The National tribune., 1894-09-20


war broke out fortune found me in New
Orleans engaged in mercantile pursuits
Owing to the disordered condition which
marked the period after the fall of Sumter
it was impossible for me to liquidate my
affairs, and when the last boat departed for
St. Louis ] was one of the few Union men
left behind. Through the Intervention of q
near relative of JEFF Davis it was possible to
avoid the several conscriptions, and / re-
manned true to the Stars and Stripes.
Forts st. Philip and Jackson, at the
mouth of the Mississippi, surrendered to
Admiral Farragut, and we could hear the
booming of the cannon as the Federal fleet
attacked Fort Chalmette, situated about six
miles below the city. Great excitement pre-
vailed, all valuable property was hidden
away, and that which could not be carried
away was burned. Cotton and provisions
along the levee were fred and even coal was
destroyed. Steamboats, were sunk or burnt
up in order that they might not fall into
the hands of the enemy.
well remember the landing of Capt
Bailey to demand the surrender of New
Orleans. As he passed up along the river
front he was assailed on all sides by misses
ard curses, and it lacked but the call of a
leader and the officers life would not have
been worth a picayune However, he sue
cessfully accomplished his task and returned
safely to report. The city was given up to
Union control, and Old Glory waved in the
place of the rebel flag.
About a week thereafter Gen. Butler with
his New England Brigade entered the city
and took charge of its Government. He
made his Headquarters at the st. Charles
Hotel at first, but soon after removed them
to the Twiggs residence, near the Tiyoli
Circle.
The time which had so long and anxi-
ously awaited having come, determined
TO enlist and accordingly, settling up my
affairs as best / could, on May 10, 1862, l
signed the roll which made me one of Abe
Lincoln's boys, and became a member of
Reeds Mounted Rife Rangers, an indie
pendent company, which was afterward
consolidated with the Sd Mass. Cav. Our
Captain, I. Tyler Reed, was man OF fine
military presence and strict disciplinarian.
Our company was quartered in tents on
Claiborne and Canal streets, and was de-
tailed for orderly duty. / was stationed at
Buffers Headquarters, carrying dispatches
and orders to the various commands and to
the gunboats.
On enc occasion we were ordered to
60 to plantation down the river, where
there was a negro woman who had been
cruelty treated by her master. When we
arrived at the place we found her in an
abandoned cabin with an iron collar around
her neck. This was quickly removed and
the slave liberated.
During this time many of the New Eng
land soldiers were taken sick with the
swamp fever and numerous other COM
plants. The writer, although Injured to
the climate and water, fell victim to the
dreaded fever, and was thoroughly dosed
with quinine for the benefit of his constitu-
ton.
After six months of orderly duty the
company was detailed TO patrol the river
from Bonnie TeTre to Donaldsonvile, and
protect the neighborhood from rebel guerril-
las, who made frequent excursions to re-
plenish their stores and harass our troops.
We camped at Mrs. FargOts plantation, but
made several trips up the Amite River
aga nst the guerrilas, sometimes meeting
small squads Of them, which we usually dis
persed. At one of these attacks we were
ourselves repulsed, and retreated in good
order, but leaving one of our comrades
shot through the legs; we soon returned
however, and took him back with u.s.
An everyday occurrence was to be shot at
from ambush, and | remember having a hole
neatly drilled through my hat by bullet
dent which comes to my mind was the case
OF a cOmrade by the name Of Kuntz. Some
time before we had quarrel, owing to a ques-
zion of whether man or beast drink first and
had even come TO blows, but our difference
had been patched up. Kuntz was great
eater-gourmand, We called him-and would
do almost any duty in order TO be able to
forage. My turn bad come to stand picket,
but he earnestly requested me to let him
take my place, having in mind fat pullet
which he had seen at a house not far off,
and / not reluctantly gave him the job. He
had been on duty but a short time when
word was brought that he had been shot in
the foot. He was carried to the hospital
tent, where the Surgeon was compelled to
take off part of his leg. Gangrene set in,
and, after several amputations, he died from
the wound.
i also assisted in taking the census of the
vicinity while on duty here, which was ac-
complished with a great deal of labor and
trouble, owing TO the ignorance of the
negroes and the hatred of the white people.
Our next employment was IN the Red
River expedition under Gen. Banks. We
acted as a body-guard TO Gen. Lee, who
commanded the cavalry. We travelled night
and day, sometimes sleeping in our saddles
while on the march. Gen. Lee sent us with
orders to Gems. Ransom A. J. Smith, Mower,
and Franklin, commanding the Thirteenth,
Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Nineteenth Corps,
respectively. Thus / came in contact with
many Of the great leaders of the war.
a small skrmish fight at Cane River
marx ed the beginning Of our Red River ex-
perience at Alexandria. / was detailed as
escort to Capt Bailey, Of the Engineers
who built the famous dam at that place.
Sabine d. xRac ha fret raa1 l,Y4Ia
in which / took part, being with Gen. Lee
and his staff. The Thirteenth Corps had
been deplOyed across the road, and the Cen
eral, who did not seem to think the rebels
were out in force, went about half mile
outside OF the lines TO recOnuOiter; but the
zip Of bullet reminded him that il would
be better to retire to the protecting arms Of
his own troops. We therefore fastened
rearward with great acceleration and
Tapidity.
About 2 o'clock in the afternoon l was
sent back about four miles TO Gen. Frank
lin with orders to hurry up his command to
the front. While riding along came upon
Gen. Banks and his staff
How are things in front, Orderly" asked
the General.
Pretty hot" / replied.
With that he moved on toward the battle
line. As l was about to deliver my note TO
Gen. Franklin, who was sitting on log by
the roadside, surrounded by his staff, the
narr0west escape of my life occurred. 1t