Letter from NY 114th Regiment - 1863

Letter from New York 114th Regiment

Chenango American, March 26, 1863

Brasher City, St. Mary's Parish, La.
Wednesday, march 4, 1863

Dear American:  Again it is time that you heard from me, and though there is nothing of special importance to write about, I will speak of matters generally.  As you see by the date above we are still in camp, but I assure you the boys of the 114th are anxious to be on the move towards the enemy.  Occasionally a company or two are called upon as sharpshooters on board of gunboats as they reconnoiter the shores of the various Bayous in this vicinity, and every  night twenty men are drawn from a company as pickets on a gunboat, that anchors opposite the port building here, to prevent surprises and destruction to the works.  On the evening of the 23d ult., twenty men from Co. B, were drawn as the guard for that night, and as the boat arrived opposite the fort a sudden jar was felt, and the sailors said she had run upon a snag, but the captain of the boat thought there had no damage been done, as the shock was not sufficient to stave a hole in her bottom. After a short interval a fireman reported to the captain that water was pouring into the hold.  After examination the boat was ordered to her dock, the pilot keeping her in the main channel instead of running near the shore. As she neared her pier, the captain, still supposing there was no danger, hailed the sailors on the steamers lying at the dock and told them to bring boats alongside, but did not mention the danger he was in. Before the gunboat had headed round, a sailor came running to the pilot and told him that the water was running in upon the lower deck and now the captain saw that something serious was about to happen if he did not work fast.  He ordered the boat ashore and she was headed that way and soon ran aground.  Supposing all danger past, there was no haste made to get the soldiers and sailors off, and just as a boatload of twelve or fifteen men left the bow for shore, the stern commenced going down, the whole boat at the same time sliding back into deep water.  So sudden and unexpected was this last movement that everyone still on board, sailors, marines and soldiers, found themselves thrown into deep water without warning.  And here commences a scene of terror, for there was perhaps fifty or sixty men struggling in the water, calling for help, and crying out to attract attention (for it was very dark) of boats that now quickly put out from shore and the other steamers.  Five of Co B's boys were in the water, encumbered with overcoats and cartridge boxes with forty rounds of ammunition, but they were good swimmers, and were picked up before exhausted.

The loss of this gunboat (the Kiasman) at this particular time is quite a serious accident, for it will retard for some weeks a movement that cannot be made without the cooperation of the fleet, and will give the rebels time to concentrate stronger forces and build heavier breastworks for us to overcome in the contemplated attack upon Franklin, the great rebel depot for beef packing and salt manufacture. There is also, an extensive powder mill at New Town, which supplies, or has supplied, the rebels of Port Hudson and Vicksburgh with ammunition for their siege guns. Franklin is thirty miles from our present encampment, and New Town is thirty miles farther towards the Red river, and a very convenient point to Port Hudson.

The 114th is very pleasantly located.  We are camped on a level piece of ground, which has a clover turf, and as everything like dirt is cleaned up, when it is dry the soldiers who are off duty are lounging about in the most convenient shape. We have been taking "lots" of battalion drill lately, taking all our time, throwing aside our company exercises for the purpose of acquiring a habit of quickly changing positions in line of battle. We have yet had no instructor that is "posted," and our improvement has been slow under our own staff officers.  An agreeable incident (to the men) occurred in the forenoon of Monday last. We were called out as usual for battalion drill, and the senior captain was issuing orders. Finally, he somehow got us facing the rear rank to the front, and it did seem to us that he was a long time in making up his mind what the next order ought to be to restore us to our proper position.  I had noticed a man in a fatigue military suit sitting on horseback and apparently watching our movements with interest.  Pretty soon, in our trouble, he dismounted threw the reins over an idle soldier's arm, walked with an unembarrassed manner and a firm military tread up to the Captain, and said--"your sword if you please sir," and then he commenced giving orders and explaining movements to be made in such clear, language that we learned more in one hour's drill from him than we would in three days exercise by our officers.

The boys felt grateful to Gen. Weitzel, for the interest he took in us and the act was so unexpected that our drill master was somewhat confused and forgot on the return of his sword, to offer his thanks in the usual military salute of "present arms!"  It is a camp story that Gen. Weitzel said the men of the 114th were as fine looking and acted as prompt to orders as any he had ever seen in the army.  It is a certainty that he takes a good deal of interest in us by appearing quite frequently in our camp.  He is a man of noble presence, being six feet and two inches tall, and well proportioned.  He is very sociable and takes a lively interest in the welfare of the soldier, and every man under his command has the deepest respect and love for him. As a military chieftain he is looked up to and respected by all in this department.  

Friday, Morning, March 6

A rainy and otherwise disagreeable morning, dear American, and a feeling of discontented "wish I was at homeativeness" is breaking out in words as mournful as the thoughts of home and its comforts can make them. The poor soldier has more trouble than the inclemency of the weather and hard fare to contend against to keep himself from homesickness and our friends at the north should bear in mind, when they write a soldier a letter to fill it with "good cheer," instead of mourning over the manner the war is carried on, and denunciations against the powers at Washington.

These fault finders are doing more damage to the Union cause, perhaps, than they are aware of, because, in a great many instances, a feeling of distrust and discontent is engendered that would not otherwise have taken place.  I speak of this because I have seen the evil effects of such letters, and I consider it an act of injustice to the patriot who has taken his life in his hands and freely offered it to his country in sustaining a government that has always been just to those living under it, to endeavor to alienate his affections from that country and government. Another thing that you and all true patriots at home should do is to frown down all "peace propositions" and "peace sentiments" that do not come from the select Confederacy itself. There can be no honorable peace unless the rebels concede all our government asks, and no lover of his country, no truly loyal man, no politician that wishes for future greatness through the suffrages of the people, will attempt an interference with the plans and statements made in Secretary Seward's letter to the French Minister.

Now then, hereafter, dear friends in Chenango, let all that read these lines remember that pleasant words, patriotic utterances, and letters filled with hope that our country will soon be restored to its former position among the nations of the earth, are far better to keep the soldiers courage up than complaints and repinings at the manner in which the war is carried on. The friends and relatives of boys in the regiment will be as much disappointed as anyone when they learn that some twenty or thirty boxes of "goodies" that were sent to us by express while at Fortress Monroe, have been received, but that everything was spoiled. Cakes, pies, apples, boots, stockings, mittens, everything had moulded and rotted so that they were worthless, and the muddy water of Berwick Bay received them all.

Last night the cry of "mail for the 114th" went around the camp, and the men rushed to their company head quarters to inquire if there is "anything for me?" and all who received letters seemed to be indignant to the greatest extent over something.  One had a love letter broken open, and so did another, and still another, all "mussed" "and wrinkled up!"  until, finally, all observed that their letters did not look as neat as common.  Soon however, they began to wonder how it came about that these letters were a week older than those received a week ago; but their anxiety was quieted when told that this mail came by the route taken by the lost steamer Ella Warley.  Our mail had been fished up and sent on to us. 

We have been hoping to hear "glorious" news ever since the month came in and still we are without cheer. Tonight a steamer arrives from the far north land with messengers of joy or sorrow--may they be all of joy--and we await with impatience to hear of "noble battles won."

Respectfully.    A.