Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, May 6, 1863
Letter from the 161st Regiment N.Y.S.V.
Baton Rouge, La., April 12, 1863
Editors Telegraph: After our arrival in camp from our expedition near Port Hudson, we received orders to march in half an hour. We got a hurried dinner and fell into line, and were promised by Gen. Dodley lots of fighting, with the chances of winning heaps of glory. We embarked on board of transports and steamers up the river. It was late in the evening when we landed and bivouacked for the night on the levee bank, on the west side of the river. The morning light discovered us to be in the vicinity of the fleet and also showed us the outlines of the fortifications of Port Hudson, or those at least which command the river. Port Hudson was a name almost wholly unknown to fame and geography before the Rebels turned it into a fortification bristling with cannon and bayonets. It is situated on the east side of the Mississippi, 20 miles from this place, and 150 miles by the river from New Orleans. The fortifications extend along the river for three miles. There is a short bend in the river, and the batteries are placed in the form of a half circle so that the fire can all be concentrated upon a given point at once. Nature has made it one of the strongest places on the river, and the Rebels have spared no pains and labor to render impregnable. The channel of the river runs close along the bank nearest their line of batteries. They have two tiers of batteries, one casemated, under the bluff and the other above on the brink of the bluff, which rises about 50 feet above the high water mark. Above and below are deep bayous defending both banks of the position, while in the rear is an impassable swamp with only one mode of entrance in the direction of Clinton. This pass is strongly barricaded and defended by showy batteries. By many it is considered a stronger place than Vicksburg. It is said to be defended by 80,000 men. If so, then they have a force one-third larger than we could at any time bring against it, and Gen. Banks was wise and prudent in deferring an attack. Our movement up the west bank of the river was undoubtedly made for the purpose of opening communication with Commodore Farragut above, and to cooperate with him. But this plan the Rebels defeated by cutting the bayou above us and surrounding us with water. The plantation where we landed was known as "Winter's Plantation," and one of the finest upon the river. It contains a thousand acres or more, extending two miles or so back from the river. It and several adjoining plantations were higher than the water from the crevasse which overflowed the whole country to the rear of us. The high water drove on to these plantations numerous droves of cattle, mules, and other animals, and during our sojourn we fared sumptuously on fresh beef and mutton. Situated on this plantation was one of the largest Sugar Houses in the State. It could not have cost less than $100,000. It contained a large quantity of Sugar of a kind known as cistern bottoms, and thousands of hogsheads of molasses in its immense cistern. The copper taken out of the mill by us was valued at $5,000.
Our Cavalry made frequent raids above Port Hudson, swimming the bayous with their horses, and in one of their expeditions took and burned a rebel transport, a greater naval victory than any gained by our entire fleet in this vicinity since our arrival here. During the several days we occupied Winter's Plantation our fleet would open on the enemy's works at long range with shot and shell but failed to effect any purpose, or even to draw the fire of the enemy's guns. We took prisoners, an entire Signal Corps, consisting of one Captain, two Lieutenants and thirty privates. About 1500 contrabands came into our lines while here, swimming and fording the swamps and bayous. The river continued to rise and getting within a foot or two of our encampment, we were compelled to evacuate, which we did on the 26th of March. Upon our arrival at camp we found the first and second Divisions under marching orders. They all left in three or four days, their destination being the Atchafalaya river, up which they can open a passage into Red river and thus accomplish what we failed in doing. Our Brigade, much to our disappointment, is left to guard this place. There are also three regiments of colored soldiers here. The government have enlisted all of them willing to join into the army. This, so far from now being unpopular, is commended by the entire army. Soldiers heretofore condemning emancipation feel well pleased to think "they have got to fight." and fight I believe they will too. They are far more intelligent than they are accredited to be, learn rapidly and quickly. The most of them have handled firearms and know how to use them. Then, again, they are acclimated, are in the midst of a population from which their ranks can at all times be recruited Unlike an army of whites, as they advance into the bowels of the South, they would be continually increasing in numbers and strength. They are tractable and obedient, and easily drilled and managed. Before I came here, though a Republican in feeling and interest, I had strong doubts about the availability of employing the blacks to aid in putting down this rebellion. But a short experience has convinced me that we have hitherto neglected to use one of the strongest available sources of power in our possession in this war.
Men at home who talk and write against the employment of "negro soldiers" can know but little about the real question. Let one of them come down here and shoulder his knapsack and gun, and march 15 or 30 miles under a bruising sun, and he would be right glad to divide his burden with the [unreadable] fighting and working in the trenches, drilling and sleeping upon the damp earth, are not such pleasures but that I am willing the negroes may have their full share of them, if they will. If others think different, they are welcome to them all. There is vacant places enough for them here. They would find, though, it may be "Sweet to die for one's country," it is pretty hard to live for it at times, and then they would welcome aid coming from whatever source.
In one of my last communications I spoke of letters being a source of pleasure to the soldiers, and of their inspiring him in the discharge of duty. There is a class of letters however which have quite a contrary effect. I mean those kinds of letters written by secession sympathizers at home to acquaintances in the army, denouncing the government, condemning the prosecution of the war, and invoking peace on any terms. These letters have a baleful effect upon the army. It is far from consoling to reflect, that while we have a vigilant navy and sanguinary foe in front, we have also a treacherous enemy in our nest. I cannot however believe that the mass of the opposition to the Administration at the North are in sympathy with the rebellion I can hardly realize how men who manifested so much zeal for their country at the outbreaking of this war, can change in a few months into open or secret foes. That there is a class of men under the leadership of the Woods, Brooks, Vallandigham & Co. who, no doubt, wish and desire the success of the rebels, I do not doubt but that the great mass of the Democratic party coincide with them, I will not, cannot, believe. If so, then indeed may we bid farewell to the Union.
A few days ago Commodore Farragut dispatched a message to communicate with General Banks. He ran by the rebel batteries at Port Hudson, safely ensconced in a tree top, and arrived in safety at this place. We have a telegraph line from here to New Orleans.
Lieut. Schemerhorn of the 114th Regiment paid us a visit the other day, and spoke well of the condition of this Regiment.
Yours truly, S.E.W.
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