The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-01

1.-THE river is now open from the lakes
| to the sea, the back bone of the rebellion
| is broken. Let the armies Of the East
follow the success of the West and South
west; then we will soon hear the harp of
peace waiting sweet notes to gladden. the
hearts of millions, and praises will be sung
over our once happy land. Gen. Banks
| detailed our regiment as PrOyostGuard
at the hamlet called Port Hudson, as a
mark of honor for their bravery in ac-
| ton"
Col. Ingraham writes Of being short Of
ammunition. Well do l remember the
peculiar, shrieking sound made by pieces
| of railroad iron, chains and other missiles
that were fired from their guns He also
writes OF the bravery of the negro troops.
The Government was compelled by actual
| necessity to do something with the thou
sands of negroes that focked to our army,
especially in the Department of the Gulf.
| Contraband camps were established, and
had to be fed by the Government. All
abe-bodied men that passed a medical ex-
animation. and willing to become soldiers
for Father Lincum," as they called the
President, were enlisted and formed the
Corps d Antique. afterwards U. S. Colored
Troops. The officers were selected from
the volunteer regiments in service in the
Department Of the Gulf. after an ex-
animation. A great many men sought the
| chance to wear the straps: the consequence
was the negro troops were well officered
and bravely led. The assault on June IA
| proved that. Thousands of cOntrabands
were employed at Port Hudson and other
places to dig trenches and do the heavy
work. to relieve the men Of the army,
while under so much hardship and effect
of the hot climate.
The 165th N. Y. was considered the
best drilled regiment in the Department Of
the Gulf. ard one naturally takes pride
| in his own regiment. As one of the two
regiments in the whole army uniformed
in the dress of the Zouave d. Antique, made
/ them, by reason of their unique uniform,
their dash. peculiar dress (Zouave) and
excellent discipline. conspicuous and
marked regiment wherever they went.
EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS.
New York Daily Times. June 9. 1868:
1.-THE assault on the left, under Gen.
| L. w. Sherman, was most desperate. The
| bravery exhibited by the 9Th Mich. 12Sth
| N. Y. and 10th N. Y. I'D Zouaves) was
never excelled and but seldom equalled.
| Col. Smith may well be proud to command
such men as his battalion is composed of.
They are heroes every one of them, and as
well drilled soldiers they cannot be ex-
celled. The loss in the battalion. number
ing about 400, was but little, if any, short
| of 100 men. They were among those who
penetrated the enemy's works and
mounted the parapet when our flag was
placed there, and none of the number
escaped being killed or wounded"
New Orleans Ua.) Evening Era, July
81, 1868:
For the benefit of those persons who
persist in calling our brave troops van
dals. robbers and the like, we publish the
90
several Confederate regiments recently
captured at Port Hudson. CThe thanks, it
will be seen, are addressed to the 165th
N. Y, I'd Zouaves)
Port Hudson, La, July IA, 1868.
The undersigned, representing the Offi-
GERS of the 18th Ark. Inf, take this
method of returning their sincere thanks
10 the officers and men of the 10th n. Y.
Zouaves for the uniform, kind and
courteous treatment received by US at
their hands since the surrender of this
place. Should the fortunes of war ever
reverse our positions we will not forget
them, but endeavor to .reciprocate their
kindness to the best of our ability.
ST. ]. Reid. Colonel; ]. S. Walker,
Lieutenant-Colonel;T T. G. Smith, Major;
G. H. Jones, Captain and A. Q. NJ; j.
r. Thornton, Adjutant.
"'To F. Agnus. Captain commanding
ID Zouaves.'
"'Port Hudson, La. July 10, 1868.
"'To the Commanding Officer of N. Y.
! ZOuaves. U. S. A, at Port Hudson.
"'Sir: In an interview l had with you
a few days since, l expressed to you, on
behalf of my men, their appreciation Of
the kindness shown us by yours. If
should leave Port Hudson without giving
a more enduring form of acknowledgment
| would be doing injustice to the feelings
and wishes of the men recently under my
command. / therefore address you this
note.
Ion the 9th of May, your command
engaged part of the men of mine. Then
and afterwards {ny men spoke of your
charge as Il splendid exhibition of courage.
When the fortunes of war placed us as
prisoners in the hands of the United
States forces we were suffering for food.
As soon as orr wants were understood
your men more than divided theirs with
us. and in variety of ways have shown
themselves to be as kind and generous as
| they had shown themselves to be coura ge-
Gus.
Please tender these Acknowledgements
to your command; they are made accord
| ing to the wishes of my men.
L am. very respectfully, etc,
I'D. Province. Colonel, G. S. A., lately
commanding Reall's Brigade.
ITO Capt. F.. Agnus. Commanding %
Zouaves.
| "'Port Hudson. La. July 10, 1868.
"'Sir: Permit me to say to you that
never in the course of this war saw men
behave with such courage and fortitude
under all circumstances as your command.
Your wounded were the constant theme
of conversation by the surgeons for the
heroic manner in which they bore up I'M
der some of the most frightful wounds.
Permit me to thank them all for the very
courteous manner in which they have
treated us since the surrender.
| oh. Hanslow, Surgeon, G. s. A.
ITO Capt. Agnus. Commanding 165th
N. Y"