The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-03
HEADQUARTERS Co. Sd" 1st Wis. II. A.
NEW ORLEANS. Feb u 1864.


NEW ORLEANS, Feb. -, 1864.
* Here [ am in the great metrop-
oils of the South, after a journey of nine
days upon the cars and the steamer Julia.
The trip from Wisconsin to this city was
very pleasant and the scenery was of such
character, and so various, that | gazed in
admiration upon it as it seemed passing. be-
fore me like beautiful picture. The only
thing that marred my enjoyment was, my
lnapsack was stolen one evening, and
never expected to recover it, as | supposed
it had been taken off at Baton Rouge But
it was afterward discovered in the possession
of soldier on the boat. He was arrested,
his hands tied behind him, and guard
placed over him till we reached N. o., where
he was delivered over to the proper author
tiles.
Ficksburg is naturally very strongly
fortified place that is the vicinity of the
city-yet the gunboats could destroy it in
less than twenty four hours. | could find
but one building materially injured by the
seige, and found only two places where
| cannon balls had struck buildings. A gun
boat went out with us from Memphis to
Vicksburg, to protect us from guerrillas, as
they are becoming quite numerous along
the river. There are a large number of gun
boats on the river. Natchez is quite large
and beautiful city. 1t is adorned with what
is called the China Tree, very beautiful and
shady. | made inquiry concerning the 33d
Wis: but learned they had just gone up the
Black River, back Of Vicksburg. The day
before we passed Natchez quite battle had
been fought just on the other side of the
river lasted four hours. The enemy
were three thousand strong, but were driv-
en- back from the river by our troops, assist
ed by four gunboatS A whole brigade was
supposed to be some two miles back from
the river.
Many Of the plantations along the river,
especially on the La. side presented most
beautiful appearance, Some of them look
like little. villages the stately country seat,
out houses and negro quarters, the latter
now minus their occupants and probably
the former, too.
| am completely delighted with the eli
mate of the sunny south, but not rith tile
people. New Orleans is the most beautiful
city ever saw. The buildings are good and
the streets wide--wider than Broadway, n
Y, though some of them are quite narrow
We are obliged to be very careful, for fear
of being poisoned, yet must say that | have
not heard a reasonable word since | came
into the city, and think, with few excep-
tions, New Orleans is truly loyal. There is
a great change in the sentiment of the peo-
pie; they are growing to respect the north
and northern people more. Gen eral Banks
is not liked as well as General Butler was
They think General Butler was just the man
for the place. Banks sympathizes more with
the rich, while Butler protected the rights
of second and third classes. The general
impression is that Butler could accomplish
more with fifty thousand men than Banks
could with one hundred thousand Our
company is quartered in the most central
part Of the city, and the probability is we
shall remain here some time One of our
died above Vicksburg; his name
was E. Ely. He died of poison, or of brain
fever-not able to determine which--buried
him at Vicksburg.
Yours for the Union,
c. w E