The 114th in Washington
The 19th Army Corps Reinforces Grant
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, July 20, 1864
Headquarters 114th Regiment, New Orleans, July 4th, 1864
On the 1st inst. at 5 o'clock P.M., the army at Morganzia was suddenly thrown into a state of wild excitement. At that time orders came for the 19th army corps, reserving a garrison, to move to New Orleans as rapidly as transportation could be furnished. The 114th, among others, being ordered to embark immediately. We reached this city the day following at 12 M.
Last evening four companies of the 114th, B, E, G, and K, under command of Maj. Curtis, embarked on the "Crescent" and pushed into the stream. They sailed this morning. This evening the remainder of the Regiment, companies A. F. D. I. C. and H, go on board the "Corinthian," and will probably sail tomorrow.
It looks as though we were lent or temporarily transferred to other fields, eventually to return to our old stamping and camping and fighting ground in the Gulf Department. This is the impression now, though the circumstances and fortunes of war may materially change conclusions and events may change us all in the really great and decisive conflict in which, I apprehend, we are destined to take an honorable part. We are leaving considerable numbers of our men on detached duty and in hospitals at New Orleans.
I visited these, as far as possible from our limited stay, especially those at that model army hospital, the Marine, in charge of that kind and humane and "model army officer," Surgeon Jacob Bockee. While our friends at home may feel thankful for attentions to their sick and wounded in hospital, they may in a special manner feel grateful to him.
Surgeon Wagner, who has been quite ill nearly all the while since his return from the north, remains for the present on account of his health at New Orleans.
Charles Hale, son of N.B. Hale, Esq., of Norwich, who is connected with the Quarter Master's Department at Memphis, made us a visit a short time before we broke camp. I trust he found us with our latchstring out. He is looking well and hearty.
Lt. Col. Rexford, with his Regiment, the 131st N.Y., and a number of other regiments, came in to swell the lines of our magnificent city of tents and brush at Morganzia, stretching for many miles upon the banks of the great waters, just in time to take part in the general movement to join in the grand rush for the boats. H.
Steam transport Corinthian, off mouth of Mississippi, July 5th, 1864, 5 o'clock P.M.
We have just passed the bar and discharged our pilot, having left New Orleans this morning. Col. Per Lee, in command of the troops on the Corinthian, has opened the sealed orders under which we sailed, and which read something after this wise:
"You will proceed direct to Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Virginia, where you will report to the commanding officer, when you will receive further orders through Brig. Gen. Emory, commanding detachment of 19th army corps."
On account of the reported prevalence of yellow fever at Key West, Florida, we were further ordered, if possible, to avoid that place, if obliged to put into port from stress of weather.
The question then is settled. We are going to "Old Virginny," and I think the boys generally are glad of it. They are going nearer home and will be enabled doubtless to hear from friends more frequently, if they cannot see them oftener. I question, however, whether there is a better department to serve in than the Department of the Gulf.
The office of the soldier is no sinecure anywhere, especially if he served his country well and does his duty. Our men, at least, have usually had work enough to do, and have done it, however little or much they may have accomplished. I have already given a specimen in the march and fighting of the Red River campaign. I might add that the 114th has probably marched more miles than any other regiment in the Gulf Department, perhaps out of it, amounting to at least 1,350 in the State of Louisiana. This does not include land and water transportation, which will add no inconsiderable amount to the sum. What regiment can show better footing?
We have just passed the flag ship, the "Mississippi", containing Gen. Emory and staff and a large number of troops, aground on the bar.
At Sea, Friday Evening, July 8th, 1864
Since entering the Gulf on the evening of the 5th, we have had nice sailing, without wind or storm, making from eight to ten knots an hour. This morning passed Tortugas, far to our left, and the coast of Cuba, nearer to our right, the houses of which, by the aid of glasses, were distinctly visible. The men as yet are but little troubled with that most disagreeable of all horrors, sea sickness, from the uncommon smoothness of the ocean.
I am not going to keep a logbook, or anything of the kind; so, don't be alarmed. I am "non compos mentis," or what do you call it? or something else. I feel pretty much as the Frenchman did under like circumstances, when he said: "Jer par maled" - "Jer suis par guard" - I'ze am not sick - I'ze am not well.
At Sea, Saturday Evening, July 9
An incident occurred this evening which relieved somewhat the monotony of our voyage at sea, and which may be worthy of mention. We spoke the barque Mary Bently three days from Havana, freighted with sugar and molasses and bound for New York. We made to her, when the commander of the Corinthian and Col. Per Lee went on board, bring back a variety of fruit, among which were bananas, plantation limes, sweet potatoes, also turtle, cigars, &c., making altogether a nice treat. The captain of the barque was an "Old Salt" making his 101st trip to or from the West indies.
The captain's wife was somewhat alarmed at our appearance, thinking our vessel might be the pirate Alabama; but the faculty of Col. Per Lee of playing the agreeable and making himself at home among the sex called "tender," soon dispelled the old lady's fears, and made her feel right again.
We are gettin on finely, having made 300 miles in 24 hours.
Off Fort Monroe, July 12
Well, here we are, at Old Point Comfort, exactly what for is not yet quite apparent; doubtless, however, to assist in accomplishing precisely what sound policy would have dictated should have been done two years ago, when this same corps, or a good part of it, under a different name, sailed from this same Fort Monroe. When that fleet passed the capes of the Chesapeake without first cooperating in the capture of Richmon, a universal sentiment of regret went up from the loyal people of the North.
At that time McClellan, than whom there is no better or truer man, was knocking at the gates of Richmond, and would have entered had he been properly succored and supplied. Then it was, this fleet might have cooperated by passing up the James River to City Point, destroying the Railroad at Weldon, some ten miles distant, cutting off rebel supplies, capturing Petersburg, perhaps, and otherwise badly damaging the confederate cause. Since then, hundreds of thousands of lives have been sacrificed under different commanders in attempting to seize the rebel capital. Eighteen months have passed, and we are here again today to aid the invincible, never-failing Grant in the way and manner that time and experience have shown to be advisable.
The first division of the -?- corps, under Gen. Emory, saved the army of the Gulf at Sabine Cross Roads. Now the 19th army corps under the leadership of the same brave officer may save the army of the Potomac, or even our own capital and our northern cities. Whatever we may be called upon to encounter in the great -?- that lies before us, we have faith to believe that we will not be misdirected. In the leadership of Grant we have the utmost confidence. On the plume of the military man instead of the politician floats proudly on the crest of -?- giving us a sure earnest of victory.
Later, Tuesday, 2 P.M. July 12
Without disembarking we are to sail immediately to Washington.
The boys seem delighted with the orders going to Washington rather than as expected up James River.
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