Wednesday 23^rd March. We are all quiet at the “Port of Alexandra.” No signs of any movement except the arrival of Bank’s Cavalry, and this morning, perhaps 3 Regts. of Darkies from Port Hudson, arrived by steamboat. Foraging parties are out to-day from our Brigade Q.M. M^cCall and all his forces are off. The river is rising fast and I think we will start up the river soon, in a day or two at least. The weather is pleasant, but cool nights. last night there was a [?] front which is said to be unusual here at this season of the year. The boat that was supposed had a mail for us came from N. Orleans and of course had none, much to my regret. In some of their skirmishing around the country our forces have captured several prisoners, and are said to be bringing them in. I have not been on shore but once since yesterday morning, or in fact the evening before. consequently I dont know much only what I hear. But they say the Darkies are to hold this country and will do Provost Guard Duty here—among the Secesh. I am glad if this is true. The boats that came up yesterday brought St. Louis papers of the 12^th inst. which is the latest news we have had. and we were glad to get even the small amt. of news the papers of that date contain. They sold readily for 25 cents. I was not ashore and did not get one. Capt. H. has the ague again and I am afraid he will be sick, and I do not want to command the Co. now, / for I am not very well myself. I have nothing to write this A.M. will perhaps have something after dinner. I know you will be tired & have to rest before you finish reading this letter.

 

            Afternoon. I have been to the camp of the 27^th Iowa, where are some old acquaintances from Peoria. They were at a funeral, burying a man that was wounded at the taking of Ft. DeBussey, and lingering along, died last night. I also hear from good authority that day before yesterday our forces captured 300 men & 500 Horses belonging to a La. Regt. mostly living in this town & vicinity. They are comfortable I hope in the Court House, where they are closely guarded. I have not been in the village since I was on guard as we are below the town 1/4 of a mile. I was in the country a short distance, 1/2 mile perhaps, to the 27^th Iowa. One thing that seems nice are the Hedges. They are a kind of rose, very thick & full of leaves. a few days ago they were full of blossoms. There are some yet, but they are very frail. I was going to get a few to send to you but they would not bear transportation. I send you a few leaves, which will be interesting from the fact that they are from “Dixie’s land.” Our foraging parties have returned found nothing but sugar. They say Bank’s Cavalry has cleaned the country of forage. Perhaps we will soon be off, if we can forage here no more, to a country where we can. I hope though we will get a mail before we start. I met Capt. Agey to-day. he inquired if I would be glad to have a letter from you. I said nothing about his Baby. /

 

Thursday 24^th I have been to the village this morning. Maj. Warner has been appointed Provost Marshall, and I wished to see him and ask him to have me detailed in his Dept. He told me he had no place for me, that he had left everything as he found it, but that he was wishing to make a change if he was allowed to, and that he would like to have me detailed to command the Guard, which consists of 160 men at present, and in case he was allowed to do so he would make the change. I hope he will succeed for I would like the place. It would not be hard work but would keep me busy, and I would be exempt from any hard duty with the Regt. in the way of marches long & tedious. This morning very early 4 o’clock my room mate Lieut Carpenter was detailed to go to New Orleans in charge of some prisoners. I thought of sending my letter with him to mail there. But it was not ready. It was cold in the cabin, the lamps were “dimly burning” and I thought I had as well await a chance from here, which may come in a day or two. The report this morning is that we are to wait for Gen. Banks who is daily expected. That his Infty will be here to-day or to-morrow &c &c. all of which may or may not be true. rumor further saith that the new State Govt. of La will be organized here and that this place is to be fortified and held as a permanent post, which may also be true—or false— /

 

The wind this morning from the S.E. is very chilly. my overcoat was not uncomfortable, this weather is said to be very unusual here. indeed it is very chilly, and there has been a front or two since we arrived. The next boat to us here at the landing appears like an old acquaintance, “Northern Line” “William L. Ewing.” in the Wheel House—you have often seen it I am sure—the 14^th Iowa is on board, or at least is when on the move. I will try and fill the rest of this sheet after dinner.

 

Afternoon. I have had my dinner and my nap of 2 hours, and now I must try & finish my to-days writing to you. In the first place I want to tell you that the buttons that cost me a quarter in Columbus are all off my shirts, and I have none to put on. Oh that unscrupulous money loving Jew! Then another thing I have had my whiskers cut off, or a portion, I mean, actually shaved. Among the military here it is fashionable to wear no beard except on the chin & upper lip, and I am ashamed to say I was weak enough to conform to this fashion, what for or for what reason I am unable to tell. But I shall make amends for all this by letting it grow again as heretofore. to-day we have had cold weather as stated above, & a slow rain. now it is warm and pleasant as ever. Gen. Banks & Staff have arrived and we will hear of some movement soon perhaps, though it is reported that the Gen is not much for fight. This letter contains or will 2 sheets of secesh paper, unruled, closely written, and still I am not done— /

 

Friday, A.M. March 25. The “South Wester” with a guard of 150 men on board, went down the River this morning 20 miles after wood. We are now tied to the bank, the boat I mean, and while a number of Soldiers and Darkies are loading the wood, I will write you a line or two, for the boat when in motion is too unsteady to write aboard of. I have nothing but rumors to write this morning. In the first place Gen. Banks transports are to here to day. To-morrow the Gunboats start up stream and next day the transports and [line obscured in paper fold] march on the south side of the river. It is also said by every body that the Rebels cannot fight any more on this side of the river, that they are too much disheartened, that they have but few heavy guns, and finally not many men, if they were all together. a boat came up the river this morning from Vicksburg direct and I am anxious to get back hoping it brought a mail and letters from you, which I shall be very glad to get. I fear my detail with Maj. Warner will be a failure, if we are [line obscured by paper fold] I shall not care much if we get through with this Expedition and return to the Miss. River soon. I am tired of this Red River region and want to get away from it, if possible. Still I am comfortably situated, have plenty rations, a nice bed to nap on, &c. but still it is irksome very—I do but little duty in fact there is but little now for any one to do. /

 

I cut a letter from the Mo. Republican, which I enclose, on the “Sherman Raid.” You may have read all about it in the papers, but this is all I have seen in reference to it. The writer was with the 17^th Army Corps, but it is in the main correct I imagine. It is very like the experience of the 16^th A.C. much of the firing and skirmishing of which he writes was within hearing of, for the roads on which the troops marched were only a few miles apart, from 5 to 8 miles. The Lieut Col W^m J. Clark mentioned as having had his horse [?]led under him is from Davenport. You [obscured by paper fold] Adjutant Genl. of the 17^th Army Corps, and is as much of a ---- as Tyner, who is now half drunk all the time. The day or night rather that the 16^th passed the 17 A. Corps was a very hard march. Did not get in camp till 11 1/2. Would have been left, but the wagon master kindly allowed me his horse to ride a couple of miles. On the night of the 11^th did not get into camp till 12. midnight, and was on the march again at 6 1/2 in the morning and did not get to camp till sunset. I only slept 2 1/2 hours that night. Short rations and hard marches. I am surprised that I endured it. It was not till the storm commenced that I gave out. I came into Vicksburg pretty effectually “used up.” Still I do not regret my trip. I am glad I was along, and shall always think of the march and exposure with a feeling of pride, and glad that I shared its toils with the rest. It was amusing to hear some of those savage war men “no compromise with rebels” and “a vigorous prosecution of the war” on their / flag find fault with the management of affairs, and abuse the officers, from the last made 2^nd Lieut. up to the Maj Genl Commanding. all had to bear a share of their cursings. It was fun. hear abolitionists abuse and curse the Darkie persuasion was another source of fun for me. There are not as many abolitionists in our Regt as heretofore. Still there are enough. One thing I noticed in our own Regt during the trip I will not soon forget. A wagon was used to haul knapsacks for the sick & tired. one poor fellow who had carried his knapsack at least 250 miles was sick on his feet. someone asked permission of a Dr to have it hauled was granted. He waited till the wagon came up. w

was told it was loaded and nothing more could go

at the same time in the wagon riding, was a great

lar Darkie sick. The Soldier threw away a knaps

had already carried too far, and which he would

pay for, out of his wages of $13 per month, and tr

satisfied perhaps that it was all right that a Soldier

suffer that a Darkie might be taken care of. I

see it rightly. But the boat is getting ready to start

with [obscured by paper fold]

 

dont write a little less each time. Hoping a mail awaits us at Alexandra I will close for this A.M.

 

8 1/2 P.M. We have returned to our old landing at Alexandra this moment. There is no mail for us, and a rumor that we are to march 28 miles, or start, at 6 A.M. to-morrow, and then embark again on the boats. I am afraid this is true, and that we will get no mail before we start. It is the order. /

 

I will leave this letter here and it will no doubt be sent off in a day or so. The object of this march is to lighten the boats over the rapids, as there is not a very good stage of water in the river. Genl Banks Infantry has arrived the 13^th & 19^th Army Corps. I do not know what such an amt. of troops can be wanted for, on this trip, for everybody says the Rebels will not fight. That in fact they cannot in this country. owing to my inability to march with comfort, I shall stay on board the boat. I am afraid I shall not have [paper fold and break] you regularly as heretofore

 

                        s trip, and hope I shall get your letters sometime

                        I must close this long letter. I have spent a good

                        writing it, and I have not time now to read it. It

                        contain some repetitions, but you will take your time

                        it. Goodnight.

 

                                                                                    Your Husband

                                                                                                Collins.

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