On board the Steamer North

Western at the Levee St Louis

Mo. Thursday 5 ockl PM May 1^st 1862

 

Yesterday when I wrote we were expecting to start in an hour but a soldier never knows when he is going or where he is going. They all started from the Barracks yesterday afternoon except Comp. I & F. We kept ourselves in readiness to start and about 11 o'clk to-day we were ordered to march & accordingly started. We have been riding through the dust; sitting still hours at a time on our horses; and getting our horses &c on the boat. We are having a fine view of the River, Boats, City &c. The weather is fine & pleasant. The boys begin to think we are going to Pittsburg instead of Cape Girardeau because much of the freight is marked "Pittsburg." / Perhaps they are right. I do not know and it does not worry me in the least, a soldier must march when told, march straight ahead and not try to think or question where he is going, or what will be the consequences.

 

Lieut Merrill started with his Cmd. Monday he sends his respect to Father and all the rest of you. He says he means to write to Father, has been trying to find time to for a long while, and finally did begin one a letter late one evening after business was over but was so tired that he fell asleep before it was half done. Merrill is one of the very best officers in the reg. He works hard all the time for the good of "his boys" as he calls them, And there is not one in his company but thinks the world of / him.

 

St Louis May 2^nd 3 P.M.

            Last night evening I staid on the North Western while she was receiving her loading till about 8 o'clock. I had lain down on the hurricane deck with my saddle for my pillow, my blanket over me, and my sabre, revolver and cartridge box strapped to me, thinking that the boat, which was nearly loaded, would soon start and that I would have quite a decent night's rest, when word came that some of our baggage wagons having wild mules had not arrived, had got into trouble, one of the drivers had been run over with the heavily laden wagon and his legs crushed to a pomice, and that men were wanted to help them in. I, with others, was detailed for the purpose and told to make all haste. I left all / my clothing, blankets &c. lying on the deck thinking I should be back soon I did not have time to see any of my friends to get them to take charge of my things, except that I gave my arms to Lieut Cooper. We went and bro't in the teams but were too late for the boat—it had gone. About 12 o'cl'k I managed to get on a wharf boat, where I was fortunate enough to get a mattress to lie on which by the way was the softest bed I have lain on for months, but my blankets were gone & I had none to put over me. However, I passed the night quite comfortably. I feel a little uneasy about my things for there is so much stealing going on, not only by soldiers, but by citizens from soldiers, that one's things are not safe when out of his sight. If they are lost I think that loss should not be mine for I was ordered to leave them by an officer. We have been lounging around the Levee all day in the warm sun, watching the mules and baggages I have now got into shade of a building, & amid the incessant clatter of drays & other vehicles over the stone pavement, am trying write. When we shall get a boat to take us to join our reg. I cannot tell. It may be to night & there may be days first.

 

I would like to go about the City some but a soldier traveling about without a pass, or papers to / show that he is sent on some business, is liable to be arrested by the guards, which are stationed all over the city, & imprisoned. There is a guard stationed all along the Levee and to give you a little insight into their doings I will relate what I observed in the course of a few minutes this morning. The officer of the guard to day has Lieut's straps on. I walk leisurely up to him & enter into conversation. He is very talkative. He is going to do things up right—everybody must toe the mark. Here come some men in soldiers clothes. "Halt" says the guard "what business have you here?"

 

"We've been wounded & discharged"

 

"Show your papers." The papers are shown & they pass on.

 

Now comes an Irtish laborer with two old dirty satchels stuffed full / in his hands. "Halt" what have you there?"

 

"Only a ould things"

 

"Open your duds let's see 'em."

 

The Irishman proceeds to open them but is not quite fast enough for the officer who rips out. "Take your knife cut 'em open—don't be all day about it."

 

The "duds" are unpacked. They are old socks, a frock, overalls, pants &c.

 

The officer says, "There is nothing contraband there I guess—pack up quick & be gone."

 

Looking up the street we see a negro coming with soldiers clothes on. The officer's eye kindles with rage as he says "Then comes a d—d nigger with soldiers clothes,—he's no business with that uniform—he shant have U.S. buttons on I'll cut 'em off." Up comes the negro "Halt—Where did you get them clothes?" The negro speaks almost like a human being. "Well sir—I'm in the employ of Major Smith—he gave them to me /

 

"Don't you know that you've no business to wear 'em? Uncle Sam don't have any G—d d—d niggers for soldiers. Cut them buttons off quick!" The negro, not wit frightened replied boldly,

 

"I shant do sir!

 

Then I'll do it." & the officer took out his knife.

 

"You'd better not. I tell you, you'll get in trouble with Maj. Smith"

 

"I don't care for Maj. Smith or all the cussed niggers in the country." and he cut the buttons off one by one while the negro stood still. When they were all off the officer turned to me and with a triumphant air said, "That's the way I serve em. How do you like to see a G—d d—d nigger struttin round with U.S. Buttons on?" I replied that "I could not see but they were becoming to a negro as any one" / He cast a look of contempt on me, turned on his heel and walked away. I have given but an outline of what was said but it will serve to show you what contempt negros are held in by some people here. This officer is a Missourian.

 

If I can manage to get to the P.O. I will to night send you this letter from

 

                                                                                    Your husband

                                                                                                C. P. Goodrich

 

My health is very good now

 

            If you can read this you can do well

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