The Portland daily press., 1866-05-25
Interesting Sketch.
The Thirtieth Maine at Cane River.
BY ONE WHO WAS THERE.

Inc Thlrueth Name at Cane River.
BY ONE WHO WAS THERE.
Written for the Press.
Boom booml boom land the echoes of dis
tant but deep-mouthed artillery rolled slug
gshly at the first peeping of dawn, over the
tired and sleeping braves of the LIST Division of
the 10th Army Corps.
Day after day, week after week, had the
boys pushed on, on,-through bayous and
swamp-land, across stubble and cane fields
over arid plains and through tangled forests,
till five hundred weary miles had been traver-
sed, and the army ofthe Red River expedition
found itself in the vicinity of Cane River, on
its retreat to the waters of the Mississippi.
Worn out and exhausted as we were with
the march of the preceding day, one would
imagine that the sounds alluded to would
have but little effect upon us. Not so. Two
minutes had not elapsed from the sound of
that first, distant gun, ere every duty man in
our regiment was upon his feet, surprised
and wondering, not at the noise SO much as at
the time of it. What else, but the enemy p
and where? in our front and in our path
Weremained however but short time in
suspense, for jingle, Jingle, dashed an orderly
with his Gathering sabre flying in the air, in
full speed for the Colonies tent. A few mo
ments after, and the "roll and three taps" of
the Orderly Sereeant's call, brought ten of
those worthless into line before the Adjutant's
quarters, there to receive instructions and or
ders.
anything up, Orderly ?" asked Corporal L.,
natty, nervous little fellow.
"We're in for it again, Corporal" returned
the sergeant, as he gracefully saluted our Cap
tain who at that moment made his appear
ance in the Company street.
First Snrpaapto said tho Capfaiu -canp
as the Quartermaster's wagon comes up, you
can get twenty rounds extra for each man.
Let the company fall in. l wish to say word
to the men," sg
AT the short, stern "Fall in, men," from the
LIST Sergeant, about forty anxious, excited and
curious fellows presented themselves in line
before the chief, who briefly addressed U.s.
"My men, we shall without doubt go into a
fight to-day, and only ask of you to do as
much for the credit Of Maine and the old flag
as you did at Pleasant Hill"
No cheers followed this announcement, each
man feeling fol- himself that no such demon
STATIONS were needed, quietly resolved as we
were to do our duty.
Upon our first entry into the service we
could cheer every flag under which we march
ed; but now our cheers, our enthusiasm and
our strength were boarded for sterner occa-
sions. Constant marching, the failure of the
campaign, and scanty rations, had greatly sub
dued our enthusiasm.
"Strike tents % and our little handkerchief
like shelters were quickly rolled up, while the
standing poles and cross-pieces gave the camp
ground the appearance of a bean-patch.
"Fall in" and the assembly" rung out from
the clear throat of the brigade bugle; and
soon the singing of knapsacks, putting on OF
equipments, hunting up lost bayonets, loading
down of coffee-pots and spiders, together with
the usual winnings OF the "desd beats, "-"I'm
too lame to march, Captain" all presented a
picture which once seen is not soon to be for
gotten.
Booml boom! boom still came the noise
from the iron threats, as we filed out from our
camp-ground, and took the dusty road down
the river, in the direction of the cannonading,
our only music being as we took the, "route
step" the Gathering of tin cups, the ringing Of
frying-pans and the jump, Jump, jump of ball
cartridges in our boxes, as if eager to be out
and speeding on their flight Of death.
1t was soon whispered through the compa-
ny that the "rebs' had headed us off, and
planted batteries at the "crossing" over which
we hoped to have passed without molestation.
We knew also that to get to the Mississippi,
we must cross Cane River, and if to cross it
was to fight, why then fight we must.
whats the prospect aheadT asked the
Captain, as mounted officer passed by to the
rear of the column.
"Tll tell you, Captain; there's fire ahead
and we've got to put it out" answered the
New Yorker, with laugh. "The gray-backs
arc little set about the pontoons; some Of
the infantry will have to ford the river and
take them in the flank"
"Some of the infantryw but which brigade
The affair was getting interesting, for we were
rapidly nearing the place where the artillery
duel was going on, and the whirring scream OF
the conical shell seemed unpleasantly near
If we continued our march much further, we
should get into the range of them, and / ex-
perienced then the same emotions as when a
boy, stood by the Portland Artillery's pieces
on Munjoy, as they heralded in the morning
of the Fourth of July, getting nearer to them
with each discharge and trying to pass for
courageous in the eyes of my more prudent
companions.
"Halt w
"What is it now ?' enquired we among our
selves, looking each for an answer In his COM
rade's face
Battalion, about face Forward, march p
and we were retracing our steps, but fol- what
purpose, we knew not.
Icannot say that we were much displeased
at this order, lnasmnch as it took us out Of
range OF the enemy's batteries; but on the
other hand we didn't much relish the prospect
which developed itself after we had marched
but short half mile, when upon haltipg we
found that our brigade had been seieetel to
ford the river and drive the foe from his guns.
Colonel f. the coolest, bravest officer of the
Division, was In command OF our brigade, and
with feelings of pride and renewed confidence
we watched him, as he dashed hither and
thither along the line, giving short verbal or.
ders to officers commanding regiments,
''One or two of two OF the tallest of you
strip and wade the stream" came from the
Captain, and in plunged Jerry lei. a tall, 1.-THE
STRIPPING, who after wading nearly to the OPP
posite bank, reported the deepest spot to be
about four feet.
Receiving orders to reform companies on
the other side of the stream, with many in
functions to keep our cartridges and rides dry
into the turbid waters rushed the regiment
and with splashing, toiling, struggling, slip.
ping and some little swearing, we reached ter
Ta .frma with no stream between us and the
enemy.
Each man was cautioned to keep silence
and get his piece in readiness, which being
done we filed into the forest which grew tc
the banks of the river-and soon were march