi- 
 dent Lincoln as the author of it. Grant says, " I opposed 
 the movement strenuously, but it was the order of my 
 superior at the time." (This statement was made after he 
 was commander-in-chief. ) Banks opposed it ; while at 
 New Orleans, his chief engineer. Major D. C. Houston, 
 presented a clear view of the difficulties to be met, and as 
 clearly stated the conditions of success, all of which, with 
 one exception, were disregarded. Probably President 
 Lincoln wished to make a powerful military demonstration 
 along the western frontier to check the designs of Eng- 
 land, Spain, and especially France in that direction, and 
 the forward movements of the army and navy towards the 
 Red river were certainly imposing. 
 
 " France and the Confederate Navy" ; that is the title 
 of an interesting book, published not long ago by Harper 
 and Brothers, New York. It was written by John Bige- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 445 
 
 low, who was our consul at Paris in 1863-64. It is relia- 
 ble. It says that at this time by authorization of the 
 French government, in defiance of its treaty obligations, 
 there were building for the Confederate government at 
 Bordeaux and Nantes two ironclads and two corvettes. 
 Proof of the above began to be furnished to our govern- 
 ment on September 10, 1863. 
 
 Captain Bullock, an agent of the Confederate nav}-, 
 wrote to his government on November 23, 1863, that the 
 two ironclads were then three fifths finished. 
 
 Of course all proofs were forwarded to Washington and 
 kept as state secrets or partially revealed, at least in 
 France, as policy required ; for it was found necessary to 
 appeal in this case from the throne to the French people. 
 The French emperor promised that the ships might leave 
 France " 7'f their real destination was kept concealed^ 
 But, by the constant and well directed efforts of the United 
 Staites agents that secret was revealed and only the 
 " Stonewall" got on the high seas by means o^ 2. fictitious 
 sale, but too late to damage us. The foregoing seems 
 to be the gist of this whole affair, mostly engineered by 
 Messrs. Mason and SHdel, " at a stage of our civil war," 
 says Mr. Bigelow, " when it seemed as though the fate of 
 our nation was a good deal at the mercy of foreign 
 powers." The failure of Lee to take Washington, the 
 opening of the Mississippi, and the show oi force by land 
 and water on our western frontier caused Napoleon the 
 Third to desist from recognizing the Confederate States, 
 and sending from his shipyards .ironclads to assist our 
 enemies. Captain Bullock's letter to the secretary of the 
 C. S. navy dated June 10, 1864, says that the Imperial 
 government had changed its views. 
 
 In regard to cotton, it is proved that the most of the 
 speculators who went to Alexandria for cotton had passes 
 from Washington, and when Banks sent them back to 
 New Orleans with no four hundred dollar bales they were 
 
446 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 naturally mad and malignant. The navy by orders got 
 and turned over to our government 6,000 bales, and Gen. 
 Kirby Smith says that by his absolute power in Trans- 
 Mississippi, he burned 150,000 bales worth $60,000,000. 
 He also says that "through the absolute power that he had, 
 he bought cotton for four cents a pound, and sold it for 
 fifty cents a pound in gold. It passed in constant streams 
 by several crossings of the Rio Grande, as well as through 
 Galveston to the agents abroad." 
 
 The necessity of celerity in movement by the different 
 bodies of troops converging on Alexandria was known by 
 all and appreciated, so criticism should be temperate in 
 view of the distances and the unavoidable rain storms 
 encountered, and, too, afterwards, the unprecedented -want 
 of -water in the Red river. Agaiuj one of Houston's 
 " conditions" was " one general for the whole force," and 
 although Sherman told Smith to obey Banks, he instructed 
 him to confer with and rely upon Admiral Porter ; and 
 Franklin at least seemed luke warm. We see that Lee 
 was not greatly at fault, yet with Banks and Stone had to 
 be decapitated to satisfy some one. But a reaction came 
 (see Halleck to Grant, 3, 409) : "You will perceive that 
 the press in New Orleans, and the Eastern States is already 
 beginning to open in Banks' favor." Porter to Sherman 
 (3, 153, 169) , growls, like the old sea dog he was, at Banks 
 through six pages of vituperation, yet at the last, feels 
 compelled to compliment him for rescuing the fleet, which 
 the army alone did. 
 
 In regard to the part taken by the Second New Hamp- 
 shire Cavalry, it is proper and it is time that it was written 
 out in full. Through neglect, and even strong prejudice, 
 our regiment has been in the shadowy back-ground, while, 
 in fact, it was in the forefront of the advance and assault. 
 Being necessarily scattered by definite orders, it is proved 
 in these pages that the Second New Hampshire knew 
 more, by actual contact, about the configuration of the bat- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 447 
 
 tlefield of April 8th than any other Union organization. 
 Comrades of the Second rode the whole length and 
 breadth of the ground. It is plain that if instant and 
 proper use had been made of the information gained by 
 our regiment at the front, our forces might have been pre- 
 pared to resist the rebel onset at 4.30 p. m. successfully. 
 It is true that, accepting the view which our- generals had 
 of the enemy's movements, the Second thought at first 
 that they were attacking a retreating force. Yet (i, 455) 
 Lee knew on the afternoon of the 7th by prisoners, that 
 he had in front of him six regiments — about 3,000 men, 
 a portion of Green's mounted force of Texans. They 
 were driven to Carroll's mill on the evening of the 7th, 
 where they received heavy reinforcements, and were so 
 strongly posted that it was impossible to dislodge them 
 with our force at hand. 
 
 On the evidence, one will naturally conclude that a 
 strong enough opposition had been encountered to drive 
 the most obtuse officer to understand that very soon there 
 had gol to be a fight. The Sabine Cross Roads was one 
 of the few openings or " clearings" where a good stand 
 could be made. The strong opposition developed and 
 reported at about 12.30 p. m. by the Second New Hamp- 
 shire Cavalry should have borne some fruit. There were 
 still four long -precious hours in which to clear the roads 
 and retreat or gain reinforcements . Instead of which, 
 there was simply delay, at which even General Taylor 
 himself became impatient, and, suspecting that the Union 
 arrangements were not complete, ordered General Mouton 
 to attack from his left. 
 
 C. 8. A. I, 526, 527. How the Confederates looked 
 at it: 
 
 Shreveport, April 8, 1864. 
 Maj.-Gen. R. Taylor, Commanding District of West 
 
 Louisiana : 
 
 General, — A general engagement now could not be 
 given with our full force. Reinforcements are moving 
 
448 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 up, not very large it is true. If we fall back without a 
 battle you will be thrown out of the best country for sup- 
 plies. I would compel the enemy to develop his inten- 
 tions, selecting a position in rear where we can give him 
 battle before he can march on and occupy Shreveport. I 
 will order down now all the armed cavalry from near 
 Marshall, and forward Pratt's battery from this point with 
 every available man before a battle is fought. Let me 
 know as soon as you are convinced that a general advance 
 is being made and I will come to the front. 
 I am, general, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 E. KiRBY Smith, 
 Lieutenant- General Commanding. 
 
 Headquarters District of Wept Louisiana, 
 In the Field, near Mansfield, 
 
 April 8, 1864, 9.40 a. m. 
 Brig.-Gen. W. R. Boggs {C. S. A.), Chief of Staff: 
 
 General, — The cavalry forces under General Green 
 had a very severe skirmish with the enemy yesterday af- 
 ternoon, inflicting on him more loss than was sustained by 
 our own troops. He did not fall back last night, and 
 General Green reports him' advancing this morning. 
 Mouton's division has been ordered to the front, and 
 Walker's and Churchill's will be brought forward. / am 
 not aware -whether the enemy's whole force is in my front ; 
 if so, and he means to move on Shreveport, I consider 
 this as favorable a point to engage him at as any other. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 R. Taylor, 
 
 Major- General. 
 
 Maj.-Gen. W. B. Franklin knew on the 4th, more 
 of Taylor's force than Taylor on the 8th did of Franklin's. 
 The report of a deserter sent by Lee to Franklin relieves 
 General Lee of a great responsibility. See the following 
 (i, 447) : 
 
 Reports of Brig.-Gen. Arthur L. Lee, U. S. A., com- 
 manding cavalry division, of operations April 4-13 : 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 449 
 
 Headquarters Cavalry Division, 
 
 Natchitoches, April 4, 1864. 
 General, — A deserter from the Sixteenth Texas has 
 just been sent me from the front. He speaks freely, and 
 reports that on the evening of the 2d, Walker's and 
 Mouton's divisions were at Pleasant Hill. Mouton's divis- 
 ion consisted of two brigades — Mouton's and Polignac's ; 
 Walker's division of four brigades — Scurry's, Randal's, 
 Hawes,' and one other whose commander he cannot name ; 
 that these brigades consist of about four regiments each ; 
 that his brigade (Scurry's) has four regiments — Fitz- 
 hugh's, Allen's, Waterhouse's, and Flournoy's ; each regi- 
 ment has about 300 men for duty ; that after I had driven 
 their cavalry from Crump's Hill, on the evening of the 2d 
 instant, Mouton's brigade and Scurry's were advanced at 
 midnight to a point five miles this side of Pleasant Hill, 
 and placed in line of battle behind an open field and on 
 each side of the road ; that about 2 a. m. yesterday he left 
 the ranks and started for our lines. Their stubborn resist- 
 ance yesterday morning corroborates the statement. It 
 was reported among his commanders that Price was 
 marching down from Shreveport, and a part of his 
 force had arrived. 
 
 I am, general, respectfully yours, 
 
 A. L. Lee, 
 
 Brigadier- General Commanding Cavalry. 
 
 To Maj.-Gen. William B. Franklin, 
 Commanding, etc. 
 
 The above report and figures give 7,200 Confederate 
 soldiers for duty, and locates them just where they -were 
 found. General Lee was right, as before quoted, when 
 he said that " there was not much chance left, after mak- 
 ing such full reports of the current condition of affairs to 
 my superiors, for the exercise, as a soldier, of my personal 
 judgment." 
 
 The round, unvarnished story, shows that the Eighth 
 was constantly, as of yore, at the extreme front; and if its 
 bloody experience had been properly used, a better result 
 would have crowned the close of the battle on April 8, 
 
450 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 1864. It must be distinctly understood that no undue 
 influence has been used with correspondents to bring out 
 the " glory of the Eighth"; on the contrary, no leading 
 questions have been asked. True information has been 
 sought, and many comrades can testify that letters of 
 other comrades describing events have been often sent to 
 them for more information, or to be examined in regard to 
 their entire truthfulness. We have aimed to get the truth 
 as near as possible with the means at disposal. We have 
 tried to rescue the history of our portion of that hard 
 worked arm of hazardous service, viz., the cavalry, from 
 the entire oblivion which has threatened it, and the 
 attempt is made none too soon. Here is placed the evi- 
 dence of the honorable career of the Eighth under new 
 name and conditions — evidence as good as is that of quoted 
 official lines. We have only to name Connelly, King, 
 Prescott, Miles, Durgin, Woods, Newhall, Marshall, 
 Nolan, Emerson, French, Shattuck, and Chandler, to 
 substantiate the assertion. All the above, with the excep- 
 tion of Connelly and Marshall, are to-day living, and in 
 correspondence with the writer. 
 
 Gen. W. J. Landrum's article, before partially quoted, 
 shows him to be decidedly faulty in statements in regard 
 to the cavalry, although his account of the advance of 
 infantry, the fights and retreats, is, in the main, right. 
 Near the first he says that he has not to-day changed his 
 mind, that it was " unreasonable to expect a small brigade 
 of four regiments of infantry, some 1,200 men, to keep 
 pace with a mounted force and to drive an enemy that 
 4,500 cavalry couldn't drive." As previously noted. 
 General Franklin being in command of cavalry forces as 
 per order of April 4, he ordered Lee, on the evening of 
 the 7th, " to go ahead and get out of the way." Lee had 
 at that time driven the enemy, was "camped upon the 
 battle ground," and ready to march on, and did on the 
 morning of the 8th (1,455). That, with Prescott's evi- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 451 
 
 dence, disposes of the " driving" question, or rather, Lan- 
 drum's assertion in regard to it. He (Col. L.) quotes 
 those old-fashioned rumors about orders from Washington 
 "to get all the cotton stored in the vicinity." Why then 
 did not the arm}' stay where cotton was and get it? 
 Banks' last orders to the army were (not to gather the 
 thousands of bales of cotton on the road, but) '' to fush 
 for Shr eve-port." 
 
 Colonel Landrum says that the battle was fought by his 
 force of 2,500, slightly assisted by General Cameron's small 
 division (see Cameron's report, thus, i, 273). Arriving at 
 the scene of conflict at 4.15 p. m. with forty-six officers 
 and 1,247 men under, then, the command of General 
 Banks and at the edge of the woods, where, according to 
 this, his official report, he held the entire force of the 
 enemy in check for an hour, using up all his ammunition, 
 being outflanked and losing 314 men in all. General Cam- 
 eron certainly did his share of the work. Besides, the 
 most of the cavalry were like ours, helping, being dis- 
 mounted and fighting on foot, mingling with and being in 
 front of the infantry. Still Colonel Landrum could only 
 see his little band of 2,500 vainly stemming the charge of 
 thousands. The veterans do not deny at all the splendid 
 fighting and plucky resistance of General Landrum's divis- 
 ion, but would like the honors divided up more fairly. 
 Colonel Landrum continues, quoting Gen. Dick Taylor, 
 as follows : "In his work entitled ' Destruction and Re- 
 construction,' referring to the battle of Mansfield, he says, 
 ' My confidence of success in the impending engage- 
 ment was inspired by accurate knowledge of the Federal 
 movements.' This shows that he knew the bulk of the 
 army was not in supporting distance of the head of the col- 
 umn in his front." That is disproved in Taylor's official 
 report just quoted, page 448. He was not the kind of a 
 fighting rebel to wait four hours for our forces to come up 
 when he knew that troops were not in supporting distance. 
 
452 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Colonel Landnim says that the cavalry should have been 
 far on the flanks looking for cross roads. We have seen 
 that at least two companies of Second New Hampshire 
 were out on the right flank two miles, on a cross road. 
 
 Another quotation by General Landrum : "The Union 
 cavalry had set forward at daybreak with the brigades of 
 infantry that General Landrum had brought. The Con- 
 federates having abandoned Bayou St. Paul, and having 
 left in front of Lee but a mere curtain of scouts, the latter 
 might have pushed rapidly forward, as Franklin had 
 directed him to do. But thinking he had again before him 
 all of Green's forces, he allowed himself to be deceived by 
 the obstinacy of the enemy's rearguard." Poor Lee I 
 First he was blamed for a supposed rashness in trying to 
 push forward, and then cuffed for moving, as Lee 
 expressed it, cautiously. But the Second New Hamp- 
 shire, under orders from General Lee, did_^rsi discover the 
 obstinacy of the rebels at that rail fence beyond the clear- 
 ing, which Colonel Landrum never saw and did not know 
 of its existence. Major Connelly found it and Comrade 
 Durgin says that he told him that he reported in full 
 immediately the resistance that he had encountered. 
 
 The closing sentences of Brigadier-General Landrum's 
 remarkable paper read thus : "There have been so many 
 misrepresentations of this engagement that I have thought 
 it due to all concerned that a correct report should be made, 
 without detracting from the merits of any who rendered 
 faithful and efficient service in the turning point of this ill- 
 fated and ill-advised campaign." Then immediately fol- 
 lows this misrepresentation, viz., "Thus not only did the 
 cavalry not explore the country, but it was -preceded by the 
 infantry.^' 
 
 Last quotation : "The fatal error in the battle of Sabine 
 Cross Roads was in ordering the brigade of infantry to the 
 support of Lee's cavalry." That statement might have had 
 more sense in it if he had written only one brigade of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 453 
 
 infantry. The General knows that if a corfs had been 
 ordered up and got uf to ^& front within that sf are four 
 hours' time, even if every wagon had been -pitched out of 
 the narrow road into the woods, there is a strong probabil- 
 ity that General Banks might have gone on to Shreveport. 
 
 Remark. — The sinners are of more consequence than 
 the priest ; the people are bigger than the president ; so 
 was the Nineteenth Kentucky than Brevet General 
 Landrum. The Forty-eighth Ohio History, page 175, 
 speaks thus : " Great praise is due to such brave and 
 patriotic men (of the Nineteenth Kentucky) who stood up 
 for the Union in the dark hours of our National existence. 
 Although from a slave State and many of them owning 
 slaves they did not hesitate to rally round the old flag 
 at their country's call." The Eighth earnestly accords to 
 the Nineteenth Kentucky all its well earned glory, but 
 demands justice of its representative in his published 
 accounts. 
 
 Chaplain Cilley's diary : 
 
 Near Alexandria, May 2, 1864. General Banks tells me 
 that he regards Lee and Franklin in fault, that he found 
 General Franklin on the morning of the 8th of April, five 
 miles from the front very careless and easy, saying, 
 there was no danger, the enemy not near. Banks said, 
 "I shall go to the front and see for myself." He went, and 
 sent at once to Franklin to turn the wagon trains, but it 
 was too late. 
 
 The mounted infantry of the United States taught, in 
 time, the military critics of the world, something. Previ- 
 ous to our civil war the lack of knowledge abroad with 
 regard to the United States as a nation was singular. We 
 were ignored in the economy of nations ; in the schools 
 and society of the Old World we were of no importance. 
 To most people America was as yet undiscovered. Only 
 the most advanced thinkers had divined that we were 
 
454 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 working out a big problem of the future. Many thought 
 that we were black and that Niagara was at each man's 
 door. Our civil war wrought a change, although the con- 
 servative military autocrats, till near its close, looked upon 
 our armies as mobs. We came gradually to the front. In" 
 the war of '66 they declined to profit by our experience ; 
 but by 1870, the Germans had adopted many of the 
 methods we had first devised, and to-day not only are our 
 campaigns studied, but fair justice is done to our actual 
 merit in the province of war and to the exceptional ability 
 of some of our American generals. The art of using cav- 
 alry in fighting on foot is prominent among other ideas 
 accepted by them, thej"^ borrowed that from the versatility 
 of our cavalry. Cavalry which fought on foot, had been 
 sneered at for generations. It could not, said the old heads, 
 be even good mounted infantry. They would ride like 
 untrained monkeys. All this, though history shows that 
 Alexander's cavalry was successful where infantr}' recoiled. 
 Americans wisely used the irregulars, if skirmishing on 
 foot and rare charges in the saddle constitute an irregular. 
 Ours is now the pattern of the cavalr}- of the future. The 
 rider is intelligent and trained in the hardest of schools. 
 Europe is learning to fight with cavalry as the Second New 
 Hampshire fought on the Red river. Prussia will soon 
 use irregular cavalry altogether. 
 
 Without concert or general orders, intuitively in the 
 civil war our cavalry sought out new ways of attack and 
 defense and alike used them east and west, hundreds of 
 miles apart, developing spontaneously, American ideas of 
 progress. 
 
 Part 3, 497. Correspondence, etc. (Union). 
 
 Headquarters Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Alexandria, May 7, 1864. 
 Brigadier-General Arnold, Chief of Cavalry: 
 
 General, — By direction of the major-general com- 
 manding, you will detail 200 cavalry to report promptly at 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 455 
 
 3 A. M. to-morrow to Brigadier-General Emory, command- 
 ing Nineteenth Army Corps. They are to accompany a 
 brigade of infantry down the river to Smith's plantation. 
 Three steamers and two gunboats as guard have been 
 ordered to procure all the forage between Alexandria and 
 that point. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. DWIGHT, 
 
 Brigadier- General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 Hdqrs. Cavalry Div., 
 
 Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Alexandria, La., May 7, 1864. 
 Maj. G. B. Drake, Asst. Adj. -Gen., Department of the 
 Gulf: 
 
 Major, — I regret to be obliged to state that the condi- 
 tion of my cavalry is such that for any immediate opera- 
 tions requiring energetic action it is utterly unfit. The 
 men are able to endure much more, although fatigued, but 
 I believe one half of my horses would be completely 
 broken down if compelled to move to-night or to-morrow 
 on a scout. Since I have had this command every portion 
 of it has been very severely worked, and it is now in so 
 crippled a condition that, for the benefit of the service, I 
 am compelled to make this statement. Without careful 
 husbanding of its strength, I think the cavalry force can 
 be of no decided advantage to this army. 
 
 Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Richard Arnold, 
 
 Brigadier- General. 
 
 The following correspondence is too spicy, and impor- 
 tant as showing independence, to be omitted : 
 
 Headquarters Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Alexandria, May 10, 1864. 
 Brigadier-General Smith : 
 
 General, — The major-general commanding, desires to 
 call your attention to the following facts : Your command 
 was ordered to be in readiness to- move yesterday. Not- 
 withstanding this, your public property was not on your 
 boats at a late hour to-day. You directed that no govern- 
 ment property should go on board your boats until your 
 
456 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 own public property was on board, which has caused 
 great and unnecessary delay, because you did not put 
 your public property on board yesterday. If it is neces- 
 sary to destroy any public property now here, it will be 
 because you fail to allow that property to go on board your 
 boats, which are amply able to transport it. You will 
 therefore be accountable for such destruction of public 
 stores. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W. Dwight, 
 Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 Hdqrs. Detachment i6th and 17TH Army Corps, 
 Alexandria, La., May 10, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gev. William Dwight, Chief of Staff , Department 
 of the Gulf: 
 
 General, — In reply to your note of this date I have to 
 state that my command is and has been in readiness to 
 move whenever called upon, day or night. I control my 
 own boats, and will put my property on board when I 
 please. If the boats you have had at this landing during 
 the last ten days had been used in the service of your coun- 
 try instead of being bartered to private speculators, you 
 would have had no cause of complaint in this direction, 
 but could have shipped in ample time all the public stores 
 pertaining to your command. If you destroy any govern- 
 ment stores at this point, let the responsibility rest on your 
 shoulders, who appropriated the transports in port for pri- 
 vate purposes. This army knows well that I am not 
 responsible for any of the mishaps that have occurred 
 during this campaign. 
 
 I am very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 A. J. Smith, 
 Brigadier- General. 
 
 Headquarters Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Alexandria, May 10, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gen. A. y. Smith, Comdg. Detach. Sixteenth and 
 Seventeenth Corps: 
 
 General, — In reply to your communication of this 
 p. M., the major-general commanding directs me to say 
 that he regrets that an officer of your rank, experience, 
 and deserved military reputation should use the language 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 457 
 
 employed by you in that communication. He is confident 
 that, upon reflection, you have already regretted language 
 inadmissable in a junior to his commanding officer. Al- 
 though his order should be sufficient without explanation, 
 yet, from deference to your rank and character,' the gen- 
 eral directs me to say that no boats under his control " are 
 bartered to private speculators " ; that government prop- 
 erty exclusively is now being loaded upon the boats ; that 
 the transportation, exclusive of your own, is not sufficient 
 to carry all the government stores ; that, therefore, you 
 are required to furnish transportation for government 
 stores to the extent of your ability. If, from any errone- 
 ous impression that this transportation is to be used for 
 private purposes, you fail to permit such transportation, 
 the government of the country will hold you responsible 
 for the consequent loss. The commanding general has 
 great pleasure in adding that, as you correctly state, you 
 are in no respect responsible for any mishaps that may 
 have happened upon this campaign. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 W, DWIGHT, 
 
 Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff. 
 
 The following is official, for general information : 
 
 Headquarters Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Alexandria, May 9, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gen. R. Arnold, Chief of Cavalry: 
 
 General, — You are hereby directed to detail a force 
 pf 500 men from your command to protect the town of 
 Alexandria when the army shall leave its present position, 
 and to bring up the rear guard, taking every precaution 
 possible to (prevent) any conflagration or other act which 
 would give notice to the enemy of the movements of the 
 army. Officers of responsibility and character should be 
 selected for this duty, and they should be notified that they 
 will be held responsible for the acts of the men under their 
 command. They will occupy the town until all persons 
 connected with the army have left it, and then cover the 
 rear of the column on its march. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Geo. B. Drake, 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
458 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Leave Alexandria. — Again the rear Guard. — Murder of Lieutenant 
 Cobbs. — Explanation by Comrade Durgin. — C. S. A. Gen. Dick 
 Taylor's Report. — On the March for Morganzia. — On through 
 
 Marksville, Mansura, continual Fighting Crossed the Bayou de 
 
 Glaize. — Regiment held the Bridge. — Bridge by Orders, set on 
 Fire. — Companies B and F on opposite Side, hold back the Enemy. 
 
 — Regiment out of Ammunition. — Form on left of Second Illi- 
 nois Yellow Bayou, May 18. — Dick Taylor attacks. — Five 
 
 thousand of General Smith's Infantry march back by us. — Action at 
 
 2 p. M. — Second New Hampshire on Extreme Left Enemy 
 
 trying to turn it. — Rebels whipped out and Retreat. — Official 
 Records, General Smith, General Canby to Halleck. — General 
 Smith and Arnold. — Condition of Fourth Brigade. — Crossed the 
 Bridge of Boats. — Itinerary. — Morganzia. — Review by General 
 Sickles. — For New Orleans and a Furlough. — Gen. Dick Taylor's 
 Opinion of the Campaign. — Lieutenant Cunningham's (C. S. A.). — 
 Smith to Sherman; the Results. — General Canby, Important and 
 Cool. — Official. — Second New Hampshire dismounted and de- 
 tached. — To go on Furlough. — Incidents relating to the Regiment. 
 
 — On Furlough. — Capt. T. C. Prescott, Personal. — Capt. John 
 H. Prescott, Personal. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary : 
 
 Early on Monday morning, May 9th, the regiment 
 received orders to be ready to march at 7 a. m. It then 
 moved from its camp, marching down the Opelousas road 
 to the Chamber's plantation and there relieved Col. Lucas' 
 brigade. The fine house which had been the family man- 
 sion here, had been burned before we occupied the 
 grounds, and the elegant furniture broken up. A scene of 
 desolation was presented, and as one viewed it he could 
 but feel thankful that his home in the North had been 
 exempt from such visitation. Our army was nearly sur- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 459 
 
 rounded by the enemy and attacks were expected, hence 
 we were under continual marching orders, and " boots and 
 saddles " was frequently the first notice we had of moving. 
 Preparations were being made up to the 13th for the 
 further retreat, all useless baggage was put on the boats 
 and the lightest marching orders were to be in force. 
 Rations for the regiment were short and there was no for- 
 age for our horses. A part of the time we had to graze 
 them, and they were thin. 
 
 On the 13th, Alexandria was evacuated; most of the 
 infantry passed down the river, and that night there were 
 again no Union troops between the old Eighth and the 
 enemy. Our brigade (the Fourth) was again to have the 
 extreme rear of the army on the retreat, and the regiment 
 would have its full share of the fighting. At daylight on 
 the 14th, we broke camp and marched over to the river 
 road, past the Flower's place, but before we entered the 
 woods towards the river our rear guard was attacked. We 
 halted at the intersection of the river road with tke one on 
 which we had come, to allow some infantry which had been 
 stationed above to move on, and also to relieve a regiment 
 of the Fifth brigade whose place we were to take. As we 
 halted we threw out a strong picket in command of Lieu- 
 tenants Cobbs, of Company B, and Nolan, of Company K. 
 A portion of this picket force dismounted after taking 
 position, not anticipating an attack at once, when suddenly 
 a force of the enemy charged on the line and they were 
 driven from their post and back upon the rear of the regi- 
 ment which was in column on the road. Lieut. Cobbs 
 and four or five men were captured. Lieut. Nolan 
 reported the situation, and as the picket came in, Captain 
 Healy, then in command of the regiment, instantly 
 ordered a charge and, mounting the levee running along 
 the road by the river bank, led such, a furious onslaught 
 that the rebels, though in larger force, fell back in con- 
 fusion. Quite a number of prisoners were captured and 
 some of the men we had lost were retaken. But as they 
 found that they would lose the officer they had captured, 
 a rebel soldier took the revolver from Lieut. Cobbs' own 
 belt and shot him through the breast before he could be 
 prevented. Lieut. Cobbs died soon after being shot, and 
 we buried him on Madam Wilson's place near the banks 
 of the Red River. This was murder; pure and simple, 
 
460 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 cowardly and mean ; yet not the only known one com- 
 mitted by rebel hands. 
 
 Lieut. John J. Nolan's account: 
 
 On our retreat to Morganzia, our regiment was at the 
 rear. Capt. Healy ordered Companies K and B to act as 
 rear guard ; Lieut. Cobbs of B in charge ; I commanded 
 Company K. As I was sitting on my horse at the levee, 
 I saw the rebels forming upon the road for a charge, and 
 told Lieut. Cobbs who had dismounted and was sitting at 
 the butt of a tree, that they would come and that he had 
 better mount and form his men. He replied, " No, they 
 won't" and still persisted in not mounting. I sent word 
 to Capt. Healy that he might expect a charge at any 
 moment, and ordered Company K out of the woods on to 
 the road. Company B followed, and down came the 
 rebels. We fell back on the regiment. I met Capt. Healy 
 and told him that there were about six hundred of them, 
 and if we charged on them we could beat them back. Capt. 
 Healy placed himself at the head of the regiment and we 
 drove them back yelping in less than two minutes. When 
 I got to the tree where poor Cobbs had been sitting, he had 
 just life enough to say, "John, they shot me with my own 
 revolver," and died instantly. The fact was, they had just 
 time to take his arms and not time to take him along we 
 charged back so quickly. We took one of their men 
 prisoner and I had to follow Red. Pat Shea of Company K 
 into the woods and take the reb. away from him and send 
 him to the rear with another man as Shea swore that he 
 would kill him for the cowardly act of the enemy in mur- 
 dering Cobbs. It was on this occasion that the Chaplain 
 rode down to Gen. Davis and said that the 8th regiment 
 was cut in pieces. Davis sent an aid to Capt. Healy to 
 know if he wanted reinforcements and Capt. Healy said, 
 " Give my compliments to Gen. Davis and tell him that the 
 Eighth New Hampshire wants no reinforcements." 
 
 Sergeant Emerson's diary : 
 
 Our brigade of cavalry had the rear guard all the way 
 back to the Atchaf alaya river. We were fighting all the 
 daytime and falling back each night. We had to scout 
 and skirmish all over the country while the Red River 
 dam was being built. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 461 
 
 May 14th. Left Alexandria. Heavy skirmishing with 
 rebel cavalry, were driven back on our reserves, some 
 prisoners captured. I was taken, had to give up my arms 
 for the second time (first time at Port Hudson), but our 
 force charged back and saved us from Tyler, Texas prison 
 pen. Right here Lieut. Cobbs was Tnurdered after being 
 taken prisoner, shot with his own revolver ; evidently by 
 a mounted man, he being dismounted. The shot struck 
 his shoulder blade and took direction downwards. If I 
 had been an officer, I should have fared the same way, 
 as I was dismounted and my horse tangled in a grape vine 
 on the right hand of the road. Lieut. Cobbs was on the 
 other side. The next morning his body was buried on the 
 Wilson plantation near the river. 
 
 As an explanation of the reason of the murder of Lieu- 
 tenant Cobbs, we insert the following important experience 
 and evidence given by Chief Bulger H. J. Durgin. He 
 says in regard to his own capture at Sabine Cross Roads : 
 
 When I was taken, I was probably one third of the way 
 back to our own lines. The lively run that I had made 
 before the rebel cavalry surrounded me, rendered me 
 nearly breathless, as the ground was soft and it was up 
 hill. After my arms and equipments had been taken, one 
 of the rebs. said, "Now run, you d — d Yank." I managed 
 to gasp in reply, '• I can't; I am out of breath." " Run, 
 d — n you, or I'll shoot you," yelled he in great haste, and 
 then cocked his gun and put the muzzle to my head. Dur- 
 ing this time I had been walking toward their lines per- 
 force, but that sort of persuasion caused me to try to meet 
 the views of this apparently vicious son of Texas, so I got 
 into a dog trot and liept it up till within their lines. Then 
 my excited captor became cool and actually apologized to 
 me in a quite gentlemanly way, saying, " you must excuse 
 me for running you off so ; I saw you were beat out, but I 
 was afeared 3^ou-uns would charge again and try to take 
 you back, and I'd have shot you dead sooner than give 
 you up again, for them's our orders, but I wanted to get 
 you off alive." So this now very civil fellow had been 
 trying to save my life by very harsh means. At the first 
 halt he took my name and regiment, and gave me his, viz. : 
 S. P. Mclnnis, 7th Texas Cavalry. I remember exactly 
 
462 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the words, "Them's our orders," and the wording of his 
 apology — they seem as if burned into my brain. To 
 what depths of barbaric brutality the Confed. powers had 
 sunk to issue such orders. They seemed to be the rule 
 within their lines in Trans-Mississippi. They are a proof 
 that Cobbs' assassination was not the unauthorized deed of 
 some fierce rebel, but in direct compliance with regular 
 orders from higher powers. It is well to know where 
 some of the responsibility rests. 
 
 Lieut. T. M. Shattuck's diary : 
 
 May 9th, 1864. Moved camp to Chamber's plantation 
 to relieve a regiment of 5th brigade on picket. 
 
 loth. The regiment today got under arms twice and 
 blocked the rebs. from turning our flank. 
 
 nth. Preparing to move — no forage for the horses. 
 
 1 2th. Boats all down and getting ready to leave. 
 Great fears that the town will be burned and I think that 
 it will be, the boys are getting wild. That dam is one of 
 the great works of the war. 
 
 Fri. 13th. Blew up the works around the town, great 
 fire inside. 
 
 14th. Marched at 6 — ordered to relieve the i8th N. 
 York on the skirmish line — rebs. drove in our advance — 
 we returned the charge and drove them a mile ; Lieut. 
 Cobbs killed. 
 
 Lieutenant Newhall, in giving an account of the attack, 
 May 14, says that in recovering Lieutenant Cobbs, they 
 drove the rebel force of 600 a half-mile, and that the place 
 is officially known as " Wilson's Landing." At this time, 
 also, Conant and Dolliver of Company B were wounded. 
 
 Sunday iSth. Our wounded taken on board the gun- 
 boat " Hindman." 
 
 As near as can be ascertained from those with good 
 memories, Lieutenant-Colonel Flanders, about this date, 
 went on board a river boat, probably the " Hindman." 
 
 Gen. Dick Taylor's report (i, 590) : A very brilliant 
 Confederate outlook ! 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 463 
 
 The Red River campaign. Lecompte, May 10, extract : 
 
 Pickets connect through the swamp with Bayou Robert. 
 All cattle, etc., have been removed from the Rapides 
 country for 18 miles, so the enemy has no object in push- 
 ing in that direction even if he dared to do so ; the whole 
 country to the Gulf and Sabine being open to me, I have 
 no line of supplies or base of operations, and can move 
 where I please. On the north side of Red river every- 
 thing is watched from above Pineville to opposite Major's 
 batteries, where communication is established. All the 
 roads from Pineville to the Ouachita and Black rivers 
 have been ordered to be blocked by felling trees across 
 them and destroying the bridges on the Flaxon and other 
 streams. Thus we have a continuous line of pickets in- 
 closing Banks' army and Porter's fleet, and they are as 
 closely besieged as was ever Vicksburg. Every day the 
 enemy is attacked and driven on some road and kept con- 
 tinually harassed by feints, driving in pickets, etc. Thus 
 he is expecting an assault every moment, and is uncertain 
 of the direction whence it may come. From present ap- 
 pearances the end is drawing near. Banks' cavalry is 
 almost destroyed. His troops are disheartened, sullen, 
 and disinclined to fight. He is short of provisions and 
 almost entirely without forage. All captured horses are 
 like scarecrows and show want of forage. Sickness pre- 
 vails to an unprecedented extent, and as he has no means 
 of removing the sick or wounded much depression is 
 caused among the well. The lower river is still falling 
 slowly. I scarcely need repeat that it will be held to the 
 last extremity against an attempt to open it. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 R. Taylor, 
 Major- General. 
 
 Adj. T. C. Prescott's diary : 
 
 Soon after repulsing the attack last mentioned, the regi- 
 ment set out on its march all day and at night up to three 
 o'clock, before any considerable halt was made. We then 
 rested until seven in the morning, when the march was 
 resumed without supper or breakfast. On the morning of 
 May 15 we were relieved from the rear by the Third 
 Mass. But at 2 o'clock that day we had to hasten back 
 
464 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 to their assistance in repelling an attack. While forming 
 for the charge, two shells from a rebel battery exploded 
 directly in our line, but strangely and fortunately, no man 
 was killed, and only one wounded. We marched all the 
 next night, not halting to lie down until daylight, and our 
 sleep was taken then by slipping the bridles over our arms 
 and dropping down on the roadside at the horses' feet. 
 
 Marksville. Official records, 3, 604: 
 
 Headquarters Department of the Gulf, 
 
 Near Marksville, May 15, 1864. 
 Brigadier-General Emory, Commanding Nineteenth 
 Army Corps: 
 
 General, — You will move forward at 3 a. m. to-mor- 
 row with your entire command to take position at the 
 farthest point in the front, where our troops to-day recon- 
 noitered. At daybreak you will move forward and attack 
 the enemy with the greatest vigor. General Smith moves 
 from your right flank to turn the enemy's left -at the same 
 time. General Arnold has been ordered to take position 
 in rear of your right flank. The Thirteenth Army Corps 
 will be in reserve near Marksville. It is of the greatest 
 importance that this movement be made with promptitude 
 and vigor. The wagon train will be in park in the rear 
 of the town, guarded by a brigade of cavalry, and when 
 practicable, for the purpose of shortening the column, yoil 
 will move your command in columns of regiments. 
 By order of Major-General Banks. 
 
 Geo. B. Drake, 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 Near Marksville, May 15, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gen. R. Arnold, Commanding Cavalry Division: 
 General, — You will order one brigade of your com- 
 mand to guard the wagon train, which will be in park 
 immediately in rear of the town. Your remaining three 
 brigades you will put in position in rear of the right of 
 General Emory's command, which has been ordered into 
 position in front of the town, at 3 A. m., to-morrow. You 
 will make these dispositions at 3 a. m., as the attack has 
 been ordered at daybreak. You will hold your command 
 in readiness for any movement that may be necessary. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 465 
 
 General Smith has been ordered to move from the right 
 of General Emory to turn the enemy's left flank. General 
 Lawler will be in reserve near the town. 
 
 By command of 
 
 Major-General Banks. 
 Geo. B. Drake, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 Mansura, May 15, 1864. 
 Brig.'Gen. R. Arnold, Chief of Cavalry : 
 
 General, — The enemy are retreating on the road to 
 Moreauville and, it is believed, Simsport. The command- 
 ing general directs that you push forward to Moreauville 
 with dispatch. You will clear the town of Marksville of 
 all stragglers and come forward as soon as possible. It is 
 not intended that you leave the train, but push the train 
 on, and keep what cavalry you have in the rear there 
 still. By order of 
 
 Major-General Banks. 
 Geo. B. Drake, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 The reader will note that the main army might fight a 
 battle at a certain place and time, while the cavalry as 
 rear guard might fight at the same place on a succeeding 
 hour or day ; or be away scouting and having a sharp 
 little fight of its own some miles off" on one of the flanks. 
 Such may account at times for a slight difference in 
 dates of actions. In fact, the cavalry "Itinerary" does 
 not cover all that the Second New Hampshire did. It 
 is seen that that organization was often, as at Sabine 
 Cross Roads, split up ; different companies, according to 
 orders, beins off on different routes on duties of their own. 
 Accounts of such side rides and off-shoots will be given 
 when obtainable as, see Comrade Hodgdon's letter and 
 Lieutenant Newhall's about May i, etc. The official 
 "Itinerary" of the cavalry division is as follows (i, 447) : 
 
 May 15th. The march was continued on the Marksville 
 road. The rebels were posted at the entrance to Avoyelles 
 Prairie with ten pieces of artillery, but were driven slowly 
 
 30 
 
466 History of -the Eighth Regiment 
 
 back during the day by the First and Third Brigades 
 through the village of Marksville, when they opened a 
 heavy artillery fire on the advance, checking it. 
 
 The government official map, position No. 3, gives the 
 battle of Mansura occurring on May 16. There are 
 apparently, at the north, bodies of water and hills near 
 Cocoville, woods to the left corning down, and woods in 
 front ; Second New Hampshire to the left, in action. 
 Banks official report says (i, 211), "The army on its 
 march from Alexandria did not encounter the enemy in 
 force until near the town of Mansura. He was driven 
 through the town in the evening of the 15th of May, and 
 at daybreak next morning, our advance encountered his 
 cavalry on the prairie east of the town. He fell back with 
 steady and sharp skirmishing across the prairie to a belt 
 of woods, which he occupied. The enemy's position cov- 
 ered three roads diverging from Mansura to the Atchafa- 
 laya. He manifested a determination here to obstinately 
 resist our passage. The engagement, which lasted sev- 
 eral hours, was confined chiefly to the artillery until our 
 troops got possession of the edge of the woods, first upon 
 our left by General Emory, and subsequently on our right 
 by General Smith, when the enemy was driven from the 
 field, after a sharp and decisive fight, with considerable 
 loss. 
 
 For the eyes of the veterans, a short description of the 
 battle of Marksville by Major Becht of the Fifth Minne- 
 sota Infantry. Part i, 325, official extract: 
 
 On the 1 6th occurred the battle of Marksville, or Belle 
 Prairie. The field was a splendid one for a fair and equal 
 contest, a smooth, clear prairie, slightly descending to the 
 south, 3 or 4 miles in extent, and surrounded by heavy 
 timber. We were turned out before daybreak and taken 
 into the fight without our usual coffee and hard-tack. As 
 we marched through Marksville about sunrise we dis- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 467 
 
 covered the Nineteenth Army Corps already initiating 
 operations, which it afterward devolved upon us to finish. 
 The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps were formed 
 in column of regiments, and moved across the prairie to 
 the right and some distance from the Nineteenth Army 
 Corps, the Fifth Minnesota in advance. It was a splendid 
 sight; our whole force and every movement could be 
 clearly and distinctly seen. On the left was the Nine- 
 teenth Army Corps, advancing in line of battle with a line 
 of skirmishers in front, engaging and slowly forcing back 
 those of the enemy. To the rear of the Nineteenth was 
 the Thirteenth, also advancing in line of battle. In the 
 rear of and following us was a long column of regiments, 
 the numerous banners glistening in the clear morning sun- 
 light, and seeming to wave defiance to the foe. Our 
 movements were soon changed from that in column to 
 that en echelon and then into line of battle, all the regi- 
 ments forming on the right of brigade. The enemy in 
 front of us held a position in the edge of the timber, and 
 only a portion of his line could at first be seen. He very 
 soon disclosed the positions of four excellent batteries of 
 heavy guns, which were particularly devoted to us. In 
 the meantime the Nineteenth Army Corps had halted, and 
 the remainder of the work was left for Gen. Smith's 
 command. The fight lasted about four hours, and during 
 the closing scene it required the extra exertions of the 
 enemy to save his batteries from our grasp. 
 
 Lieutenant Newhall says : 
 
 The above is a good description. In the morning we 
 were at the rear where we could see the whole ; after- 
 wards were on both flanks, and wound up by chasing a 
 body of rebel cavalry. 
 
 Lieutenant Prescott's diary : 
 
 During the night of the iSth the enemy moved their 
 batteries around our right flank and at 7 a. m.. May i6th, 
 some twenty pieces of artillery opened on our forces at 
 Marksville, where our army had bivouacked the night 
 before. Our batteries replied and the firing was heavy 
 and continuous, reminding one of the cannonading at Port 
 Hudson. After an hour or more of this, the rebels were 
 
468 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 forced to withdraw and we resumed our march. The 
 work of the regiment this day, was of halting, skirmishing 
 and marching as the course of the enemy made necessary 
 or permitted, and this was kept up the following night. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 17th, we crossed Bayou de 
 Glaize, halted for an hour, and some got a half-hour's 
 sleep. The horses were fed and all had a limited break- 
 fast, but before it was concluded our much needed rest was 
 abruptly broken by an order received for the Second New 
 Hampshire to take the rear immediately, the enemy having 
 appeared on the opposite side of the bayou. 
 
 Confederate account. Official (i, 592) : 
 
 Headquarters District of West Louisiana, 
 
 In the Field, May 16, 1864. 
 Colonel, — On yesterday the fighting was well sus- 
 tained. Steele's division pressed the enemy's rear and 
 flank on the river road below Alexandria, while Bagb^s 
 division, afterward reinforced by Major, beat back sev- 
 eral times the head of his column as it attempted to de- 
 bouche on the high ground of the Marksville Prairie from 
 the Choctaw Swamp. Heavy loss was inflicted on the 
 enemy, Bagby skillfully masking his artillery and using it 
 at short range. Late in the evening the enemy turned the 
 position by bringing up his masses, and we fell back to 
 Mansura, Marksville being occupied by him during the 
 night. At early dawn this morning skirmishing began 
 along our line, of which Mansura was the centre, Bagby 
 and Major, with nineteen pieces of artillery, holding the 
 right, and Polignac, reinforced by two regiments of cav- 
 alry under Debray, the left, with thirteen pieces of artil- 
 lery, including two 30-pounder Parrotts. The broad, 
 open prairie, smooth as a billiard table, afforded an ad- 
 mirable field for artillery practice, and most of our guns 
 were 3-inch rifle and lo-pounder Parrotts captured from 
 the enemy. About 6 A. m. the action became general, the 
 enemy bringing up masses of infantry with several bat- 
 teries. Several attempts to turn our right were signally 
 repulsed, as were the efforts to advance on our centre. 
 At 10 A. M. long lines of infantry commenced demonstra- 
 tions on our left, the pivot of the position, our trains being 
 behind that flank near Evergreen. This rendered the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 469 
 
 position dangerous, as the enemy had probably 16,000 
 men on the field, and perhaps more. Our men withdrew 
 with the steadiness of veterans on parade, and the road to 
 Simsport was left open to the foe.. Our artillery was most 
 admirably served, and told heavily on the long lines and 
 heavy columns of the enemy, while our short, thin line 
 offered a small mark. As soon as the enemy resumed his 
 retreat a division of cavalry was sent to attack him at the 
 Moreauville Cut-ofF, while the remainder of my little force 
 harassed his rear and flank. I have some men in a good 
 position on the east bank of the Atchafalaya to- impede 
 the passage of that stream and inflict loss on the fleeing 
 foe. No report from Colonel Harrison for two days, but 
 as he has had excellent opportunities of worrying the fleet 
 I hope to have a good account of him. The campaign 
 here will close to-morrow, when I will await, for a day or 
 two, the decision of department headquarters on my sug- 
 gestion of a Missouri movement. Not hearing, I will 
 order down Walker's division, throw myself into the La 
 Fourche, confine the enemy to New Orleans, and close the 
 navigation of the Mississippi. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 R. Taylor, 
 Major- General. 
 
 An unbiased observer from the fighting star of Mars 
 would say that all the brag was not on the Union side. 
 
 Adjutant Prescott's, 17th. Bayou de Glaize bridge : 
 
 The balance of the brigade was to move on some dis- 
 tance and our regiment was directed to burn the bridge on 
 which we had crossed the bayou. The enemy, discover- 
 ing our purpose, as we attempted to fire the bridge, 
 pressed hard to prevent it and the skirmishing became 
 very spirited, but the superiority of our firearms again was 
 to our advantage against a force larger than our own, and 
 we held the position until the bridge was well on fire, and 
 for them to cross it was impossible. The enemy, baffled 
 in the attempt, hurried a portion of their force around a 
 bend in the bayou and opened on our flank with two 
 pieces of artillery. Under cover of these guns, quite a 
 force of infantry crossed at a ford or another bridge, of 
 which we had no knowledge, and charged on our left 
 
470 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 flank expecting to cut us off from the main portion of our 
 army. Our position was critical, and it required all the 
 use of our carbines, revolvers, and even the small pistols 
 which the officers carried in their belts, to extricate our- 
 selves from the mass of rebs. We got out our left flank 
 from its imminent danger and fell back slowly, closely 
 followed by the enraged rebels who repeatedly charged 
 our line ; but we resisted their attacks successfully and 
 but few of our men were taken prisoners. All of our am- 
 munition was nearly exhausted when we arrived within 
 supporting distance of our main column, but our mission 
 had been accomplished, the bridge burned, and a superior 
 force kept back without serious loss to us. 
 
 An incident occurred during this engagement at the 
 bridge, which, by reason of the surroundings, was so 
 ludicrous, notwithstanding its pathetic features, that it 
 diverted, for the moment, the attention of the few who saw 
 it, critical as was our position at that moment, and it may 
 not be out of place to relate it here as told by an officer 
 who was an eye-witness. There was a little hamlet of 
 houses about the bridge at the bayou, including a number 
 of cabins which were the quarters of the colored people of 
 the village. Soon after the battery had opened on our 
 flank, and while we were still holding the bridge, a round 
 shot came crashing through one of these negro cabins, 
 taking out one side post of the door and shattering the 
 only window which gave light to the house. Most of the 
 colored, as well as white inhabitants of the hamlet, had 
 taken refuge under the high bank of the bayou, when the 
 firing commenced ; but from sickness or some other 
 reason, one old colored man had been left in this hut and 
 was there when the shot struck it. As the shot came 
 crashing through his house, shivering the glass, rattling 
 the dry clay from the primitive chimney and scattering 
 splinters in all directions, the old man came out clad in a 
 single garment, with the most intense fright and despair 
 pictured in his countenance, and raising his hands above 
 his head, fell on his face as if actually shot, exclaiming. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 471 
 
 " O Lord, Mosis, Massa ! I's killed sure ! " The old man 
 may have died of fear and the shock, but was apparently 
 unharmed, as he had not been struck by the shot or any 
 bullet. 
 
 When the regiment arrived at the rear of our forces, it 
 formed on the right of the Second Illinois, and being out 
 of ammunition was relieved and put in the second line, 
 that being the formation in which the rear portion of the 
 army was falling back. We soon came upon the road to 
 Simsport, and at night bivouacked about a half-mile from 
 the pontoon bridge. Heavy skirmishing had been kept 
 up all day and there was much loss, that of the regiment 
 being two killed, thirteen wounded, and seven missing. 
 Lieutenants Haskins and Beckford being among the 
 wounded. 
 
 A large portion of the army had crossed the bayou and 
 all lay down on the inviting grass that night with the first 
 assurance of safety they had felt for weeks. We were 
 near the Atchafalaya river and the gunboats. Both offi- 
 cers and men were in a terrible state of exhaustion, all 
 having shared alike the exacting duties and hardships of 
 the campaign. For five days and nights they had been 
 entirely without rest, except now and then a few moments 
 on the ground at the horses' feet. They had been short of 
 rations, all had suffered from hunger and thirst ; the con- 
 stant danger of their positions and the exacting and con- 
 tinuous service required of them, had caused a never ceas- 
 ing strain upon their strength and vitality ; hence the 
 opportunity to sleep that night came to them under the 
 absorbing influence which the removal of all care and 
 anxiety brings. Capt. Con. Healy who had commanded 
 the regiment with marked ability and success, and Adju- 
 tant Prescott, were so completely exhausted that repeated 
 a-nd persistent efforts to waken them during the night for 
 some needed information, utterly failed, while ordinarily 
 both awaked at the slightest disturbance. Lieutenant- 
 
472 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Colonel Flanders and Dr. Clark here joined us from the 
 boats, and Colonel Flanders again assumed command of 
 the regiment. 
 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan in a trap. Letter extract : 
 
 A few days after leaving Alexandria after Lieut. Cobbs 
 was killed, the Third Mass. was bringing up the rear. 
 The rebs. were crowding them pretty hard, when Gen. 
 Davis fell back from the woods into an open field and 
 formed line. The 3d Mass. sent back for reinforcements 5 
 Davis ordered one company of our regiment up. Capt. 
 Healy ordered me up with Company K to report to the 
 commander of the 3d Mass. He ordered me on the left 
 flank into the woods to try and find out the strength, if 
 possible, of the rebs. There was a small stream about 
 thirty feet wide, running to the left. He told me to cross 
 the bridge and deploy in the woods ; that would leave the 
 stream between Company K and the 8th Regiment. We 
 moved and deployed, but we didn't have to go far, about 
 two or three hundred yards, when we ran into two solid 
 columns of infantry that sent us back flying. My horse 
 ran into a wild grape vine and upset himself, and I went 
 over his head. Fortunately neither of us were hurt. I 
 happened to catch him as he got up, and mounted again. 
 We fell back to the edge of the woods, when I ordered the 
 men to dismount and prepare to fight on foot, not thinking 
 that the 3d Mass. would retreat without ordering me out 
 to fall back with them ; but they did, and the first thing I 
 knew, Johnnie had the bridge, and Co. K was cut off. 
 There was no time to be lost. I ordered the men to mount, 
 gave the command " fours right," and at the head of the 
 company I jumped into the stream, swam and waded across 
 and started on a gallop for the regiment. The rebs. saw 
 the movement and started on a gallop to cut us off, com- 
 ing out in sight of the regiment about three fourths of a 
 mile away, we going for dear life and Johnnie the same, 
 trying to cut us off. Healy saw us and ordered Capt. 
 Gannon to charge them up and he did, just in time to check 
 them, and we slipped in by the skin of our teeth without 
 losing a man in the skirmish ; but it was a close call for 
 all hands. I send you a diagram of this aff"air as I recol- 
 lect it, and I assure you it was impressed on my mind 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. '473 
 
 very clearly. You will recollect the place, no doubt, from 
 the sketch I enclose. 
 
 Additional facts. May 17, Battle of Moreauville, at the 
 Burning Bridge : 
 
 When it was ascertained that the enemy was in force in 
 our rear, on the 17th, Companies B and F under com- 
 mand of Lieutenants Newhall and Beckford respectively, 
 were ordered to remain on the north or west side of the 
 bayou, holding a position on the top of a bluff, and to keep 
 the enemy back while the rest of the troops crossed the 
 bridge and got into position. The orders were that when 
 the bridge was well on fire, a signal would be given and 
 then we were to cross. These orders were carried out. 
 The enemy showed in force, but these two gallant little 
 companies kept up a sharp fire, leading the rebs. to think 
 that we still had a large force on that side of the bayou. 
 By reason of the high bank at that place, they could not 
 see the bayou. When the bridge was well blazing, we 
 were ordered across. We withdrew a part of the men at 
 a time and before the rebs. knew what we were up to, we 
 were safely across, Lieutenants Beckford and Newhall 
 bringing up the rear. We formed line, our right resting 
 on road facing rear. In meantime the enemy had 
 appeared across the bayou, and all along the bluff, yelling 
 as only Johnnies could yell. Finding the bridge gone they 
 moved a large force around the bayou to our left. The 
 bayou here was almost in the shape of a horseshoe and our 
 line, after the crossing just made, was formed about across 
 the centre inside. Our orders were to hold this position 
 until relieved or ordered back. The enemy opened on us 
 with a battery from the bluff, but fortunately fired over our 
 heads. We soon saw that the rebs. had crossed the bayou 
 on our left, and were coming up in our rear. Just at this 
 time Lieutenant Beckford received a bad wound in the 
 shoulder and was taken to the rear. Lieutenant Haskins, 
 " Jud," had just told his men, Company A, to " sock it to 
 'em" when he caught a hot one in the side and had also to 
 be taken from the field. About this time, without consult- 
 ing the almanac, things began to look serious. We were 
 getting short of ammunition, the rebs. were slowly working 
 around our left. On looking off towards our right. Lieu- 
 
474 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 tenant Newell was seen charging a lot of rebs. Lieuten- 
 ant Newhall told his men that if they had to surrender, to 
 be sure first to break their carbines and throw the cham- 
 bers of their revolvers away ; but Capt. Healey, who 
 was in command of the regiment, was soon seen riding up 
 from the rear (or really back from the front), with orders 
 to fall back as all had been made safe and they were 
 ready to receive the enemy ; so facing about, we charged 
 through the rebs. who had come on our left, and giving 
 them a rattling revolver fire, we were soon safe behind one 
 of our batteries of sixteen guns, which was placed behind 
 a hedge, and gave the rebs. a warm reception when they 
 came up. That checked them for that day. Had they 
 at the first known our weakness they might have gobbled 
 our little force in spite of its bold front. It was the hottest 
 little fight of the campaign. 
 
 The following from Corporal W. G. Hodgdon of Farm- 
 ington, dated November 21, 1889, was in ready response 
 to the first circular issued, giving also, as that called for, 
 names of comrades and parties interested. Lieut. D. B. 
 Newhall speaks of his right flank being protected by the 
 nature of the ground, and that Lieutenant Newell with 
 his detachment was, on the 17th, watching the fight for 
 some distance up the bayou. Lieutenant Newell joined 
 the main force at retreat on the Simsport road. 
 
 Corporal Hodgdon says : 
 
 While on the Red River retreat on May 17, 1864, the 
 4th cavalry brigade covering said retreat with the Eighth 
 regiment on the extreme right and Company I being on 
 the right of the regiment ; eight members of that company 
 found themselves in a road running alongside of the 
 bayou. After reaching Moreauville in the afternoon, the 
 army took a left backward wheel and went oflF on a 
 road by the right flank towards Yellow Bayou. Our 
 extreme right knew nothing of this movement made 
 by the main line deployed in the field, being very hard 
 pressed by the enemy, until we saw the rebels mov- 
 ing in column on the road over which our army 
 had just passed. Our small squad marched on a third of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 475 
 
 a mile when suddenly we were brought to a realizing 
 sense of our condition by receiving a volley directly in 
 our rear, that detachment of the Johnnies having been 
 hidden by a bend of the bayou. 
 
 Having more than we could handle in front, Lieut. 
 Newell gave commands, " Dismount, down the fence, 
 mount, forward, trot, gallop," which resulted in a clean 
 run across the fields, followed by a swarm of rebel bees 
 that we wished to have no business with just then. 
 Guided by the sound of the artillery firing by both sides, 
 we made a rush of about eight miles through fields and 
 woods, at last coming out in an open field over which our 
 own regiment had been fighting, as was evidenced by 
 coming across a dying comrade of Company G, whom we 
 were obliged to leave, owing to the closeness of the rebs. 
 When we came in sight of our folks, the firing had nearly 
 ceased, but the distance between us was so great that they 
 could not recognize us, and several pieces of artillery were 
 leveled at us, but, fortunately for us, Capt. Landers just 
 then rode up to the battery and told them that he had a 
 lieutenant and eight men out somewhere and he would ride 
 forward and ascertain our character. He came out far 
 enough to make out his old companions, and waved his 
 handkerchief to the battery, we rode on, feeling better in 
 mind and body than we had for one hour, at least. As we 
 passed near the battery our attention was called to the sad 
 sight of fifteen of our boys who had been killed ; among 
 them was John T. Boyd, of Company I, whom I had, a 
 few minutes before we were cut off, assisted on to another 
 comrade's horse to be carried off the field. 
 
 More of May 17 : 
 
 Lieutenant Newhall reports that at the burning of the 
 bridge, three companies were there, viz.. A, B, and F. 
 Also that Adjutant Prescott and the rest were on the right. 
 Adjutant Prescott says that they fought the rebels well till 
 almost out of ammunition. Still held on and resisted a 
 charge in front. Charged up the road again driving the 
 enemy. All the above was the work of the Second New 
 Hampshire Cavalry alone. In the action a bullet struck 
 Prescott's sabre scabbard and another grazed his leg. 
 
476 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 On Yellow Bayou. Prescott says : 
 
 At ten A. M. on May 18, the rebels commenced firing 
 on our pickets, driving them in. About 5,000 infantry 
 and a force of artillery now came (back) over the pontoon 
 bridge, marched past our position and were soon engaged 
 with the enemy about a mile to the front (or rear). Our 
 regiment was in line awaiting orders to advance, but did 
 not receive such until 2 p. m., when it moved up to the 
 front and formed on the left of the infantry in readiness to 
 charge through the woods within which the rebels were 
 posted. The artillery and infantry had driven the enemy 
 back on the right, but later they charged on our left with 
 the evident intention of turning it, but when they were 
 within about forty yards of our line the regiment charged 
 with revolvers, the infantry also charging, which quickly 
 put the enemy to flight, driving them through the woods 
 to the field beyond. This ended the fighting for the day, 
 and at 9 p. m. we fell back to the camp ground of the night 
 previous. Our loss was one killed, eleven wounded, and 
 one missing. 
 
 SiMSPORT, May 18, 1864. 
 Brigadier-General Emory, Commanding Nineteenth 
 
 Army Corfs: 
 
 General, — A movement will be made in the morning 
 to turn the right flank of the enem}' that was pressing 
 General Smith to-day, by General Arnold's cavalry and 
 General Lawler's corps. The major-general commanding 
 directs that you hold your command in readiness to move 
 to the support of General Smith's command, which will 
 occupy the position on Yellow Bayou, near the one he 
 occupied to-day, in case a demonstration should be made 
 upon him in the morning. He directs that you hold your- 
 self in readiness at an early hour in the morning. This 
 will not interfere with the crossing of the trains. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Geo. B. Drake, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 
 SiMSPORT, La., May 18, 1864. 
 Brig.-Gen. A. J. Smith, Comd'g. Detach. i6thand lyth 
 
 Army Corps: 
 
 I am directed by the major-general commanding to 
 inform you that a movement will be made in the morning 
 
LT. D. B. NEWHALL, CO. B. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 477 
 
 by the cavalry division, supported by General Lawler's 
 corps, to pass beyond the right flank of the enemy to reach 
 the cut-oflfin his rear. He directs that you order the cav- 
 alry in front, immediately upon the receipt of this order, 
 to report to General Arnold to participate in this move- 
 ment. He also directs that you remain in the position you 
 now occupy, or fall back this side of the bayou, whichever 
 in your judgment, may seem best. You will notify him of 
 the position you adopt. General Emory has been ordered 
 to hold himself in readiness to support you in case of a 
 demonstration in your front. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Geo. B. Drake, 
 Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 Sergt. Chas. A. Emerson, extract from letter : 
 
 As trying a spot as I was ever in was during the bridge 
 building when at Yellow Bayou. We were drawn up in 
 line in front of woods full of dismounted rebels. We were 
 under a sharp fire all the time, and soon got an order to 
 charge mounted, into the woods, through a dense cane 
 brake as high as our heads, on horseback. Many of our 
 horses were shot in this charge, this being the second 
 time that I had had my horse shot under me, leaving me 
 on foot and alone. Being left so on the rear guard with 
 a dead horse for transportation is not very agreeable. 
 That day Lieutenant Newhall was wounded in the arm. 
 Ask " Stub" if it was not a hot place. 
 
 May 19th, crossed the Atchafalaya, seemed good to 
 have a good-sized river between us and the rebs. 
 
 Yellow Bayou. Additional facts : 
 
 May 18, 1864. While quietly resting for the first time 
 for many days on the banks of the Yellow Bayou and 
 thinking that at last the rebels were going to let us alone, 
 sharp firing was heard on the picket line held by Gen. 
 Mower's command of A. J. Smith's forces. Most of the 
 troops were over, yet reinforcements were hurried back. 
 Gen. Smith on his black pacer flew over the field, with his 
 staflf vainly trying to keep up, heavier firing, and "boots 
 and saddles" sounded, and soon ours, the Fourth Brigade, 
 was in line. Aids shot out in all directions and it looked 
 
478 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 like another fight. We were soon ordered to move up to 
 a piece of woods on left of infantry. Minie-balls were 
 zipping in fast ; evidently the woods were full of 'em. In 
 a short time we had orders to charge into the woods, 
 using our revolvers, as handling sabres was out of the 
 question. This was to us a novel way of fighting, but the 
 boys rather liked it and went in with a vim that soon sent 
 the enemy back at double quick. We followed them 
 some distance capturing many prisoners. Lieut. Newhall 
 was severely wounded by a shot. Lieut. Peterson took 
 his place. The charge of the Fourth Brigade was just in 
 season to prevent the enemy from turning our left flank 
 as they were massing their forces for that purpose. There 
 were about 5,000 rebs. in that fight under Gen. Polignac, 
 one of their best fighters. This ended the fighting for that 
 campaign. Gen. Dick Taylor says that they had been at 
 it for several days. 
 
 Confederate. E. Cunningham to his uncle at Lynch- 
 burg, Va. : 
 
 Shreveport, La., June 27, i86<4. 
 
 The Yankees left Alexandria about May 13, after burn- 
 ing two thirds of the town. Whether it was their inten- 
 tion to burn the whole place, or only some of the public 
 buildings, warehouses, etc., does not clearly appear. My 
 opinion is they did not intend total destruction. The wind 
 was very high and the fire could not be managed. A 
 considerable quantity of stores were destroyed. The gun- 
 boats took off some of their armor to lighten them, and 
 ten or twelve heavy guns were burst on the river bank. 
 General Taylor fought them at Moreauville three or four 
 hours and then drew off his force which was between them 
 and Simsport. Following up their retreat he received a 
 severe repulse at Yellow Bayou, six miles from Simsport, 
 from some new troops brought from the Texas coast. 
 
 The following in regard to May 18, is of interest to 
 Second New Hampshire. From part 311, Gen. A. J. 
 Smith's report : ^ 
 
 We reached the vicinity of Simsport on the i6th, skir- 
 mishing with the pursuing cavalry. Our boats being there, 
 a bridge was made of them across the Atchafalaya, and on 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 479 
 
 the 17th, 1 8th, and 19th the Thirteenth and Nineteenth 
 Corps and the cavalry crossed the bayou. 
 
 On the i8th of May, while lying in line protecting the 
 crossing of the other corps, the enemy made a severe attack 
 on the lines, driving in the skirmishers. I was at the time 
 at the landing, but had left orders with General Mower, in 
 case the enemy attacked, to use whatever force was neces- 
 sary to drive them back. He therefore ordered the line 
 forward, driving them easily for about two miles across an 
 open field and through a briar thicket, thickly interspersed 
 with dead trees on the other side, beyond which he found 
 them drawn up in force far outnumbering his, with about 
 twenty pieces of artillery posted to support them. With- 
 drawing to the edge of the first field General Mower 
 formed line, concealed by the thicket, and bringing his 
 artillery up to a close range awaited their advance. They 
 soon came, when, after giving them a few rounds of canis- 
 ter and case-shot, he ordered a charge with the bayonet, 
 repulsing them with terrible slaughter and driving them 
 again through the thicket into the field beyond under pro- 
 tection of their artillery. 
 
 Withdrawing to his old position near the thicket they 
 charged him again, and were a second time driven back 
 with severe loss. The firing during the second charge 
 set the thicket on fire, so that it formed a barrier impass- 
 able for either party. Withdrawing his troops to the open 
 field, General Mower sent those that had been the heaviest 
 engaged to their camps and formed a new line with the 
 remainder, who bivouacked in line during the night. 
 
 This fight virtually closed the campaign. Before being 
 relieved from command. General Taylor gave up his idea 
 of a campaign towards New Orleans, and ordered all of 
 his infantry back to the vicinity of Alexandria, there to rest 
 and prepare for future operations. 
 
 In regard to Gen. A. J. Smith's independent command, 
 General Banks in his report (i, 217) says, "He never 
 declined cooperation with me, nor did he receive orders 
 from me. He made no official reports of his forces or their 
 operations." Mr. Flinn in his interesting book quotes the 
 above, probably getting it from the official records in 
 
480 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Washington as they were not then published ; at least not 
 volume 34, part i. But on Seft. 26, 1865, the energetic 
 old warrior did make a report to General Sherman, and 
 said report was delayed to the above date at the personal 
 request of General Sherman, and the veterans can weigh 
 the evidence and decide why such a delay occurred. 
 
 In part i, 307, General Smith's report says on April 8, 
 " By permission of General Banks I moved forward to 
 Pleasant Hill." Part i, 309, he says, " I received orders 
 from General Banks to move from Pleasant Hill on the 
 loth of April at 2 o'clock a. m. The order was peremp- 
 tory. I moved at the designated hour." 
 
 Canby to Halleck, May 18, 1864 : 
 
 The troops from Red river arrived at Simsport yester- 
 day, will reach Morganzia to-day. This army isjn better 
 condition than I supposed from the accounts that had 
 reached me, and will soon be ready for offensive opera- 
 tions. 
 
 The above is a ver)' important report of Banks' much 
 maligned forces. 
 
 Field Order, No 45. 
 
 Simsport, La., May 18, 1864. 
 
 The crossing of the troops to the east side of the Atchaf a- 
 laya will commence at once, and continue day and night 
 until completed. The Fourth Brigade of the Cavalry 
 Division will remain on the west bank until all of the 
 troops shall have crossed. Brig. -Gen. Arnold, chief of 
 cavalry, will notify Col. Davis when to cross. Brig.-Gen. 
 A. J. Smith will report to Gen. E. R. S. Canby com- 
 manding division of West Mississippi. 
 
 Near Simsport, May 18, 1864, General Arnold to Maj. 
 G. B. Drake, A. A. G. (3, 647) : 
 
 I have been unable to withdraw the Fourth Brigade of 
 my command as ordered by the chief of staff last night, on 
 account of a question of command. Gen. Smith refused 
 to permit the brigade to move to this side of Yellow Bayou 
 through his lines. To-day I received information of a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 481 
 
 copy of an order to Brig.-Gen. A. J. Smith, directing that 
 Col. Davis' command, the Fourth Brigade, be withdrawn 
 to this side of Yellow Bayou, but I understand that com- 
 pliance with the order has been withheld. Col. Davis is 
 yet across the bayou in front of the infantry. His com- 
 mand has suffered severely and has urgent need of recu- 
 feration. 1 respectfully request that it be retired to camf 
 inside of the infantry. 
 
 Headquarters, Cavalry Division, 
 
 Dept. of the Gulf. 
 Maj. G. B. Drake, Asst. Adj. -Gen.: 
 
 I have the honor to submit below a copy of letter from 
 Col. Davis, commanding Fourth Brigade, Cavalry Divis- 
 ion, in addition to the application which I have just made, 
 that the command be retired for rest: "I respectfully 
 request that my command be relieved from duty and 
 allowed to return to camp for the following reasons : 
 For jive days and nights my men have been almost con- 
 stantly in the saddle, and during that time the horses 
 have had but one ration of forage. Since daylight this 
 morning we have been in the saddle and engaging the 
 enemy and both men and horses are exhausted and actu- 
 ally suffering.^'' 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 R. Arnold, 
 
 Brig.-Gen. 
 Adjutant Prescott's diary : 
 
 That night, the i8th, we completed our work and lay 
 down at. 1 2 o'clock, hoping for a night of sleep, but at i 
 A. M., on the 19th, "Boots and saddles" sounded, and 
 again in the saddle we were soon moving down the bank 
 of the Atchaf alaya river, a distance of about three miles, to 
 be in readiness for crossing, which we did at daylight on 
 a bridge which was the result of the genius and skill of 
 the officer who saved the ironclads at Alexandria, viz., 
 Lieut. -Col. Bailey of the 4th Wisconsin. Said bridge was 
 of steamboats lashed together, with plank floors laid 
 between them, some twenty boats being used for the pur- 
 pose. We went into camp on the east side. Most of the 
 army was now across, and the rebel pursuit was substan- 
 tially at an end. 
 
 31 
 
482 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 There was no fighting on this day — the first one free 
 from it for nearly two months, and we were glad to be 
 free from the sound and touch of the deadly bullet. On 
 Friday, May 20, the balance of the army crossed, and the 
 bridge was broken up. Our forces moved back some dis- 
 tance into the woods to be out of range of the enemy's 
 artillery, and preparations were made to continue the 
 march. At sunset, we commenced again our retreat, our 
 brigade being on the flank some distance from the road — 
 we were in the saddle all night, the main column moving 
 slowly on account of the bad roads. Arrived at Morgan- 
 zia on the 22d. 
 
 By Lieut. J. J. Nolan, letter extract: 
 
 The tragic and pathetic combined at Yellow Bayou on 
 May 18. It was when we were nearly surrounded, our 
 right, Co. K, resting on the bayou, rebels pouring in a 
 deadly fire across it, our retreat cut off from the corduroy 
 road, comrades falling all around. There and then I saw 
 a woman with a babe in her arms, leading another about 
 two years old, and still another about four years old fol- 
 lowing, and an old decrepit gray-haired man trying to 
 keep up with them on the bank of the bayou between the 
 two fires, the woman screaming, "save my children," 
 while we and the rebels were constandy pegging away at 
 each other. I stopped long enough to tell her to sit down 
 close under the bank and she couldn't be hurt. Just then 
 we got the command to fall back, form, and cut our way 
 out through the rebels, which we did in good shape. Just 
 then I found Michael Beggs of my company by the side 
 of the road, crying over his horse. I asked him what the 
 matter was. He pointed to his " poney," as he called 
 him, and said that his pet " got shot in the charge, and he 
 carried me to here (about two miles), and jest dropped 
 dead under me." 
 
 Official (i, 446). Itinerary of cavalry division, abstract : 
 
 April 29th, 30th.. Skirmishing along the lines held by 
 the 3d and 4th brigades (2d N. H. in 4th). Continual 
 skirmishing until May 13th. 
 
 May 14th. Army was moving down Red river — the 
 First Brigade of Cavalry in advance. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 483 
 
 15th. The march continued on the Marksville road. 
 The rebels were posted at the entrance to Avoyelles 
 Prairie with ten pieces of artillery, but were driven back 
 by 1st and 3d brigades of cavalry through the village of 
 Marksville. They next were found in line of battle near 
 Mansura. The infantry engaged them, but were forced 
 to retire. 
 
 16th. Gen. Arnold was ordered to the rear where the 
 4th and 5th brigades were stationed. Rebels opened with 
 artillery on 5th brigade near Marksville, but soon retired 
 toward Cheney ville. 
 
 17th. The rebels attacked the 4th Brigade near Moreau- 
 ville, and heavy skirmishing continued throughout the 
 day, in which the 4th and 5th lost many men. They 
 encamped near Yellow bayou. 
 
 i8th. The rebels threatened the rear guard, when Gen. 
 A. J. Smith with detachments of i6th and 17th Army 
 Corps and the Fourth Cavalry Brigade moved out to meet 
 them. A desperate fight ensued in whioh the rebels were 
 defeated, the cavalry behaving with great gallantry and 
 losing heavily. 
 
 19th. The trains crossed the Atchafalaya. 
 
 24th. The 3d and 4th Brigades and Battery F, First 
 U. S. Artillery, were assigned to the 19th A. C. as 
 cavalry 'forces 19th A. C, Col. E. J. Davis, ist Texas 
 Cavalry, commanding. 
 
 26th. Gen. Arnold, with the ist and 5th brigades and 
 Battery G, went to Donaldsonville. 
 
 Captain Prescott's diary : 
 
 On May 21st, we halted at a landing on Red river near 
 Williamsport, and the troops of the i6th and 17th Corps 
 embarked on transports for Vicksburg. Resumed march 
 till 9 p. M. At 2 A. M., 22d, again en route, and at day- 
 light went into camp at Morganzia. Here the time was 
 mostly employed in scouting up and down the Atchafa- 
 laya and Mississippi rivers. On the loth of June we 
 turned over our horses to the proper authorities in obedi- 
 ence to orders from headquarters, preparator)"^ for the vet- 
 eran furlough long delayed, to which all the men who 
 had re-enlisted were entitled, and the career of the 2d N. 
 H. Cavalry was at an end. This also terminated the Red 
 
484 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 River campaign, so far as the regiment was concerned. 
 On the 14th, all the troops rendezvoused at Morganzia 
 were reviewed by Major-General Sickles, some 15,000 
 men being in column, and on the iSth, the 8th regiment 
 was relieved from duty by order of the department com- 
 mander, and directed to turn over all arms and equipment, 
 and proceed to New Orleans for furlough. Gen. Emory, 
 commanding at Morganzia, in whose division the regiment 
 had long served, paid it a high compliment in promulgat- 
 ing the order, and Col. Davis, who had been in command 
 of our brigade during the latter part of the campaign, 
 issued a general order on the same day, in parting with 
 the regiment, complimentary of its valor, courage, and 
 soldierly bearing. Col. Chrysler, who commanded the 
 brigade in which we served for a time, sent a letter to Col. 
 Flanders, bidding good-bye to the regiment, and praising 
 the organization in highest terms. 
 
 The following commendation of our regiment was em- 
 bodied in the farewell order of Gen. E. J. Davis, com- 
 manding cavalry forces. Nineteenth Army Corps : 
 
 Frequently not only the success but the safety of the 
 entire command has been owing to the dauntless bi"avery 
 and steady bearing of the Second New Hampshire 
 Cavalry. 
 
 On the i6th, we went on board transports, and at two 
 o'clock started for New Orleans, passing during the after- 
 noon Port Hudson, where so many of our comrades had 
 filled Southern graves, and later Baton Rouge, where we 
 had passed some time more pleasantly. Early on the 
 17th of June, we arrived in the city, but were ordered to 
 Carrolton, a few miles up the river, where we landed 
 later in the day, and went into camp a short distance back 
 of the village on the shell road. Three and a half months 
 had elapsed since the regiment, buoyant with hope and 
 courage, had marched from a point on the other bank of 
 the river opposite the one to which it had now returned, to 
 enter upon a campaign which promised glory, and good 
 results to the country, but which, unfortunately, had 
 ended in disaster and defeat — a campaign the most 
 arduous, toilsome, and exhausting in which the regiment 
 had ever participated; one of ceaseless marches, constant- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 485 
 
 watchfulness by day and by night, and daily exposure to 
 the enemy's fire and harassing attacks ; one of suffering 
 from hunger and thirst, from exposure to the elements, 
 without blankets, tents, or sufficient clothing, and under 
 the depressing, demoralizing influence, much of the time, 
 which a long retreat always brings ; a campaign of such 
 exacting and constant service that, of the seven hundred 
 horses with which the regiment started out, not two hun- 
 dred of the original animals were returned ; with casual- 
 ties occurring almost every day and aggregating about one 
 fourth of its force ; yet, under these adverse conditions, 
 maintaining such heroic bearing, such unyielding purpose 
 and. unflinching, courage, that it received the commenda- 
 tions of three commanding generals expressed in general 
 orders. No New Hampshire regiment was put to a 
 severer test of true courage and heroism ; none made a 
 better or more enviable record under adverse and demor- 
 alizing influences. 
 
 Confederate. Taylor to Kirby Smith (i, 547), June 5, 
 1864: 
 
 In truth the campaign, as a whole, has been a hideous 
 failure. The fruits of Mansfield have been turned to dust 
 and ashes. Louisiana, from Natchitoches to the Gulf, is a 
 howling wilderness , and her people are starving. Arkan- 
 sas is probably as great a sufferer. Abolition is ramfant. 
 The remains of Banks' ai-my have gone to Grant or 
 Sherman. 
 
 June II, 1864. Smith to president C. S. A. (i, 541) : 
 
 I have relieved Gen. Taylor from command until the 
 pleasure of your Excellency can be known. 
 
 Bragg to Lee, July 22, 1864 (i, 548) : 
 
 President orders Lieut.-Gen. Taylor and the infantry of 
 his corps to cross the Mississippi. He will then assume 
 command of that Department. 
 
 The following letter (i, 550) was captured in transit, 
 and forwarded to the war department, U. S. A. It is 
 regarded by Union authority as highly important as a 
 
486 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 criticism by Lieut. E. Cunningham, aide-de-camp and 
 chief of artillery, C. S. A., extract: 
 
 June 27, 1864. 
 My DEAR Uncle (R. H. C, Lynchburg, Va.) : As I 
 should hate for the enemy to get this document, I await a 
 safe opportunity to send it by "Dr. Tom." The circum- 
 stances under which Gen. Taylor was " relieved" it is not 
 my business to tell. I write not in a partisan spirit — don't 
 believe all you hear. General. Taylor is a very had man. 
 I speak what I have known more than twelve months. 
 
 Several pages are full of the accounts of the first move- 
 ments of Banks' and Sherman's forces, their first reliable 
 news, he says, coming from Northern newspapers ; also, 
 of their means and movements of oftense and defense in 
 and about Shreveport, Jefferson, and Marshall, the last a 
 vital point on account of work-shops, etc. He, Cunning- 
 ham, comes down to the eighth of April when, he says: 
 
 At 4 p. M., General Mouton, without the order or 
 knowledge of General Taylor, attacked and repulsed the 
 Thirteenth Army Corps and cavalry division, and drove 
 them till dark. Churchill and Parsons came up ; fought all 
 the day of the ninth. At night Churchill's, Parson's, and 
 most of Walker's command were in confusion. The enemy 
 retreated during the night. Our cavalry, having done 
 nothing, pursued them ; our infantry was taken back to 
 Mansfield for organization, rest, and supplies. General 
 Taylor asserts that had he been allowed to follow up his 
 victory. Banks and Porter would have been annihilated; 
 yet we had failed to whi-p three fourths of their force in 
 open fight, and we could not then haul supplies to Pleasant 
 Hill, a distance of sixty-five miles. 
 
 Taylor with the cavalry and Polignac's division followed 
 Banks. Parsons, Churchill, and Walker went for Steele, 
 also with an eye on Banks. It was impossible for us to 
 pursue Banks immediately after the ninth of April, for we 
 did not have transportation, and, too, we had been beaten, 
 demoralized, -paralyzed, in the fight of that day. Could 
 we, in a week's time, weakened by the loss of twenty-five 
 hundred men and demoralized by defeat, beat the enemy 
 entrenched at Natchitoches with a force superior to ours as 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 487 
 
 seven to four? Banks was going to the protection of his 
 gunboats, and Steele was two hundred miles from Helena, 
 his permanent base of supplies, so Kirby Smith was right 
 in his campaigning and in going in pursuit of Steele. 
 
 Gen. A. J. Smith's report to Gen. W. T. Sherman on 
 Red River expedition, September 26, 1862, extract (part 
 I, 312): 
 
 The results of the expedition may be summed up as 
 follows : I captured with my command 22 pieces of artil- 
 lery, 1,757 prisoners, and Fort de Russy, with a strong 
 casemated battery, which the gunboats would not have 
 been able to pass. My loss was 153 killed, 849 wounded, 
 and 133 missing — total, 1,135; ^Iso, one 6-mule wagon. 
 My entire command numbered originally 9,200. 
 
 Official. Gen. Ed. R. S. Canby, cool and important 
 (4. 17) : 
 
 The failure of the Red River expedition was fixed when 
 that army returned to Grand Ecore. Whether it could 
 have been successfully prosecuted after the battle of April 
 9, is questionable. In my judgment it could not have 
 bben, and the return of the army from Alexandria, after 
 the safety of the gunboats had been secured, was neces- 
 sary. No new expedition by the line of the Red River 
 should be undertaken. Its navigation has always been 
 treacherous and unreliable, and even when good the char- 
 acter of its banks is such that gunboats can be of but little 
 service in keeping it open. It would require a force equal 
 to the operating army to keep open its communications. 
 
 Any combinations having this river as one of its ele- 
 ments will, in six cases out often, result in disaster. The_ 
 Washita is a better route, but liable to many .of the same 
 objections. Shreveport can be reached by land from sev- 
 eral points on the Mississippi, by a shorter line than that 
 by which the army marched from Alexandria ; and an 
 army operating, by this line will possess the great advan- 
 tages of having its actual base on the Mississippi and its 
 flanks mainly secured by the Red and Washita rivers, 
 and that of covering by its movements the line of the 
 Arkansas and the frontiers of Missouri. My opinion with 
 
488 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 regard to these rivers was formed ten years ago, and was 
 the result of an official examination made with reference 
 to military operations on an infinitely smaller scale than 
 those now contemplated. The character of the rivers has 
 not changed since then, and the reasons why they should 
 not be relied on now are materially the same, but of mag- 
 nified importance. 
 
 Chaplain's diary : 
 
 New Orleans, June 3d. I go to the hospital to see the 
 sick and wounded. The chaplain at the St. James Marine 
 Hospital is ill, and asks to be relieved. Have twenty-five 
 letters to answer in reply to enquiries in regard to our 
 soldiers. 
 
 June 17th. I go to the hospital to-morrow as post chap- 
 lain, to-day to the regiment. The men are glad to see 
 me ; hope they will be furloughed soon. 
 
 Troops in Department of the Gulf. 
 
 June 30, 1864, partial extract. Official (4, 614) : 
 
 Fourth Brigade, Col. Morgan H. Chrysler, Comd'g. 
 2d N. Y. Veteran, Lieut.-Col. A. L. Gurney. 
 4th Wisconsin, Lieut.-Col. W. P. Mook. 
 
 Official Note. 
 
 The 6th Mass. and 2d N. H,, dismounted and detached 
 for veteran furlough. 
 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan comes to the front and tells of Com- 
 rade Patrick Shea and Lieut. Lawrence Foley : 
 
 I suppose that every regiment or company has one or 
 more odd and interesting characters in them. Our Com- 
 pany K had. one in the person of Patrick Shea. This same 
 Shea is no stranger in this book. I have had occasion to 
 mention him before. It was impossible to keep him with 
 the company on the march. Finally Capt. Healy detailed 
 two men each morning to keep Pat with the company, 
 but all to no avail ; Pat would get away, nobody ktiew 
 where or how ; but if the regiment got into a fight, Pat 
 was seen to turn up hollering like an Indian, " Give it to 
 'um boys, give it to the sons o' Bedlam." 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 489 
 
 One morning on the Red River expedition, Capt. Healy 
 put him under guard. We were in cavalry then, and on 
 advance guard, and as we were marching along about i 
 p. M., who should we see but my brave Pat Shea away 
 ahead of us perched on the square top of one of the large 
 gate posts at the entrance of a large plantation, with about 
 seven hundred negroes about him. He had obtained a 
 wide strip of white cloth, and having folded it in a minis- 
 terial manner about his neck, he was delivering a sermon 
 to the credulous negroes. We were too close on to him 
 for him to finish his discourse, so he shut off preaching 
 and, descending from his pulpit, went around with his hat 
 taking a collection. He was a gallant soldier and got 
 severely wounded in the shoulder in a subsequent fight. 
 
 I will have to be excused here if I tell you a story about 
 Col. Fearing and Lieut. Lawrence Foley of Co. C. I am 
 afraid it might be left out, and it is too good for such a 
 fate. It happened when the regiment was at Camp 
 Parapet in the fall of 1864. Col. Fearing was in New 
 Orleans ; the regiment was on furlough. Up at the camp 
 one evening, Lieut. Foley got on to his "pony and made up 
 his mind to run the "nigger guard." (The nigger Col. 
 comd'g at the camp wouldn't allow the 8th any privi- 
 leges.) After it got pretty dark, Foley started for the 
 guard on a trot, and when he got quite near-hollered out, 
 "Nevermind turning out the guard" and went through 
 to New Orleans. After putting up his pony, the first man 
 that he met at corner of Canal and St. Charles, was Col. 
 F. (Foley, you recollect, has a little impediment in his 
 speech), when the following dialogue ensued: "Good 
 evening lieutenant," said Col. Fearing. " Gu-good evening 
 colonel." "Nice evening," said colonel. " Ye-yes it 
 is, colonel," replied Larry. " When did you come down, 
 lieutenant?" asked the colonel. " Ju-just come down, sir," 
 said Fole}^. "I suppose that you have a pass," inti- 
 mated the colonel. "Ye-yes sir," said Larry. "Who 
 came down with you?" was the colonel's next question. 
 " N-no one but the t-two of us, sir." " What two?" said 
 the colonel. " M-me and the pony, sir," replied Foley. 
 "You haven't had your supper yet, lieutenant. Come," 
 said the colonel, " and have supper with me," and so 
 
490 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Corporal J. F. Chandler, on the march from Alexan- 
 dria. Letter extract : 
 
 I had hard luck in getting another good horse. Just 
 before we reached the junction of the Red river with the 
 Mississippi, I was riding an old white horse which proved 
 to be the slowest one in the company. Lieut. Jim Miles 
 told me to shoot him and go in the infantry lines until I 
 could get another, so I tramped with the 13th corps a few 
 hours, Gen. Lawler commanding, with my eye out for 
 forage. I saw a wild bird out on the Mississippi at long 
 range. I took a shot or two and was just about to fire again, 
 when a young staff officer rode up and in a very insolent 
 and arbitrary way, ordered me under arrest as shooting 
 was not allowed by their men. I probably replied to him 
 with considerable spiced language and told him that 
 was what I was out there for, and if he had been where 
 I had come from, a shot or two would not make him so 
 nervous. He told a little Dutch captain to take charge 
 of me, and as this was nearly dark, he agreed to give me 
 a benefit the next day of " turning the cart wheel" for my 
 prompt manner and elegant language. This punishment 
 was to tie the wrists to a spoke of a wagon wheel as far 
 distant from the hub as the degree of crime would war- 
 rant. The nearer the outside the more the victim would 
 have to bend his body to follow the motion of the cart. 
 As I did not want any of chat camel gait in my dish, I 
 kept up a lively conversation with my Dutch friend to 
 avoi,d suspicion. We camped at dark for lunch and to 
 make coffee. Dutchy got out his pipe for a smoke, and 
 sprawled out by the fire. I asked permission to go with a 
 guard down to the bank of the river to wash. I then 
 turned my blouse so the big yellow chevrons could not be 
 seen, put it on again and got mixed with others and 
 moved forward as fast as possible to the front. Walked 
 about a mile and stopped at a corn crib to get in some 
 sleep, as I knew the cavalry would awake me for the corn 
 when it came along. Soon the 13th commenced the 
 march again and I had to hide. When the head of col- 
 umn was opposite me I could just make out a horse tied to 
 the rear of an ambulance ; the owner was probably in 
 there asleep. I followed on until we got to a piece of 
 wood and quite dark ; then I went into the road, untied 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 491 
 
 the led horse and ran him into the woods. I then camped 
 and at daybreak started to join my company, which I 
 found in about one hour. I got my horse branded U. S. 
 and he lasted me until we got to Morganzia Bend. 
 
 Lieutenant Nolan's letter : 
 
 After we had crossed the Yellow Bayou, our brigade 
 made a four days' raid for some object not knowable to the 
 ordinary horse bumper ; we had little fighting and all rid- 
 ing till tired out. Finally one morning about two, we 
 came to a halt. I hitched my horse to my leg like the 
 rest and went to sleep. When I awoke the sun was shin- 
 ing brightly, but I had no horse, nor was there a human 
 being in sight. I examined the ground and saw what 
 direction the brigade took and started after them on foot. 
 Soon, luckily, close by the road, I espied an old con- 
 demned horse marked C. S. Taking off my cross belt, I 
 hitched it in his mouth and started bareback after the 
 regiment. In about three hours I caught up with the rear 
 guard and told my story to the colonel of the Sixth Michi- 
 gan. He told a captain to give me one of the spare 
 horses that one of the cooks was leading. When the bri- 
 gade stopped for dinner, I turned over the horse and 
 walked up to our regiment and report^ed to Maj. Con- 
 nelly. The boys were all delighted to see me for they 
 thought that I was a prisoner. Major Connelly reported 
 my story to Gen. Davis who, before starting, ordered the 
 men on line and told me to see if I could find my horse. 
 I found him in the first regiment I came to, and that was 
 the 3d Mass. It was only a few minutes after reporting 
 me to Gen. Davis that Major Connelly was disabled by 
 being badly kicked b}' a horse. 
 
 The following extracts (3, 835) show the designs of the 
 Confederate authorities, especially in regard to our Port 
 Hudson paroled men : 
 
 Headquarters Shelby's Brigade, 
 
 Dover, Ark., May 19, 1864. 
 Col. S. D. Jackman, Commanding Recruits : 
 
 Colonel, — You will collect together all squads of men 
 who may be operating in the section of country in which 
 
492 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 lar service ; therefore you must make every exertion in 
 your power to bring these men into the service. All men 
 who are on the north side of the Arkansas river and have 
 been paroled, and claim to be Vicksburg and Port Hudson 
 prisoners, must be arrested and put in companies. All 
 men between the ages of sixteen and fifty who will not 
 voluntarily enter the service must be conscripted and put 
 into a company. You will remain in the section of coun- 
 try you now hold as long as you may deem necessary to 
 enlist and conscript every man between the ages of sixteen 
 and fifty years. You will require your officers to make 
 every exertion to arrest and place in the service all men. 
 When men have been notified by yourself or officers to 
 report to your command for the purpose of enlisting, and 
 fail to comply you will use all the force in your power, 
 and when necessary shoot them down. The major-gen- 
 eral commanding the district positively orders that every 
 man in his district be immediately put into the service and 
 in an organized state. 
 
 By command of Brigadier-General Shelby. 
 
 W. H. Ferrell, 
 First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 State of New Hampshire, Adjutant-General's Report, 
 1866. Extract from report of James H. Marshall, first 
 lieutenant and adjutant of Eighth New Hampshire Volun- 
 teer Infantry : 
 
 The loss of the regiment in the whole Red River cam- 
 paign was 96 killed, wounded and missing. 
 
 From New Orleans, proceeding on veteran furlough, 
 the re-enlisted men were sent up the Mississippi, starting 
 on the nth of July, 1864, and arriving in Concord, N. 
 H., on the 23d, when they met with a hearty and warm 
 reception. At the expiration of thirty days, they left the 
 North for Louisiana on the 29th of August, and on their 
 arrival at Camp Parapet where their comrades were 
 stationed, they were ordered to Natchez, Miss., where 
 they remained during the fall doing garrison and picket 
 duty. A long picket line was kept up, but pleasant 
 weather made the duty agreeable. Colonel Fearing 
 meanwhile was on duty as chief of staflf at General Bray- 
 man's headquarters, and Capt. Thomas C. Prescott was 
 
CAPT. THOS. C. PRESCOTT, CO. G. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 493 
 
 detached as acting assistant adjutant-general of the district 
 of Natchez. 
 
 Personal. — Thomas C. Prescottwas born in Strafford, 
 N. H., November 16, 1837, and the first eighteen years of 
 his life were mostly passed on the farm where his childhood 
 began. His education, after attending the common school 
 of his neighborhood, was received at Pittsfield, N. H., 
 academy, and the New London Institute. In 1857, he 
 went to Wisconsin, and was engaged in teaching school, 
 returning to New Hampshire in the fall of i860. When, 
 in 1861, it became apparent that the country would be 
 involved in a bloody and protracted war to preserve the 
 Union, Mr. Prescott saw his duty plain to assist in the 
 struggle, and on the 30th day of October, of that year, he 
 enlisted in Company G, of the Eighth New Hampshire 
 Regiment, going into camp with his company soon after. 
 He soon mastered the drill, and was made a sergeant on 
 the organization of the company. On Ship Island he was 
 offered a clerkship at General Butler's headquarters, but 
 declined it for the reason that he desired to be an active 
 and efficient soldier. On the 2d day of November, 1862, 
 he was appointed sergeant-major by Colonel Fearing, 
 serving in that position, and often performing the duties of 
 adjutant in the absence of that officer, until April 26, 1863, 
 when he was put on duty as second lieutenant of Com- 
 pany G, by order of Colonel Fearing to fill the second 
 vacancy occurring in that company, and received his com- 
 mission soon after, dated April 14, 1863, one day after the 
 battle of Camp Bisland. 
 
 He was constantly with his company up to June 14, at 
 Port Hudson, when he received at 6 A. m. a severe gun 
 shot wound in the left shoulder and breast while in com- 
 mand of the company in that memorable charge. Captain 
 Huse being sick and Lieutenant Locke having been dis- 
 
 -T_1_J 1-. ;_ aT_ -. ^^. TJ ^ .J„J 
 
494 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the rear late at night, and two days later was taken to 
 hospital in New Orleans, where he lay nearly three 
 months. He could not return to the regiment until No- 
 vember, and then went on duty, although at that time and 
 for a year later he could not use his left hand. 
 
 He was promoted to first lieutenant, December i6, 
 1863; to adjutant, April i, 1864, in which position he 
 served during the Red River campaign, and to captain of 
 Company H, his commission dating May 25, 1864. Early 
 in the /all following, he was appointed acting assistant 
 adjutant-general on the staff of Gen. M. Brayman com- 
 manding the post and defenses of Natchez, which position 
 he held until ordered home with the regiment to be mus- 
 tered out of service. 
 
 On returning home he at once went West and settled in 
 Iowa, engaging in mercantile business in the town of 
 Durant. In 1876, he was elected clerk of the courts for 
 Cedar county, which position he held four years, retiring 
 then to give the place to a crippled comrade. He again 
 engaged in trade, also in the banking business at Tipton, 
 Iowa, and in 1885, having sold his interests in eastern 
 Iowa, he removed to Sioux City, where he now- resides, 
 engaged quite extensively in real estate business. 
 
 On October 27, 1868, he married Miss Jennie A. Wash- 
 burn, who still is living. His family now (1891) consists 
 of himself, wife, and two children. 
 
 Personal. — John H. Prescott, brother of T. C. Prescott, 
 was born in Strafford, N. H., November 4, 1840, and was 
 reared to farm work. He received the limited advantages 
 afforded by the common school, and later took an educational 
 course at New Hampton, N. H. He enlisted as a private 
 in Company G of the Eighth Regiment in November, 
 1861, and shared in all the privations and successes of the 
 regiment during more than three years of service. He 
 received promotions several times as a non-commissioned 
 
LIEUT. JOHN H. PRESCOTT, CO. G. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 495 
 
 ofRcer, and on December 16, 1863, was commissioned 
 second lieutenant of his company. Was promoted to first 
 lieutenant, April i, 1864, and on the 20th day of Septem- 
 ber, 1864, was commissioned captain of Company G, in 
 which capacity he served until the regiment was mustered 
 out January 18, 1865. 
 
 In April following, he settled in Durant, Iowa, where 
 he engaged in farming, and in 1867, married Miss Roxy 
 O. Pingrey ; moving West two years later, he located in 
 Shelby county, Iowa, where he resided until 1881, being 
 occupied with farming and stock raising, and at that time 
 moved to the Red River valley, Minnesota, engaging ex- 
 tensively with his brother in grain raising. He died on 
 Christmas morning, 1887, after a brief but severe illness 
 from pneumonia. 
 
 Captain Prescott was a faithful soldier, a good citizen, 
 and held offices of trust in the several localities where he 
 resided. He made many friends in Iowa, and his sudden 
 death was greatly deplored b}' all who knew him. 
 
 Letter from ' ' Index " : 
 
 Camp ParApet, La., Sept. 9, 1864. 
 
 We left Concord on August 29th with 52 recruits from 
 the draft camp in the rear car under guard. Thirty-one 
 "left" in the night, so when we reached Allyn's Point, 
 government was out $34,000. 
 
 On the "Continental," we reached New Orleans on 
 Sept. 6 ; found the regiment at Carrolton in a bad condi- 
 tion ; half of them sick, and the rest half sick. We have 
 now got into a more healthy spot, on the Metaria Ridge, 
 on the right of the northern defenses of New Orleans. 
 Everything quiet and hot. Through a flag of truce, we 
 heard from Capt, King at Tyler, Texas, that he was 
 "enjoying himself making others happy"; so said the 
 rebel ofiicer in charge. 
 
496 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 For the Prison, Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. — Short Rations and hard 
 Marching. — Captain King sick; Guards indulgent. — April 17 at 
 
 Camp Ford. — A Hole in the Ground. — Letters sent Home 
 
 "Northers" and hard Rains. — A Chess-board and Hunger. — A 
 Midnight Yell. — Could give Lessons in Music. — Yanks manage to 
 escape. — Got a Cabin ; good for Forty-second Massachusetts. — 
 Got a Mess ! — Prisoners shot down ! — Guards left for Home. — 
 The Dump Cart. — Captain King got out. — Recaptured after Seven 
 Da3's. — Infamous Prison Order. — Signed Paroles. — October 23, 
 Free! — Bloodhounds. — Some Rations. — Statement before the 
 Congressional Committee. — Dogs. — Punishments. — Forty-eighth 
 Ohio. — That whole Regiment Prisoners. — Gamblers, " Keno," 
 Shooting. — Report of Confederate Prison Surgeon. — How the 
 Forty-eighth saved their Flag. — Fourth of July in Camp Ford. — 
 The Confederate Pedler. — "Home, Sweet Home" by the Con- 
 federate Brigade Band. — The number of Second New Hampshire 
 Prisoners at Camp Ford. — Sergeant Willis Ball, Personal. — At 
 New Orleans, October 25. — At Natchez, November 13. — Regi- 
 ment doing Provost Duty. — Pay Day ! — Chief Bugler Durgin, 
 Personal. 
 
 We must return and follow the fortunes of the prisoners 
 of war captured during the campaign. Fortunately we 
 have the diary of Chief Bugler H. J. Durgin to depend 
 upon, as well as the published accounts of Capt. D. W. 
 King ; also the evidence of comrades of the Forty-eighth 
 Ohio. Much of the account is repulsive, but it is history ; 
 at least the personal history of a large number of well 
 known comrades of ours, and it belongs in and is an im- 
 portant part of the history of the Eighth Regiment. Its 
 recital in part would be gladly omitted, but truth and fair- 
 ness to all concerned, demand its publishment; the more, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 497 
 
 for one great reason, viz., that it should be shown and 
 emphasized what it cost of suffering to defend the flag. 
 Old soldiers are thoroughly in earnest that the memory of 
 the hours and days when the great cause of humanity was 
 trembling in the balance, shall not be forgotten, and they 
 are not to be deterred from an occasional and properly 
 timed recital. History demands all authentic accounts of 
 life in camp, field, and prison. 
 
 At the cavalry charge at noon on the 8th of April, 
 under Major Connelly, the column rode forward in the 
 same formation as they emerged from the woods; that is, 
 by the flank. On arriving at the Bayou Pierre road they 
 spread out. Major Connelly and Chief Bugler Durgin 
 going to the right, and Captain Kipg, who was second in 
 command, to the left. They then under the terrific fire, 
 attacked the rail fence to flatten it, and get at the enemy, 
 but the order for a retreat had been given, and all whose 
 horses had been shot down were taken prisoners. King 
 and Durgin are the only ones from whom have been ob- 
 tained letters and diaries written at the time. Captain 
 King's account starts in media res at the prison pen. 
 From the time that King's horse fell with him at the fence 
 and he himself was struck by a spent ball, till he arrives 
 in Camp Ford, incidents are drawn from Comrade Dur- 
 gin's diary, which was fully and faithfully kept each day 
 and is thoroughly reliable. Comrade Durgin commences 
 as follows : 
 
 April 9th, 1864. A prisoner of war ! I can hardly 
 realize it — went to sleep last night supperless, and had it 
 not been for the kindness of Capt. King, also a prisoner, 
 who bought a blanket of the rebels for ten dollars, should 
 have had no covering. At close of this day cooked a 
 coarse corn-cake ; marched 23 miles. 
 
 Sunday, loth. Up at daylight — reached Shreveport 
 at I p. M. Was put in a brick building with prisoners 
 from the "Clifton," the "Sachem," and the "Morning 
 Star." Had an interesting talk with them. 
 
498 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 nth. Spent the day in this fihhy, lousy, wretched 
 hole. Found a Union man, a resident, put in here for 
 expressing his opinions. 
 
 I2th. Changed greenbacks for Confederate notes, one 
 for ten, and spent two dollars for bread. We have half 
 rations of corn bread and beef. Bread one dollar a loaf, 
 sugar two dollars per pound. At 2 p. m. ordered off; 
 marched to "Four mile Springs" en route for Tyler, 
 Texas. 
 
 13th. Marched 18 miles to Greenwood — crossed the 
 Texas line. 
 
 14th. Capt. King was very sick last night; insane 
 from excessive fatigue, and fever and ague. The officers 
 of the guard were very attentive. He is better today. 
 Passing through Marshall — marched 21 miles. 
 
 In a late letter, July 22, 1891, Comrade Durgin says 
 that he induced the rebel guard to let Captain King ride 
 in the only conveyance that they had, viz., a wagon for 
 carrying their cooking utensils ; that he was closely 
 watched, and his craziness manifested itself in wild talk ; 
 that the rapid imaginings of his fertile brain ran forth in 
 vociferous coruscations of Yank speech that convulsed 
 the guards and didn't reassure his friends much. They 
 vibrated between happiness and " scairtness." After the 
 arrival at the stockade, he disappeared for a day, but was 
 at last found among those good Samaritans, the officers of 
 the Forty-second Massachusetts, prisoners of long expe- 
 rience, who did all they could for him. He soon grew 
 better and was himself again. When, in July, the Forty- 
 second were exchanged, I left the hole in the ground that 
 I had occupied and joined Captain King in the cabin, 
 that they, on leaving, had bequeathed to him. 
 
 April iSth. Marched seven hours. A "Norther" 
 sprang up at noon ; extremely cold for half an hour. 
 
 i6th. Reached Sabine river at 4 p. m. Very weary 
 and very hungry. 
 
 Sunday, April 17th. Reached Camp Ford at 4 p. m., 
 and joined the rest of the boys, about 1,700 prisoners 
 here. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 499 
 
 i8th. We are without shelter and cooking utensils and 
 only live by borrowing. 
 
 19th. Some have been here 18 months. Worked till 
 midnight digging for a shanty ; could not borrow the tools 
 in the daytime. 
 
 20th. Worked on our cave shanty of poles, filled in and 
 up with clay. 
 
 2ist. Same. Sent letters home through flag of truce. 
 
 22d. Stormy and a wretched time. Our old shelter 
 tents would be a fortune. 
 
 23d. Rain and hail. Was fortunate to find some shel- 
 ter with Capt. King. 
 
 24th. Sunday and fair. An hours' work made our resi- 
 dence habitable for the present. Divine service three 
 times to-day. I attended. It was like an oasis in the 
 desert of life. 
 
 25th. Made a checker board and played while terribly 
 hungry. 
 
 20th. Our rations for ten days were one pound and a 
 quarter "of corn meal, five ounces of ham, about one half 
 pint of beans and perhaps a pint of rye for coffee, and a 
 little sah. 
 
 27th. Dressed the cave shanty with a coating of mud. 
 
 28th. Exchange agents arrive and we indulge in much 
 hope. 
 
 29th. Agents take our names ; lively rumors afloat. 
 Attended the daily evening prayer meeting. 
 
 30th. One tin baker, one pot and one pail issued to 
 every 16 men. 
 
 May 1st. Sunday. Attended all the services and 
 derived great comfort therefrom. 
 
 2d. Saw a base ball game played by the officers. 
 Found a copy of " The Prince of the House of David," 
 and a testament ; quite treasures in this desolate place. 
 
 3d. Body lice are as numerous as the "sands of the sea- 
 shore," and it is impossible to keep clear of them. I scalded 
 all my clothing, but soon shall have another crop. 
 
 Comrade Durgin's experience with those vermin 
 reminds me of something unexplainable, viz. : On the 
 1 2th of June, two nights before the attack on Port Hud- 
 son, the writer came up the front late, and not finding his 
 
500 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 colored helper with the camping outfit, he turned .in for 
 sleep under the blanket of a soldier acquaintance, one of 
 Company B. The sleep was sound and refreshing, but 
 on the next day I came to the conclusion that the blanket 
 was inhabited for I caught as proof, on my own person, 
 some of those " greybacks" of which General Sherwood 
 has so eloquently sung, but there happened to be not time 
 enough before the assault to clear myself of the annoying 
 intruders, so I carried them with me as fellow prisoners 
 into Port Hudson. Now comes the strange and unac- 
 countable part of the story, which is fact, in a few words. 
 Instantly on my entrance into Port Hudson, the lice left 
 me ; vanished, vamoosed. Folded themselves (perhaps) 
 as did the Arabs their tents, and as " silently stole away." 
 I have see my soldier comrade of the bivouac a hundred 
 times since, but as I was convinced that he could tell me 
 nothing new about the above I did not mention the subject. 
 
 Durgin's diary : 
 
 May 5th. Made a set of chessmen. Drew and divided 
 rations. 
 
 6th. Had best dinner in the Confederacy, ox-head soup. 
 
 loth. Just over, a long hard rain which drove me to the 
 shed of Capt. King. Baled out our cave and put in a 
 sand bottom, very cold. 
 
 nth. Had a good time for I kept employed every 
 moment. Made a chess-board out of my handkerchief. 
 Dyed the spots with oak bark ; dyed the chessmen. 
 
 14th. Filled up with ox-tail soup and rumors of ex- 
 change. 
 
 i6th. Spent the dav in reading Combe's " Constitution 
 of Man." 
 
 26th. Been living on short rations, succeeded in buying 
 two dollars' worth of salt and same of meal, and are now 
 living in plenty. 
 
 27th. Another hundred of Banks' men got here, a very 
 wretched looking set ; hardly clothes enough to cover 
 them. 
 
 June 3d. Sold my watch for $65.00. Lent Capt. 
 King $40 of it. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 501 
 
 At this date Durgin related that King gave at midnight 
 one of those unearthly Indian war-whoops spoken of in the 
 beginning as that ecstatic accomplishment of his. It 
 alarmed prisoners and guards, the latter turned out for a 
 break. The whoop noise made a hole in the night, but 
 none were the wiser as to who " whooped." 
 
 6th. 85 prisoners from our brigade came in; seven 
 from our regiment. Sergt. Geo. A. Carleton, Co. F, is 
 among them. 
 
 loth. Subscribed for " Camps and Prisons." 
 
 i6th. Cris. Abbott, Co. E, came to us from hospital. 
 Mike Fox called on me. 
 
 17th. The spring fails, yet it is quite a relief for me to 
 go out a half a mile for water. 
 
 19th. The four chaplains and the citizen prisoners are 
 paroled. 
 
 20th. Only one team to draw wood for 4,000 men. 
 
 29th. A rebel bugler wanted me to teach him the calls. 
 He offered me a chance to go out every morning and 
 spend as much of the day as I wished outside. It" was a 
 great temptation. 
 
 In reply as to particulars in regard to its being a great 
 temptation, Comrade Durgin writes that the rebels were 
 raising a new regiment in the vicinity, and their efforts at 
 bugling were comical, and they at last hit upon the 
 scheme of hunting up a teacher among the Federals, so 
 Durgin was soon found, and the proposition made to him 
 by a very pleasant rebel. It was at first to teach all their 
 buglers, but was soon narrowed down to the applicant 
 alone, and he distinctly denied wishing to learn the Union 
 calls, only their own. For teaching him to read and play 
 their calls, he, Durgin, was to have a standing parole, giv- 
 ing him a free range of the woods within a half-mile of the 
 prison for all day after morning roll-call, only giving the 
 rebel a single hour's drill on the bugle. A whole day of 
 fresh air away from the foul smells and scenes in the midst 
 of which he was trying to keep up, and, too, his pupil might 
 
502 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 sometime assist him to escape ! Comrade Durgin very 
 naively says that he was so sorely tempted by the offer, 
 that he could not instantly say No, but put his rebel friend 
 off for a day and asked counsel of Union ofRcers, only one 
 of whom decidedly advised him to decline. He slept on the 
 subject and in the morning on awaking, his duty seemed 
 ■plain, and a positive declination was the result. 
 
 July 3d, Sunday. Over 20 prisoners escaped at one 
 time ; were fired on and five instantly retaken. An 
 infamous order was to-day issued to shoot any prisoner 
 who hereafter attempted to escape. 
 
 4th. Had a celebration, oration, speeches, toasts, and 
 songs. 
 
 7th. 450 of Col. Leak's men, the 75th N. Y. and 42d 
 Mass. officers are paroled. Capt. King is doing all in his 
 power to get us paroled. 
 
 8th. Been a prisoner three months, and to-day we 
 utterly fail of being exchanged. It is very sad. 
 
 loth. Engaged to cook for Capt. King and his squad, 
 six in all. 
 
 i2th. Had a dinner of corn fritters and green corn. 
 
 From the letter before quoted, it seems that henceforth 
 the "corn dodgers" had a "bigger infusion of salt," which 
 was appreciated highly; also, the "basting" of them with 
 a tallowed rag tied to a stick, when tallow could be had. 
 Sometimes the ragged aristocrats of the mess sold a 
 trinket and invested the proceeds in flour, bacon, and 
 cider apples; then bread without "rising" was attempted 
 and pies with alligator crusts ! No matter what were the 
 failures, the food was pronounced " fit for the gods." 
 
 13th. One of our soldiers was shot by the guard, for 
 no reason, as he was the pattern of quietness and was 
 doing nothing wrong. 
 
 14th. Best dinner yet — beef's head boiled and roasted. 
 
 1 8th. Some detected in drawing rations for men they 
 had not. 
 
 20th. 120 of the guard at daylight saddled their horses, 
 packed up, and left towards the west, in sight of all, with- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 503 
 
 out resistance. 40 men were sent to bring them back, but 
 half of those joined the rebellious rebels. 
 
 Aug. 6th. Got letters from the exchanged men dated 
 July 22d, at mouth of the Red river. Nothing definite 
 about our case, but hopeful. 
 
 _ 7th. A great many escaped last night ; loss not yet 
 discovered. 
 
 8th. Worked over some clay for a pipe for Jimmy 
 Marshall. 
 
 nth. Made up 200 hard-tack for "Andy," Capt. 
 Reed, and E. Gorman, who will try to get out to-night. 
 Guard doubled, for 500 of us are reported bound for 
 Camp Groce. 
 
 i2th. Exciting day for us. Our regiment was called out 
 to be exchanged, but only the "miscellaneous squads" 
 went. Someone struck the bright idea, and put it in prac- 
 tice, of escaping two at a time, by occupying the bottom of 
 the dump cart, being concealed by the refuse out of the sight 
 of watchful Johnnies, and thus being transported outside 
 of the camp to a hollow in the woods. A list of selected 
 candidates was kept of those chosen to take advantage of 
 the so called " cart-el of exchange," and each took his 
 turn at trial. The secret was very carefully kept at first, 
 as the necessary covering, dirt, was quietly collected, and 
 taken, for better security, each day in between the log 
 cabins occupied by the officers, so that the cart might be 
 loaded out of sight of the guards. As only one or two 
 loads of dirt were taken out daily, only two or four could 
 escape each day. The trip to the dumping ground occu- 
 pied about a half-hour in time, as the darkey driver had to 
 go slowly so as not to jar the dirt off the human part of his 
 load. The heads of the passengers were always to the 
 front, and they generally were nearly smothered in transit, 
 suffering like Jack Falstaff" in his basket. When it came 
 to our mess, and Gorman and a nameless one (to spare 
 his blushes) were a part of the load, the procession at the 
 gate received an addition of four rebels with loaded mus- 
 kets and fixed bayonets ; and when the two escapers were 
 dumped, they were, to their surprise and disgust, immedi- 
 ately taken in again. Gorman was sent to Camp Groce, 
 and the negro driver was unceremoniously hung, and his 
 place was filled by a white rebel who could be trusted. 
 Someone must have betrayed us, for the purpose of obtain- 
 in op fnvnrs. 
 
504 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 15th. Capt. King and Miller are to leave to-morrow 
 with a new party. I cannot go, as the number is full. 
 Made hard-tack for them. 
 
 i6th. A sad day. My best friend and most cheerful 
 companion, Capt. King, has gone. Perhaps he may suc- 
 ceed. God bless him ! 
 
 17th. Great rain. Seems providential, for the dogs 
 cannot catch the scent of the escaped after such a washing. 
 
 i8th. Rain continues ; consequently no roll call, and 
 their absence is unnoticed. 
 
 20th. Got my rations and a guerrilla hat ready ; expect 
 to go out with Capt. Reed. 
 
 2 1 St. Capt. Reed and a major got off. The new relief 
 came around just in time to stop the rest. 
 
 22d. Agreed to go with Lieut. Jennings. Capt. King 
 and party are missed. 
 
 23d. While we are talking of them Capt. King and 
 party make their appearance under guard, and are soon 
 back in the stockade. 
 
 24th. They doubled the guard, and stopped our going. 
 
 25th. Command of stockade turned over to Col. Sweet. 
 A recount of prisoners shows a loss of 20 officers and 180 
 men. 
 
 28th, Sunday. A prisoner deliberately shot by one of 
 the guard. This is the seventh case of this kind of murder. 
 
 Sept. 5th. Heard from the sailors who escaped. They 
 struck the Sabine river, found a boat, and went down to 
 the blockading squadron. 
 
 8th. Exchange rumors are and have been thick. They 
 serve at least to occupy our attention and keep up hope ; 
 still " hope deferred maketh the heart sick." 
 
 9th. Capt. King got a letter from Capt. Landers ; says 
 the regiment went home long ago. 
 
 13th. We get a little meal and at night some corn on 
 the cob. 
 
 17th. Another big dinner of " potted head," three sets 
 of brains fried, and corn dodgers. 
 
 28th. Several escaped through the tunnel and were 
 brought back. Paroling officer arrived, and we are among 
 the 700 fortunate ones. 
 
 29th. I signed my name with a better will than I ever 
 did before. A letter from Col. Fearing has the bad news 
 that the regiment is reconverted into infantry. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 505 
 
 Saturday, Oct. ist. Breakfast by daylight, packed up 
 and started, after being counted over and over, at 9 a. m. 
 Marched 18 miles, and halted stiff and sore. 
 
 6th. At Four Mile Springs till loth ; then started on 
 boat as an invalid, lame. 
 
 i2th. Capt. King quite sick. 
 
 15th. At night was waked up from an early sleep by 
 the strains of "Home, Sweet Home," played by the Con- 
 federate Brigade Band. It was the most delightful hour 
 that I have spent in the rebel kingdom. After much trib- 
 ulation of starting and waiting, of delay and advance, the 
 party was exchanged on Oct. 23d. 
 
 Sunday, Oct. 23d. Glorious day, the happiest of my 
 life! No longer a prisoner, thank God! "Old Ski" 
 came on board about noon, and we were soon on our way 
 to "Liberty." Reached Red River landing in two hours, 
 and oh, how we cheered at the sight of the old flag ! We 
 were soon exchanged and off down river. The rebel 
 officers were "entertained" on the boat until near mid- 
 night. I grudged them the happiness, as I did not think 
 them worthy of it. 
 
 Comrade Durgin adds in a later letter that Captain 
 King and party who escaped on August 15 wandered 
 around in the flooded river bottoms and swamps for sev- 
 eral days, and were caught and returned. He, as sorry a 
 looking object for a human being as I ever set eyes on. 
 His feet were so swollen that it took a long time to doctor 
 them back to their normal condition. My own plans of 
 escape, which were many, all failed, and of King's this 
 last was the only one by which he ever got outside. 
 Some Judas seemed at hand always to betray us, and in 
 the fall of 1865, a fellow prisoner whom I met, and who 
 was held till the close of the war, informed me that after 
 our exchange, the man whom we had suspected of being 
 the traitor was found out to be so, and was by the prison- 
 ers gagged and buried alive at once. The boys were as 
 desperate as wild beasts. On my expressing doubts of 
 the truth of the story, he assured me that it was true in 
 every particular. My informant stated that just before 
 
5o6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the discovery of the traitor they were driving work on 
 seven tunnels at once, with the intention of opening them 
 all at the same time and making a grand break, but the 
 guard on one day spotted them all and the boys agreed 
 that that could not have haf-pened; a traitor must have 
 informed on them. They found him out, and executed 
 him in their own summary way. 
 
 Being asked in regard to the Southerners using blood- 
 hounds, Durgin replies that, "it has been denied that rebels 
 used bloodhounds to trail escaped prisoners, but we can 
 state on oath that they were kept and used for this purpose 
 all of the time that we were there. One of the most com- 
 mon sounds in the early morning was the baying of these 
 hounds and attendant dogs as they made the outside cir- 
 cuit of the prison. Poor prospect was there of any es- 
 caped prisoner reaching our lines from Camp Ford. It 
 came to be well known that any fresh tracks in the roads 
 outside were trailed by planters who owned packs of 
 hounds, so the escaping men traveled by day in the woods 
 entirely. Captain King was caught by venturing into a 
 cow-path, in order to travel easier, but there were rebel 
 horsemen on that trail. I never knew positively of a 
 single prisoner getting through. Two with whom I had 
 planned to escape, were found dead in the woods not far 
 from the stockade. That would have been my fate had I 
 gone out with them. It was from 250 to 300 miles 
 through the forest to the nearest point of safety." 
 
 He repeats, " A happy farewell to Camp Ford on Octo- 
 ber I, and the day of exchange, viz., October 23, at the 
 mouth of the Red river, I still consider the happiest day 
 of my life. We wept for joy ! We danced and we 
 cheered at sight of the dear old flag, floating over the 
 grim looking gunboats that were anchored there in the 
 Mississippi. Ah ! how full of happiness and hard-tack 
 we got. Those hard-tack that the men on the gunboat 
 tenders threw to us after we got onto our boat, the " St. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 507 
 
 Mary's," for New Orleans. It is a little thing, to be sure, 
 but a source of some pride and satisfaction that the last 
 calls on the bugle that I ever sounded for the " Old 
 Eighth " were the three times repeated " charge" for the 
 boys to follow Major Connelly to the extreme front at 
 Sabine Cross Roads on April 8, 1864." 
 
 In regard to letters sent from Camp Ford, on enquiry, 
 Comrade Durgin writes under date of March 25, 1891, 
 that they did have to write very ' ' guardedly " and the 
 more " taffy" that was put in in regard to the beauty and 
 humanity of the prison officials, the more likely was a let- 
 ter, open, of course, to get by the censors, and towards 
 home. He also says that two of his letters out of six 
 sent, reached his friends. From his diary and official 
 reports, the prices of food, etc., are given. If one was 
 the happy possessor of Confederate money, multiply the 
 prices given below by ten and it will be the Jeffijrson 
 Davis price : 
 
 Potatoes, per bushel, $7.00 
 
 Beans, 
 
 Flour, 
 
 Bacon, 
 
 Sugar, 
 
 Sah, 
 
 Corn meal 
 
 quart, .25 
 
 pound, .25 
 
 pound, .60 
 
 pound, .75 
 
 quart, 2.00 
 
 per bushel, 1.50 
 
 Butter (very poor), per pound, i.oo 
 Soap (very scarce), per pound, .75 
 
 Ripe apples (very poor), a piece, .12^ 
 
 Milk (very scarce), per gallon, 2.00 
 
 Eggs (very scarce), per dozen, i.oo 
 
 Green grapes, per bushel, 4.00 
 
 Smoking tobacco, per pound, 2.00 
 
 Plug tobacco, per plug, 3.00 
 
 The following is the sworn statement made at the date 
 below attached, by Henry J. Durgin before the congres- 
 sional committee appointed to investigate the treatment of 
 Federal prisoners of war by the rebel authorities : 
 
5o8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Statement of Henry J. Durgin, of Rochester, New 
 York: 
 
 I was Principal Musician in the Eighth New Hampshire 
 Volunteers. Was captured at Sabine Cross Roads, Louisi- 
 ana, on the eighth day of April, 1864, and was a prisoner 
 at Camp Tyler, Texas, six months and fifteen days. We 
 were turned into that pen without shelter or any other 
 means than nature had provided (hands and dirt), to con- 
 struct any. We dug holes, and built such shades as we 
 could with materials to be had, and lived as any respecta- 
 ble farmer would be ashamed to have his hogs live. Our 
 food was the coarsest kind of meal in which we ofteil 
 found whole corn and pieces of cob which spoke suspi- 
 ciously of cob meal, and a little Texas beef issued daily. 
 The rations issued were never sufficient to satisfy the crav- 
 ings of hunger. Day after day I watched the wasting 
 away of my comrades under this methodical starvation. 
 They would drop off one by one of no apparent disease, 
 literally starved to death. One method of reducing our 
 numbers (which seemed to be the great object) was by 
 shooting, which was a common occurrence. I saw a pris- 
 oner shot through the heart while going for water to the 
 spring which supplied us. Another was murdered in the 
 same manner shortly afterwards, while sitting at the en- 
 trance of his " hole." I knew jive instances of such cold- 
 blooded murder, and was told of a number of others. We 
 complained of this to the officers who promised to investi- 
 gate the matter. The only result of the investigations, so 
 far as we could see, was that one of the murderers was 
 made a lieutenant, and another a sergeaht. Most of these 
 scenes occurred under the command of Lieut. -Col. Bor- 
 der, who, as well as Adjutant McEachan, treated us most 
 barbarously. Many attempted escape, and succeeded so 
 far as getting out of the prison. I never heard of any 
 making good their escape. About the first of July the 
 following order was posted up in the stockade : 
 
 Hereafter any Federal prisoner being detected in trying 
 to make his escape from this prison, either in the act or 
 after his escafe, will be shot by the one capturing him. 
 
 By order of 
 LiEUT.-CoL. J. P. Border, Commanding. 
 B. W. McEachan, Lieut, and Acting Adjutant. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 509 
 
 One man while being marched to the prison in April, 
 gave out. He was tied to the saddle of an officer and 
 dragged until he died. Most of the men were completely 
 stripped of money, good clothing and valuables when 
 captured. I remember many other like barbarities, but 
 will give no more, as those given are but a sample of the 
 others. 
 
 Henry J. Durgin.' 
 
 Rochester, N. Y., November 24, 1867. 
 
 Capt. D. W. King's report on Camp Ford is a published 
 letter extract, and it is acknowledged that it is shorn of its 
 most repulsive features. He says : 
 
 The stockade was on the southern slope of a small hill 
 and covered an area of seven acres which was at one time 
 the home of 4,600 men. At the southwest corner was a 
 small spring of water impregnated with sulphur and con- 
 sequently physical, but the supply was not sufficient for 
 cooking and drinking, to say nothing of its use for cleanli- 
 ness. I have seen men standing around this spring for 
 hours hatless and shoeless, and many of them with no cov- 
 ering but a filthy rag around their loins, waiting their 
 turns to fill their gourds with the muddy ooze while with- 
 in fifty feet of the stockade outside, was a bountiful spring 
 kept of course solely for rebel use. At the upper corner 
 was about an acre used for sinks and the stench arising 
 from this uncovered accumulation of excrement of a year's 
 deposit was terrible as in some places it was several feet 
 deep. Its deadl}' poison . was distributed to us on every 
 breeze. The prisoners provided the only shelter that they 
 had, when they were allowed to go in squads to the woods 
 to bring in logs. Some had brush shebangs which would 
 keep oft" the sun, but were no protection against the fre- 
 quent rains. Hundreds had no home save a hole in the 
 ground made after the manner of woodchucks and which 
 they entered feet first, but when the rain filled the holes, 
 of course the occupants were driven out ; then they would 
 stand see-sawing for life until the genial life-giving sun 
 came out to their relief. The sufferings experienced in 
 facing through the long nights a Texas Norther can never 
 be told. Of fire we had little ; being barely able with the 
 supply of wood allowed us, to cook the scanty rations 
 
5IO History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 which consisted of a pound of meal, corn and cobs ground 
 together, and a small piece of blue beef. There is no dis- 
 guising the fact that the rebel authorities were responsible 
 for all this unnecessary suffering, as plenty of wood and 
 timber was all about us for fuel and shelter, which many a 
 soldier perishing on a cold and rainy night would have 
 given worlds to possess. An excuse was that soldiers ran 
 away when allowed to go out after wood. A few such 
 instances did occur ; but one hundred should not suffer 
 for one's right and trial to escape, he running all risk of 
 recapture by the trained dogs. 
 
 For once, just imagine the condition of men eaten by the 
 different kinds of vermin that always attack human beings 
 emaciated and helpless from starvation and diarrhoea until 
 death mercifully relieved them, some pitying companions, 
 perhaps a little better off, only able to help them to a lit- 
 tle food and drink until their final release. 
 
 I saw many murdered by the guard when they were 
 double the distance of the dead line from the stockade. 
 That dead line was not marked ; it was wholly imaginary, 
 and after a killing, the guard could and did easily claim 
 that the dead line had been passed, and so go unpunished. 
 One of these cases was of a soldier who had been at 
 prayer with one of his companions, and while he was 
 kneeling over his own hole before retiring into it for the 
 night. That guard was promoted to a sergeant, and no 
 investigation made. Many recaptured bj' bloodhounds 
 were mangled as if by a bursting shell. That was simply 
 cruelty, as the dogs are trained not to bite a captive unless 
 set on by the masters. An order was at one time issued to 
 shoot down all escaped prisoners when recaptured. We 
 know not how many were killed in consequence. This is 
 contrary to all laws of civilized warfare, as it is the duty of 
 prisoners to escape. After recapture prisoners were tor- 
 tured as a punishment for the attempt to escape. I saw them 
 often standing bareheaded on stumps in the hot sun, and a 
 guard placed over them to make them keep marking time 
 all day, with orders to shoot them if they stopped from ex- 
 haustion. Tying up by the thumbs was another favorite 
 mode of torture, and many a man dropped senseless on his 
 release ; again as a punishment, food was withheld from 
 all for a whole day, because one man had insulted the Ad- 
 jutant of the Post while he was passing within sight on the 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 511 
 
 outside, and the prisoners would not tell who the culprit 
 was. 
 
 A description of the hospital is too loathsome to give. 
 Scurvy was another unforgotten horror. That Wirz, 
 Winder, Border, and McEachan were guilty of the above 
 named atrocities, can be proved. Their iniquities can not 
 be whitewashed by parties North or South. 
 
 The following is from the printed history of the Forty- 
 eighth Ohio Infantry, written by Major J. A. Bering and 
 Capt. Thomas Montgomery ; published at Hillsboro', 
 Ohio, 1880. Portions are selected, condensed, and in- 
 serted, in order to substantiate the statements of Captain 
 King and Comrade Durgin, as some carpists might call 
 them overdrawn. 
 
 The Forty-eighth veteran volunteer regiment was in the 
 United States service for four years and seven months and 
 fought at Shiloh, Vicksburg, Sabine Cross Roads and 
 Mobile. At the last of it 165 men only were mustered out 
 in May, 1866. That regiment at Sabine Cross Roads was 
 at the front of the infantry column, as was the Second 
 New Hampshire in front of the cavalry column. The 
 Forty-eighth was surrounded, and being out of ammuni- 
 tion, threw down its guns and empty cartridge boxes, and 
 surrendered as a regiment, its number being about 190 
 men and officers. For the present, the account will be 
 confined to Camp Ford. 
 
 Says the history of Forty-eighth : 
 
 When we came in sight of Camp Ford the old prisoners 
 in "tatters and rags" mounted all high places to see 
 General Banks' army which they were told was all cap- 
 tured. Inside, Colonel Allen, the prison commander, ad- 
 dressed the prisoners, telling them that they could have 
 their front line for length with twenty feet width for their 
 quarters, and told them to make themselves as comfortable 
 as possible. That was cool as we had no blankets and 
 had marched 500 miles since March 7, and were tired, 
 footsore and hungry ; but with a borrowed axe, a hired 
 axe, and two weeks' hard work, including carrying the 
 logs a half mile, we had built a hut. The greatest trouble 
 
512 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 was to get permits to go out ; with the slaves at their com- 
 mand, they could have sheltered all of us, but the in- 
 dustrious Northerner only asked the privilege of work- 
 ing, which was in a great measure denied him. In 
 about two months Col. Allen, as prison commander, 
 was superseded by Lieutenant-Colonel Border. Colonel 
 Allen was a good man at heart, but Colonel Border was on 
 somewhat the black flag order — " kill as you go" — but too 
 indolent to carry out any of his threats. He had a worthy 
 tool in the person of his adjutant. Lieutenant McEachan, 
 who was always contriving to make trouble that he might 
 "shoot Yankees by the wholesale," as he remarked on 
 one occasion. 
 
 Gamblers were plenty, and the favorite game was 
 " keno." Every few days McEachan would sly about 
 with a squad of soldiers and capture the keno funds while 
 the play was in progress. The gamblers placed a senti- 
 nel who, on the watch for McEachan, cried out " keno" 
 when he approached ; the word being repeated all over 
 the camp, the gamblers were protected from future raids, 
 but McEachan foolishly thought or pretended that that 
 particular word applied to himself, which so exasperated 
 him that he took whole squads out and punished them for 
 refusing to point out the man who sang out "keno." To 
 deliver up a fellow prisoner was never once thought of, so 
 the whole squad would be punished by tying their thumbs 
 to a beam overhead and compelling them to stand with 
 their bare feet on sharp sticks driven into the ground. He 
 finally withheld the rations from the whole camp, unless 
 the leaders of the " keno" cry were delivered up for special 
 punishment ; but Colonel Flora and Captain DeHart of 
 the Forty-sixth Indiana having sent word to the com- 
 mander at Tyler, notifying him of the action of the 
 adjutant, he ordered Colonel Border to supply the prison- 
 ers with rations without delay. If this had not been done, 
 it is highly probable that four thousand desperate and 
 half-starved prisoners would have overpowered the guards 
 and flooded the country with fugitives. After this, Mc- 
 Eachan tormented individuals. Prisoners recaptured were 
 made to stand on stumps or barrels for days, without hats 
 or shoes, in the boiling sun, while the guard stood over 
 them with loaded muskets to prevent them from sitting 
 down. Several guards who shot men without provocation 
 were rewarded by promotion for those deeds. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 513 
 
 Additions from Banks' and General Steele's armies 
 crowded the " pen" and the hospitals. See the report of 
 the Confederate prison surgeon, condensed, as follows : 
 
 Tyler, Texas, June 14, 1864. 
 To Surgeon J. M. Hay den. Chief Med. Bureau Trans- 
 Miss. Deft. : 
 
 Sir, — In obedience to orders, I have examined the sani- 
 tary condition of the stockade, and although my mind was 
 prepared by representation to meet with abundant material 
 for disease, it fell far short of the reality. The grounds 
 are too small for 4,500 men. The filth and offal have 
 been deposited in the streets and between the quarters, 
 from which arises a horrible stench. A great number 
 have no quarters nor blankets ; some of the sick are so sit- 
 uated. We have a hospital in course of erection and need 
 bedding. The popular prejudice here is so strong against 
 the Federals that I can get no facilities from the people. 
 I am ready to receive into the hospitals a few, if we had 
 the articles, and they are not to be had here. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 F. M. Meagher. 
 
 The above report had no more efl!ect on the " Medical 
 Bureau" than his appeal to the "prejudiced people." 
 The only result was that the authorities furnished an old 
 mule and cart to haul off the garbage. Volunteers from 
 the prisoners erected two buildings, into which one half 
 only of the worst cases could be gotten. The physi- 
 cians, stewards, and nurses were all volunteers, giving out 
 the small allowance of medicines and the corn bread and 
 beef to those on the verge of the grave. 
 
 Poisonous insects were abundant ; the terrible tarantula 
 was to be found under cabins, in logs and hollow trees. 
 The dogs ! Should prisoners get out, they had a greater 
 difficulty in evading the pack of bloodhounds kept to hunt 
 down escaped prisoners. Fifteen officers escaped one 
 night, and in less than forty-eight hours thirteen had been 
 recaptured by the hounds. Duganne, in "Camps and 
 Prisons," tells of Lieutenant Collins, that the "hounds 
 and two rebels stopped him, revolvers were leveled, and 
 with a huge oath and a threat of instant shooting, the dogs 
 were told to ' shake him' ; instantly their teeth met in his 
 
514 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 ragged uniform, when the rebels with malicious laughter 
 called them off. Said they, ' Now jes' tote your carcass, 
 
 Yank, or we'll shoot you on sight, by !' " This was 
 
 previous to that " order" to shoot on sight. When being 
 hunted,' to hear the wolf-like yelp and long hyena howl of 
 their trained man-hunters, is something to experience. 
 Some hounds will track a human being, day and night, 
 for weeks, and follow his scent hundreds of miles through 
 swamps, woods, and over watercourses. At times, like 
 game dogs, they smell the ground at intervals, make deer 
 leaps, touch the overhanging leaves with their noses, 
 double and run in circles, cross a stream, and then with a 
 few sniffs of the air rush up or down the bank to find the 
 broken scent again. The real hounds hunt no game 
 inferior to man. When not in use they are chained and 
 half-starved, to make them fierce and keen scented. Woe 
 then to the hunted man, if those dogs overtake him while 
 the mounted pursuers are too far behind to call them off! 
 Woe to the fugitive if they once taste his blood! 
 
 Page 168. The treatment of prisoners was brutal and 
 cruel to the last degree. Calvert of the Seventj'-seventh 
 Ohio was shot by guard merely to try his marksmanship ; 
 O. S. Shoemaker, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois, 
 was killed while conversing with a comrade upon a relig- 
 ious subject ; one of the One Hundred and Seventy-third 
 New York, while running after his hat which had blown 
 off, was fired at by the guard, the entire charge of shot 
 lodging in his face and shoulders. 
 
 The Forty-eighth history closes with an account of the 
 escape and recapture of Major Bering and Lieutenant 
 Srofe, which is intensely interesting. We have only to 
 do with their prison life, which our comrades shared, but 
 will say that they got out on forged passes. An old slave 
 told them to rub soap upon the soles of their feet ; the 
 bloodhounds got close to them twice, and the above device 
 probably saved them. They were out about thirteen days 
 and got two hundred and twenty-five miles in an air line 
 from the prison — almost safe — but finally ran into a 
 rebel picket and were taken. On going back a part of 
 the way, in company with three hundred other prisoners, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 515 
 
 their rear guard was first, "ropers" — that is, five rebels 
 with lariats, with orders to lasso and drag into the ranks 
 all who did not keep up ; behind the ' ' ropers " came three 
 rebels with bloodhounds. Two prisoners, who were des- 
 perate enough to try to escape, lost their lives in less than 
 five hours. ^ On their return to Camp Ford the sentence 
 of Bering and Srofe was " imprisonment till close of war," 
 but on May 14, 1865, the rebel camp guards left for home. 
 On the 1 6th, as a last token of respect, they fenced in the 
 cemetery. On the 17th, a battalion of rebel cavalry 
 oflfered to escort them to our lines if the -prisoners would 
 intercede for favorable terms of surrender, and on May 
 27 the. old flag was over them once more at the mouth of 
 the Red river. 
 
 How THE Forty-eighth Ohio Saved their Flag. 
 
 When they were captured, the color bearer, Isaac Scott, 
 tore the regimental flag from its staff and gave it to his 
 messmate to conceal in his haversack. He was left sick 
 on the way to prison, and did not arrive until some time 
 after, but he clung to the flag, and at Camp Ford gave it 
 to the regimental officers for safe keeping. In the words 
 of the narrator — "A hole was dug inside of our shanty, 
 in which we buried the flag, but somehow the rebels found 
 out that there was a Union flag in the camp. They 
 searched, but failed to discover it. 
 
 To keep our large, beautiful silk flag buried would soon 
 have ruined it ; therefore it was sewed up in Captain Gun- 
 saullus' blouse and he wore it thus among the rebels. 
 The flag was secretly shown to a number of prisoners, 
 some of whom had been in captivity for nearly two years, 
 and their eyes glistened at the sight of that " Emblem of 
 Freedom." The prisoners had been allowed to "cele- 
 brate " on the Fourth of July, provided that they did not 
 allude to the " unpleasantness," so they did read the 
 " Declaration " and had "guarded" speeches and toasts, 
 
5i6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 but there was warning that if a Union flag was displayed 
 the guards would open fire on them. Suffice to say they 
 did preserve the flag, and on October 23, when exchanged, 
 after going on board our " St. Mary's," where there was 
 a band of music and ladies — wives of Union officers — 
 they proceeded to the upper deck. The old flag was torn 
 from its place of concealment, the same old blouse, and 
 hastily tied to a staft' already prepared. At this signal the 
 band struck up the "Star Spangled Banner" and the flag 
 of the Forty-eighth was unfurled to the breeze amidst the 
 waving of handkerchiefs, the wild shouts and cheers of 
 the released prisoners, some 750 in all, and the groans of 
 the rebel guards. The rebel agent of exchange told the 
 prisoners at Camp Ford on his return, how in his presence 
 the flag of the Forty-eighth had been torn from its hiding 
 place in the coat of one of the officers after the exchange, 
 and he said that it was one of the most exciting scenes 
 that he ever witnessed, and the regiment was deserving of 
 great credit for preserving their " colors." That flag, of 
 course, is now in the flag room of the State House at 
 Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Of the Fourth of July in Camp Ford, Comrade Durgin 
 writes : 
 
 An awning of brush had been put up between some log 
 huts of the older prisoners, the posts of the rostrum had 
 been wound with some rags resembling red, white, and 
 blue ; they had a poem, an oration, short speeches, and 
 dry toasts, some patriotic songs. The rebel officer of the 
 day did not at first know of the permission to celebrate, so 
 seeing the crowd, he arrived on the scene just as the 
 orator began to *' soar." He had at his heels a squad 
 with loaded muskets, and he ordered us in brutal language 
 to disperse, but the chairman explained the case, so the 
 officer started to see if it was true. Scarcely had the 
 orator again unfolded his wings when a rebel sergeant 
 yelled in " Get out o' here, yer blankety, blanked Yanks, 
 quick, every one of you," but the officer of the day had 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 517 
 
 now returned with the word that " the meeting was legal," 
 so it proceeded to a finish. How much we enjoyed it no 
 one can realize who hasn't " been there." 
 
 An incident of prison life, which Comrade Frank C. 
 Bancroft, who was regimentally, commonly, and unac- 
 countably known as "Brutus," would call a " humorious 
 incidence," occurred under the eye of Chief Bugler Dur- 
 gin at Camp Ford, and is by him related as follows : 
 
 A confederate lamb among hungry YANKEE WOLVES. 
 
 An enterprising Southern pedlar had been told that he 
 could sell at an enormous profit a whole load of eatables 
 to the starving Yanks inside of Camp Ford, as they had 
 plenty of money, and the guards were willing that he 
 should try ; so, to our great surprise, the prison gate one 
 day swung open, and in came the gullible individual with 
 his mule cart loaded down with provisions". He had not 
 proceeded far, before the crowd grew so dense that he had 
 to stop and the clamor for trade was so great that he had 
 to " open sale." Now the fact was, that instead of being 
 flush with greenbacks, which the rebels preferred as 
 money, there was little cash in the crowd, still they were 
 immensely hungry, and the temptation to somehow absorb 
 that load was so intense, that trade was lively on all sides 
 of him. Why, a gaunt, frizzled Yankee at the tail of the 
 cart would take an article and demand the price. On 
 being told, he would vehemently assert that it was too 
 much, and pass it to his neighbor behind him, asking his 
 opinion about it. Of course No. 2 would declare it to be 
 excessive, and No. 3 still further back in the crowd, would 
 back up the assertion. By this time the article had van- 
 ished, and the aroused and angry pedler at once discov- 
 ered that a like comedy was being played upon the other 
 side of his cart. But this method of fleecing proved too 
 slow and windy, so the boys soon resorted to open pilfer- 
 ing, and articles vanished from all sides of his cart with 
 astonishing rapidity. In sheer despair, the pedler jumped 
 to the front of the wagon, seized the reins, and as the 
 crowd gave way for the start, lo ! the mule went, and the 
 cart stayed, for an unhitching process had been going on. 
 Truth compels me to say that the air was suddenly rotten 
 
5i8 History of. the Eighth Regiment 
 
 with the exclamations of this enraged Texan ; all the pet 
 names available in his vocabulary were hurled at the 
 crowd, and well mixed with profanity and gesticulation. 
 As a crowning misfortune to him, someone found out that 
 although the cart was a four-wheeler, it had a dumping 
 arrangement, so the "pin" was drawn out, and the man 
 and the remnant of his stock in trade was instantly in a 
 chaotic heap. Then the plunder was scrambled for ! Sir 
 pedler was struck dumb, cowed, disheartened. The 
 audacity of the Yank shut him up ! and he left, a poorer, 
 sadder, and a wiser man. 
 
 The history of the Forty-eighth Ohio says of this final- 
 ity that "when he regained his feet, everything had dis- 
 appeared but the mule and cart. He had even lost his 
 pocket-book and hat." 
 
 In view of all this plunder, the reputation of the Old 
 Eighth is at stake ! Perhaps the Second Neiv Hamp- 
 shire fellows were not all there, as Durgin says that only 
 two got any of the plunder, but it was a huge jam at the 
 last and men fought like demons for a " scoop." The one 
 Eighth man known who got a swag was Mike Murray, of 
 Company C. But the guards ! why were they so indiffer- 
 ent? Well, the fellow was by them regarded as an extor- 
 tionist, and was unpopular, having played his trade arts 
 on them to his great profit and their disgust. 
 
 Comrade Durgin sends on a full description of the 
 only really bright and cheerful scene passed through 
 during the long, dreary months of imprisonment. " One 
 may not," he says, '■'■feel this as I did, and think it over- 
 drawn, but I assure you in all sincerity, that it is exactly 
 as it seemed to me. The surprise was great, and the 
 impression is as vivid to me to-day as ever. The impres- 
 sion which the communication makes upon one seems to 
 be that none but a returned prisoner who had suffered 
 intensely, could thoroughly appreciate the situation and 
 the effect of the music. The reader will recollect that the 
 serenade is referred to under date, in diary, of October 15. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 519 
 
 We were marched through the town of Alexandria on the 
 evening of October 14, 1864, across the river on a pontoon 
 bridge and embarked on the "Champion No. 3," a steamer 
 captured by the Confederates during the spring campaign.. 
 Tired, but very happy, we were soon stretched upon her 
 decks in profound slumber with sweet visions of God's 
 Country chasing each other through our weary brains. 
 Suddenly, but without waking a change came, over the 
 spirit of our dreams. We seemed overwhelmed by a great 
 volume of sweetest sound and lifted by it into space, 
 without the least idea of what or where we were. A more 
 delicious sense of sweet bewilderment could not be. For 
 moments the sensation was most exquisite. It seemed as 
 if we were at the wide opened gates of Paradise, and this 
 flood of sweet melody was swelling out to us from within 
 as a heavenly welcome. Gradually the tired senses 
 regained their normal condition and we floated to earth 
 again and seemed to be at the doors of our own homes in 
 the land of which we had been dreaming, and the delight- 
 ful harmony was a welcome from them. This vision in 
 turn began to fade, though we were conscious of a strong 
 effort made to retain it. And slowly came the Reality, 
 we were still lying upon the deck of the " Champion" and 
 the great concave of the starry heavens greeted our open- 
 ing eyes, and the weird and entrancing music which still 
 seemed to come from above, was that of a Confederate 
 band that from the river's bank below, was serenading us, 
 and the piece that they were playing was " Home, Sweet 
 Home," to us the sweetest of all sweet melodies. When 
 it is remembered that we were then but just emerging from 
 a hell upon earth where we had been starved and poisoned 
 by foulest malaria, shot at ad libitum, by chimney cor- 
 ner soldiers, borne down by cruelties and indignities, not 
 hearing a single note of music sweeter than a blast on rebel 
 cow-horns, it is not surprising that strains of real harmony 
 should lift us in slumber apparently to the "Empyrean." 
 This was the first sign of human brotherhood that had 
 come to us. The surroundings were propitious to a soft- 
 ening of the heart hardened by rough influences, and to 
 me, the old and now ever new piece, when now heard, 
 causes thrills of pleasure unknown before. It always 
 brings back that delightful experience upon the Red river. 
 That night it was hard, so exalted were we, to get back to 
 
520 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the common place luxury of sleeping ; the music lingered 
 with us as we lay upon the hard decks. This band accom- 
 panied us to our lines, and when there held a sort of musi- 
 cal tournament with a Union band which came up on our 
 boat, the "St. Mary's." Each band- stationed upon its 
 own boat, played alternately for a couple of hours, so we 
 heard all the known Union and Confederate music ; 
 whereat our patriotism waxed bigger, and despite our 
 emaciated and forlorn appearance, there could not be 
 found in all Uncle Sam such another 700 ragged, lousy 
 patriots so brimful of real happiness. 
 
 The foregoing very readily calls to mind our Fourth of 
 July, 1863, in Port Hudson, where across the abattis, rifle 
 pits and parapet, which so effectually divided us from joy 
 and plenty, came the well known and appreciated strains 
 from our Union bands playing patriotic airs and to offset it 
 on our side were only wounds, short, bad rations, and an 
 unknown future I for a " battle may depend upon the loss 
 of a linch pin " and a campaign turn adversely upon such 
 trifles. We were very. far from liberty and the pursuit of 
 happiness, as looked at from a soldier's standpoint. 
 
 In regard to the number of prisoners in Camp Ford, 
 correspondence has been going on for over a year. First, 
 one of Captain King's letters to Major Connelly says, 
 " There are here at Camp Ford thirty-one of us including 
 Durgin, Morrill, Melendy, Nichols, and others." The date 
 of the letter was April 20, 1864 ; next, was seen the Pres- 
 cott-Connelly report which was on April 8 and 9 in Adjutant 
 Prescott's diary as "four killed, twenty wounded and sixty- 
 one prisoners." Next Comrade Durgin's papers were 
 reached, which said in a letter to Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Flanders on June 13, when more arrivals were at camp, 
 that the number was fifty-five, and that number is probably 
 right as Comrade Durgin knew more about it than even 
 the rebel authorities did ; and he now has at hand the 
 written evidence, so when at the eleventh hour was found 
 an official list of the exchanged it was sent on to him for 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 521 
 
 correction. That list contained the names of forty-seven 
 exchanged, which is right, as two were left at, or died in 
 the hospital in Mansfield, La., viz., Horatio Gleason and 
 Peter Butler. Cris. Abbott of Company E and Corporal 
 Jas. C. Blaisdellof Company G died in prison. Four were 
 sent on to Camp Groce near Houston, Texas. Their 
 names out of a list of six are not certainly known. These 
 eight subtracted from fifty-five leave the list of forty-seven. 
 One name of one who was formerly of the Eighth remained 
 on the list, and there remains to-day, but a friend of the 
 boys went out on that name. He is put down in the roster 
 as deserting at Shreveport, La., on June 6, 1864, and he 
 took the oath of allegiance to the so called Southern Con- 
 federacy. Comrade Durgin knows the facts about the date, 
 place, and manner thereof, and breaks out in an allowable 
 honest indignation about this disgrace to the Eighth Regi- 
 ment. " More than that," says Durgin, ^^ he came into the 
 prison at Camp Ford in a more destitute condition than the 
 rest of the men, and I took a part of my small store of 
 cash and clothed the fellow, wl*en lo ! he walked off his 
 ungrateful carcass inside my gifts over to the enemy 
 whom we were fighting." 
 
 The following is the corrected official list of the ex- 
 changed, and also the special order in regard to their 
 disposition and destination. 
 
 Headquarters, 
 Military Division of West Mississippi, 
 
 New Orleans, La., October 28, 1864. 
 
 Special Orders, No. 171 (extract) : 
 
 I. The following officers and enlisted men, delivered at 
 Red River Landing, October 23, 1864, under the cartel of 
 exchange of July 28, 1864, between Col. C. C. Dwight 
 and Major Ig. Szymanski, Agents of Exchange, are here- 
 by ordered to duty with their respective regiments. The 
 senior officer of each regimental detachment is responsible 
 for its safe and speedy conduct. 
 
522 
 
 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the 
 necessary transportation. 
 
 Department and corps commanders are authorized to 
 grant the customary leaves of absence and furloughs to 
 those whose regiments are serving within the limits of this 
 command. 
 
 SECOND regiment N. H. VOL. CAVALRY. 
 
 Capt. D. W. King, Co. A. 
 Peter Peterson, " 
 
 Frank J. Morrill, " 
 
 George Smith, 3d, " 
 John Burton, Co. B. 
 
 Timothy Concklin, " 
 John Risley, " 
 
 Ods H. Melendy, " 
 
 Sergt. John Harrington, 
 
 Co. C. 
 Corp. John Kaine, " 
 Stephen Cook, " 
 
 John O'Niel, 
 Adam Osborne, " 
 
 Michael Murray, 
 John Fowler, " 
 
 John Shairbartt, " 
 
 George Wood, " 
 
 Charles F. Miller, 
 Gustave Alsen, " 
 
 Leonard P. Benton, Co. E. 
 Michael Neal, " 
 
 Abram Givoward, " 
 Sergt. Geo. A. Carleton, 
 
 Co. F. 
 
 Chief Bugler H. J. Durgin, 
 Bugler John Milan, Co. G. 
 Geo. W. Rowe, " 
 
 A. N. Goodwin, " 
 
 Lyman Marsh, " 
 
 Jameson Perry, " 
 
 Geo. n. Eastman, " 
 
 Francis S. Clay, " 
 
 Joseph Crawford, " 
 
 Sergt. Daniel E. Nichols, 
 
 Co. H. 
 Sergt. Willis Ball, 
 John Ryan, " 
 
 John S. Harvey, " 
 
 N. S. Milliken, 
 Thomas A. St. Clark, " 
 Sergt. J. Ferguson, Co. L 
 Corp. John S. Stokes, " 
 Sam. H. Henderson, " 
 James W. Johnson, " 
 
 Serral Lafaince, " 
 
 John H. Emory, " 
 
 Sergt. Geo. Burton, Co. K. 
 Patrick Burke, " 
 
 Dennis O'Sullivan, " 
 
 By order of Major E. R. S. Canby. 
 
 R. B. MOREY, 
 
 Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 Capt. Dana W. King. 
 
 Sergt. Willis Ball, whose name is in the list of exchanged 
 prisoners, enlisted as private in Company H, in October, 
 
SERG'T WILLIS BALL, CO. H. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 523 
 
 1861, and served full time, having re-enlisted for three 
 years in January, 1864, and being mustered out with the 
 "Veteran Battalion." He was once slightly wounded, 
 was always on duty, and in all skirmishes and battles in 
 which the Eighth Regiment was engaged, except when in 
 the prison stockade at Camp Ford, he being taken pris- 
 oner at Sabine Cross Roads on April 8, 1864. "He 
 enlisted and fought for the overthrow of slavery," that 
 being the dominant idea controlling his action at that 
 time, believing that all the good things that we have seen 
 in the land since followed naturally from that event. He 
 is now a civil engineer in the Black Hills region, working 
 for the firm of Kilpatrick Bros. & Collins, Cambria, 
 Weston county, Wyoming. 
 
 H. J. Durgin's letter, condensed : 
 
 The ingenuity and skill displayed by prisoners was 
 wonderful. Two crude, primitive turning-lathes were 
 made by First Lieutenant Woodward of Twenty-third 
 Connecticut and Engineer Johnson of the navy. They 
 were used for turning chessmen, checkers, etc., which 
 were often carved by the jack-knife, and found a ready 
 sale among prisoners and guards. Johnson finally sold 
 his lathe to Otis H. Melendy of Company B, who " con- 
 tinued the business at the old stand" for some time. 
 
 Later the writer has seen a drawing and a full descrip- 
 tion of the lathe. We outsiders can imagine the fact of 
 the getting of a plank for the "bed" and stock for four 
 legs and the wood for head and tail blocks ; but the inter- 
 est comes in in wondering how, with only jack-knives and 
 no work-bench, they fastened the lower large pulley and 
 the upper small one, and set them true enough to run a 
 gun-belt on to turn the machinery. A cute thing was the 
 using of a ramrod for the shaft at the head block. That 
 was at the left hand, flattened and spurred to hold the 
 wood to be turned, the other end being held by a common 
 two-inch wood screw smoothly pointed. The stock was 
 
524 
 
 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 turned into shape by files gotten somewhere and somehow 
 and "ground outside." "Really elegant work" was 
 turned out, and the operation was a never ceasing wonder 
 to the rebels, who would always flock around when the 
 lathe was being operated. The whole affair was backed 
 up against one of the log cabins to give it rigidity; 
 yet we are not told how the parts were held together ; 
 whether by nails, withes, mortices, or spirits ! If it were 
 in existence, it should be in the World's Fair of 1893. 
 
 COL. D. W. KING AT THE TIME OF THE EXCHANGE. 
 
 Comrade Durgin, at whose earnest solicitation Colonel 
 King's reluctant consent to the publication of" this picture 
 was finally obtained, writes, " The original photograph, 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 525 
 
 of which the above is a faithful copy, and which his 
 friends have since dubbed ' King's ragged picture,' was 
 obtained under the following circumstances. After our 
 liberation and exchange at the mouth of Red river, we 
 were sent to New Orleans by steamer. On landing, we 
 were met by old friends, who found in our emaciated con- 
 dition and extremely ragged and forlorn appearance abun- 
 dant matter to incite curses both loud and deep against the 
 whole Southern Confederacy in general, and our own 
 Camp Ford tormentors in particular. Suddenly one of 
 these friends seized King and dragged him towards a 
 photograph gallery, saying, ' I want your picture just as 
 you are, and must have it; ' and, notwithstanding our hero's 
 innate modesty and very natural desire to first ' spruce 
 up' a little, our enthusiastic friend succeeded in overcom- 
 ing all objections and securing the desired picture, for 
 which he merits the thanks of all the readers of this 
 history. 
 
 "The condition of the great majority of our supremely 
 happy crowd can only be conjectured when we state that 
 but very few. if any, were as presentable or as healthy in 
 appearance as Colonel King. It is to be regretted that 
 this cannot be illustrated by a picture of some one of our 
 worst cases, in addition to this of one of our best ones." 
 
 As for Comrade Durgin, he was boss of one of the two 
 stores in camp (left by Forty-second Massachusetts offi- 
 cers), and he put his labor and skill in with some capital 
 which "Andy" (of dump-cart fame) had, and they 
 started a " bakery." Their customers were mostly from 
 the guards, who liked the Yankee cooking, and occasion- 
 ally an opulent ( ?) prisoner would leave his dollar for 
 one of their very tough "pies." The profits accruing 
 were generally used to make hard-tack to run away with. 
 
 " The Ford City Herald," successor to the " Old Flag," 
 was printed with a pen upon some paper procured some- 
 
526 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 where. The one copy had a tremendous circulation in 
 camp, and was finally returned to the publisher. Honest 
 lot ! A revolting incident was that a prisoner was bitten 
 on the neck by a tarantula. He died in a short time, 
 swelling up to twice his natural size, and turning com- 
 pletely black. 
 
 Durgin's diary : 
 
 New Orleans, Oct. 25th, 1864. Got into the best mili- 
 tary quarters I ever had, in a cotton press, with hot and 
 cold baths, and a barber's shop. Commenced drawing 
 some new clothing. 
 
 26th. Capt. King sent in an application in writing for 
 two months' pay. Some of the boys are down from 
 Natchez and came in to see us : regiment is doing provost 
 duty there. 
 
 31st. Rain. Orders came to our regiment to leave at 
 4 p. M. I was sent back for missing men and lost the 
 boat. 
 
 Nov. 3d. Still at N. Orleans. Col. Fearing came to 
 see me. Through his influence, I got a pass to go out. 
 
 loth. This is the loth day here in idleness. Men, 10 
 of them, all here, and no passes are issued. 
 
 nth. Got off up river this evening. Two men yet 
 behind. 
 
 13th. Arrived at Natchez, and were warmly welcomed 
 by both officers and men. (It is a curious oversight that 
 as much as the comrades absent in prison were thought of 
 and welcomed back with enthusiasm, no mention was 
 made of their return in the Adjutant-General's Report of 
 the State of New Hampshire.) 
 
 14th. Spent the day with my old friend Jimmy Marsh- 
 all, now 1st Lieut, and Adj. The regiment is now in a 
 fine situation. 
 
 15th. Capt. King sent in an application for a furlough. 
 Found the drum corps small but flourishing. 
 
 22d. Pay day ! Was agreeably surprised by a contri- 
 bution of over $70.00 from the officers and musicians to 
 mitigate my loss. Did not get the old promised bounty. 
 
CHIEF BUGLER H. J. DURGIN. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 527 
 
 25th. ^ Received a handsome present last night from the 
 officers in the shape of a musician's belt, for which I am 
 very grateful. 
 
 26th. Col. Fearing arrived today and brought my box. 
 Everything in it is safe, and in good order. 
 
 
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 ^# ^^SBBBH 
 
 ^Hill 
 
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 W^^ '^' ^ 
 
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 ^^ J «!«>«>■ 
 
 \ 
 
 H. J. DURGIN. 
 
 Personal. — Comrade H. J. Durgin, a native of Laco- 
 nia, N. H., enlisted in the Eighth Regiment at the age of 
 twenty ; was mustered in as principal musician on Decem- 
 ber 20, 1861 ; served as such while the regiment was in 
 infantry, and when mounted, served as chief bugler. At 
 the charge at Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, as related, he 
 was taken prisoner, and held as such six months and fif- 
 teen days, being exchanged October 23, 1864. He had 
 previously enlisted as " veteran " on January 4, 1864. On 
 
528 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the consolidation of the regiment into a battalion early in 
 1865, he, with the rest of the field and staff, commissioned 
 and non-commissioned, was discharged at Concord, N. H., 
 on January 17, 1865. In 1866 he went into business in 
 Rochester, N. Y. ; married in 1870 ; is now president of 
 the large wood-working establishment of the Copeland & 
 Durgin Company, which concern employs a steady force 
 of one hundred and fifty hands at the home factory, and 
 as many more in its various outside branches. 
 
 Comrade Durgin was very popular among his comrades, 
 and those living will be glad to peruse the extracts from 
 his diary which are scattered through this volume. 
 
 His enlistment was from thoroughly patriotic motives, 
 he being conscientiously impelled to serve his country, to 
 do his best to preserve its honor intact by sacrilegious 
 hands. 
 
 All diaries written as was his are the best of evidence, 
 as such were not designed to be seen at all by the public 
 eye. By his of December, 1864, we learn that Colonel 
 Earle, of Seventieth United States Cavalry Troops, was 
 very urgent that he should take charge of their regimental 
 music ; to secure his services, he offered him a captain's 
 commission, which, he writes, " was the reverse of a temp- 
 tation, as I did not wish to be a soldier in time of peace, 
 and I regarded the war as virtually over. Again, the feel- 
 ing that I ought to fill some place, however obscure, in the 
 country's service, first led me to enlist, and I chose the part 
 that I thought I could fill the best, the part, too, the most 
 to my taste. That same feeling led me to re-enlist, and 
 would have led me to accept Colonel Earle's offer if I had 
 thought that my services were any longer needed by my 
 country." 
 
 Colonel King adds that "of all the true men in the 
 Eighth New Hampshire, Durgin stood in the front rank of 
 the first class. Industrious, conscientious, brave as a lion 
 under all circumstances, often putting himself in danger 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 529 
 
 when duty only called him to stay out of harm's way ; loyal 
 to the old flag when rags and starvation was his lot ; kind 
 and sympathetic to the sick and dying ; always hopeful of 
 victory in the end when others despaired ; he, and such as 
 he, without titles, were the backbone of our armies, little 
 minding their own sufferings if the Union could be saved. 
 All hail, Comrade Durgin and true friend." 
 
 34 
 
530 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 CHAPTER XVin. 
 
 Regiment at Natchez on the Bluff. — At Fort McPherson. — Colonel 
 Fearing at New Orleans in regard to Muster-out. — Election Re- 
 turns A Court Martial, one Kind. — Order No. 20, Formation of 
 
 Veteran Battalion. — Colonel Fearing goes to report with the Regi- 
 ment at Concord, N. H. — Lieutenant-Colonel King, Personal. — 
 The Veteran Battalion to Vidalia. — A Military Execution. — Maj. 
 J. R. Newell, Personal. — Black River. — A Sergeant of Company 
 K. — Capture of Richmond News. — News of Assassination of 
 
 President Lincoln. — Funeral Parade Special Order, No. 27. — 
 
 Capt. James H. Marshall, Personal. — Special Order for Muster- 
 out of Veteran Battalion. — In Vicksburg, October 29, for Cairo. — 
 Reception at Cleveland, Ohio. — At Concord, N. H. — Presentation 
 of Brevet Commissions. — Fox's Statistics. — Personal Sketches: 
 Major Connelly, Captain Kelliher, Captain Healy, Major Smith, 
 Major Huse, Lieutenant Stickney, Lieutenant Foley, General 
 Emory, Col. James H. Landers, Colonel Livermore, General Mc- 
 Millan, Capt. John Riney. — Meeting of King, Federal, and 
 Knowles, Confederate. 
 
 The regiment was last left at Natchez, Miss^ where it 
 was camped upon the bluff which rises almost perpendic- 
 ularly from the river to a height of about one hundred and 
 twenty feet commanding an extensive view of the river and 
 the lowlands of Louisiana opposite. While here a detach- 
 ment from the regiment under Major Connelly went on an 
 expedition into Louisiana capturing stores, provisions, 
 horses, and mules. Though the enemy retired without 
 even a skirmish, the men suffered much from fatigue and 
 exposure, heavy rains impeded their progress, while the 
 miasmatic exhalations from the swamps in which they 
 bivouacked, implanted the seeds of disease and death in 
 the system of many a soldier who had survived the previ- 
 ous campaigning. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 531 
 
 Late in the fall of 1864, the regiment was ordered into 
 Fort McPherson , an extensive earth work, commanding the 
 city and its approaches. Lumber was furnished from the 
 debris of houses pulled down to give range to the guns, 
 and much ingenuity was displayed by the men in the con- 
 struction of their winter quarters. Each hut had its chim- 
 ney of bricks laid in mud, and each company built a large 
 and well arranged cook-house with fire-places like our old 
 New England farm houses, capable of taking a four-foot 
 stick. Some who were skilled in operative masonry 
 added brick ovens, from which, on Sundays, was taken 
 that well known and now world known Yankee dish, 
 baked beans, of the true New Hampshire flavor. Although 
 the picket duty at this time was heavy, the esprit de corps 
 of the regiment showed itself in attention to details of per- 
 son and camp, so that their appearance was highly compli- 
 mented by Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, assistant inspector- 
 general of the Military Division of the Gulf. The term 
 of service of the regiment expired on the 23d of December, 
 1864, shortly after which the non-veterans and a majority 
 of the officers under command of Colonel Fearing were 
 ordered home to be mustered out of service. They were 
 sent North via Cairo and reached Concord early in Janu- 
 ary, 1865, where, after being received by the state authori- 
 ties, they were mustered out and the regimental organiza- 
 tion of the Eighth New Hampshire ceased to exist. 
 
 Last of Comrade Durgin's diarj- : 
 
 Sunday, Nov. 27th. Went on duty last night and found 
 that I had lost little in the art of playing on the fife, but 
 my clarionet practice was not so satisfactory. 
 
 Dec. 1st. Col. Fearing is taking measures to have men 
 who are not vets, mustered out by the 23d and the regi- 
 ment consolidated into three companies. 
 
 Sunday, 4th. Had a regimental inspection this morn- 
 ing. Col. Fearing was inspecting officer. 
 
 Sunday, nth. The whole regiment is on duty now. 
 
532 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 one half going on picket one day and the other half the 
 next. 
 
 1 2th. Col. Fearing has gone to New Orleans on busi- 
 ness connected with the muster-out of the non-com's. 
 
 28th. Our long expected furloughs have come, but I 
 am sorry to say that Capt. King's did not. 
 
 30th. Col. Earle of 70 U. S. C. T. is anxious for me to 
 join his regiment and take charge of his band ; promises a 
 handsome purse and a commission soon. 
 
 31st. Col. Earle urges me stronger than ever but I have 
 refused. 
 
 An old time curiosity ! Capt. D. W. King to the 
 " Nashua Telegraph " : 
 
 Natchez, Miss., Nov. 8, 1864. 
 Our election to-day resulted as follows : 
 
 Lincoln. McClellau. 
 
 Company A, 18 5 
 
 B, 9 II 
 
 C, o 16 
 
 D, 10 5 
 
 E, ■ 5 9 
 
 F, 8 9, 
 
 G, 8 IS 
 H, 9 7 
 
 I. 7 13 
 
 K, o 23 
 
 74 "3 
 
 I returned from captivity to my regiment a week ago, 
 hope to go home soon on furlough. 
 
 Hope, politically that the best man wins to-day. 
 
 A peculiar case, or rather three of them ! 
 
 Headqjjarters Post and Defenses of 
 
 Natchez, Dec. 29, 1864. 
 General Orders, No. 69. 
 
 Before a general court martial of which Capt. Geo. B. 
 O'Keson, '94th 111. Vols, was President, were arraigned 
 and tried Private M. M., 8th Reg. N. H. Vols., Co. B. 
 Charge : Desertion. M. M. pleaded not guilty. The 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 533 
 
 court's finding *was not guilty; but General Braym an dis- 
 approved of all the proceedings and the finding, charg- 
 ing too, that the court had failed to specify what should 
 be done with M. M. and therefore Gen. B. ordered him 
 released and restored to duty. 
 
 2. Private W. H., also of the 8th N. H., Co. E, was 
 charged with desertion. He pleaded not guilty, was 
 found by the court not guilty, and Gen. B. ordered the 
 prisoner's release on the -same grounds as the previous 
 case. 
 
 3. W. v., of Company E, 8th N. H. Vols., was 
 also on trial for desertion ; pleaded not guilty, but was 
 found guilty and sentenced to lose "two months' pay 
 and to two months' hard labor on some fortification." 
 Gen. Brayman caught on to this last case with avidity, 
 and salted the court with the following remarks : "In 
 order that the commission of such a grave oflfense should 
 not go entirely unpunished, the proceedings, finding, and 
 sentence in the above case are approved, and the com- 
 manding officer of the regiment is charged with the exe- 
 cution of the sentences, the fortifications at the post of 
 Natchez being designated as the place where the ' hard 
 labor ' shall be performed ; but the sentence is so incom- 
 mensurate with the gravity of the offense that it is adjudged 
 to be an evidence of mistaken leniency on the part of the 
 court, or the want of a due appreciation of the criminality 
 attached to one of the most serious off'enses of which a 
 soldier can be guilty. The entire proceedings of the court 
 in the preceding cases are of such an irregular and 
 informal character that the general commanding is pained 
 to find that officers can be so entirely ignorant of army 
 regulations and military law as the members of this court 
 have shown themselves to be." 
 
 By command of Brig. -Gen. M. Brayman. 
 
 T. C. Prescott, 
 
 Captain and Acting Asst. Adj. -Gen. 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of Mississippi, 
 
 Memphis, Tenn., Jan. i, 1865. 
 Special Order, No. 20. 
 
 The veterans and recruits of the 8th Regiment New 
 Hampshire Vol. Infantry remaining in the service will be 
 
534 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 organized as directed in Circular No. 36, under the direc- 
 tion of Brig. -Gen. M. Brayman, comdg. post of Natchez. 
 The following are the officers designated to remain in 
 command : Surgeon A. J. Thompson, Adjutant James H. 
 Marshall, Reg'l Quartermaster C. A. Bowen, Captain 
 James H. Landers, Captain Dana W. King, Captain James 
 R. Newell, 1st Lieut. George B. Johnson, ist Lieut. 
 James Miles, 2d Lieut. James F. W. Webster. 
 
 The officers and enlisted men entitled to be mustered 
 out will be sent under the command of Col. Fearing to 
 report through the Governor of the State of New Hamp- 
 shire to the superintendent of the recruiting service, at the 
 rendezvous of that State, to be mustered out. 
 
 By order of Major-General N. J. T. Dana. 
 
 F. W. Fox, A. A. GenU. 
 
 Warner Miller, 
 Asst. Adj. -Gen' I. 
 
 Headqijarters Dept. of Mississippi, 
 
 Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 2, 1865. 
 Special Orders, No. 3. 
 
 Capt. D. W. King, 8th New Hampshire Veteran Vols., 
 is hereby granted a Veteran leave of absence of thirty 
 days in the State of N. H., having been prevented from 
 before proceeding by reason of being taken prisoner by 
 the enemy on April 8th, 1864, and not exchanged until 
 Oct. 23d, 1864. The Quartermaster's Dept. will furnish 
 necessary transportation. 
 
 By order of Maj.-Gen. N. J. T. Dana. 
 
 T. H. Harris, ^55/. Adj.-Gen. 
 To Capt. D. W. King, 
 
 8th N. H. Vols. 
 
 Personal. — No one of the officers of the Eighth Regi- 
 ment, commissioned in 1861, saw so long and so varied 
 a military service as did Lieut.-Col. Dana W. King. 
 Of the original thirty-seven, he was the only one left at 
 the muster-out of the battalion, an instance which occurred 
 in no other New Hampshire regiment. He was a popular 
 officer, and a worker in any department in which he was 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 
 
 535 
 
 placed, making himself familiar with the dryest details of 
 official business. When off duty he was a genial com- 
 panion, an adept at story telling and writing. From his 
 entrance to the drill squad, up through to his retirement 
 from military life, he left behind him a broad swath of 
 innocent fun which his admirers do not tire of stirring up 
 
 COL. DANA W. KING. 
 
 and airing. If he gets through first and is cremated, each 
 and all of the remaining veterans of the Eighth New 
 Hampshire will want a few ashes to wear in a locket as 
 a continual charm. 
 
 In regard to his military experience, he first enlisted in 
 April, 1861, in the First New Hampshire Volunteers; 
 was appointed first corporal in Company F, and held that 
 
536 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 place through the three months' service of that regiment. 
 Returning to Nashua, he began at the city hall enlisting 
 troops for the Fifth Regiment, but finally went out as sec- 
 ond lieutenant of Company A of the Eighth. He was 
 promoted to first lieutenant on April 14, 1862. In the 
 same month he was appointed by Gen. Halbert E. Paine 
 as ordnance officer, which position he held until after the 
 capitulation of Port Hudson. On August 8, 1864, he was 
 appointed aide-de-camp and assistant inspector-general on 
 the staflf of Brig. -Gen. J. W. McMillan, until relieved at 
 his own request, on December 21, 1863, having been pre- 
 viously promoted in the regiment to captain of Company 
 A on December 16, 1863. 
 
 In the disastrous second Red River expedition in 1864, 
 he was in command of his company (cavalry) ; was 
 wounded at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads on April 8, 
 his horse being shot under him. He was captured and 
 jailed at Shreveport, and afterwards confined in the stock- 
 ade of Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. While there, he, with 
 three companions, made their escape ; but after a jaunt of 
 nine days and nights in the forest were captured by blood- 
 hounds and returned to the stockade. Was exchanged in 
 October, and made his way back to the regiment, then at 
 Natchez, Miss. Soon a leave of absence was granted for 
 thirty days, and he visited his home in Nashua, after an 
 absence of exactly three years. On returning to the com- ' 
 mand on board the steamship " Catawba " from New York to 
 New Orleans, the craft leaking badly, he, as senior mili- 
 tary officer on board, taking advantage of an order then in 
 force, ordered her into Key West, where she was light- 
 ened, and then proceeded to her destination. In the bat- 
 talion formation he was made captain of Company B, and 
 so served until the muster-out. He finally came home in 
 command of the battalion, and was then commissioned as 
 lieutenant-colonel by Governor Smith, in recognition of 
 his four years of hard and meritorious service. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 537 
 
 If the colonel lives to continue to hold the civil office to 
 which he has been elected, he will, on July i, 1893, have 
 been the register of deeds for Hillsborough county, New 
 Hampshire, for the continuous term of over twenty-five 
 years, which is proof alike of valued service and well 
 earned popularity. 
 
 Parts of the following are extracted and condensed 
 from volume 2, 1866, adjutant-general's report of State of 
 New Hampshire, supposed to be written by Lieutenant 
 Marshall : 
 
 At the expiration of the original term of service of the 
 Eighth, there remained in service three hundred and five 
 veteran volunteers and recruits joined subsequent to the 
 original muster of the regiment. These, under instruc- 
 tions from Headquarters Military Division of West Missis- 
 sippi, and in accordance with Circular No. 36, war 
 department, series of 1864, were, by Special Orders No. 
 I., Headquarters District of Natchez, organized into three 
 companies of the maximum strength, and designated the 
 "Veteran Battalion, Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers." 
 Surgeon A. J. Thompson was retained in the service. 
 The command dated its organization from Jan. i, 1865, 
 and Captain Landers assumed command of the battalion 
 by virtue of seniority of rank. 
 
 The departure of the non-veterans was akin to the 
 breaking-up of a family, so closely had the comrades been 
 knit together by their common experiences of toil and 
 danger during their three years of service. The men with 
 whom we had marched side by side through the swamps 
 and over the prairies of Louisiana ; who had shared our 
 exultation over our first victory at Georgia Landing ; who 
 had with us laid siege to and captured Port Hudson ; with 
 whom we had shared blankets and divided rations during 
 the disastrous Red River campaign, had left us, and the 
 friendships born of common hardships and dangers were 
 mostly, henceforth, to be but pleasant memories. 
 
 As legal heirs, the Veteran Battalion succeeded to all 
 the effects which their departing comrades had left, so a 
 new camp being laid out, larger huts were built of the 
 lumber from those vacated ; but when everything had been 
 
538 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 comfortably arranged for the approaching rainy season, 
 on the 9th of January, 1865, the battalion was ordered to 
 Vidalia, directly opposite Natchez on the Louisiana shore. 
 The change to the low, swampy land was disagreeable, 
 but the old campaigners made the best of it. 
 
 Comrade James" H. Crane was a re-enlisted veteran of 
 Company A. He was drowned in the Mississippi river 
 on July 24, 1865. Sergt. F. L. Lindsey saved some of 
 his manuscript for his friends. The writing upon the 
 envelope is that he was " popular with his comrades." 
 The original copy was furnished to the writer by Com- 
 rade J. C. Philbrick of Company A. The following is an 
 extract : 
 
 The battalion crossed the river on the 9th of January, 
 1864, to Vidalia — found their assigned quarters occupied 
 by colored troops — they wouldn't get out — it was rain- 
 ing. The officer commanding our battalion gave the 
 colonel of colored regiment twenty minutes to vacate, or 
 be charged on, so the enemy ( ?) moved over to Natchez, 
 and we went into that Court House. Not iinding any 
 wood, the soldiers took to benches for fuel, and General 
 Brayman coming around said, " Boys, take anything you 
 can find to make yourselves comfortable." Soon we got 
 into plantation houses, and all was lovely and pleasant. 
 
 By First Lieut, and Adj. James H. Marshall : 
 
 The post of Vidalia was commanded by Brig. -Gen. M. 
 Brayman, Lieut. Marshall of the Veteran Battalion being 
 his adjutant-general. The defenses consisted of a square 
 redoubt with bastions at the inland angles, inclosing the 
 court house and jail of the parish, which were used for 
 oflScers' quarters and storage. The work mounted four 
 ten-pounder rifles and two howitzers ; was garrisoned by 
 the battalion, a squadron of Second New Jersey Cavalry, 
 and a section of artillery. All the territory in Federal 
 possession was included in a picket line two miles in 
 length, curving in a semi-circle from the river to the river 
 again. In the stream a little above the fort, lay the huge 
 ironclad " Benton," whose hundred-pounders and eleven- 
 inch Dahlgrens commanded a wide sweep of the country 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 539 
 
 in rear of the post. The nearest post of the enemy was at 
 Harrisonbui-g, about forty miles distant, with an outpost at 
 Trinity twenty-five miles distant. The country between 
 was a " debatable ground," being raided by both parties. 
 Our forces would sweep the rebel plantations along Black 
 river of all the horses, mules, and corn that could be 
 found, while parties of the enemy would make midnight 
 forage upon the government lessees, who, trusting to their 
 nearness to the Federal lines for protection, had engaged 
 in cotton planting around Vidalia. As the lessees were 
 nearly all Northern men, they met with little mercy at the 
 hands of the rebel "jayhawkers" who plundered them 
 remorselessly, and greeted them on sight with volleys of 
 pistol and carbine bullets. During the month of February 
 these raids became so frequent that it was a source of 
 amusement for the soldiers to turn out at the " long roll," 
 just to see the " lessees" at midnight rush within the lines 
 covered with fright and very scanty clothing. 
 
 A Negro Idea. By Comrade James H. Crane : 
 
 A mile from camp was a government plantation, but the 
 hands, colored people hired and under a lessee, got tired 
 of steady work, because they were_/ree, so they struck for 
 freedom, and they got it. Previously, by liberal passes 
 furnished by the lessee, they could cross the lines and go 
 into the town, but now they found themselves astonished 
 by running up against a bayonet when they were on the 
 way to the town, and as it was risky getting around the 
 fellow with the gun, and as they had no passes nor any 
 one to vouch for them, a few days' hunger and thirst for 
 the town made them anxious to have a Federal master to 
 govern intelligently their actions, to supply them with 
 work and consequent cash and passes. 
 
 More by Comrade Crane : 
 
 In the latter part of January a detail was made from the 
 battalion for a firing party at a military execution. The 
 culprits were two men of an Illinois regiment who had 
 been convicted by a military commission, of the murder of 
 a citizen. Twelve men were detailed in the ordinary way 
 — those " next for duty" on the roster being taken. It 
 was a more unwelcome task than charging on a battery 
 would have been. 
 
540 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Comrade Crane heads his account thus, " A few words 
 in regard to shooting two soldiers of the Twenty-eighth 
 IlHnois Regiment" : 
 
 A few days after the arrival of our battalion at Vidalia, 
 there was something for them to do which they had never 
 done before, and that was the shooting of two Union sol- 
 diers in cool blood ; their charge was murder. Twelve 
 men were detailed under the command of Lieut. Nelson 
 H. Peterson. It was no hard job to shoot regular rebels, 
 but it was pretty tough to shoot a Union soldier ; but 
 the detail had to do their duty, and the two prisoners 
 were put in a wagon and taken to the field, where they 
 were to breathe their last. The guard, or firing party, 
 marched steadily and quietly behind the wagon until the 
 appointed spot was reached, then they got in line in front 
 of the boxes on which the prisoners sat. It was well 
 known that one of the twelve guns contained a blank car- 
 tridge. At the command "Fire" both of the victims fell 
 across the boxes without a struggle and lay as if they 
 were sleeping. On examination by the surgeon, it was 
 found that six balls went through one man and five 
 through the other. 
 
 In the quaint and honest words of the narrator, " Lieu- 
 tenant Peterson was highly respected and the guard were 
 honored by their well doing, and doing their duty in so 
 soldierlike a manner." 
 
 The last of Comrade Crane's items is that Companies B 
 and C on May 8, went from Natchez to Brookhaven, 
 Miss., to "protect the people." He says, "they went 
 with a cheerful step and a rejoicing heart, and camped 
 three miles from the city. The next day the U. S. pay- 
 master gave them six months' pay, and they as easily 
 came into the city to have a good time, and they had 
 it, too." 
 
 The following is an extract from a chapter in the his- 
 tory of Carroll county. New Hampshire, compiled by 
 Col. E. Quinby Fellows : 
 
MAJOR JAS. R. NEWELL. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 541 
 
 Personal. — " Maj. James R. Newell was born in 
 Brookfield, on December 5, 1839. He enlisted in the 
 Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers, in 1861, as sergeant, 
 and served faithfully during the war, participating in over 
 forty actions. On June 14, 1863, then a first lieutenant 
 and acting as captain, he led his company in the dis- 
 astrous charge on the rebel works at Port Hudson, where 
 he was severely wounded and captured. Escaping on July 
 4, he was engaged in nearly every battle fought by his 
 regiment in the Department of the Gulf, and also did ad- 
 mirable service as a scout amid great difficulties. For 
 personal gallantry .he was promoted to all offices from 
 sergeant to major. He died in Wolfeboro', N. H., March 
 I, 1880, and the G. A. R. post at that place is named in 
 his honor. 
 
 " In April, 1869, Major Newell married Miss Fannie M. 
 Beacham, of Ossipee, N. H., who survives him, and since 
 1882 has been a missionary in Constantinople, Turkey." 
 
 General Brayman being satisfied that rebel deserters 
 living along the Black river were troublesome raiders, de- 
 termined to at least seize their mules and horses, even if 
 he could not kill the elusive cusses, so by his order, on 
 February 4, Captain Newell of Company C started with 
 a party of fifteen for that locality. They were accom- 
 panied by four scouts, Union men rendered desperate by 
 the loss of homes, crops, and scattered families. They 
 were eager for reprisals, were fully armed and clad in 
 grey. They made a night start and avoided the roads, 
 traveling by the stars, by compass and forest craft, they 
 struck the Black river and broke up several haunts of the 
 guerrillas. After three days of gathering of horses and 
 equipments, one of the scouts who had been out towards 
 Harrisburg, returned with the news that their movements 
 were now known, and that about three hundred rebel 
 cavalry were in pursuit, so Captain Newell retreated 
 through the swamp heading for Vidalia and driving the 
 
542 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 captured stock ahead of the party. But a furious rain 
 storm set in and the rising water warned them to reach 
 higher ground. It rose from hardly fetlock deep to the 
 stirrups, a gloomy outlook, splashing on through the dark 
 forest, the enemy behind and the flood everywhere ; but the 
 scouts' knowledge of the lay of the land brought them to 
 one of the well known ridges where they staid as best 
 they might, huddled over a damp fire. Morning came 
 and water still rising ; no rations save a little horse corn. 
 At night Captain Newell with one of the scouts set out to 
 discover a means of escape, but the horses soon had to 
 swim, that of the scout was drowned, and the instinct of 
 Captain Newell's horse brought him to land after losing all 
 of his loose property, such as sabre, belt, pistol, boots, and 
 overcoat. Another dreary morning dawned and Captain 
 Newell, with two men and an extra horse, started to find 
 the scout. Luckily he was saved by the party who found 
 him, a mile and a half from the ridge, and all the property 
 he had was a big log which he had clung to all night, and 
 he was so exhausted and stiff", that they had to tear him off" 
 of that. When they got back they found that their com- 
 panions had shot a horse and a mule, and were feasting 
 on steaks seasoned with gunpowder. It is said that after 
 trying both, the verdict was in favor of horse meat. Still 
 another day of discomfort, and the next morning they 
 made a bold push for the Union lines. Coming to a bayou 
 and a ferry, the scouts hailed the rebel who owned the 
 boat, on the other shore, and by informing him that they 
 were in hot haste after some blasted Yanks, he paddled 
 across and on landing was presented with a six shooter, 
 muzzle end foremost. The men and animals were then 
 ferried over, and in order that the owner shouldn't tell 
 anybody of their whereabouts, the boat was destroyed and 
 he was left on the other or swamp side to meditate on 
 Yankee tricks. So, after a march of sixty miles and an 
 absence of six days, they reported back at Vidalia. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 543 
 
 On the 6th of March the battalion was ordered back to 
 Natchez to do provost duty. The men were quartered on 
 the public square in the Court House. They were so good 
 (dude) that they were denominated " Davidson's Pets." 
 They got dressed up and were by report, the cynosure of 
 all eyes, especially the ladies, and some of them married 
 some of them. 
 
 During the month of March a detachment from the battal- 
 ion went twenty-five miles by boat to Gaines' landing, and 
 marching into the interior captured a rebel depot of sup- 
 plies and some prisoners. On March 6, Lieut. George 
 B. Johnson was detached as assistant provost marshal of 
 Natchez, and exercised the functions of his office in that 
 well known haunt of evil doers, " Natchez under the hill." 
 Lieut. J. J. Nolan was also detached to command the 
 military prison. 
 
 A story of a sergeant of Company K. Some perils of 
 the camp are equal to the perils of the field. That state- 
 ment is axiomatic ! In a prize story of the " Detroit Free 
 Press," the captain of Company K, at home a Sunday- 
 school superintendent and temperance missionary, reckons 
 up his misdeeds at the end of his first day's battle, and it 
 comes to " a Sunday fight, a swearword, a drink of whis- 
 key, and the use of a pipe," yet he came out all right at 
 the end of the story ; so the sergeant of Company K 
 comes out all right at the end of the war as a temperance 
 man and a capitalist ! 
 
 The following relation is in somewhat of a different 
 strain from any of the preceding whiskey stories and is 
 how Sergt. John Farley of Company K (see page 145), 
 got a mule admitted to the bar : 
 
 When we were in camp about a mile from Natchez and 
 this cruel war was about over, and we felt good accord- 
 ingljs it was a city ordinance that no liquor should be sold 
 to any private soldier unless by permission of a commis- 
 
544 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 sioned officer who should be present at the sale. The 
 sergeant of Company K happened into one of the big 
 plated bar-rooms and by permission of his lieutenant got 
 pretty well " set up " by twelve, midnight, so much so that 
 the usual consequences followed, by being in the morning 
 at his quarters afflicted with a big head and a disordered 
 stomach. He concluded that a " hair of the same dorg 
 that bit him," would cure, so he with a chum as dry as 
 himself, started for the city. On arriving, they presented 
 themselves at the " nigger end" of the same bar that they 
 had so liberally patronized on the previous evening. Says 
 the sergeant of Company K, " Mr. McDonald, will you 
 please let us have a drink?" " No," said Mr. McDonald, 
 " I wouldn't let my brother have a drink, if he was a sol- 
 dier." Now this said Mr. McDonald was one of those big- 
 feeling, pot-built-up rebels who was glad to get any kind 
 of a twist on Yanks, so finding that it was no use to try for 
 a drink even after offering big money, the two chums 
 went down to the world famed " Natchez under the hill." 
 There a certain Mrs. Stack whose husband was in the 
 rebel army, and she had to keep alive by a little sly trade, 
 put a bottle on the table and told 'em to help themselves, 
 and soon the Sergeant of Company K was on a mental 
 level with the night before. When feeling first-rate, the 
 two started back up Main street, and seeing by the side of 
 the road a mule that was so old and stiff that he had hard 
 work to get his head down to the grass, they seized him, 
 the Company K man by the head, while his chum fol- 
 lowed up with a club. It was rather slow work for they 
 had to give the mule time. He came near toppling 
 through weakness over on to them, but they sustained his 
 faltering body until having got to the front of Mr. Mc- 
 Donald's coffee, beer and rum house, and finding that the 
 main floor was about on a level with the sidewalk, they 
 urged the mule indoors and up to the bar. 
 
 Mr. McDonald was behind the bar, and was thunder- 
 struck and paralyzed with madness to see such a horridly 
 wan, emaciated, piteous looking old mule sticking his ears 
 over his bar and looking at himself in the big mirrors. 
 Sergeant of Company K says, '• Mr. McDonald, give this 
 fellow a drink; he^s no soldier; Fll -pay for it." Says 
 Mr. McDonald with an oath, " I'll have none of this work ; 
 get out o' here with yer mule." "Take him, Mr. Mc- 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 545 
 
 Donald," says the sergeant, "you can have him. We 
 don't want him. Make him feel good with a drink ; he's 
 no soldier," and backed out laughing. Mr. McDonald 
 came from behind the bar with a club. He was too mad 
 to lead the mule out.. He wanted to hit something or 
 somebody, so he pounded the poor mule, and in the 
 struggle came near ruining the bar and furniture. Mean- 
 time the noise had drawn a crowd of about 2,000 people, 
 who by turns cheered the mule, and Mc, and the sergeant 
 of Company K, who, in the doorway, kept calling out, 
 "Give him a drink, Mr. McDonald, and he will come 
 out all right; he is no soldier." The sergeant of Com- 
 pany K often wondered why the man-mule didn't shoot 
 him, but came to the conclusion that the rebel bullet to do 
 that was never built. 
 
 The news of the capture of Richmond and the surren- 
 der of Lee's army was received by the officers and men 
 with great joy. On the evening of the reception of the 
 news, the wildest enthusiasm prevailed in military circles, 
 and depression was visible among the Confederate sym- 
 pathizers, All loyal persons were requested by the pro- 
 vost marshal to illuminate their houses. In view of the 
 Federal successes and now established supremacy, the 
 most rebellious did not dare to appear openly disloyal, and 
 the result w^as a fine and general illumination. A torch- 
 light procession headed by the troops of the post number- 
 ing four thousand, the veteran battalion having the right 
 of the column, paraded the streets and paid a marching 
 salute to the general at his residence, amid the blaze of 
 fireworks furnished from the pyrotechnic stores of the fleet 
 in the river, accompanied by the heavy guns of Fort Mc- 
 Pherson and the Columbiads of the ironclads ; but all the 
 joy and exultation was of short duration, for soon came 
 the news of the assassination of our beloved president. 
 With hushed and bated breath, soldiers and citizens alike 
 talked of the terrible crime, and speculated as to the con- 
 sequences, but there was no burst of a " fearful storm of 
 vengeance," as some fearful ones predicted. The spirit of 
 35 
 
546 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 the great heart that had suddenly been stilled seemed to 
 pervade the conquerors. Again the troops at Natchez 
 paraded, but with no pealing music — no cheers of exulta- 
 tion. With the simple but expressive insignia of military- 
 mourning, the crape upon the arm and sword belt, the 
 flag of our country shrouded in black ; with arms reversed, 
 the sad column wound its way through the streets follow- 
 ing the roll of the muffled drums while the great guns of 
 the fort struck the half-hours during the day. That im- 
 mortal sentence, " with malice toward none and charity 
 toward all," though the kindly voice that uttered it was 
 forever silent, that sentiment was the keynote of the hour 
 and ruled the nation. 
 
 With the surrender of the Confederate forces, the labors 
 of the battalion were somewhat lightened. Soon after the 
 capitulation, Companies B and C were ordered to Brook- 
 haven, Miss., " to preserve order till the restoration of 
 civil law," but the country being found quiet, they re- 
 turned within two weeks. A. J. Thompson was in May 
 put in charge of the district as surgeon. Captain Landers 
 was detached as assistant commissary of musters, leaving 
 Capt. J. R. Newell in command of battalion. On June 5, 
 Lieut. C. A. Bo wen was detached as post quartermaster 
 at Natchez. At this time about ninety enlisted men of the 
 battalion were employed on various kinds of detached serv- 
 ice as clerks and orderlies. In June, Company A was 
 at Vicksburg as General Davidson's headquarters guard. 
 
 Letter extract from King : 
 
 Veteran Battalion, 
 Natchez, Miss., July 10, 1865. 
 A letter from the " Seat of War" is a falsehood. Still 
 we are here in readiness for any outbreak which may be 
 fomented by crowned heads, sore heads, or copperheads. 
 Steady streams of rebels are pouring in here to take the 
 " iron-clad oath." They are in grey, and mostly as defi- 
 ant as ever, demanding of the quartermaster the best of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 547 
 
 transportation to their homes. Our forces must be kept 
 here for a long time. Take away the troops, and a Union 
 man's life would not be worth a " sou-markee." 
 
 VicKSBURG, Miss., July 21, 1865. 
 
 General Orders, No. 3. 
 
 Captain J. H. Landers, 8th N. H. Veteran Infantry, is 
 appointed upon the staff . of Major-General Slocum as 
 assistant commissary of musters. 
 
 The following is an exact copy, verbatim et literatim, 
 big capitals and names, of Special Order, No. 27 : 
 
 Headqjjarters Southern District Mississippi, 
 
 Natchez, Miss., Aug. 17, 1865. 
 (Extract) : 
 
 2. A Board of Survey is hereby appointed to convene 
 at the office of the Post-Sub. -Commissioner of Freedom, 
 Natchez, Miss., at 9 o'clock a. m. on the i8th instant, or 
 as soon thereafter as practicable to investigate and deter- 
 mine the re.sponsibility for the loss of one Government 
 Horse, for which. 2d Lieutenant A. W. Williamson, 70th 
 U. S. Colored Infantry is responsible. 
 
 detail for the board. 
 
 Major J6hri P. Coleman, 6th U. S. Colored Artillery 
 (Heavy). 
 
 Capt. D. W. King, Veteran Battalion 8th New Hamp- 
 shire Infantry. 
 
 First Lieut. James Dickson, 6th U. S. Colored Artillery 
 (Heavy). 
 
 By order of Brevet Major-General J. W. Davidson. 
 A. Schuyler Montgomery, 
 Cap. A. D. C. and A. A. A. Gen'l. 
 Official : 
 
 C. H. Cooper, 
 
 First Lieut, and A. A. A. G. 
 
 Capt. D. W. King, 8th N. H. Vet. Battalion. 
 
 If any account of the wrestle in hunting for the one 
 responsible for the aforesaid horse is found it will be 
 gladly inserted later. 
 
548 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Headquarters Department of Mississippi, 
 
 VicKSBURG, Miss., August 19, 1865. 
 
 General Orders, No. 20. 
 
 The following officers are announced upon the staff of 
 the general commanding : 
 
 Surgeon John L. Tweed, United States Volunteers, 
 Acting Medical Inspector. 
 
 Captain Samuel T. Gushing, Commissary of Subsist- 
 ence, U. S. A., Chief Commissary. 
 
 First Lieutenant James H. Marshall, 8th New Hamp- 
 shire Veteran Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 By order of Major-General Slocum. 
 
 J. Warren Miller, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General. 
 Official : 
 J. H. Marshall, 
 
 Lieut, and Act. Assistant Adjutant- General. 
 
 Headquarters Dept. of Mississippi, 
 
 VicKSBURG, Miss., Oct. 20, 1865. 
 Special Orders, No. 79, extract : 
 
 3. On account of the orders for the muster-out of his 
 regiment. First Lieut. James H. Marshall, 8th N. H. 
 Veteran Infantry, is hereby relieved from duty as Acting 
 Assistant Adjutant-General at these Headquarters, and 
 will at once report to his regimental commander. The 
 Major-General commanding, thanks Lieutenant Marshall 
 for liis faithful and efficient services while on duty at these 
 Headquarters. 
 
 By order of Major-General Osterhaus. 
 
 J. Warren Miller, 
 Official : Asst. Adj. -Gen. 
 
 J. Warren Miller, A. A. Gen. 
 
 Personal. — James H. Marshall, of Nashua, enlisted 
 with the writer in Company B of the Eighth New Hamp- 
 shire, and was appointed and mustered in as sergeant in 
 that company on December 20, 1861 . Previously, he had 
 served in the First Regiment of New Hampshire Volun- 
 teers with Captain Edgerly, in Company F. In the his- 
 
CAPT. JAMES H. MARSHALL. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 549 
 
 tory of the First, page 400, his short record reads, " Age, 
 21; occupation, clerk: mustered in on Aug. 9, 1861." 
 As the writer glances over the names of those enlisting 
 in the same company, he sees many familiar ones, as 
 Sergeant Nottage and Sergeant-Major Hosley, both killed 
 
 JAMES H. MARSHALL. 
 
 at Port Hudson; Lieutenant Peterson, to-day living ;' T. 
 L. Livermore, since colonel of the Eighteenth ; Lieut. 
 Nestor Haines, Lieutenant Langley, Captains Blanchard 
 and Newhall, and D. W. King, then corporal; Lieutenant 
 Thompson, W. F. Adams, Samuel Bartlett, A. D. Bou- 
 telle, James Ennis, W. B. Emerson, and F. A. Hobart. 
 In all, thirty-six of the First Regiment enlisted sometime 
 during the war in the Eighth Regiment. On page 485, 
 First Regiment history, record of Sergeant Marshall is 
 
550 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 continued. "Appointed in Eighth Regiment principal 
 musician, March 17, 1863 ; sergeant-major, September 
 15, 1863; re-enlisted, January i, 1864; second lieutenant 
 Company G, June 22, 1864; adjutant, September i, 1864; 
 captain, October 28, 1865; not mustered; discharged, 
 October 28, 1865." 
 
 Captain Marshall was very intelligent and scholarly, 
 fluent in speech, and a ready writer. It was expected at 
 the commencement of this history that its pages would be 
 enriched by copious extracts from the diaries he was 
 known to keep, but after much search, they are, unfortu- 
 nately, not to be found. It is related of him that on one 
 of those interminable marches in Louisiana, he ventured 
 during a halt to step upon the piazza of a mansion where 
 an undaunted Southern miss was studying a Latin book, 
 Virgil. Being naturally gallant and gentlemanly, he at- 
 tempted conversation, but failed at first ; still persisting, 
 he caught sight of the title of the book and offered to read 
 it to her ; that proposition opened the young lady's mouth, 
 and she indulged in a laugh and a pretty little sneer that a 
 mudsill Yank should know aught of Latin ; but Lieutenant 
 Marshall captured the book and the pretty girl's astonished 
 attention by readily reading the " dead language," and 
 gracing it with fine live English easily rendered. A 
 lunch followed, which detained Marshall, so that he was 
 fearful of being in turn " captured," and he had to break 
 away. According to an account in print (the date is not 
 given), his friends took him from his home in Webster, 
 Mass., where he had been for some time sick, and in a 
 palace car, and with kindest attention, he was carried to 
 The Weirs to meet the boys once more. For three days 
 he was the recipient of boundless hospitality. Colonel 
 King and wife, and his old schoolmate, Mr. J. P. Otter- 
 son, and his lady, doing all in their power for his comfort 
 and happiness. On the last day of their stay, the " men 
 of the Eighth " came, preceded by Brown's band, which 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 551 
 
 played in front of the cottage where he was staying, the 
 touching strains of " Departed Days," at the close of 
 which they passed in review, and each grasped him by 
 the hand. As they marched on the band struck up the 
 grand old "Marching through Georgia," which affected 
 the captain to tears. Said he, " I shall never again wit- 
 ness the march of the Eighth. I shall never see many of 
 my comrades again in this world." His words were truly 
 spoken. He died in Webster, Mass., soon after his return 
 from this trip to The Weirs. 
 
 Headqijarters , 
 Southern District of Mississippi, 
 
 Natchez, Oct. 17, 1865. 
 Special Orders, No. 63 (extract) : 
 
 I. Under instructions from Dept. Headquarters, the 
 8th N. H. Veteran Battalion will be put en route for 
 Vicksburg, preparatory to its muster out, and be reported 
 there to the assistant adjutant-general of the department. 
 The general commanding, thanks this regiment which 
 has been under his immediate command ten months, for 
 their general attention to duty and fidelity and patience 
 since the surrender of the rebel armies. The regiment 
 will carry with them his earnest wishes that the distinction 
 which has attended them as a body in the military service 
 of the country, may follow them individually throughout 
 the walks of civil life. 
 
 J. W. Davidson, 
 Brevet Major-General. 
 Official : 
 John Byrne, 
 
 Lieut, and A. A. A. G. 
 Comdg. Officer Co. B 8th N. H. Vet. Bat. 
 
 But four officers were now on duty with the battalion, 
 viz. : Captains King and Newell, and Lieutenants Johnson 
 and Peterson, Lieutenant Nolan having resigned to take 
 part in the Fenian movement. Finally, on October 17, 
 1865, according to order No. 63, the battalion went to 
 Vicksburg, the muster rolls were made out and signed on 
 
552 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 October 29, and bidding farewell to the scenes of almost 
 four years service, the remnant of the Eighth embarked 
 for Cairo under command of Capt. D. W. King ; Cap- 
 tains Newell and Landers, Surgeon Thompson, and 
 Lieutenants Bowen and Fletcher, with about twenty-five 
 enlisted men, being left under the provisions of an order 
 from the war department making it optional with them to 
 be discharged where they were serving, or return home. 
 
 Office C. M. Dept. of Miss., 
 
 VicKSBURG, Miss., Oct. 28, 1865. 
 Cap. D. W. King: 
 
 Sir, — You will take charge of the books and Records 
 of the 8th New Hampshire Vet. Inf. Vols, and proceed 
 with the Regt. to Concord, N. H., where you will deliver 
 them to the chief mustering officer of the State of New 
 Hampshire. 
 
 I am, very respectfully your obt. servant, 
 Geo. a. Williams, 
 Cap. ist U. S. Inf. C. M. Dept. of Miss. 
 
 At Cairo the battalion took cars for a 1,50x3 mile ride to 
 New Hampshire. To their great discomfort, their journey 
 commenced in cattle cars. At Indianapolis they encount- 
 ered the first snow storm seen since January, 1862, but 
 luckily, off the cars they were provided with a bountiful 
 supper by their comrades in arms at that post. Next Sun- 
 day morning they came to a stand-still at Crestline, Ohio, 
 and a cool wait of twenty-four hours was announced ; but 
 Captain King sought out the agent of the road and laid the 
 case before him so graphically, that he telegraphed to the 
 superintendent of the road, who lined them right on and, 
 more, interested the ladies of Cleveland, who left church 
 worship to prepare for the hungry comers; so at 6 p. m., 
 they entered the Soldiers' Home for a wash (luxury) and 
 a bountiful supper. An individual expression of thanks 
 was given by Captain King, three cheers by the command 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 553 
 
 and a feeling card of acknowledgment was left for the 
 morning papers, to let the Ohioan public know that the 
 Granite Yankees had passed through, but not without be- 
 ing superbly entertained by the ladies of the Soldiers' Aid 
 Sqciety. 
 
 At 10 p. M. on Tuesday, November 7, the train rolled 
 into the station at Concord, N. H., and the soldier boys 
 once more trod the soil of the old Granite State. The 
 veterans were received by Adjutant-General Head, who 
 introduced His Excellency Governor Smyth, who, after 
 words of welcome, tendered them the hospitalities of their 
 native State. Escorted by the Veteran Reserve Corps, the 
 battalion marched to the stirring strains of the "Soldier's 
 Chorus" from Faust, to bountiful suppers at the Phenix 
 and Eagle hotels. At Camp Gilmore on the next Friday, 
 November 9, the battalion was paid off" and discharged. 
 One hundred and seventy-nine enlisted men returned as 
 the last representatives of over 1,700 men who had served 
 in the regiment. As a recognition of their services, the 
 officers of the battalion were presented with brevet com 
 missions by the governor, making the roster as follows : 
 
 Colonel, James H. Landers, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Dana W. King, 
 Major, James R. Newell, 
 Surgeon, Andrew J. Thompson, 
 Company A, Captain, George B. Johnson, 
 Company A, First Lieutenant, Nelson H. Peterson, 
 Company B, Captain, Charles A. Bowen, 
 Company B, First Lieutenant, James F. Fletcher, 
 Company C, Captain, James H. Marshall, 
 Company C, First Lieutenant, James L. Wheeler. 
 
 From " Fox's Statistics," compiled from the official 
 records, the State Military Bureaus, and at Washington 
 by W. F. Fox, lieutenant-colonel U. S. V. and president 
 of the society of the Twelfth Army Corps, the following is 
 the loss of the Eighth New Hampshire in the civil war : 
 
554 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Killed and died of wounds, officers, 8 
 
 " " " enlisted men, 94 
 
 102 
 Died of disease, accident, and in prison, of- 
 ficers, 2 
 Died of disease, accident, and in prison, en- 
 listed men, 256 
 
 258 
 Total deaths, 360 
 
 In the list of the New Hampshire eighteen regiments, 
 the Eighth stands in the column of "officers killed and 
 died of wounds" during the war as the eighth, it losing 10, 
 the Second losing thus 15; the Third, 12; Fifth, 18; 
 Sixth, 10; Seventh, 15; Ninth, 10; Twelfth, 11; Four- 
 teenth, 8. In the same column it stands the ninth in loss 
 of enlisted m*tn, as the Second lost 163 ; Third, 186 ; Fifth, 
 277; Sixth, 177; Seventh, 169; Ninth, 145; Eleventh, 
 140; Twelfth, 170; Eighth, 94. In same column, total 
 loss, the Eighth stands ninth; in the column of " died of 
 disease, accident, and in prison," number of officers 2 (the 
 Fifth and Third losing the same), the Second losing thus, 
 6 ; Fourth, 5 ; Sixth, 3 ; Ninth, 3 ; Fourteenth, 4 ; Six- 
 teenth, 5. In the same column the Eighth stands first 
 with a record of 256 of enlisted men and a total of 258. 
 The nearest is the Ninth, 254 ; Seventh, 242 ; Sixth, 231 ; 
 Sixteenth, 221; Fourth, 199; Fifth, 178; Second, 172; 
 Third, 154. In column of " total deaths" the Eighth stands 
 the fifth. The Fifth lost 473 ; Seventh, 426 ; Sixth, 418 ; 
 Second, 350 ; Third, 352 ; Twelfth, 320 ; Eighth, as 
 above, 260. 
 
 The killed or mortally wounded in New Hampshire 
 
 regiments were i?903 
 
 Deaths from other causes, 2,979 
 
 Total, 4,882 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 555 
 
 Number of men furnished (three years standard), 
 29,150. Per cent killed, 6.5 ; per cent other deaths, 10.2 ; 
 per cent total deaths, 16.7. In the Franco-Prussian war the 
 loss was 3 i-io per cent killed of those engaged ; in the 
 Crimean war 3 7-10 per cent ; in the war of the Rebellion 
 4 7-10 per cent upon the Federal side, and, upon the au- 
 thority of Fox's history, 9 per cent upon the Confederate 
 side. In round numbers the losses upon the Union side 
 were 110,000 killed ; 369,400 died of wounds and disease. 
 
 The great loss of the Eighth, Colonel Fox in a note 
 says, '■'•was due to the fatal climate of the Gulf States 
 in which it served." Losses at Port Hudson alone, from 
 May 23 to July 8, were as follows in the regiments indi- 
 cated, of which the Eighth stands at the head. These 
 were excerpted from " Fox's Statistics." 
 
 Killed. Wounded. Misc. Total. 
 
 8th New Hampshire, 
 
 4th Wisconsin, 
 
 26th Connecticut, 
 
 8th Vermont, 
 
 6th Michigan, 
 
 91st New York, 
 
 2d Louisiana, 
 
 ii6th New York, 
 
 73d N. S. Colored Infantry, 
 
 128th New Jersey, 
 
 ist Louisiana, 
 
 53d Massachusetts, 
 
 133d New York, 
 
 131st New York, 
 
 4th Massachusetts, 
 
 Major Thomas Connelly. 
 
 On Memorial Day, 1891, at Manchester, N. H., was 
 dedicated a monument erected to the memory of Major 
 Connelly. The following account of the services is from 
 the " Manchester Union" of June 3, 1891 : 
 
 30 
 
 198 
 
 30 
 
 258 
 
 49 
 
 117 
 
 53 
 
 219 
 
 ^S 
 
 160 
 
 I 
 
 176 
 
 25 
 
 132 
 
 9 
 
 166 
 
 20 
 
 129 
 
 
 
 149 
 
 21 
 
 120 
 
 8 
 
 149 
 
 32 
 
 108 
 
 4 
 
 144 
 
 20 
 
 los 
 
 5 
 
 130 
 
 34 
 
 95 
 
 
 
 129 
 
 22 
 
 100 
 
 6 
 
 128 
 
 31 
 
 89 
 
 3 
 
 123 
 
 17 
 
 99 
 
 5 
 
 121 
 
 23 
 
 90 
 
 2 
 
 115 
 
 21 
 
 88 
 
 10 
 
 119 
 
 18 
 
 83 
 
 I 
 
 102 
 
5S6 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 AT THE CONNELLY MONUMENT. 
 
 At 9 o'clock in the morning a procession was formed on 
 Merrimack street, the right resting on the east side of Elm 
 street, which was composed of those who were desirous of 
 honoring the memory of the gallant Major Connelly by 
 being present at the dedication ceremonies held in St. 
 Joseph's cemetery about the monument recently erected to 
 his memory. Lawrence Foley officiated as marshal, 
 assisted by D. F. Healy as adjutant. The procession 
 moved in the following order as they took up the line of 
 march at St. Joseph's cemetery : Manchester Drum 
 Corps; hack containing Patrick Fahey, John C. Linehan 
 of Penacook, Daniel F. Mahoney and M. O'Dowd ; 
 Sheridan Guards, forty men, Capt. D. F. Shea ; Emmett 
 Guards, twenty-five men, Capt. P. H. O'Malley; delega- 
 tion of Grand Army men and citizens. 
 
 At the cemetery, M. O'Dowd officiated as master of 
 ceremonies, and addressed the assembly, stating that this 
 monument was the first raised in this city to an Irish sol- 
 dier by his comrades and friends, and alluded to the 
 extreme antiquity of many monuments in the land of Major 
 Connelly's birth, and gave a history of the ancestors of 
 Major Connelly in Ireland, and concluded with a glowing 
 tribute to his courage and well known abilities. Mr. 
 O'Dowd then introduced John C. Linehan, who followed, 
 giving the history of the raising of the fund, and that 
 through the efforts of comrades, and the help from the 
 columns of the "Daily Union," the work had been 
 crowned with success, and alluded in a feeling manner to 
 the position the Irish people occupied in New England 
 thirty years ago, and concluding, gave a glowing eulogy 
 to the memory of his friend, the patriotic and loyal Major 
 Connelly. 
 
 Col. Dana W. King of Nashua was next introduced and 
 addressed the gathering in a feeling manner regarding his 
 acquaintance and intimacy with him for whom this monu- 
 ment was raised, and said, " A worthier or truer man 
 was never sent from the State of New Hampshire. A 
 man whose heart was tender as a woman's, but who was 
 stern and unflinching in the discharge of his duty, and one 
 whose loyalty and patriotism were never surpassed by a 
 son of New Hampshire's soil,'' and, in conclusion, gave a 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 557 
 
 glowing tribute to the many attributes of his comrade and 
 friend. 
 
 D. F. O'Connor followed with an eloquent tribute to the 
 many virtues of Major Connelly, not only as a soldier, but 
 as a lawyer, a citizen, and a friend, and this monument is 
 a fitting emblem of one who detested hypocrisy and loved 
 liberality in its fullest sense. 
 
 The monument is of granite placed upon a solid natural 
 foundation. The base is about forty-eight inches on each 
 side, above which is a base of thirty-six inches on each 
 side, on which rests the die, which is inscribed as follows : 
 
 East side — A soldier, loyal, brave, and true, who 
 risked all for the land of his adoption. A patriotic Irish- 
 man, learned in the traditions, history, and ancient civili- 
 zation of his native land, who gave generously of his 
 means, and was untiring in his efforts to promote every 
 honorable movement in favor of Irish independence. 
 
 North side — Major Connelly, with the assistance of 
 the Irish-American soldiers of the Eighth New Hamp- 
 shire volunteers, while on duty in Louisiana in the autumn 
 of 1862, had a graceful marble monument erected over 
 the grave of Richard Dalton Williams, the Irish patriot 
 and poet. 
 
 West side — Erected by his friends and comrades, to 
 the memory of Major Thomas Connelly of the Eighth 
 New Hampshire Volunteers, 1861 to 1865. Born in city 
 of Kilkenny, A. D. 1830. Died March 22, 1888. R. I. P. 
 
 The monument is an original design and reflects great 
 credit on the maker. It is about fifteen feet in height, 
 and was this morning tastefully decorated with smilax and 
 cut flowers arranged in festoons and wreaths by Misses 
 Annie and Kate Doyle, nieces of the deceased. 
 
 In a letter addressed to the committee at Manchester, 
 regretting his inability to be present at the ceremonies, 
 Capt. D. B. Newhall,"^of Concord, thus closes : 
 
 You do well to erect a monument to the memory of this 
 nf)ble Irishman. No native of the soil showed more 
 patriotism and love of country than this brave son of old 
 Erin. As long as a member of the old Eighth is alive the 
 names of Maj. Thomas Connelly, and our late beloved 
 comrade, the "Bold Capt. Con" Healy will be revered. 
 
 Yours in F., C, and L., 
 
 Dan'l B. Newhall. 
 
5S8 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 Personal Sketches. 
 
 In the absence of other information, it is fortunate that 
 the account of Capt. John Kelliher of Company C, by the 
 Hon. John C. Linehan, in history of the First Regiment 
 is available as follows : 
 
 Captain Kelliher had just arrived in the country vsrhen 
 the war broke out. He was finely educated, had taught 
 school in Ireland, and was fully imbued with the patriotic 
 spirit of the times. He first volunteered in Captain Dona- 
 hue's company of the Third, and went into camp at Con- 
 cord, but, meeting several of his countrymen who were 
 interested in his weltare, they advised him to apply to 
 Governor Berry for authority to recruit an Irish company 
 for the Eighth Regiment. He had not yet been mustered 
 into the Third, and his application being granted, he 
 raised a full company at Manchester, and went to the 
 front commissioned as captain, but was killed, as else- 
 where related, at Georgia Landing, October 27, 1862. 
 
 In regard to Captain Healy, Lieut. J. J. Nolan sends 
 the following : 
 
 Capt. Cornelius Healy was born on the banks of the 
 Kenmare River in Kerry County, Ireland, September 10, 
 1835 ; came to this country and settled in Fall River in 
 1846; from thence went to Manchester, N. H. Was sent 
 to the Legislature in 1861 ; resigned his seat and com- 
 menced recruiting for the Eighth Regiment ; was elected 
 first lieutenant of Company C. At the first battle at 
 Georgia Landing, La., Captain Warren of Company E 
 having been killed. Lieutenant Healy was promoted to 
 that position. He soon resigned to take command of 
 Company K. He spent some time recruiting in New 
 Hampshire. While North he was presented with a very 
 valuable sword inscribed as follows : " Presented to 
 Capt. C. Healy, Co. K, 8th Regt. N. H. Vols., by 
 
SERG'T CLESSON R. STICKNEY, CO. B. 
 
560 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 rades. In the charge on Port Hudson on the morning of 
 June 14, 1863, he was severely wounded. On September 
 21, 1863, he was discharged to accept appointment as 
 lieutenant in Ninety-second United States Cavalry Troops. 
 Alter the war he was for many years book-keeper for the 
 Oliver Chilled Plow works at South Bend, Ind. He died 
 at Indianapolis, Ind., November 5, 1890. 
 
 After the action of June 14, the bullet had not been 
 extracted and in later years it grew troublesome. Its 
 moving course lay alongside of the sciatic nerve, and it 
 probably finally entered some vital spot, causing his death. 
 An extract from the " Indianapolis News" of November 
 6, says in noticing his death, that " he was a charter 
 member of Geo. H. Thomas Post, G. A. R., and a most 
 loyal soldier. He wished the flag and his sword near him 
 during his last moments." 
 
 In June, 1884, he married Miss Ida M. Stearns, of 
 Indianapolis, an accomplished young lady, a teacher in 
 the public schools in that city. She, at this writing, is at 
 the East, intending to spend two days at The Weirs, in 
 order to see some of her husband's old comrades, of whom 
 she has heard so much in connection with his military 
 experience. 
 
 Larrj' Foley, first lieutenant of Company C, is too 
 modest at this date, to furnish any "personal" for the 
 Eighth history, so we are not to be blamed for appropriat- 
 ing something from the history of the First Regiment, 
 page 241 : 
 
 " Larry Foley was promoted from the ranks and was 
 a good representative of the rollicking Irish troops ; aa 
 brave as a lion in action and as tender as a lamb when 
 sentiment required. There was no danger of dying of 
 fatigue or overwork when he was around, for his presence 
 acted like electricity and his jokes and quaint sayings 
 relieved many a weary hour on the march, on picket, or 
 in camp." 
 
COL. J. H. LANDERS. 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 561 
 
 " Gen. W. H. Emory was born in Maryland, in 1811, 
 and graduated at West Point in 183 1. He was in the 
 Mexican war on the stafF of General Kearney, when he 
 was made captain and remained with the army after that 
 war ; was in Kansas during the troubles in 1854, ^nd in 
 Utah in 1858 ; was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 
 Sixth United States Cavalry in May, 1861. 1. 2 was in 
 the ' Peninsular Campaign ' and was made brigadier- 
 general of volunteers, March 17, 1862. His long service 
 had well prepared him for his present position, and he 
 was regarded as a veritable ' old war horse.' He was 
 thoroughly loyal and uncompromising, not wrapped up in 
 self-conceit, and not addicted to whims or eccentricities of 
 any sort. He was a strict disciplinarian, but not an arbi- 
 trary stickler in trifling matters, and ready to commend 
 merit whenever he saw it. The officers and men of his 
 division believed in him thoroughly and he was exceed- 
 ingly popular." 
 
 The veterans of the Eighth will readily endorse the 
 above taken from the history of the Fifty-third Massachu- 
 setts Volunteers. The general was a gentleman, as most 
 West Pointers are. The writer recollects that on the first 
 Red River expedition a captain, who, with his company 
 held the advance guard on the march, felt highly compli- 
 mented at being very slightly criticised by him. It was 
 done in such a kind and considerate way that it was 
 captivating. It has already been seen how he with his 
 staunch rear guard formed the impassable bulwark against 
 which the consolidated rebel lines beat in vain at Pleasant 
 Hill on April 9, 1864, and behind which on that day our 
 Second New Hampshire Cavalry, overwhelmed at the 
 front, found a grateful shelter after a hard day's fighting 
 and a forced retreat. 
 
 Col. James H. Landers was born in Lee, Mass., Au- 
 gust 2, 1827. He received a short academical education 
 
 36 
 
562 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 and was in the employ of Austin & Dearborn, musical 
 instrument manufacturers, in Concord, N. H., at the 
 breaking out of the war. 
 
 He then, in September, 1861, commenced recruiting for 
 Company I, of the Eighth Regiment and was commis- 
 sioned on December 20, as second lieutenant of that com- 
 pany. He rose through the several grades until October 
 28, 1865, when he received fr-om the governor of New 
 Hampshire a brevet commission as colonel. 
 
 After the war he remained at the South and took an 
 active part in reconstruction. He served as a member of 
 the Louisiana State Constitutional convention in 1867, and 
 in April, 1868, was elected judge of Concordia parish, his 
 official residence was at Vidalia, La. He died on August 
 18, 1870, leaving a wife, nee Laura A. Ferren, of Con- 
 cord, and three sons, only one of whom, Frederick A., of 
 Concord, survives. 
 
 In announcing his death the "Weekly Herald" of 
 Vidalia, La., of August 26, 1870, said : 
 
 Judge Landers was a native of New Hampshire. After 
 the war he settled in Concordia parish, where, by his 
 genial manners, courteous deportment, fine intelligence 
 and tender regard for the feelings and opinions of others, 
 he won for himself many warm and attached friends. 
 He was elected Parish Judge, and though without any 
 previous legal training, he yet brought to the discharge 
 of its arduous duties, that clear judgment, patient inves- 
 tigation, intelligence and impartiality, which enabled him 
 to arrive at most safe and satisfactory conclusions. As 
 a friend, he was ardent, firm and sincere, as a judge, 
 upright, honest and just. He was buried in the National 
 cemetery at Natchez, Miss. 
 
 Thomas L. Livermore, of Milford, N. H., having al- 
 ready served in the First. New Hampshire Volunteers 
 enlisted at the age of seventeen years with the writer in 
 Company B, Eighth New Hampshire, with the understand- 
 ing that he was to occupy in the company the position of 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 563 
 
 second lieutenant, but finding that the Fifth Regiment would 
 probably first leave the State for the seat of war, he bought 
 back his enlistment papers and went into the Fifth as a pri- 
 vate in Company K and was soon appointed first sergeant. 
 In the service he rose through the regular grades to the 
 position of major and brevet colonel of the Fifth New 
 Hampshire Volunteers. When the war closed, he held the 
 colonelcy of the Eighteenth Regiment, that being the last 
 one raised in the State. He was appointed thereto by Gov- 
 ernor Gilmore. Colonel Livermore had then attained the 
 age of twenty years, thus being one of the youngest who 
 ever held a commission in that grade of the United States 
 service in the war of the Rebellion. He is now a coun- 
 selor at law in Boston, and vice-president of the Calumet 
 and Hecla Mining Company. 
 
 Gen. James W. McMillan was an old Mexican fighter, 
 serving through the whole of that war, first in the Fourth 
 Illinois Volunteers and afterwards in Second Louisiana. 
 In 1861 he was made colonel of the Twenty-first Indiana. 
 He was wounded twice at Baton Rouge. That regiment 
 distinguished itself as heavy artillerists, they handling the 
 thirty-pound Parrotts opposite Port Hudson. The General 
 was a man of commanding appearance, himself and horse 
 weighing just one ton. 
 
 Comrade John Riney, of Wilton, enlisted in Company 
 B in 1861. Adjutant-General's Report: " Discharged to 
 accept promotion, March 21, 1864." 
 
 The following was found among a mass of war papers : 
 
 General Court Martial Orders, No. 523. 
 War Department. 
 Adjutant General's Office, 
 
 Washington, September 15, 1865. 
 In the case of John Riney, late private of Company B, 
 Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers, and captain of Com- 
 pany C, Sixteenth Regiment, Corps D'Afrique, sentenced 
 
564 History of the Eighth Regiment 
 
 by a general court martial convened at Port Isabel, Texas, 
 Jan. 18, 1864, pursuant to special orders. No. 12, dated 
 Headquarters U. S. Forces on the Rio Grande, Browns- 
 ville, Texas, Jan. 15, 1864. " To be immediately returned 
 to the 8th. Reg. N. H. Vols, for duty and that the charges 
 and specifications against him, and the findings and sen- 
 tence of this court be read before his Regt., the 8th N. H. 
 Vols., while on dress parade." It appears that the sentence 
 was duly executed and that subsequently Comrade Riney 
 was regularly appointed captain in Corps D'Afrique, and 
 while serving in that capacity, was, through a misappre- 
 hension, again returned to his former regiment as a pri- 
 vate. In view of the recommendations of Major-General 
 P. H. Sheridan, Commanding Military Division of the 
 Gulf, and the Judge Advocate General, " he be hereby 
 honorably discharged the service of the United States with 
 proper pay from the date, June 15, 1864," upon which he 
 relinquished his command, after he was mustered in as 
 captain. It not being practicable to restore him to his 
 commission as captain, the vacancy being already filled. 
 By order of Secretary of War, 
 
 E. D. TOWNSHEND, 
 
 Official. ' Asst. Adj. -General. 
 
 Personal — King, Knowles. 
 
 A curious circumstance in regard to the meeting of for- 
 mer active enemies in the civil war, who had actually met 
 in the clash of arms, is that of the stranger who called on 
 business at the office of the register of deeds in Nashua, in 
 December, 1890, and in conversation with Col. D. W. 
 King, he casually mentioned that he had formerly resided 
 in Louisiana and during the war was a Confederate pri- 
 vate. This announcement led to the telling that the vis- 
 itor, Mr. T. C. Knowles, now of Jamaica Plains, Mass., 
 was on April 8, 1864, a member of the Twenty-eighth 
 Louisiana Infantry, C. S. A., on which regiment the 
 Eighth New Hampshire made (as Second New Hampshire 
 Cavalry) the memorable charge at that date, and Colonel 
 King was then wounded and lay near the now famous 
 
New Hampshire Volunteers. 565 
 
 deadly fence when a picked squad from that regiment 
 came on the field and took all the Union wounded soldiers 
 prisoners. Mr. T. C. Knowles was one of that squad and 
 the two had an interesting time recalling the incidents of 
 that day when the one as victor took the other, van- 
 quished, offthe bloody field of Sabine Cross Roads. A 
 common meeting in those days, but a second one is rare 
 after a lapse of over twenty-six years, and serves to 
 cement a friendship between these two in these ' ' piping 
 times of peace." 
 
 The record of the Eighth Regiment as Infantry, Cav- 
 alry, and the "Veteran Battalion" is finished to the best 
 ability of the author, under the limiting circumstances. It 
 has been written with an honest attempt at fairness, and 
 with no wish to exaggerate the triumphs of the organiza- 
 tion to the disparagement of any other. The writer parts 
 with the work with a knowledge of its deficiencies, but 
 thinks it substantially correct, and commits it to his com- 
 rades, asking only just criticisms. 
 
 The perusal of these pages where there is a mingling of 
 the grave and gay, the sad and the mirthful, will trans- 
 port the veterans of the Eighth " to the rear" more than 
 thirty years ; and they will again feel youthful, and as if 
 with those of their comrades who gave their golden noon 
 to save the broad starred flag, and like clasping hands 
 with all honorable and loyal Confederates of old who 
 believe as Will H. Thompson, who signs himself as an 
 " ex-Confederate soldier," in the " Century," sings, 
 
 "God lives and reigns ! He built and lent 
 The heights for Freedom's battlement 
 Where floats her Flag in triumph still ! 
 
 "Fold up the banners ! Smelt the guns 
 Love rules. Her gentler purpose runs. 
 The mighty mother turns in tears 
 The pages of her battle years. 
 Lamenting all her fallen sons." 
 
566 History of the Eighth Regiment. 
 
 Time and the wearing tides of life have aged the living 
 veterans. The sun of their meridian has set. 
 
 Their night is coming on, 
 
 And there is a dearth 
 Of stars ! The moon sails o'er 
 
 A clouded earth. 
 
 The winds are wild, 
 
 And the wandering night-bird 
 Shrills ! as startingly 
 
 On picket they have heard. 
 
 Into the passing column, as it fades 
 
 Away into the mysterious shades. 
 
 Our comrades fall — with slow and bated breath. 
 
 And cross the lines held by the Victor — Death. 
 
 No more of Life ! they drop its fragile lease. 
 
 Their bivouac fires are lighted 
 
 Upon the Plains of Peace. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Under the head of " Battles " has been put tattles, skirmishes, and different 
 locations of the regiment at different times, also some dates. 
 
 Under the head of " Troops " has heeu put some of the most prominent of the 
 forces engaged. Union and Confederate. 
 
 Under the head of " Ships " the same method is pursued. 
 
 S. C. Rs. is contraction of " Sahine Cross Roads." 
 
 P. H. for Port Hudson. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A, Company 30, 33, 132 
 
 Adams, William, Quartermaster 345 
 
 Adjutant-General's Office, New Hampshire .... 191, 381 
 
 Alick, colored, at Indian Village 180 
 
 AUaine, Captain, One Hundred and Thirty-third New York . . 198 
 
 Andrews, General, at Port Hudson 231, 293, 319 
 
 Armand, Colonel, C. S. A 144, 422 
 
 Arnold, R., Brigadier-General, 411 ; made Chief of Cavalry, 431 ; 
 
 Banks to Arnold 465 
 
 Augur, General 190,220,247 
 
 Avery Salt Works 208 
 
 Ayling, Adjutant-General, New Hampshire . . . . 9, 351 
 
 B, Company 30, 39, 225, 243, 272, 411 
 
 Bailey, Captain, U. S. N 87, 100 
 
 Bailey, Lieutenant-Colonel, Fourth Wisconsin, at Alexandria, the 
 
 Dam, 448 ; the Bridge 481 
 
 Ball, Willis, Sergeant, 8 ; Personal 522 
 
 Bancroft, F. C, Drummer 8, 51, 362, 517 
 
 Banks, N. P., Major-General, 29, 111 ; the " Cotton," 162; to super- 
 sede Grant, 187 ; to Grant, 214 ; at P. H., Sherman fails, 230 ; 
 Flags of Truce, 238 ; Calls for Storming Column, 270 ; Blame of 
 Bed River Failure on Banks, 364 ; Personal Courage, 409 ; Re- 
 port, 425 ; to Secretary of War, 443 ; Report on General Smith . 479 
 
 Barnes' School History . . . • 371 
 
 Barrett, WUliam M., Captain 33, 131, 158 
 
568 Index. 
 
 Battles, Skirmishes, and Location of the Regiment, with some Dates : 
 Alexandria, 12, 217, 241 ; on Second Expedition, 378, 440 ; the 
 
 Dam 443,457 
 
 Algiers 186, 194 
 
 Avoyelles, Prairie, May 15, 1864 465 
 
 Baton Rouge, 50, 72, 95 ; January 1, 1863 171,190 
 
 Bayou de Glaize or Moreauville, 12, 465-469 ; the Burning 
 
 Bridge 473 
 
 Bayou Pierre, 398 ; the Road at S. C. Rs 417 
 
 Bayou Rapides, 12 ; March 25, 1864 378, 442 
 
 Bayou St. Paul (Wilson's Farm) 452 
 
 Bayou Sara, Advance on Port Hudson 247 
 
 Bisland, 12 ; Battle ...... 198 et seq. 335 
 
 Brashear City 194, 325, 374 
 
 Cane River, 12, 382 ; Retreat 433 
 
 Carroll's Mill, April 7, 1864 391, 398 
 
 Carrolton, 106 ; from Red River 484 
 
 Crump's Hill, on Pleasant Hill Road 383 
 
 Currier, Camp, New Hampshire 29, 34, 48 
 
 FrankUn 208, 374 
 
 Frenier Station 135 
 
 Georgia Landing, 12 ; Battle of, 140 et seq 337, 374 
 
 Henderson's Hill 436 et seq. 
 
 Indian Village, February 10, 1863 178 
 
 Irish Bend, Battle 204 
 
 Kearney, Camp 139 
 
 Kenner's 97, 132 
 
 Manchac Pass 132 et seq. 
 
 Mansura, Battle 466 
 
 MarksviUe, 12 ; May 15, 1864 464 
 
 McPherson, Fort, November, 1864 531 
 
 Monett's BlufE or Ferry, 12; S. C. Rs. Retreat . . . .435 
 
 Morganzia, May 22, 1864 482 
 
 Natchez, Miss 530 
 
 Natchitoches 12, 383 
 
 Opelousas, 214 ; Second Red River Expedition .... 336 
 
 Parapet, Camp 107, 123 
 
 Piney Woods, 12 ; on from S. C. Rs 437 
 
 Plains Store, Port Hudson 294 
 
 Pleasant Hill, April 7, 1864 387, 391, 424 
 
 Port Hudson, First Invested 187 
 
 Sabine Cross Roads or Mansfield, 12, 390 ; C. S. A. Account, 
 
 421; Review 447 
 
 Sabine Pass, Attacked by Sea 325 
 
Index. 569 
 
 Ship Island 56, 65, 104, 113 
 
 Simsport 217, 465 
 
 Snaggy Point 441 
 
 St. Martinsville, Longfellow 211 
 
 Surrender, 289 ; Men Paroled, 295 ; Men to be Arrested . . 492 
 
 Thibodeaux, Camp Stevens 153 
 
 Vidalia, 1864 538 
 
 Wilson's Farm, April 7, 1864 386 
 
 Wood, Fort 64, 67, 96 
 
 Yellow Bayou, on Retreat, 474 ; May 18, 1864 . . . .476 
 
 Beall, General, C. S. A., at P. H-. 245 et seq., 286 
 
 Bean, Colonel, Fourth Wisconsin ] 96, 234 
 
 Beauregard, G. T., General, C. S. A 49, 99, 106 
 
 Beckford, W. A., Lieutenant, 42, 202 ; at P. H., 265; S. C. Rs. . 411 
 
 471 et seq. 
 Bee, H. P., General, C. S. A., 389, 422, 424 ; at Monett's Ferry . 434 
 
 BeU, Captain, U. S. N. . . ' 81, 87 
 
 Bell, Ezra B., Lieutenant 171 
 
 Benden, Edwin, First Sergeant 307 
 
 Benjamin, Secretary, C. S. A 49, 64 
 
 Bering, Major, Forty-eighth Ohio, on Camp Ford Prison 514 et seq. 
 
 Berry, N. S., Governor, New Hampshire .... 35, 56, 321 
 
 Bigelow, John, Consul 444 
 
 Birge, H. W., Colonel, acting Brigadier-General, 290 ; at Cane River 434 
 Blair, H. W., Lieutenant-Colonel, Fifteenth New Hampshire . 287 
 
 Blanchard, J. M., Captain, 8; Clerk of Court, 161; at P. H. 227; 
 
 Wounded, 272 ; at S. C. Rs 388 
 
 Bloodhounds at Camp Ford . 506 
 
 Boggs, General, C. S. A., report from General Taylor on S. C. Rs. 428 
 Boggs, C. S., Captain, U. S. N. . . . . . .89, 368 
 
 Bowen, C. A., Lieutenani^Quartermaster 38 
 
 Boyd, John T., Company I . . ' 475 
 
 Brayman, M., Brigadier-General, 1864 538 
 
 Bridges, G. W., Lieutenant 7, 191 
 
 Brigades — Weitzel's, 140 ; Second, Paine commanding, 179 ; in 
 
 Fourth Brigade, Cavalry, 374 ; Detached 488 
 
 Bryant, Company H 71 
 
 Buchanan, Commander, U. S. N 163 
 
 BuUen, J. B., Major 326 
 
 Burpee, C. S., Lieutenant 102, 129, 131 
 
 Burton, John . 51, 412 
 
 Butler, B. F., Major-General : Preface, 13 ; at Camp Currier, 40 ; to 
 raise Troops, 77 ; in New Orleans, 95 et seq. ; General Paine, 280 ; 
 relieved on December 16, 1862, 119 ; the Flag . . . .318 
 BuzzeU, C: E., Company F 8 
 
S70 Index. 
 
 C, Company 36, 40, 124 
 
 Cable, George, Author 72, 100 
 
 Cameron, Gfeneral, 399 ; Report of S. C. Rs 451 
 
 Camp Ford Prison 296, 408 et seq. 
 
 Camp, Chas. H., Lieutenant ... 50, 135, 151, 15S, 235, 304 
 Cauby, General, to HaUeck, Red River, 480 ; Results . . . 487 
 
 Cane, John (Fox) 340 
 
 Carpenter, G«orge N., Captain and Historian Eighth Vermont 109, 276 
 
 Carter, Captain, Fourth Wisconsin 197 
 
 Casualties — Bayou de Glaize 471 
 
 Georgia Landing 143 
 
 Bisland 200 
 
 Port Hudson 245, 272 
 
 Red River— Total 492 
 
 Sabine Cross Roads 429 
 
 Chandler, Jacob F., Corporal, 11 ; Rattlesnake Swamp, 191, 345, 
 416 ; on Retreat, S. C. Rs. . . . ... 432, 490 
 
 Chandler, J. G., Lieutenant-Colonel, Chief Quartermaster, Report, 
 
 S. C. Rs 393, 399 
 
 Chaplain (Daniel P. CiUey), 35, 120, 184, 252, 272, 424 ; Alex- 
 andria, 453 ; at New Orleans 488 
 
 Charge on Port Hudson, Poem 309 
 
 Chrysler, Colonel, 435 ; Compliments Second New Hampshire . 484 
 
 " Citadel " (Battery 11) '.287 
 
 Clarke, EUery C, Surgeon, 56, 104, 125 ; in Charge of Hospital at 
 
 Port Hudson 251 
 
 Clark, Rufus, Sergeant 274 
 
 Clay, C. H., P. H 307 
 
 Coakley, Timothy 326 
 
 Cobbs, George S., Lieutenant, 50, 135, 167 ; murdered . . . 459 
 Cohen, Patrick, One Hundred and Thirty-third New York . . 260 
 
 Colby, E. G., Captain 131 
 
 Conant, C. E., Sergeant 204, 265, 296 
 
 Congress, Joint Resolution 354 
 
 Connelly, Thomas, Major, 36, 340, 353 ; at Sabine Cross Roads, 
 400, 412, 420, 424, 431, 452, 491 ; AprU 8, 1864, 497 ; Personal . 555 
 
 Connor, Frank, Lieutenant, S. C. Rs 418 
 
 Connor, John 352 
 
 Cotton Speculators, S. C. Rs 445 
 
 Coughlin, J., Company K 194 
 
 Cram, E. D 405 
 
 Crane, J. H., July, '65 538 et seq. 
 
 Creamer, C. S. A., Port Hudson 299 
 
 " Creole," Steamer _ 106, 120 
 
Index. 571 
 
 Crosby, W. A.' 142 
 
 Crosby, J. W., Lieutenant, Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers . 338 
 
 Cross, David, Hon 236 
 
 Cunningham, E., Lieutenant, C. S. A., Letter, 478; Important 
 
 Letter captured in Transit 485 
 
 Cushing, H. G., Lieutenant 8 
 
 Currie, Colonel, One Hundred and Thirty-third New York . . 196 
 
 D, Company 53, 204 
 
 Dana, C. A 205, 219 et seq. 
 
 Davidson, Svirgeon, C. S. A 296 
 
 Davis, Jefierson, C. S. A., 49, 67 ; Prentice on, 69, 98 ; on Butler, 
 119, 215, 323, 387 ; Report from Kirby Smith . . . 428,485 
 
 Davis, George B., Major-General 364 
 
 Davis, E. J., Colonel of Cavalry, 430 ; to Emory, 436 ; to Captain 
 
 Healy, 460 ; Commendation of Second New Hampshire Cavalry 484 
 Dearborn, Samuel G., Surgeon, 8, 56, 103 ; Personal . . 125, 129 
 
 Dearborn, F. A 11, 126 
 
 Deserter, C. S. A., on Red River 449 
 
 Desmond, Patrick, Company K 147 
 
 Desperate, Fort, P. H 287 
 
 Detached on Duty, Names 352 
 
 De Wolfe 37,343 
 
 Diary — Letter — Trans-Mississippi 210 
 
 Dillingham, Lieutenant-Colonel, Eighth Vermont, P. H. . . . 276 
 
 Distances, West of the Mississippi 372 
 
 Donaldsonville 140 
 
 Dooley, Rufe, Sergeant, Twenty-first Indiana .... 232 
 
 Dougherty, Patrick, Sergeant 194 
 
 Dow, Neal, General 104, 120, 121 
 
 Drew, Israel 51 
 
 Drum Corps, Durgin 355 
 
 Dudley, N. A. M., Colonel, 374, 397, 418 ; Relieved . . . .430 
 
 Dunbar, G.'H 363 
 
 Duncan, General, C. S. N 83, 86, 98 
 
 Durgin, C. P., Company G 42, 43 
 
 Durgin, H. J., Principal Musician, 11, 43, 52, 59, 71, 107, 142, 170, 
 236, 265, 351; the Drum Corps, 355, 377, 396, 405 et seq.; on 
 Lieutenant Cobbs, 461 ; Prisoner, 496 et seq. ; Exchanged, 505 ; 
 the Rebel Serenade, 519, 525; Personal, 527; Furlough and 
 
 Muster-out ^31 
 
 Duryea, Captain ^^24, 225 
 
 Dustin, G. A., Corporal, P. H 244 
 
 Dutch Bill, Manchac 135 
 
 Dwight, General, 224, 229, 261 ; Spicy Letter to A. J. Smith . . 456 
 
572 Index. 
 
 E, Company 36, 142 
 
 Eastman, A. W., Eighth Vermont, Editor 109 
 
 Eayrs, George S., Captain, 50, 152, 193 ; at S. C. Rs. . . . 405 
 
 "Eliza and Ella," Ship 56, 59, 63, 71 
 
 Emerson, C. A., Sergeant, 237, 244 ; at P. H., 264, 297, 303 ; from ' 
 California, 306, 338; S. C. Ks., 410; Lieutenant Cobbs, 461; at 
 
 Yellow Bayou 477 
 
 Emory, Brigadier-General, 174, 179, 286, 336, 391, 476 ; compliments 
 
 the Second New Hampshire, 484 ; Personal 561 
 
 Estabrook, Aaron G., Captain 107, 130 
 
 Ewer, James K., Department Chaplain, New Hampshire . . 441 
 
 E, Company .... 56, 103, 106, 120, 129, 142, 267, 411 
 
 Fales, Joseph F 48, 53 
 
 Faneuil Hall 44, 45, 81 
 
 Farley, John, Sergeant, 11, 145, 270, 339 ; at Natchez . . .543 
 
 " Farley, E. W.," Ship 53, 63 
 
 Farragut, David G., Flag-officer, 62, 78, 87, 91, 100, 109, 188, 194, 223, 240 
 Fearing, Hawkes, Jr., Colonel, 7, 34, 36, 37, 41, 42, 48, 53, 71, 104, 
 106, 120, 129, 143, 146, 152, 158, 170, 171, 183, 196, 200, 212, 226, 
 234 ; commanding Third Division, 312 ; Personal, 319, 353, 425, 
 
 489, 526 ; Muster-out 534 
 
 Fiske, Daniel M., Captain 36, 64 
 
 Fitzgerald, T. J 268 
 
 Flagg, George H., Sergeant 204 
 
 Flanders, George A., Lieutenant-Colonel, 103, 142, 151, 353, 400, 
 
 413 ; at Grand Ecore 431, 462, 472 
 
 Flinn's Book, 201, 209 ; on Gen. A. J. Smith 479 
 
 Foley, Lawrence, Lieutenant, 341, 488 ; Personal .... 560 
 Ford, Camp, C. S. A., 43, 498 ; July 4, 516 ; a Confederate Lamb . 517 
 
 Fort Desperate, at P. H 250 
 
 Fowler, George W., Editor 149 
 
 Fox's Statistics — Losses of the Eighth .... 553 et seq. 
 
 Fox, Mike 338 et seq., 501 
 
 France and Confederate Navy — consular 444 
 
 Franklin, Major-General 375, 384, 393 et seq., 448 
 
 Franklin, Del., Musician ..(.... 171, 191, 363 
 French, Peter, Lieutenant, Assistant Adjutant-General . . . 199 
 
 French, John C, Lieutenant 412 
 
 Freret, James, Lieutenant, C. S. A., at Port Hudson . 232, 245, 271 
 
 287 et seq., 293, 300, 313 
 Fuller, Captain, of the " Cotton " 162, 209 
 
 G, Company . . .51, 106, 132, 135, 139, 148, 205, 211, 221, 256 
 Galloway, Major, One Hundred and Seventy-third New York . 196 
 
Index. 573 
 
 Gannon, William J., Captain, Company C . . . 146, 340, 472 
 Gardner, Major-General, C. S. A., took Command at P. H., 246 ; the 
 
 Surrender 293 
 
 Gillegan, Fourth Wisconsin, S. C. Rs 405 
 
 Gillis, Charles, Corporal 104 
 
 Gilmore, P., Musician 352 
 
 Gooding, Colonel, 198 ; at Cane River 434 
 
 Goodrich, Almon P. 57 
 
 Gould, Laomi 59 
 
 Grand Ecore 388, 424 
 
 Grant, U. S., Lieutenant-General, General Banks' Military Power, 
 187, 205 et seq., 218, 241 et seq., 286, 294, 298, 367, 391 ; Red 
 
 River Review 444 
 
 Gray, M. J., Hon 233 
 
 Green, Tom, Major-General, C. S. A 390, 422 
 
 Green, Brigadier-General, C. S. A 291, 326, 337 
 
 Grierson, Cavalry, Captain, Raid 247, 251 
 
 Grover, General, at P. H. Will have no Flag of Truce, 261 ; com- 
 manding Post at Alexandria . . . . . . . 371 
 
 H, Company 36, 56, 135, 139 
 
 Haines, Daniel D., Corporal 297, 307 
 
 Hale, Charles, Musician 181 
 
 Hale, John P., Hon 35 
 
 Hall, A. G 131 
 
 Hall, Luke 48 
 
 Halleck, General, 241 et seq., 286 ; to Grant, on Banks . . .446 
 
 Hardy, James L., Lieutenant 42 
 
 Hartnett, Daniel 341 
 
 Haskins, Lieutenant 471, 473 
 
 Hatch, Charles G 65, 69, 104, 227 
 
 Head, Orrin M., Adjutant : • 30,158 
 
 Healy, Ira 326 
 
 Mealy, Cornelius, Captain, 123, 173, 180, 418, 431; at Wilson's 
 Lauding, 459 ; commanding Regiment, 471 ; Personal, by Lieu- 
 tenant Nolan o58 
 
 Hebert, Mrs. Eliza, Indian Village 185 
 
 Heenan, John C 40 
 
 Hennessy, Chief of Police, New Orleans 72 
 
 Higgins, Edw., Colonel, C. S. A 80, 96 
 
 Hoag, David D., Captain 304 
 
 Hodgdon, W. G., Corporal . . . , . • 202, 341, 465, 474 
 
 Hoge, Captain, Division Quartermaster, S. C. Rs 399 
 
 Hoitt, Byron D ,272 
 
574 
 
 Index. 
 
 11, 
 
 61, 97 
 . 92 
 . 327 
 . 393 
 104, 124, 164 
 . 248 
 
 . 444, 446 
 39, 181, 183, 202 
 
 . 206, 207 
 . 139 
 
 Hollins, G. N., Captain, C. S. if. 
 Hollins, Thomas, Quartermaster, U. S. N, 
 Holt, A. F., Colonel .... 
 Hooke, E. G., Cadet, Norwich University 
 Hosley, L. T., Lieutenant . 
 Houston's Plantation 
 Houston, D. C, Major, Red River Review 
 Howarth, R., Jr., 
 
 Huntley, Ed 
 
 Hurd, Orderly 
 
 Huse, Henry H., Captain, 43, 104, 141, 146, 179 ; Personal, 256 ; 
 
 272 274, 284 
 
 I, Company 474 
 
 Independence, Fort 42 
 
 "Index," Letter, Sept. 9, 1864 495 
 
 Irwin, R. B., Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General, on Banks' 
 Authority, 187 ; the Official Statement, 213 ; the Bayou Pierre 
 
 Road, Direction of, at S. C. Rs 417 
 
 Jackson, Andrew, General 66, 78, 103 
 
 Jackson, Fort 62, 64, 79, 86 
 
 Jackson, C. M., Acting A. A. Inspector-General, C. S. A. . . 293 
 
 Jim, C. S. A., in Hospital, P. H 302 
 
 Jim, colored 157 
 
 Johnson, G. B., Lieutenant 543 
 
 Johnson, Sidney A., Major-General, C. S. A 74 
 
 Johnston, J. E., Major-General, C. S. A. . . 14, 217, 247, 251,'287 
 
 Johnston, Theo., C. S. A 214 
 
 Johnston, Colonel, C. S. A 249, 272 
 
 Jones, Laura S., a Wedding at Baton Rouge 158 
 
 K, Company 36, 40, 56, 132, 145, 147, 194 
 
 Kelliher, John, Captain, 36, 140 et seq. ; Resolution, 151 et seq. ; 
 
 Personal 558 
 
 Kelton, George. The Flag at Brashear Desecrated . . . 326 
 
 Kennon, Beverly, Captain, C. S. N 84, 86 et seq. 
 
 Key, Francis Scott 155 
 
 Key, Philip Barton 155 
 
 Kimball, Colonel, Fifty-third Massachusetts 261 
 
 Kimball, Nat 441 
 
 King, Dana W., Lieutenant-Colonel, 7, 43 et seq., 65, 102 et seq., 127, 
 140 et seq., 150 et seq., 153, 156, 172, 229, 270, 283, 334, 349 ; a 
 Prisoner, 496 et seq. ; on Camp Ford, 509 ; " Ragged Picture," 
 
Index. 575 
 
 524; Result of an Election, 532; Personal, 534; for New Hamp- 
 shire in charge of Regimental Books and Records, 552; King 
 and Knowles, C. S. A 564 
 
 Labadieville, La 144 
 
 La Branch Station 133 
 
 Ladd, Joseph J., Captain 32, 270 
 
 Landers, James H., Colonel, 134, 158, 257 ; on Red River Retreat, 
 
 475 ; on Staff, 547 ; Personal 561 
 
 Landrum, W. J., Brevet Brigadier-General . 396, 404, 412, 418, 450 
 
 Langdon, General (Revolution) 26 
 
 Langley, J. M., Lieutenant 11, 135, 144, 145 
 
 Lanier, Lieutenant, C. S. A 252 
 
 Laton, James M., Sergeant 160 
 
 Lawler, General 477 
 
 Lawrence, Frank J 227 
 
 Lee, A. L., General, 374, 384, 390, 395, 410, 418 ; Relieved from 
 
 Command, 430 ; Report on ; Deserter 448 
 
 Legree, Mrs 128 
 
 Leonard, colored 105 
 
 Liddel, J. R., Lieutenant, C. S. A 441 et seq. 
 
 Lighthizer, Lieutenant Fourth Wisconsin 158 , 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham, President, 29, 77, 148, 823 ; Red River Review 
 
 444 ; his Assassination 545 
 
 Livermore, T. L., Colonel, 126 ; Personal 562 
 
 Livermore, Abiel A., Corporal .... 277, 297, 303, 307, 309 
 
 Locke, Colonel, C. S. A 248 et seq. 
 
 Locke, Lyman, Captain, 133, 158, 253 ; Disabled . . . 274, 424 
 
 Lodge, Henry C, Massachusetts M. C 318 
 
 Logan, John L., Colonel, C. S. A 217, 219, 292 
 
 Lovejoy, John 412 
 
 Lovell, (Jeneral, C. S. A 49, 64, 74, 82, 89, 97, 98 
 
 Luke's Plantation 134 
 
 Lull, Mary A., 11 ; at Fort, 57, 233 ; Chaplain's Letter . . .252 
 Lull, O. W., LieutenantColonel, on Ship " Eliza and EUa," 56 ; 
 to Fort Wood, 67, 96, 120 ; for Manchac, 132 ; Georgia Landing, 
 142; Provost Marshal, 158; the "Cotton," 162; Indian Vil- 
 lage, 183, 206 ; Disabled, 226 ; Personal .... 232, 337 
 Lyle, Colonel, Twenty-third Arkansas, C. S. A., at P. H. 249, 281, 285 
 
 Mack, Captain, Battery 197 et seq. 
 
 Macomb, Fort 64,67,101 
 
 Magruder, General, C. S. A 323, 333, 387 
 
 Mahoney, Daniel 326, 341 
 
576 Index. 
 
 Maine, J. C, Lieutenant 135 
 
 Major, General, C. S. A 422 et seq. 
 
 Manard, Rev. CM 154 
 
 Mansfield Road 421 
 
 Marshall, James H., Lieutenant, 50, 149, 164 et seq., 265, 349, 410 ; 
 Report, July 11, 1864, 492; at Natchez, 526; in New Hampshire 
 
 Reports, 537 ; Compliments and Personal 548 
 
 Massie, Robert F., Lieutenant (1817) 46 
 
 Matron, C. S. A. at P. H 299 
 
 Maxey, General, C. S. A 218, 246 
 
 McCabe (Mike Fox) 340 
 
 McCarty, Sergeant 431 
 
 McClary, Major (1776) 26 
 
 McClellan, Major-General 54, 77 
 
 McClemand, Major-General 419, 439 
 
 Mclnnis, S. P., C. S. A 461 
 
 Mcintosh, Captain, C. S. N 82 
 
 McKensie, Robert 226, 328 
 
 McMillan, General, 336, 348, 392 ; Personal 563 
 
 McPheeters, Colonel, C. S. A 145 
 
 Melendy. O. H., the Lathe 523 
 
 " Mersey," English Frigate 81 
 
 Mettimus, Edward, Company K 238 
 
 Miles, General, C. S. A. " Legion " . . . . 248, 252, 290, 302 
 Miles, James, Lieutenant, 8 ; Personal . . . 306, 414, 417, 41;; 
 
 MiUikens Bend 195, 205 
 
 Mills, X. E 8, 159, 326 
 
 Mills, Steve 204 
 
 Mitchell, Captain, C. S. N 82 
 
 Monroe, Mayor of New Orleans 98 
 
 Montesino, Bayou 189 et seq. 
 
 Moore, Captain Fourth Wisconsin 197 
 
 Moore, Governor, Louisiana 49, 372 
 
 Morrill, Ezra E., Corporal, E 202 
 
 ^I orris, Lieutenant Artillery 199 
 
 Morris, colored 244 
 
 Mounted Infantry 205,353,453 
 
 Mouton, General, C. S. A 142, 242, 392, 422, 486 
 
 Mower, General 375, 479 
 
 Mullins, Jack 192 
 
 Mumford, William B 119, 120 
 
 IMunsey, Drum-Major ....... 107, 171, 856 
 
 Murrah, Governor, Texas 387 
 
 Muster-out, Partial 534 
 
Index. 
 
 577 
 
 Names of Detailed Men 352 
 
 Nelson, Billy, Drummer 34 
 
 NeweU, ,T. R., Major, 272, 282, 284,303; on Red River, 474; Per- 
 sonal 5^]^ 
 
 Newhall, D. B., Lieutenant, 8, 11, 50, 134 et seq., 167, 266, 337, 383 ; 
 at Sabine Cross Roads, 388, 403, 408, 412 et seq. ; at Alex- 
 andria, 441, 462 ; at YeUow Bayou, 477 ; on Major Connelly and 
 
 Captain Con Healy 557 
 
 New Hampshire, State 9, 25 et seq. 
 
 New Orleans 49, 62, 64, 72 et seq., 95 et seq., 379 
 
 Nichols, General, Texas 387 
 
 Nims, O. F., Captain 411 
 
 Nineteenth Army Corps 75 424 
 
 Nolan, J. J., Lieutenant, 11, 132, 143, 146 ; Colonel Lull's Letter, 
 149, 153, 180, 194, 200, 236, 238, 271, 273, 418; the Ride to the 
 Rear, 436 ; Wilson's Landing, 460, 472 ; at Yellow Bayou, 482 ; 
 
 on Shea and Foley 488, 543 
 
 Norwich Military University, Vermont 63, 893 
 
 Oakes, Simon 102, 124 
 
 O'Grady, Michael, Lieutenant . • 133, 200 
 
 Order, Butler's famous. No. 28 Ill 
 
 No. 64, General, Port Hudson 255 
 
 ' No. 49, Forlorn Hope, Port Hudson 270 
 
 No. 151, Transfer 379 
 
 Orders, Confederate, Congratulations 435 
 
 General, Port Hudson 61 
 
 Prisoners, to shoot 508 
 
 Paine, Halbert E., Major-(3eneral, 74, 95, 138, 174, 179, 180, 194, 
 195 et seq., 203 et seq., 208, 209, 212, 217, 220; at Port Hudson, 
 224 et seq., 235, 251, 256, 259, 269, 272, 277 et seq. ; his Arrest, 
 
 284 ; Address and Personal 308, 316, 359 
 
 Pemberton, Major-General, C. S. A. . . . . 178, 215 et seq. 
 
 Perkins, George H., Lieutenant, U. S. A. 100 
 
 Peterson, Nelson H., Lieutenant, 36, 478 ; Commands a Firing Party 
 
 (see page 264) 540 
 
 Phelps, J.. W., Brigadier-General, 54, 62, 67, 82, 107 ; his " Proclar 
 
 mation " 113 et seq. 
 
 PhUbrick, J. C 129, 160, 538 
 
 Philip. St., Port 62, 79 
 
 Pigeon, Patrick, Company A, Fourth Wisconsin .... 270 
 
 Pike, Fort 64, 67, 101 
 
 Plains Store, -P. H 294 
 
 37 
 
578 Index. 
 
 Polignae, General, C. S. A., 422 ; at Yellow Bayou . . . . 478 
 Polk, Lieutenant-General, C. S. A., Scheme to repossess New Or- 
 leans 379 
 
 Pollard, C. S. A., Historian 95, 97 
 
 Porter, David D., Admiral, 62, 76, 77, 94, 294, 317, 389 ; to Sher- 
 man on Banks 446 
 
 Porter, William D., U. S. X 313 
 
 Pratt, Lieutenant, First Alabama 307 
 
 Prentice, Louisville Journal 69 
 
 Prescott, John H., Captain, Company G, Personal .... 494 
 Prescott, T. C, Captain, 11, 123, 147, 183, 205, 221, 230, 253, 256, 
 273, 350, 373, 378, 382, 387, 400 et seq. ; at Grand Ecore, 431 ; Hen- 
 derson's HiU, 437, 439 ; Leave Alexandria, 458, 467 et seq. ; 
 
 Adjutant, 471 ; the Steamboat Bridge, 481 ; Personal . . . 493 
 
 Principal Contributors 11 
 
 Prisoners of War, the P. H., 223, 272, 307, 496 ; at Camp Ford, 
 
 520; List 522 
 
 Proclamation, C. S. A 380 
 
 Putney, C. A., Quartermaster 42, 47, 130 
 
 Putney, Alonzo W., Lieutenant 55 
 
 Ralston, Captain, C. S. A. 144 
 
 Ramas, Bayou 194 
 
 Ransom, T. E. G., General .... 386, 391, 393, 397, 404 
 Rations, mule meat, 300, 344 ; Confederate, 507 ; beans . . . 531 
 
 Rattlesnake Swamp, P. H 44, 191 
 
 Red River, Louisiana 16, 75 
 
 Reed, the Two 147, 273 
 
 Reilly, James P. O .... 155 
 
 Riggin, Colonel, from' Grant to P. H 242 
 
 Riney, John, Captain, U. S. C. T., 270 ; Personal . . . . 563 
 
 Risley, Substitute 412 
 
 Robbins, Henry L., 157, 350 
 
 Robertson, Captain, C. S. A., Fort Jackson . . . . 86, 96 
 
 Robie, John F. P., Company F 268 
 
 Robinson, H. L., Historian 51 
 
 Ross, Edward P 237, 283, 344 
 
 Russia — Men of War 330 
 
 " Sam,'' 11 ; Enlists, 30 et seq. : at Algiers, 335 ; needs more 
 
 "Brass" 363 
 
 Sargent, Lieutenant-Colonel, Third Massachusetts . . . .318 
 
 Sauciers, on the " Creole " ]21 
 
 Scripture, S. A 63, 68 
 
Index. 570 
 
 Semmes, Captain, Artillery 209 
 
 Shaffer, A. Belle, Thibodeaux 161 
 
 Shattuck, Tyler M., Lieutenant, 8, 11, 38, 63, 102, 120, 127 ; at 
 Rattlesnake Swamp, 193, 237, 251, 352, 404, 410 ; on Retreat, 
 
 434 ; near Alexandria 4.39 462 
 
 Shea, Patrick 147^ 46o, 488 
 
 Shedd, Peter A. I59 
 
 Shernaau, T. W., General 134, 139, 223, 230 
 
 Sherman, W. T., General, 317, 371, 389; Instructions to Smith, 
 
 446 ; Idem 480 
 
 Shiloh — Battle 297 
 
 Sickles, Major-General 484 
 
 Ships (Union) : 
 
 " Brooklyn " 74, 87, 317 
 
 "Essex" 246, 280, 313, et seq. 
 
 " Hartford " 62, 87, 190, 247, 817 
 
 "Mississippi" 79,87,190 
 
 " New London " 65 
 
 "Richmond" 87, 190 
 
 " Saxon " ' . 352 
 
 Ships (Confederate) : 
 
 " Arkansas," Ram 280, 314 et seq. 
 
 " Charles Morgan " 85 
 
 "Cotton" 162 
 
 "Diana" 197 
 
 " Gov. Moore " 84 
 
 "Jackson" . . . ' 87,89 
 
 " Louisiana " 80 
 
 " Mannassas " . . . . 83 
 
 "McRae" . 84 
 
 "Mississippi" 82 
 
 "Mosher" . . 90 
 
 Sleeper, Frank, Corporal 418 
 
 Slime, Slack, Lieutenant 264 
 
 Smart, John ........... 51 
 
 Smart, Samuel, Sergeant 51 
 
 Smith, A. J., General, 371, 375, 389 et seq. ; Letter to Dwight, 456 ; 
 
 on the last Fight, 478 ; Results 487 
 
 Smith, Charles F., Company E . . . . 237, 268, 305, 363 
 
 Smith, H. H., Sui-geon 123, 251 
 
 Smith, Kilby, Colonel, 286; General 375 
 
 Smith, Kirby, General, C. S. A., 216, 219, 241, 365 ; Report, 427 ; 
 
 Opinion of Generals, 429 ; on Cotton 446 
 
 Smith, Melancton, U. S. N 61, 94 
 
580 Index. 
 
 Smith, Morrill B., Major, 34, 198, 212 ; Personal . . . .559 
 
 Snow, W. K., Lieutenant 411 
 
 Soley, U. S. N ■ • . 61, 62, 88 
 
 Soule, Pierre 99 
 
 Southern Historical Society Papers 16 et seq. 
 
 Stanton, Secretary of War 219 
 
 Stanyan, J. M., Captain (Historian), at Baton Rouge, 174 ; the 
 
 Riiie, 182, 212 ; Prisoner 272, 566 
 
 Stark, John, General (Revolutionary) 25, -56 
 
 Stan-ett, Henrietta M 126 
 
 Steedman, Colonel, C. S. A., on the left at P. H., . 247 et seq., 250, 285 
 
 Steele, General 367 et seq., 435 
 
 Stephenson, Captain, C. S. N" 85 
 
 Stevens, Ike 54 
 
 Stickney, Clesson R., Lieutenant, 50, 135, 167 ; Personal . . 559 
 
 Stickney, O. H., Lieutenant *. 8 
 
 Stimpson, Joel 236 
 
 Stokes, J. K., Major 135, 152, 313 
 
 Stone, Charles P., Brigadier-General, 290 ; at Grand Ecore, 385 ; 
 
 S. C. Rs 397, 412 
 
 Street, Tom, Major, Forty-ninth Alabama . . . 269; 296, 304 
 Strofe, Lieutenant, Forty-eighth Ohio, Camp Ford . . . 514 
 
 Strong, George C, Major 65, 110 
 
 Sturtevant, Captain, First New Hampshire . .... 63 
 
 Sullivan, Michael T 44, 193 
 
 Swiney, Robert, Lieutenant 195 
 
 Taylor, Dick, General, C. S. A., 144, 200, 247, 404, 421, 423 ; applies 
 to be Relieved, 430 ; Report on Monett's Ferry, 434 ; Complaints, 
 435 ; Review on Red River, 447, 451 ; Report, 463 ; at Marksville 
 and Mansura, 468 ; to General K. Smith, Criticism, 485 ; Criti- 
 cised 486 
 
 Taylor, Zack, General, President 173, 368 
 
 Thompson, Andrew J., Surgeon 134, 546 
 
 Thompson, G. W., Lieutenant 228, 251 
 
 Thompson, WiU H., Poet in the " Century," Extract . . .565 
 Todd, WiUiam, " New York Ti-ibune," Writer . . . .14 
 
 Towle, J. S., Sergeant 250 
 
 Tremaine, A. F., Captain 383 
 
 Thoops (Union) : 
 
 Batteries — Carruth's 404 
 
 Duryea's 198 et seq. 
 
 Mack's, Black Horse 197 
 
 Maine, First 140, 198, 224 
 
Index. 581 
 
 Batteries — Mercantile 405 
 
 Nims' 174, 243, 403, 419 
 
 Rawle's 386 
 
 Cavalry — Barrett's 140 
 
 Godfrey's 140 
 
 Grierson's 220 
 
 Maryland, Third . , 374 
 
 Massachusetts, Third, 318, 374, 463, 472 ; Sixth, 374, 397, 439 
 New Hampshire, Second, Inscriptions on Colors, 354, 
 374 ; to be officially so styled, 381, 386 ; First at S. C. 
 Ks., 408, 424 ; Red River Review, 446 ; Condition, 
 455 ; at Mansura, 466 ; at the Burning Bridge, 475 ; 
 Condition of Fourth Brigade, 480 et seq. ; Commen- 
 dations, 484 ; on Furlough, 488 ; Camp Ford . . 518 
 
 New York, Fourteenth 386 
 
 Perkins' 211 
 
 Texas, First 374 
 
 Infantry— -Connecticut, Twelfth, 131, 140, 143, 146, 163; Thir- 
 teenth, 140, 143, 172, 266 ; Twenty-eighth . 305, 313 
 
 Corps D'Afrique 212 
 
 " Nineteenth 375, 467 
 
 Illinois, Second 471 
 
 Indiana, Twenty-fourth, 95; Heavy Artillery, 196 et 
 
 seq., 278, 288 
 
 Iowa, Second 221 
 
 Kentucky, Nineteenth 403, 453 
 
 Louisiana, First, 249, 292 ; Second, 249 ; Third . . 292 
 Maine, Thirteenth, 104, 120 ; Fourteenth, 336 ; Twen- 
 ty-eighth 324 
 
 Marine Brigade 375 
 
 Massachusetts, Fourth, 198, 805 ; Thirty-eighth, 259 ; 
 Forty-second at Camp Ford, 498-502; Fifty-third 260 
 
 326, 360 
 New Hampshire, Seventh, 32, 37, 40, 53, 56, 58 ; Fif- 
 teenth 282,287,313 
 
 New York, Seventy-fifth, 163, 173, 196, 502 ; Thirty- 
 third, 174, 196, 313, 336 ; One Hundred and Seventy- 
 third 174,313,336 
 
 Ohio, Forty-eighth, 342; Prisoners, 496; from His- 
 tory 511 
 
 Vermont, Eighth 163, 276 
 
 Wisconsin, Fourth, 16 ; Indian Village, 179 ; Bisland, 
 197 ; Mounted Infantry, 209, P. H., 251, 255, 259, 
 270, 281, 284, 309, 313, 360; Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Bailey 481,488 
 
582 Index. 
 
 Troops (Coniederate) : 
 Alabama, First, 245, 250, 301, 306 ; Forty-ninth . 254, 262, 277, 304 
 
 Arkansas, Tenth, 245, 285 ; Fifteenth 245 
 
 Batteries — Bradford's, Herrod's, Watson's, 247; McMahon's . 422 
 Cavab-y — Buchel's, Terrell's, Woods', Gould's, Liken's . . 389 
 
 De Bray's 389,422 
 
 Louisiana, Second, 386 ; Fourth 386 
 
 Texas, Second, 386 ; Fifth, 386 ; Seventh . . 386, 461 
 
 Wingfield's 247, 254 
 
 Infantry — Crescent City, 144; Louisiana, Fu-st, 140; Eighteenth, 
 
 144, 422 ; Twenty-eighth 422 
 
 Mississippi, Fu-st, 262, 271, 286 et seq. ; Ninth Bal^ 
 
 talion 99, 252 
 
 Texas, Partisan Rangers, 99, 252 ; Seventeenth . . 422 
 
 " Unknown " (?), 11, 33, 35 et seq., 41, 48, 49; his Loyal Letter . 175 
 
 Valverde, Captain, Battery at Bisland, C. S. A 200 
 
 Vaughan, Lieutenant-Colonel, C. S. A., arrested .... 285 
 
 " Veterans' Advocate " 309 
 
 Veteran Battalion, 537 ; en route for Vicksburg .... 551 
 
 Vicksburg 75, 232, 280, 288 et seq., 292 
 
 Victoria, Queen 29 
 
 Vincent, Colonel, Chief of Cavahy, C. S. A 209 
 
 Wadleigh, Bainbridge, Lawyer 185 
 
 Waiuwright, Commander, U. S. N 90 
 
 Wakeman, W. S., Orderly Sergeant -305 
 
 Waldron, Mrs. A. C, Author and Correspondent ... 11, 35 
 
 Walker, General, C. S. A 422 
 
 Walker, Charles, Captain, Steamer " Creole " . . . .65, 122 
 Wallis, Joseph, Lieutenant, Company F . . . . 266, 272, 296 
 
 Warley, Captain, C. S. N . . 85 et seq. 
 
 Warren, J. Q. A., Captain, 33, 101, 102, 140, 142 ; Resolutions, 150 et seq. 
 
 Washburn, C. C, General 336 
 
 Weitzel, Godfrey, General, 82, 139, 141, 144, 15S, 162 et seq., 172 
 
 217, 221, 230, 233 ; Complimentary 337 
 
 Wells, Secretary, U. S. N 62, 77 
 
 Wells, B. F., Lieutenant 135 
 
 Wheeler, Paul J., New Hampshire Prohibitionist .... 55 
 Whittier, F. H., Captain, Assistant Quartermaster . . . 398 
 
 Willey, Charles 203 
 
 Williamson, Captain, Drill Master 222, 414 
 
 Williams, General 95, 129, 280, 315 
 
Index. 583 
 
 Williams, S., Corporal, 8 ; Personal 372 
 
 Williams, Richard Dalton, Poet 154, 155 
 
 Willis, Adjutant, Historian of Fifty-third Massachusetts . 259 et seq. 
 
 281, 292 
 Wilson, Assistant Adjutant-General, C. S. A . . . . 271, 281 
 
 Wingfield, Colonel, Cavalry, C. S. A 247 
 
 " Woodchopper " 55 
 
 Woods, B. S., Corporal, Company D, 7, 413 ; Personal . . . 415 
 
 Yeaton, Kichard 119 
 
 Young, Hiram 147