On Steamboat "Fairchild"

June 6 1865

 

Dear Sister Martha,

                                    I hardly feel like retiring so early, and I think I had better close this day's work by penning a few lines to you. When I wrote you last we were encamped a few miles out of New Orleans. You will soon see our stay there was very brief. Last Tuesday—a week ago to day—we were unexpectedly ordered about sunset to embark. I think I wrote you or L— the evening before. Being about several miles from the boats at N.O. it took us all night to transfer our stuff to the steamboat "Fairchild", and you may be sure I went to bed at daybreak, and as the boat with the rest carrying the 2^nd & our Brigade pulled out—feeling extremely tired. I slept that a.m. and arose to find we were very slowly moving up the "Father of Waters", as our fleet was just loaded to overflowing. We had travelled that mighty river so often we found hardly a thing to attract our attention, and in fact nothing worthy a note happened during our ride on that river. We made no stoppages to speak of. But when we entered Red river most everyone became a little interested at what was to be seen, as most everyone had never travelled the stream before. As I about a year ago made the trip from Alexandria down of course I had seen most of this river thus far before. Alexandria is the first port on the river worthy the name, and that you will observe is quite a distance from the mouth of the Red river. Most of the country up to A— is a wilderness and at least the lowest half of the route was sadly under water because of the high water in the Miss. So high was the water that most of the buildings were half concealed by wat & the owners fled.

 

            At A— we found a few companies of Blue-coats who lately took possession. The town was about as we left it a year / ago. The troops stationed there when the trans-Miss. Department surrendered had left for their homes leaving only those belonging there. These few relicts of the army not long ago quite formidable looked like strayed sheep & as though they hardly knew what to do.

 

            The opposite side of the river which was woods when here before was now all cleared off, and two small but very good and serviceable forts been erected by the Rebs. These with their cannon were now guarded by our boys. A few cannon were in a yard in town in good condition, but the ammunition had been stripped of its powder by the Rebs when they returned home. Probably they are anxious to hunt some come fall. All small arms, mules, wagons &c seem to have gone home with the Rebs too. The dam we built they say was as good as when we left it. The water was so high it was not visible. Ere long we were moving on, having left one Reg^t to take charge of things. About 100 miles more and we were at Grand Ecore, the next port. Plantations lined each bank most of the way though not generally cultivated. At G— we left another Reg^t Found here a few Reb troops perhaps 300 waiting to be parolled. All the rest had gone home taking their guns, a mule or two &c so that about all the ordnance stores there were a few cannon & their ammunition. On looking around I found the Rebs had built quite a fort since our visit last spring. In a few hours we were en route for Shreveport 200 miles distant by river. I should have said in speaking of Alexandria that we found there the Rebel gunboat Missouri and three steamboats. This eve we are not far from seventy miles from our destination. Since leaving G— we have been in country we never saw before, and where until now a Yankee boat has not been since this war began. Plantations line the river most of the way so far and they are in a state of cultivation which I have not seen be- / fore. As hundreds of darkies belonging in Miss & southern La. had been run up here this region just swarms with them. The soil on Red river is the same so far, a red loam, which is very good. Most of the plantations are planted to corn which is beginning to tassel out. It seems as though I had seen corn-fields enough to-day to supply the whole state. They have planted some wheat & rye which is now ripe and being reaped. The darkies hardly know what to think of us. They stand on the river-bank generally in mute amazement. The banks being twenty & thirty feet high and the stream about the width of the Winooski the boys have all sorts of fun with these astonished nigroes. Sometimes they throw "hard-tack" ("hard crackers") at them to see them grab for them, there perhaps follows a lot of questions like "how far is it to S—"? "how far is it six miles ahead"? &c A few seem to be very glad to see us & show their feelings by numerous jestures. I have seen only about four good houses & all the plantations show lack of improvement.

 

            As it is getting late I must retire leaving this for another time.

 

June 7^th. Just after dark to-day we reached the long hoped for Shreveport & to night we are anchored in the stream. To-morrow we shall debark & establish our camp, Providence permitting. All this day we have steamed up the river much as the previous days and the scenes we have passed through, the country generally has been very much like what is all along the river, though generally the country to-day has not been so well settled or cultivated. Well, I am thankful our journey has been so successful, and that nothing has occurred to sorrow over. We feel we are a good ways from home and almost out of the nation, still are confident of soon starting back. Some of the troops with us have got much less time to stay to complete their three year's service than we, and all admit only a few troops are needed here after the Rebs are parolled, so we all hope soon to be "homeward bound". The prospect of seeing you all soon seems so certain I love to cherish the thought. Almost every day as soon as I am alone, or my mind free from care I seize upon the thought of meeting my home. I think of how eagerly my hope will grow as I near M— and once safely there & to only go from the cars to the house how my heart will throb with joy. I try to think how glad I shall be to meet you all alive, but see, I cannot fully realize it till the happy time comes. Then I am sure words cannot half express my feelings. But I will not dwell longer upon a hope that may never be realized. All is entrusted to God and whatever the future is let His will be done in reference to us all. I shall expect you all will be fully prepared to give me your opinion and wishes about what I had better do next. When home again I shall be compelled to decide what employment to do next, and I have never told you my feelings in the matter that I may have the free & honest wishes of each one. For my part I want to do what pleases you all if possible, & I shall hope to fully satisfy your wishes, and earnestly desire to do what will be for the highest good of you all, and so discharge as far as possible my duties to you all. I hope never to do anything that will conflict with the wishes of you all, much less do anything that shall in the least be to your discredit. And I intend to submit all the great turning points of my life to you for your careful consideration, as much if possible as if under age or younger, & less experienced than you. Such I believe to be my duty & such is the better & happier way. You remember how I submitted to your careful consideration & advice the matter of enlisting. Your advice & wishes were given. I acted, as I believed my duty & the result has proved, I think, the justice of my course. It is getting late so I must close. /

 

June 8^th 1865. This evening finds us very nearly arranged in our new camp at Shreveport. This has been a busy day for it is a big job to debark, move into camp, and get matters running. I have been so busy I have not found time to take a glance around town or hardly stop to look at the little I passed. We are about a mile from the village, but expect in a day or two to move into town and do the guard duty of the place. A few Rebs are found here. It was novel and strange to us to see as we landed Rebs doing duty around town. In going to camp we passed a train of wagons guarded by Rebs. Many were the friendly jokes passed between our boys & the Rebs on this occasion. One of of our boys said, "Jonny is that all your train"? "Yes", is the reply, "and we should not have had half as much had it not been for Banks". Good feeling was manifested everywhere though I could see this result wrought terribly upon the pride of the Rebs. I must leave comments upon the place &c until my next.

 

The weather is very warm now, still very good health prevails. My health is first rate.

 

Being in considerable hurry I must wind up short to night. Much love to all. Direct JPD &c 29^th Wis. Shreveport Department of Trans-Miss via Cairo.

                                                                                               

Your dear brother John

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