Civil War Letter from NY 114th Regiment - May 1864

 Oxford Times, June 15, 1864

From the 114th Regiment:  We learn by a letter from Major Curtis, that the headquarters of the 114th were at Marganzen, La., on the 24th May, the date of the letter and that the Regiment were in good spirits, but much wearied by the Red River campaign. The 10th Corps to which the 114th is attached is to be brought together again, and their duty will be to protect the river and keep it open, liable to be drawn on by Companies, Regiments, Brigades and Divisions as the case may require. Gen. Polk is said to be somewhere on the East with 30,000 and Dick Taylor on the West with 20,000 men, and it is thought that the latter will attempt to cross the river and join Polk, and both together try to obstruct the river. The 19th army corps is in command of Gen. Emory, and the following general order addressed to the 1st and 2d Divisions of that corps, including the 114th Regiment shows that the General appreciates the courage and soldierly qualities of that regiment, and that in the Red River campaign as upon former occasions, they were found true to themselves, true to their country, and fearlessly fighting and suffering for the right.

Headquarters 19th A.C., Simnsport, La., May 18, 1864

Gen'l. Orders, No. 48:  Soldiers of the 1st and 2d Division 19th A.C.:  It is my duty to express to you my high appreciation of your uniform good conduct throughout the late eventful campaign. This duty is rendered more imperative by the false reports of your operations which had met you at this point.  On the 8th of April at the first notice that our troops were engaged, the 1st Div., the only troops of the 19th A.C. then present, marched in double quick time seven miles to the front, formed line of battle under fire of the enemy, checked him and drove him back under circumstances the most trying that could befell troops. The whole advance composed of 8 or 10,000 troops was thrown back upon you in utter disorder and confusion, pell-mell with the enemy.  You formed line of battle under the enemy's fire, and amidst the frightful disorder with the regularity of forming for parade.  You drove the enemy from before you, and held the ground until ordered to fall back. The next day at Pleasant Hill, you of the 1st Div. bore the brunt of the enemy's furious attack, and only one Brigade, that on the left, gave way, because its left was unsupported, but they soon rallied and joined in the final charge, which drove the enemy from the field.  On the 23d at Cane River, you supported by the 13th A.C. found the enemy strongly posted to dispute the crossing of the river.  Led by the 3d Brigade of the 1st Div., you turned their flank and drove him at the point of the bayonet from the hills he occupied. At Alexandria, you contributed your labor by day and night, for 17 days, under the engineering skill of Lt. Col. Bailey, to the great work which relieved the fleet form its perilous situation above the falls, and restored it to the country. This in brief, is a summary of your services for the last two months. And I know when it becomes known to the country, the judgment will be that you, at least, did your duty faithfully.

W.H. Emory, Brig. Gen. Commanding.