Letter from the 114th Regiment - October 1863

Letter from the 114th Regiment

Chenango American, November 5, 1863

In the Field
Near New Iberis, La.
Thursday, Oct. 17, 1863

Dear American:  My last letter was written just previous to a move, the immediate results of which were not beneficial to our little army, but which was a decided loss in time and money to our respected uncle Sam. For nearly a month, great preparations have been made for an expedition into Texas, and the 13th Army Corps had been sent to this Department from Gen. Grant's army to cooperate with this 19th corp.  On the 2d day of September, the 114th together with the 160th N.Y.V., the 12th Ct. and the 8th Vt., together with the 1st and 2d Brigade of the 1st Division, were ordered to Algiers to take steamers for Sabine pass, Texas, and the 13th corps, under Gen. Ord was to march up the Teche Country and meet us at the crossing of the Sabine river, a hundred miles from its mouth.  The 1st Division of the 19th corps, under Gen. Weitzel, proceeded to Sabine Pass, but our Gunboats, drawing too much water, got aground, and the rebels, who had light draught boats, captured two.  The transports, being ocean steamers, could not get within 10 miles of shore, and we soldiers witnessed the fight between our war vessels, and the vessels of the rebs, with harrowing interest, and when we were told that we (the transports) were to return to Algiers, and the soldiers to take the overland route to Texas, a feeling of disgust at the mismanagement of the expedition was plain to be seen. The transports that carried our artillery and the horses and mules of the same, were Mississippi steamboats, and on our way back, we had strong steady winds, which rendered the river boats unmanageable, and they had to throw their cargo of mules, and horses, and even their smoke stacks overboard, saving only their big guns and men from a watery grave.  On arriving at our starting point, we were ordered to take the advance through the Teche country, the Western troops to follow us, and now we are within four days march of the Texas border, the Texans disputing the ground inch by inch, and Weltzel's Division steadily advancing.  Today, as I write, a distant cannonade is heard, and our scouts report that the rebels are being steadily driven back by our flying artillery and cavalry.

The 19th corps, and the 18th as well, have been gratified, and rendered invincible by the glorious news from Charleston and Chattanooga; and every man is a host in himself.  It is, indeed, gratifying to us to see the rebs cornered and overwhelmed east of the Mississippi, while we are driving them on its western banks; and our sincere wishes and prayers are that the war would be as soon terminated in the departments east, as in the Gulf Department.

Gen. Banks has been one of our most successful Generals, and his name, as a military chieftain, stands as high as did his reputation as a statesman and legislator.  His administration in the Gulf Department has won him many friends here among the Louisiana planters, as well for the wisdom of his counsels, as for the firmness shown to those who were not disposed to submit to "Yankee rule."  He has been kind to all, just to everyone, and yet he has carried out the decree of freedom to every slave whose master was for the Confederacy, and today there is an army of 15,000 colored men who will stand before an equal number of their former masters, aye, and vanquish them, too, in a fair field fight.  (Perhaps John F. Hubbard, of the Union, would not believe this last statement)

We, the 19th corps, are awaiting the result of a cavalry reconnaissance towards Opelonsas, and so far as heard from, we are gaining ground very steadily, the Texans, disputing our advance very stubbornly.  Our little army has never known defeat, and we love to follow our leaders, Gens Banks ad Weitzel, to new conquests and new victories.  A word of special praise is due to the last named General, not only for the uniform kindness he displays to his men, but for his eminent military genius. At the commencement of the rebellion, he was doing service in this state as Lieutenant of the Engineer corps, and was promoted to a captaincy last spring, for his valuable services.  In the capacity of Brigadier General of Volunteers he was most successful under Butler, in driving the rebels out of New Orleans, and vicinity, and for his Engineering skill before Port Hudson, he has been given a Maj. Gen's position, commanding the 1st Division of the 19th corps. The 114th have never forgotten the incident that happened last spring, when he drilled us for an hour, and the affection he inspired then has never grown cold. We would follow him through fire and blood, if need be.

Yours, &c.,   A.