Civil War Letter from the NY 114th Regiment - July 1864

 Oxford Times,  July 20, 1864

From the 114th Regiment

We take the liberty of publishing a portion of a letter written in pencil, and in haste, by Major Curtis, on board the Crescent. Although probably not written with a view to publication, it contains matter which cannot fail to interest our readers.

On Board Steamer Crescent, Fortress Monroe, Va., July 10 [1864]

But a few days since, and the 19th Corps was quite pleasantly encamped at Morganzia, La., 180 miles above New Orleans, ostensibly for the purpose of keeping open the Mississippi.  Today, even while i write, our noble ship is steaming around Old Point, bearing on her decks the "Advance" of the corps, probably to join the veterans of the Potomac in this last desperate struggle for the Rebel Capital.  At 5:30 P.M., on the 1st, orders came for the 1st Division of the 19th Corps to hold itself in readiness to move to New Orleans by the first transportation that arrived   At 6 P.M. the order came to the 153d and 114th N.Y., to go on board this steamer immediately.  Sooner than I could write all the particulars, the camp was broken, baggage, rations and ammunition loaded, and off we steamed down the River, reaching the city at 11 A.am., on the 2d, where we remained until the evening of the 3d, to coal the ship, and take on 15 days rations.  At 8 P.M., we left the wharf, perfectly in the dark as to our destination.  The majority said Mobile. A few others suggested Fortress Monroe, not however very hopefully.  Let me here state that six companies of the 114th were ordered to go on board steamer Sophia, a small propeller, something like the Thames.  four companies under my command remained.  Col. Davis commanding the ship, was ordered to open his instructions, after discharging the river pilot at the mouth of the river.  Thus it was that at 9 o'clock A.M. of the glorious old Fourth, we knew our destination.

Need I tell you that the news was joyfully received. The veterans of the Army of the Gulf are willing, I need not say eager, to stand side by side with the heroes of so many battles, and if I mistake not, the material and the morale of our little army, they will find that the sunny south has not made us effeminate, and that we are equal to the task set to the sturdy sons of the north.

The 19th Corps now consists of three Divisions, two, the 1st and 2d, I think have been ordered here; about 15,000 men under command of Gen. Emory.  More may come, but further this deponent saith not.

From this it further appears that no means will be spared to make Grant's success certain and decisive.  So mote it be.  Up to the present no more of the troops are in sight.  Our friends will soon know where to look for us, and will expect much of us.  I hope they will not be disappointed.  our Regiment is about 470 strong, and in good condition.  My health is good.

Monday, 14th: Instead of going up the James, as we expected, we are steaming up the Potomac, hastening on to Washington, whither all the troops coming from New Orleans are ordered, I suppose to chase the rebels now disturbing the slumbers of the Pennsylvania Dutch.  Well, they call us Banks' foot Cavalry, and we can march, and very glad of an opportunity of visiting Washington. The ride up the Potomac is indeed delightful, somewhat different from the Bayous of the low lands of Louisiana.