Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-10-28
"reminiscences of the Second Tennes-
see Cavalry.
NO. XXXV.
BY LIEUT.. JNo. W. ANDES.

NO. XXXV.
The IA h day of March, 1865, finds
us still in camps at New Orleans.
The weather was wet and the place
where we were camped was in very
low swampy place, on a narrow neck
of land between the Mississippi river
and Lake Ponchartrain. The leveee
on the Mississippi were about 20 feet
high, while the river was to the top
and owe flowing in many pl -ces. The
steamers, as they passed up and down
the river, were above our heads. We
were no. altogether easy over our sit.
uation, fearing a break at any time.
The boys had some sport after the ALI
gators about the swamps and lakes.
We rem aimed here until the 21st,
when the Second Cavalry was ordered
to return to Vicksburg. while all the
other cavalry went to Nashville. Six
companies went OF the Steamer St.
Cloud, the other six remaining over
until the 23rd, when we embarked on
the E. II. Fairchilds, which was one
of the largest aud best boats on the
Mississippi al that time. We did not
leave the city until the 24th. The
weather was very fine, and vegetation
was springipg up every " here.
We passed Baton Rouge on the
25th and on to Natchez " here we over
took the other six companies that had
two days the start of US. They changed
boats here and came on the Fairchild
with US, and we all went on safely to
Vicksburg, arriving there on the goth
at p. No., remaining on board our
vessel over night. Thirty miles below
Vicksburg We passed JEFF. Davis
house.
On the 81 we left the Faircbild and
went into barracks. The city has every
appearance Of conquered city,
The citizens, what few were
left, looked detected, and there
was scarcely building in
the city that was not damaged
more or less, by shot and shells, from
the Federal fleet on the river. Every
available place had been utilized for
purposes of protection. Holes and
caverns had been dug in the earth, in
which women and children went for
safety during the terrible days and
nights of the memorable seige The
anxiety suffered by the unfortunate
| city can never be told. The tunnels
dug by the Yankees for the purposes
of blowing up the Confederate forts
was very interesting to look upon.
When we arrived here we drew a
few horses to each company. The
weather was pleasant, and we were
having nice time in the barracks.
About the first of April the talk
about peace bt came quite common
and very interesting. On the 9Th of
April The news of RichmOnd's sur
render reached US. A salute of one
hundred guns was fred while
the excitement began to run
high. Farther news of Lees
surrender continued to arrive, and
on the 10Th ons hundred guns
were again fired, while the troops
We're marshalled into line and the
cheering dispatches read to them,
and cheer after cheer rent the air.
1.-The war was over and we will soon
be at home" was the theme of general
conversation.
On the 11th of April Sewer Nc
Cauless died of congestive chill He.
had been loading forage wagons all
day, and it was not more than one
hour from the time he was taken un-
til he died. He was only Is years
old, and the son of widow living In
Sequatchie Valley. He was good
soldier. About daylight on the morn
ing Of he 18th of April news reached
the city of President Lincoln's
assassination, and pal of
gloom was cast over the entire encamp.-
ment. 1t was a day that will be long
remembered. All were looking for
ward to the declaration of peace. We
were to have a general celebration that
day, but suddenly our rejoicing was
changed to sorrow. The writer was
detailed as Chief Marshal, and there
were fully ten thousand persons pres
ent on the public square ia trout OF the
Court House, which is located on
beautiful hill overlooking the city
After some confusion growing out ofsaI
colOred regiment, commanded by
an obstinate Irish Colonel,
getting into the position assigned the
Second Cavalry at the stand prepared
for speaking, everything passed eff
The celebration was a
grand one, and stirring speeches were
made by number of prominent army