The National tribune., 1885-01-01
A FEARFUL MARCH.
From Matagorda Bay to San Antonio.
An UnceremoniOuS "NOrther.

read Comrade Hobbs's letter" Matagorda
Bay" l was so much interested and pleased
with it that / could no longer resist the temp
iation to mention few incidents in which the
First Brigade, Third Division of the Fourth
Corps figured more actively and heroically
than glOriOusly at and near Indianola, on Mat
agOrda Bay. Our brigade consisted of the 10th,
49th, and list Ohio, 32d and 51st Ind, 57th and
S9th Ill, and Sth Kan. This was at Camp Harker,
near Nashville, Tenn, April 80 to June 10,
1865. Various rumorS of muster-out and con-
trary rumors of another expedition freely Cir
cuated when speculation as to the future was
suddenly interrupted by the muster-out of the
S9:h Ill. and an order for the movement of the
corps to Texas. There was much grumbling
among the troops, to be sure, for they thought
they had earned their discharges. The war
was declared ended, and they felt that if any
further duties were required of an armed force,
drafted men might rightfully participate and
reap the accruing honors. The dissatisfaction
became epidemic, and while mutiny not
looked for by the officers it was seriously con-
sidered by the men, InsubordinatiOn, how
ever, was serious question, an element hith-
ertO unknown in our corps.
AN HONORABLE DECISION.
To disgrace our commanders and ourselves
at this date appeared SO ridiculous that the
boys concluded they would rather march away
rs victors wrongfully retained than to be dis
charged as mutincers and towards.
The question of leadership was freely dis
cussed. Our brigade was very much dissatis-
fled with Gen. Doolittle, who had the reputa-
tion of being overbcarng and unsocial. The
cry went forth, "Give US back our brave Will
lich." The Cry was needed and Gen. Which
was returned to his old command. In the
meantime the troops were paid off to date and
allowed more than ordinary pass privileges,
these being considered necessary and harmo-
niZing influences. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say they had the desired effect, as the boys
were more easily persuaded than driven. Upon
the return of Gen. Which a grand reception
was arranged. palanQuin of cedar boughs
was erected and every soldier provided with a
candle. Soon after dress parade the boys fell
into line, with candles for torches. They placed
the General in the palanquin, and he was car
ried around with the procession, jeff Davis
was burned in effigy and general good time
enjoyed. The brigade was formed in a COM
pact hollow square, Gen. Which made one of
his characteristic speeches, and the reconcilia-
tion was complete.
The next day everything was hustle and
confusion. Preparations were hurriedly made,
and on the third day after Willich's arrival we
broke camp and marched to the suburbs of the
city, where long trains OF box cars were in
waiting, into and upon which We were piled
with more confusion than comfort. AS the
dusk OF evening approached we went whlrling
over the rail towards Johnsonvile, on the Ten
nessee River, where fleet of dilapidated river
boats awaited US. We were hustled on board
with such haste that several men failed to get
on board, and our next advlces from them ,
showed that they had reported for duty at
home. From Johnsonyille the voyage was
without incident until we reached Cairo, where
dastardly outrage was perpetrated by the
pilot of the boat upon which the 49th Ohio
was quarteIed. 1t appeared from the best
evidence that ne WAS galvanized rebel, and
an opportunity presenting itself he undertook
to wreck the boat upon river monitor at
anchor, and thereby drown the regiment. His
plans were we'll laid, and only failed of success
by the prompt assistance at hand He sue
ceeded in wrecking the boat, and made his es-
cape to Cairo. where he Was captured the next
morning by comrade of the Sth Kan. and
full justice meted out to him.
After the excitement had subsidized the boys
were hurried upon the boats, another magniii-
Gently dilapidated transport was procured for
the water-soaked 49th, and away We went
out of the Ohio into the Mississippi Our trip
thence to New Orleans was void of interest,
except that uneXainpled display of ignorance
which caused the commandment at Port Royal
to fire upon the unfortunate 49th's boat, cauS-
ing her to round to and report, whereupon the
whole feet anchored off the opposite shore long
enough to allow the boys to land and play a
few games of chuck-a-luck on the grassy banks.
The 10th having paid the penalty of second
disaster, were soon doomed to third accident
which was the loss of the rudder of their boat,
and she came drifting down the stream at the
mercy of the current, until she was towed
to shore and repaired. All this sseems uncXcit-
ing and commonplace enough now, after 10 :.
years and three months, but at that particular
time it was very disc0uraging.