Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-03-10
LErrFR FROM TILE zon n.Y.Y.L

STEAMER CRY OF MEMPHIs, Feb %, 1865.
+ We ars gliding down the Mississippi as
smoothly aud gently one could wish to ride.
/ point where We crossed the river in 1863, when
moving upon Vicksburg,) and as we have been
( Jogging about briskly lately that it were a
wonder could our friends at home follow us or
/ know OF our whereabouts, | have allotted the
/ task of giving what information can he obtained
| to your humble correspondent.
We left Eastport under the conviction that
we were to move as speedily as possible to New
Orleans, and our hearts leaped with Joy at the
thought of thus completing our geographical
studies, Judge of our surprise when, after arriv-
ing at Vicksburg and lying on the boats one
| day, we were ordered to disembark and marched
about five miles on the railroad. going into camp.
The most of our camp equipage was placed
in store in the city, and the idea pretty general
! ly promulgated that we were to march over
land to Mobile, opening the road from Vicks-
! burg to Jackson.
| We remained in camp until the morning of
| the 18th, when we received orders at 3 o'clock
| in the morning to be ready to embark on the
same boat which brought here. Revillie
was sounded and soon all was cOmmotiOn and
preparation, and by daylight we were ready for
| the road. Upon arriving at the landing we i'm
| mediately commenced loading.
| This embarking an army is of the most anus
| ing as well as interesting character. Every
| thing is to be done in regular order, guards are
! stationed at every point and over every regi-
| ment's property, while officers are busy direct
ing where each article shall be placed. Still, as
| the common phrase goes. 'things get muchly
mixed" sometimes, and it requires all the ener-
gies of Quartermasters to find their property at
| disembarcation.
| We left Vicksburg at ) o'clock ON the morn
| ing of the Doth. ] noticed the ruins which
mark the sites of Warrenton, Carthage and Per-
kins Plantation, at which latter place we struck
| the river before crossing at Grand Gulf. Hard
| Times where we loaded our war material, bears
| now as then the mark of hard times" Grand
Gulf is quite body of water, being an indenta-
ton formed by the mouth OF Big Black River,
| which washes the eastern side of a very abrupt
| bluff whose western base is washed by the Miss
issippi 1t was upon this point the formidable
rebel batteries were placed, which our gunboats
found themselves unable to cope, and which
they were forced 10 evacuate, by our running
by and crossing the river some miles below.
| We passed Rodney, which is very fine look
| ing place. nestled close under the hills about
| 30 miles from Grand Gulf. About 10 A. NJ,
! we are now below Water Proof GU the Louisi-
ana side, which does not seem to have been war
proof. for very few houses are left but bear the
marks of destruction.
One can sea but little of the beauty of the
| country by passing down the river still the
sight az we malecticaily along is beautiful.
Doth. We passed Natchez yesterday after
noon. II is situated on one of the widest and
| most broken bluffs of the river. | could sec
| little of town, the high broken hills hiding it
il from view Yet could see evidences Of a
| large place. in the Marine Hospital church
steeples and court house, which can be seen
| from some distance up the river.
Some of the points of bills are most tasteful
" and artistically arranged in pleasure grounds
studded with the charming shrubbery and beau
| tiful evergreens of this climate, among whose
foliage of dark green can be seen nesting the
dwelling of the possess"r OF the sylvan garden.
We were obliged 10 tie up the greater part of
the night on account OF the darkness We pass
ed Port Hudson soon after daylight. Ii would
be useless for rue TO endeavor to portray the ap-
pearance of this place, or of Baton Rogue, which
| we passed soon after. From Baton Rogue
| think the country is the most lovely Thave ev-
| er seen, plantation after plantation are
seen with their palatal residences and
white walled negro quarters, surrounded by
| beautiful shade OF Chia magnolia and orange,
| and towering lar over the Whole may seen the
massive chimneys of the sugar houses, cotton
gius, saw and grist mills, which are generally
under the same roof Before the war this must
have been paradise of beauty and lovliness,
but now all is changed, ruin on every hand
| We expected to arrive at New Orleans as early
! as a P. NJ, but strong wind has been blowing
all day which has retarded our progress very
much.
22d. Soon after dark last night we were
obliged to tie up on account of the darkness
and strong wind, and did not get under way
again until daylight this morning. About 9
o'clock the spires and dOmes of New Orleans
began to be seen, dimly at FIRST through the
mist then as we moved further down the whole
view of the mighty city, her levees crowded
with vessels of all descriptions, from the man.
of-war to the simple skiff of the fisherman, lay
before us. We moved short distance below
the city, near Camp jackson, where we are now
| lying.
| l will try and write again as soon as learn
| anything in regard to our destination.
HARDWOOD.