Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, April 27, 1864
Letter from 114th NY Infantry - Dr. H.H. Beecher
Headquarters, 114th, N.Y.S.V., Natchitoches, La., April 5th, 1864
Scarcely had I dispatched my last, of the 31st, at Alexandria, when the transport "Luminary" - a Mississippi river steamer which had been impressed into government service, received orders to proceed up the river. Liking the boat, liking the captain and crew, and above all liking my board and berth, and having transportation on any government boat, and desirous of embracing the first opportunity, on the evening of the 31st, we removed our traps on board, and again embarked. We remained tied to the bank, for it cannot be called a wharf, at Alexandria, overnight and a little past noon the next day, after reloading her stores, which, as I suppose, to make work for the soldiers and negros, had been in part discharged, and after taking on a few officers and additional troops, made our way up the narrow and crooked channel of Red river.
About 4 P.M. we reached the command of Gen. A.J. Smith, about 20 miles distant, encamped on the right bank on Judge Boice's plantation, near Bayou Cotile. Several transports were lying close to the shore, which contained the various headquarters and the army supplies.
This command which left as the advance, was now the reserve. Here we stopped overnight, keeping on the vessel, and took a good rest. Early the following morning orders were to take on more troops, and soon we commenced, receiving the 1st Brigade, 3d Division (known in this expedition at the "Red River Division") of the 17th Army Corps, consisting of the 31st Illinois, 3d Iowa, 33d Wisconsin, and 1st Missouri Battery. Two of the western regiments contained but a small number of men, the majority having re-enlisted as veterans and gone home. The troops on land were rapidly embarked on the several boats, and the fleet, consisting of twelve transports and several gunboats, which made a formidable appearance, at a given signal sailed in "close order" up the river. Not over four or five knots were made per hour, and laying up during a greater part of the night, by the morning of the third we had reached some 40 miles from Bayou Cotile, perhaps 60 from Alexandria--Immediately after breakfast was heard the cry "a man overboard." It appears that the poor unfortunate soldier, who was partially deranged, belonged to a New York regiment; the name and number I could not learn; and by some means, being left by a transport in advance, to which he belonged, was taken on board the Luminary. He jumped into the river once and was rescued--he repeated the rash act and met a watery grave!
During the day we made several landings for wood, which being scarce or not prepared for burning, rails were plentifully "impressed" for the fires. These, in many places were abundant, as I noticed in a number of instances fences from twelve to fifteen rails and as many feet in height. Towards evening when within a few miles of Grand Ecore landing, the "Black Hawk" containing Gen. Banks and staff steamed past and lay to for the night, as did the whole fleet, at or near the landing.
Not being certain as to the precise location of the 19th corps, and being detained at the landing for a time, last evening we rode over in a four horse army wagon, connected with a supply train, in charge of a rolicsome Lieutenant, which wagon had a bulky team and a jolly driver, and reached camp or a house near by, where we applied for lodgings about 12 o'clock at night.
The road much of the way was rough, with considerable hills to go over, and mostly through the woods; but after breaking the harness generally, and turning over once of twice, reached the place in safety. This morning I have just made my way into the camp of the 114th, and the warm salutations at meeting my old comrades once more, many of whom, officers and men, I had not seen for months, can better be conceived of than described. I found them generally very healthy and robust, with courage, and zeal unabated, presenting the type of true soldiers.
They have been through many deprivations and hardships, have borne without a murmur the exposures of the camp, the fatigues of the weary march, and the dangers of the fiercely contested battlefield. No regiment in the service in this department, stands higher for bravery or amount of service rendered - none enjoy a reputation better earned. Its thinned ranks and shattered columns, its tattered battle flag, and the sad story of the absent ones speak more than words can tell. A thousand and forty strong, when with the ardor of youth, the strength of manhood, and the zeal of a just cause, they left the rendezvous of our quiet and peaceful village, today they are less than half that number! How changed! Where are these, the missing ones, our neighbors, our companions and friends? Ask the widow in weeds, tender parents without a son, the child without a father, the loving sister without a brother, these can answer! But such is war, and I will not utter a word to increase the anguish of hearts already bleeding to the core.
Natchitoches is situated upon what was formerly called "old Red River," now "Cane river," some four or five miles from Grand Ecore landing, in a south-easterly direction. It is situated between or among what might be called high hills in this country, and contains about 2,000 inhabitants It is a old Spanish town - the oldest in the State, now occupied mostly by French. The post is waiting and I cannot write more at present.
The 19th and 13th Corps arrived here on Saturday. They, or the cavalry, had frequent skirmishing between here and Alexandria. The cavalry are in the advance, several miles. It is believed the enemy will make a stand above 30 miles, and if repulsed, will then fall back to Shreveport.
It is thought we will advance tomorrow. In great haste. H.
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