Soldier's Letter, Civil War, March 1863

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 15, 1863

Letter from the 161st Regiment

Winter Plantation, 4 miles below Port Hudson, on the opposite side of the river, Headquarters 161st Regt. N.Y.V., Mar. 25, '63

Messrs. Editors:  A few words at this time will relive the anxiety of many in Chenango especially the friends of those in Co. K concerning our whereabout and movements.  For the past week we have encamped in three different places.  Our first move was on Saturday, the 14th inst.  We were called up at 2 o'clock A.M. and commenced our march at 4 (it will be remembered that a forward movement had been expected for several days) in the direction of Port Hudson. The day was warm and the men suffered much by being in heavy marching order although resting several times.  We marched eleven miles and encamped 7 miles from Port Hudson for the night.  Heavy cannonading was heard during the night until 3 in the morning when it ceased by the blowing up of the gunboat Mississippi.  We were called up in the morning at 2 o'clock and were in line at the time, but could not see the boats, being 4 miles off, also a piece of woods intervening.  We plainly saw the flash, and the explosion was like a very heavy clap of thunder, and that too near by.

At daylight, brigade line was formed in the road with intimations that an attack was expected immediately.  We stood thus until 10 A.M., when orders came for us to move back 7 miles to Bayou Monticeno - lying there till the 18th, we were ordered to move to Baton Rouge in as quick time as possible - rested two hours, went aboard a steamer and landed at this place at 8 o'clock P.M.  Three divisions of infantry and four batteries of artillery constituted the forces.  Grover's and Emory's division with the artillery lying between us and Port Hudson, the first night out, ours commanded by Augur being in the rear. The chief of Gen Bank's staff had his leg broken by his horse being shot and falling upon him.  Also several of our pickets were shot.  Grover's and Emory's will remain near Bayou Monticeno - our brigade being the only one ordered to move here. The object of every movement or order is kept from us. We know not what is coming from one hour to another.  When ordered to march, we know not where we are going or when we will stop, and have no means of knowing anything until the commands are fulfilled.  From what we had gathered, we supposed without that we were going directly into a fight when ordered first from Baton Rouge; and so with every commend, and we nerved ourselves for the contest.  It appears the object of the move, and the only immediate one, was for the land forces to attract the attention of the rebels in the rear, to give Farragut time to pass with a portion of his fleet the batteries on the river side, in order to form a direct communication between new Orleans and Vicksburg, which was accomplished in part, he having succeeded in passing with his Flag ship, the Hartford and two other boats.  The Mississippi, which was one of the largest and best of the fleet carrying 32 guns some of the largest caliber, ran on a bar directly under the rebel batteries.  Orders were given to burn her rather than to have her fall into rebel hands, but we were saved the trouble for the enemy shells soon did the work.  She floated on down stream and exploded as I have stated. The rest of the fleet sustained but little damage.  By report near 100 lives were lost during the engagement, the majority aboard the Mississippi.

We are lying here now in comparative ease and safety not having any idea what the next move will be.  The boats send over a few shells every day among the rebels, but being at long range it is of little effect. A few rebels have been captured by our Cavalry pickets, and any quantity of mules, horses and contrabands - some four or five hundred of the "color" have come into our lines.

Gen. Banks has inaugurated the right principles here.  He is confiscating all that is of any value.  This plantation is one of the largest on the river, and the sugar machinery is extensive, a good deal of it being copper, which is being taken out and transported down the river.  All the cattle, sheep &c that can be got hold of are driven in and taken off by boats.

Yesterday our Cavalry went up nearly opposite Port Hudson, burnt one rebel steamer, two stores, and came in at night with one prisoner.  The secesh have cut the levee above us, thereby cutting us off from any extensive exploration to their rear.

We are now upon an Island, but a few miles in extent, and it is the general opinion we will not stay here any length of time, for our operations cannot be very extensive.  I have just read in the Chenango Union of an attempted assassination of Gen. Banks at New Orleans, which is wholly untrue, also a sad state of things at Vicksburg, which is doubted very much - not having heard anything like it here.  Many reports are put in circulation without any foundation whatever, merely for effect. The Opposition seize upon surmises and report as true what they know to be false, in order to deaden the efforts made to put down the rebellion.  Some things are discouraging, but upon the whole, we are progressing as fast as can be expected considering the magnitude of the undertaking.  It looked rather dark with our company and regiment when we came here.  Many were sick and disheartened, but now the sky is brightening. We have confidence in our leaders, and the men, as far as my observation extends, are contented and cheerful, having enough to eat and that which is good, and not much hard work to do.

Company K is all right, except four that are really sick.  Beebe, John Lloyd and Button of Columbus, and Henry Isbell of New Berlin. It will be some time before they recover.

Winters, upon whose plantation we are encamped, is said to be a rebel.  General now in the service.  The weather is fine and vegetation is starting rapidly.

Yours truly,  M.B.L.