The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-09-12
A HARD TRIP.
The Mysterious Expedition Into Louisiana Again


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: For the eight
months preceding that expedition the writer
was on duty at tho headquarters of the Iowa
Brigade tThird Brigade, Fourth Division, Sew
entecuth Corps, where the talk was that the
design was On awaken in the minds of the in
habitants along the line of march confidence
in the goodwill and kindly intentions of our
Government toward them, 1t was also under
stood that the expedition was commanded by
Gen. Stevenson. But whatever may have
been the object. or whoever may have com
mauded, tho obly visible result was the dis
abling of 800 men by the worst-conducted cam
paigu Of the entire war, and one that ought TO
cousign its commander to eternal infamy for
wanton disregard of the lives and health Of his
men.
In pursuance of theisupposed design of the
expedition. all foraging was forbidden. Men
were not allowed to lehve tho ranks except for
water, aud then muskets must be left to be
carried by comrades. There were no hats
after leaving camp In The morning until going
into camp at the close of the days march. The
roads were FREQ from obstruction; the wagon
train just sufficient % carry 10 days supplies
and we bad only one battery with us. Each
days march WAS foot race. without halt or
breathing spell Tho heat was intense. espc-
CHILLY on the frat day ont.
Being the brigade mail:carrier, rode an old
mule and before reaching camp had him
loaded down with the traps Of men who had
given out. The road ran through heavy tim
Der, cut away 100 feet wide. The sinking
weeds Il can smell them yeti had occupied tho
space except two paths, aud were 10 feet high
The sun fairly burned Us through our thin
Summer clothing Orders had been given to
march at n. M. but the start was not made
until nearly noon so VIC got the benefit OF a
blazing midday sun.
The distance covered was only 10 miles. but
the suffering was so great aud so many men
fell out that very few guns were stacked when
camp was reached at Bayou BoeG
The brigade had passed the latter part of tho
previous Winter at Lake Providence, where IL
had assisted in cutting tho eyoc, aud large
part OF this march was across tho allnvial bot
tom covered by tho innndation resulting from
that work.
At that nights camp the writer slept nj tho
root Of gum-tree, whose trunk was marke ed
by tho water IL feet from the ground Coming
from tho high grounds near Vicksburg, where
the nights were mild aud warm, many of the
men had brought only their gSyn blankets, so
that the chill air that began vise from that
water-soaked land as soon az the night came
on went to the very marrow of their bones
Reaching the objective point-Monroe, on
the Ouichlta Rivcr-the camp was made "a mile
from the town, and only the officers were per-
mitted 10 SEQ tho town. The hot days, the
cold nights and tho cruel and unnecessary
haste of the marching told 80 fearfnlIy upon
the men that upon tho return there was not
transportation for the sick and disabled, and il
became necessary to unload wagons aud send
them TO the river, while the rest Of the force
went into camp 30 miles back, at Bayou Mason.
After march of 10 miles that camp was
reached al o'clock p. M, and Surgeons call
ordered immediately. Those unable to march
were sent forward at once without any rest and
with scant time 10 eat
The writer WAS one of tho unfortunates who
made that nights ride and were dumped out
on the bank Of tho river at Goodrich's Land
ing, about 2 o'clock n. m, with scant ceremony
aud no provision for food, shelter or medical
attendance. The writer slept nearly tho entire
succeeding day on an old broken sofa in the
shade OF the trees.
That night Il deserted mansion was occupied
as a hospital, where the sick men were gath.
cred. All night long the groans OF the suffer-
ers and the inc0herent rawlings of the delrious
were heard. All the varied experiences of a
soldiers life were rehearsed--the home leaving.
tho home returning fighting, marching, camp.
ing. Those bewildcred. busy brains turning
tho Kaleidoscope of crIe wars painted pictures
upon the sitting air, more vivid than artists
canvas ever showed, because they dipped their
realistic brush in theif own burning aud freez.
ing life blood. When morning came disease
and hardship had done their work, and for
many death had closed the scene
Shame on the men who grndgo the pension
er's pittance TO the Survivors OF such expert
enees-P. G. BRANCH, Co. g, 18th Iowa, ster-
ling, Kan.