May 3^rd 1862

 

Partial Diary by John S. Cooke—A Fine Soldier U.S.

 

May 5^th. To-day we have formed a mess consisting of the officers of C^os B & F and Sergt. Maj. Farnsworth. We anticipate fine times if we can only get something to eat. The wind is so contrary that nothing can get up the river to us. The passes are crowded with small craft waiting for an opportunity to come the river.

 

May 6^th The wind has changed to a favorable quarter and now the river is alive with vessels taking the advantage of it. We were lucky enough to get some butter pickles & dried apples to-day. A glorious breakfast we had too. Broiled Beef streak fried fish pickles, applesauce, bread & butter sweet potatoes & doughnuts. Now if it wasnt for mosquitoes & sand fleas we might be happy.

 

                                    A. Co B—6^th Regiment Mass Vol. Inf.

                                    B. 26^th Regiment Mass Vol Inf

            Some of           1. First to go in defence of Washington

            his                   2. at the Baltimore riots

            Many               3. Provost Marshall of the Post 26^th Reg.

            Duties              4. Judge Advocate of the General Court Martial

                                    5. Quarter Master of the 26^th Regt. Etc, Etc.

 

                                                                                                                                              

May 7^th 1862 Wednesday.

This noon the commander of the post assigned to me duties out of the common line. The business of examining vessels passing up and down the river is entrusted to me, also the care of "contrabands". We have now eighteen including one woman. I expect to have my hands full soon. One thing troubles me: no title has been given me, and I am thereby forced to assume one. I know of none better than "Chief of Contrabands". It is hardly applicable but must do until a better turns up. I have selected a boats crew from them consisting of four oarsmen & a coxswain. My coxswain is a smart intelligent fellow named Archie. He has been here eight months & knows a thing or two. At 9¾ P.M. hailed the Wesseheagan bound for New Orleans.

 

Thursday May 8^th 1862

An order was issued to-day appointing me Provost Marshal altho' I have not received the order I shall act as though I had. I find it very difficult to learn my duties because I have to take all orders verbally, but as yet no serious mistakes have been made. Eleven more contrabands arrived to-day rejoicing in their freedom. I have been busily engaged in providing for their comfort.

                       

Friday May 9^th 1862.

Another lot of contrabands arrived this morning. I have now forty men three women & one "piccaninny". They have built for themselves a number of shanties & seem quite happy in their new homes. From all that I can learn I judge that they have never received any bad treatment It appears that they have left good homes, & as their is no certainty of their future fate, I feel anxious for them. What is to be done with them after the war is over?

                       

Saturday May 10^th 1862

I have got rid of nine members of my family to-day. I put eight of them to work on the Steamer St. Charles, a river tow-boat & one shipped aboard the brig Yankee Blade They were all much pleased with their good fortune.

                       

Sunday May 11^th

A fresh arrival of contrabands this morning, three men, three women & three children. My duties are growing very arduous, but I enjoy life much more than I did when I had but little to do. I have no time to grumble or grow discontented.

                       

Monday May 12^th

I have attempted to board two or three vessels to-day & failed through the inefficiency of my darkey crew. Came within an ace of being run over twice. Dare not trust myself with them again. I have now got a white man for a Coxswain & hope for better things.

                       

Tuesday May 13^th

Boarded the Steamer Katahdin & got a number of N.O. papers. A great dearth of news. About midnight the "St. Charles" came down having on board five State prisoners for Fort Jackson. Fine prospect for them

 

Wednesday May 14^th 1862

Steamer Katahdin arrived up to night with a coal vessel in tow. Boarded her & passed an hour's conversation with Capt. Preble, her commander & Lieut Rowe of the Pensacola. Very agreeable gentlemen both of them. They are to arrived remain here to-night & I have invited them to visit the Forts to-morrow.

                       

Thursday May 15^th 1862

Capt Preble & Lieut Rowe came ashore early this morn. They were much interested in the works. The tow-boat Anglo American came down in the night bringing Col. Farr. She came up to-night with a coal vessel in tow. Two prizes went up this afternoon—the Whitmore & Gov. Mouton. They were taken at Berwicks Bay. The Anglo American left here about ten o'clock. I employed my time cruising about the river until midnight searching for wreckers.

                       

Friday May 16^th 1862.

The St. Charles went to Quarantine early this morning & took aboard our sick with the hospital stores & brought them down here. The French War Steamer Milan came down about noon & anchored just below the Forts. This afternoon Col Jones ordered the band aboard the St Charles & steamed down past her complimenting Johnny Grapean with the "Marseillaise". About seven o'c' the Algerina came down bringing three prisoners. She is going to stop here to do our jobbing.

 

Saturday May 17^th 1862

The St. Charles arrived up about seven o'c this evening She had in tow the Naval Ordinance Ship Sportsman & the Pleiades with commissary stores for the Army. She hove too & dropped the Sportsman & then took on board our Major, Adjt & Band as passengers for N.O. Much difficulty was experienced in getting them on board owing to the inefficiency of her commander who spent many hours in getting her stationary. I succeeded in getting the last man aboard at 2½ o'c A.M.

                       

Sunday May 18^th 1862

when she got underway & steamed up the river thus ridding me of an eyesore. I had just turned in when the guard called me & reported a steamer coming down. Turned out & brought her to. Found it the Steamer Sallie Robinson bound for Ship Island. passed her along & then turned in. Had just closed my eyes when guard called out "Steamer coming up the river. Turned out again. Steamer stopped at Fort Jackson. Got out my boat & crossed over. Same steamer returned. She had made a mistake in thinking that this was Quarantine and as she was ordered to stop at Fort Jackson she had to return as soon as her mistake was discovered. I found that she was orderd away about half fitted out, & I had to furnish her with anchors, chains, a flag & compass. I got an opportunity to sleep about 9 o'c A.M. Very much fatigued but after all I like this business. About one o'c P.M. the Spanish War Steamer Blasco De Garay came up & was going directly by to N.O. I was forced to give her a shot across the bows to stop her. Boarded her & very politely informed Her Majesty's Ship that she could make no farther progress up this river at present. Invited her commander on shore to see the Col. He came and very strongly urged the Col. to grant him permission to pass along. But it would not do. Our orders are imperative—to allow no vessels to pass except those belonging to the American Army & Navy. So the Spaniard has dropped back below the Forts & will probably remain there until he can get permission to pass up. About five o'c the tow- boat Landis came up having on board a number of Naval Officers just from New York who are ordered to report at this station.

                       

Monday May 19^th 1862

This has been the quietest day we have seen since landing on Louisianna soil. Nothing has occurred worth noting

                                                                                                                                               

The Ango American came     Tuesday May 20^th 1862

down this morn with the Major Chief of police two recorders & one Alderman all of New Orleans as prisoners

About 8 o'clock this evening the U.S.S. M^cLellan passed up with Q.M. Stores. Boarded her & got dates to the 9^th inst.

            Wednesday May 21^st 1862

The French Barque Harriet Transport Western Empire arrived here this afternoon under sail & cast anchor off Fort Jackson. She is from Ship Island with horses. The Spanish Steamer weighed anchor & passed up the river this noon.

                       

Wednesday May 21 1862

Early this morning the Western Empire weighed anchor & got under sail tacked across the river and got aground. About 9 o'clock the Steamer St Charles came down & pulled her off but through bad management got her stuck again and then got aground herself. The French Barque Harriet Ratti arrived from Vera Cruz with foreign liquors. Steamer Landis from S.W. Pass arrived at 9 P.M. and moored at Fort Jackson

 

Thursday May 22 1862

The Landis released the St. Charles from her confinement this morning & then cleared the ship. I went back to the S.W. Pass. The St. Charles took the Western Empire & the Sportsman in tow & left for the city. At noon the Schooner Alice of Nassau arrived from Matamoras with a cargo of coffee. Her owner went up to the city on board the Sportsman. Capts Clark & Wilcox also went up on the same vessel. At 9 P.M. the Anglo American passed up having in tow the De Witt Clinton with Nimms' Battery.

                       

Friday May 23^d 1862.

About two o'clock this morn I was awakened to stop a steamer coming down river. I found it the Barrataria bound here with the five prisoners on board among whom was the Editor of the Algiers News Boy. The Barrataria left here about 9 A.M. Went to Quarantine—coaled & passed up the river. The Saxon came down about 9 and passed out. At 4 P.M. the U.S.S. Sachem arrived from Ship Island.

                       

Saturday May 24^th 1862

All quiet to-day until 4 o'clock when the Steamer Kensington arrived. Capt Annable took passage to N.O. on her carrying dispatches to Head Quarters. At seven P.M. the "Landis" arrived abreast the Forts with the Ship Wallis & Barque Young Turk in tow. Had 28 discharged laborers to put on board with all their luggage. current strong, steamer could not with safety stop. Three hours in getting all safe on board. Delivered to the Officers of the "Sachem" a launch belonging to Gun boat Itasca Capt Pickering took passage for N.O. on Landis.

 

Sunday May 25^th 1862.

Steamer Anglo American arrived from N.O. At 7 A.M. with five (5) prisoners from Fort Jackson. After leaving them she went to Quarantine for coal & at 4 P.M. passed down the river. The Major's wife came down to see him. Poor woman! She grieves much. I took out to see her when he was going up the ladder to get on the upper deck the rope gave way & he fell about eight feet. Fortunately he sustained no injury beyond a few bruises. She was allowed to remain on board until the steamer had coaled. He was very grateful for the privilege. It has rained almost incessantly all day and "Louisianna blacking" prevails to an alarming extent.

                       

Monday May 26^th 1862

We have had a fresh arrival of "Contrabands" this morn. One of them came armed to the teeth. He represents himself as huntsman of de plantation. A very quiet beautiful day has passed with nothing to disturb. Fresh breezes have been blowing all day and for once I have seen the Sunny South that we read of.

                       

Tuesday May 27^th 1862

The day has opened beautifully & a chorus of songsters are giving it welcome. Early this morn I was awakened to hail a steamer but found it only the morning star just peeping through the clouds that skirted the horizon. However I hailed it with a far greater welcome than I should one of these dirty tug boats. Fortune has allowed me to rest all day. Not one vessel has passed.

                                                                                                                                              

                        Wednesday Tuesday Continued May 27^th 1862

The Saxon passed up this noon. Boarded her but got no news. At 2½ P.M. Steamer Ocean Queen arrived. The Col. boarded her & went to Quarantine. As she passed I could see with my glass two ladies on board. How vexed I was at the fate which prevented me from going on board. Mississippi passed up this forenoon.

                        Thursday Wednesday May 28 1862

The "Landis" came down this forenoon with two vessels in tow. One of them the E.W. Farley took as passengers Surgeon Brant & Sutler Tarbell. She also brought down Capts. Clark, Pickering, Annabel & Wilcox and Capt Noyes of Lowel who has been commissioned by Gov Andrew & ordered to report to this Regiment.

                        Thursday May 29^th 1862

US.S. Dacotah from Hampton Roads 18^th inst passed up this forenoon. She brought dates of the 17^th U.S.M.S. Connecticut from N.Y. passed up at 12 M. She disregarded my hail and we were obliged to heave her to by a shot. Her commander was very angry & conducted himself in a very ungentlemanly and unbecoming manner. At 3½ P.M. the Algerina left here with a quantity of damaged stores, caissons &c for N.O. She also took up two prisoners. One for trial & the other, Mr M^cLelland Chief of Police, on Parole. Col Farr has this day assumed command of this post. Col Jones will go home in the M^cLellan.

SOURCES