Soldier's Letter, Civil War, 114th NY Regiment, July 1863

 Oxford Times, August 12, 1863

Letter from the 114th NY Infantry Regiment - Surrender of Port Hudson

Donaldsonville, La., July 15th, 1863

Mr. Editor:  Our success of Port Hudson, so soon after the fall of Vicksburg and the still glorious news of Lee's defeat, inspires the troops with new zeal. Their buoyant spirits know no bounds. We had an engagement here on the 13th with the troops of Dick Taylor. The object was to retreat and call the rebels out of their position; the battle lasted only a short time, but the loss is considerable on both sides, and we think equal. They lost the most men and took the most prisoners. The next morning our Cavalry started out to see the position of the enemy, but returned after a scout of 15 miles, finding nothing of the enemy.  Gunboats have retaken Brashear city, and the small force between here and there of the enemy is surrounded by our troops and will soon be gobbled. We see here nothing that can make us think the back bone of this rebellion is not broken, and we hope hostilities may soon cease. 

But it is sad to think how the rebel troops are deceived. the day before Port Hudson surrendered the paper that was printed there declared Gen. Banks to be the besieged party, stating that Johnson was in his rear, and his whole army must be taken.  On the next day, the 8th, Gen. Gardner surrendered the Port. We met the enemy half way between the breastworks, and many of them asked what the flag of truce was for, and on being told that the Port was to be surrendered they ridiculed the idea, often making the enquiry where Johnston with his forces were, and did not believe the Port was to be surrendered until we marched in and they stacked arms.  

One of the smart tricks of the rebels I must mention. there were many new made graves, and on opening some of them, some thousands of Springfield Rifles and several pieces of artillery were found to have been killed in action, or at least were buried with the dead.  

I will mention one little joke that took place before the surrender of Port Hudson. The pickets were so close together they could converse with ease, each behind a breast work, and both agreed not to fire, While each of the pickets were on the breastworks, and our men at a little distance planted a battery. After some hours one of the rebel pickets says "get down there."  Gen. Gardner says "fire, its only a d---d yankee trick," and amid a shout and a burst of laughter hostilities again commenced.

One question I wish to ask is who the copperheads are, and what they want.  They are not democrats for we have plenty of them here, and patriotic men.  They are not republicans because I claim that honorable name myself.  Who are they?  Are they peace men?  If so, let them make peace, but not by compromise with traitors in arms. The patriotism of the 114th is not gone, yet. Their numbers are now only 536 men for duty when we left Port Hudson.  Any man or company of men North can cry peace, but how are they going to obtain it by acknowledging the independence of the Southern Confederacy. Then the blood of the noble sons they have sent here to crush out this rebellion has flowed in vain, and been spilt for naught. The soldier is for peace, but on honorable terms. The Union we can't give up, for peace friends, nor home.  Our motto is, lay down arms, else the only argument is the cannon's mouth.  Home and friends we prize in times of peace above all things on earth.     B.