New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-04-07

ii the rain, and the men crowded into their tents
with twelve others, and large lot Of extra bag
gage, crowded in the Captains tent. Soon it be-
gan to rain and the gates of heaven seemed open I
with q food There was no ditch around the tent, |
as we had been SO hurried, consequently the water
flowed through in brooks. I stood up in the cen
tire of the tent until morning, almost overcome
with sleep, but crawed out at daylight and built
some fires. After breakfast we began the line of
march. 1t was very muddy, and each little stream
was q small river. 0ur;march was very slow, con-
very tedious. Several Of our men fell in
where the water was over their heads in attempt
ing to walk a small log over swollen stream.
One Of our officers was pulled in, and two muskets
went to the bottom. Our Fourth Corporal stripped
off his clothing and Owed down and recovered
them both. The Colonel and his horse stepped off
the end of bridge and went down. Neither were
much hurt, but the Colonel dropped valuable
pistol, which was afterwards recovered. OF
course, ii took a long time to cross such places,
and at night fall we had marched but six miles.
But wewere very tired from standing SO long I'M
der heavy knapsacks. We were said to be but
six or eight miles from the enemy, and SO mugt
exercise much caution. 1t came hard to put tired,
WORKOUT men on guard that night, and when de-
came the turn for one little, young and delicate
fellow to go with the others. All went willingly,
and we pitched our tents and slept soundy, espe.
cially few had slept the night before. Our tents
were pitched out in the woods, and we remained
there two days. This camp was christened Camp
Starvation, for we almost starved. The men had
not provided sufficient ratons as ordered, although
twas hard 70 get much from the Commissary's
Department We moved some two miles further
on toward the Tennessee river, and pitched tents
at Camp Chambers Creek As We were approach
ing the enemy, we were very cautious. There
were several regiments of us, supported by the
Miles artillery, all commanded by Col Pond, who
is our acting Brigader-G General The only result
Of this scouting expedition was to force the enemy
back to their gunboats. We sent out pickets a
few miles in advance every twenty -four hours, who
had to practice all the skill they had ever acquired
to conceal their position. Our advance guard was
stationed half mile in front. The advance guard
consists Of about seyenty-ive men. We were
startled one day about noon by the long roll y
and in fifteen minutes the battalion was formed in
line of battle. The alarm was caused by the firing
of one of the pickets, and as soon as the mistake
was discovered we were dismissed. 1t seems that
the picket detailed from the Crescent Blues of our
regiment, had a few chickens engaged at a farm
house. and was to call for them on the day he was
detailed on picket duty. This foraging was for
hidden unless pass for the purpose was given.
He was creeping up cautiously to get his plnnder,
when another picket mistook him for Yankee
and fired. This was taken up by the next picket
as an alarm, and they fired from their stations IN
til the alarm reached camp, for you must know
that all firing Of guns for two miles from camp is
prohibited except at II O'Clock, when the old
guard discharge their firearms
After q few days stay we struck tents and re-
turned to Camp Smith, near CorintA, but as we
were transferred toanother brigade the next day
SO we removed our camp a half mile to join the
camp of our, the Third Brigade, under the com.
mand OF Brig. Gen. Rnggles, (Co. Pond acting.
Ecommander.) and in Major Gen. Bragg's Division,
{Brigs Gen ,Ruggles acting commander at presently
The whole country, for miles around, is covered
withtenss and troops, as Generals Bragg, Beaure-
gard, Polk, Johnston, Pillow and Chastum and
their armies are here. The whole neighborhood is
drained Of things eatable for leagues around, as
Corinth has been surrounded with camps for
months. Our fare Is very plain, assure you.
Our duties thus far have been very arduous, and
the men have grnmbled some, but i think we will
have better times hereafter Our regiment has
been healthy and has stood the marching and
camp life better than the country regiments, as is
the usual experience. ;s:sb$ AZ. HI j$f 81
s. We have had some experience in working on
the forti6cations, which are to be thrown up for
ten miles in length between the Memphis and
Charleston, and Mobile and Ohio Railroads.
You may wonder how we all feel in Conf ederate
States service. Very much as if we were in the
city, only we are under strict discipline. Some
say they will not enlist again, when the ninety days
are up, but will venture they will change their
mind by June. As for service, all seemed uncon-
concerned. Yet only LETT prospect of fight be
rumored, and they are up and off. The weather
is warm and pleasant now, and also dry. 1t has
been wet and cold most Of the time. The noiseof
drums and bugles, at day. break, reminds one very
forcibly of grim war. Had time would like to
describe the various thoughts of romantic and
real that fill my mind at times when not too closely
pressed with stern duties. W.
The city must be dull now, as it is under martial
law, and business is very light There arefourteen
Louisiana regiments here that i can count.
March 3lst.--We have just been out on brigade
drill this fine afternoon. Five or six thousand ofus
under the command ofacting Brigadier Gen. (Col)
Pond, went out some two miles from here into a
large open field, where we had room to rnaneuver
and there we had an earnest drill, that made us
very tired. But fine surprise awaited us at the
close of the day for as we were drawn up in line,
our brave cheiftan, Beauregard with bis staff, came
riding up to review us. He was mounted upon a
most noble black charger, and rodesa commander
lin truth I was thrilled with feelings Of pleasure
and satisfaction as .gazed upon him. Helcoks as
"a great commander, calmly reviewing a portiono Of
his army. His staff was fine looking. AS he
turned to ride back, the brigade raised q yell Of
pleasure, rather it should have been called cheer,
and thousands shouted welcome to Beauregard.
The shouting frightened Dr.. Choppin's splendid
little bay horse, and away he ran, perfectly
rnanageless, for a quarter Of a mile, across the
field.
Letter from Richmond.
Especial correspondence Of the Augusta Constituonas
RICHMoND, Va, March 24.-The streets of Rich.
mond under martial law present different appear
ance from the streets of Richmond under the rules
Of the civil authorities. Formerly they were filled
with drunkea rowdies and idle soldiers it was i'm
possible eyen for gentlemen to walk out in the eve
ming without being insulted. Now everything il