Letter from the NY114th Regiment - August 1863

Letter from the New York 114th Regiment

Chenango American, September 17, 1863

Headquarters 114th Reg.
Brasher City, La.
Tuesday August 25, 1863

Dear American:  You need not be surprised because I date my letter at Brasher City, for the 114th Regiment is ubiquitous.  We are anywhere and everywhere.  Sometimes we are at Port Hudson or Donaldsonville, then we are in summer quarters at Thibodeaux and Brasher City.  Yesterday we were up the Teche country, and today we are at Baton Rouge and Mobile.  The fact is, there is not a point in the Department of the Gulf where we are not; but nevertheless our head quarters are at Brasher city. We cannot go upon any expedition, however long or short, but we fall back upon our old camp at Brasher.  We are like the South Sea Islander's club, hurl it as you will, and with all the force you can command, it will return again and strike at your feet.

Heretofore I have rejoiced when we returned to "our home," but this time everything is desolate, and a feeling everything is desolate, and a feeling of homesickness will steal over my senses.  Heretofore there has been a busy camp to attract our attention, and the numerous home trinkets we left behind in our knapsacks to welcome us.  Heretofore it was a relief to take the images of familiar faces and gaze upon those we love and hold silent communion with them, but now that boon is denied us.  Heretofore we have not been welcomed by mosquitoes, now there is a thousand to every man, and they are the most stared set of mosquitoes I ever saw.  I wish I was so constituted that I could live in syncope.

This place is very unhealthy the present season.  The 12th Conn., Regt. which arrived here about fourteen days before we came (we arrived here the 19th inst.) have buried three men a day, and sickness prevails in their camp to an alarming degree. The weather this summer has been uncommonly warm, and for over a month it has rained every day, and there is much decaying matter and filth which rendors the atmosphere exceedingly unhealthy.  

We have had notice to quit, abdicate, vacate, leave, and resign all claims on Brasher, but Col. Per Lee "don't see it."  The rebs who hold the Tesche country again, say they are only waiting for us to get a good stock of stores on hand, and then they will come and relieve us of them, so last Sunday they sent an order for us to go, having learned by some spy that large stores had arrived. But I don't see as their command is going to be obeyed, and if the rebs do as they say they will we shall all be prisoners before long. They may depend upon one thing, however, they won't find us asleep, as they did the 175th N.Y.V.'s when they came here before. The 114th has a bone to pick with those rebs for stealing our knapsacks, clothing, pictures, and other personal property.

There is no news in this Department at present, everybody is resting from the severe labors of the last four months, and preparing for a fall campaign which will result in the further honor of the Commander of this portion of the great U.S. Army.  

Respectfully.   A.