drum corps played a national air; at 6 o'clock we commenced to embark
on the steamer Champion, and by 9 o'clock all were on board ready to
weigh anchor and stem the current of the Mississippi river. The morning
of the 12th found us at the mouth of the river, and we were overtaken
by a storm which lasted several days. On the 14th the sea was so rough
that it broke over the hurricane deck. On the 15th inst. we had a
pleasant sail; we passed the rebel ram Stonewall. Friday, 15th, head
wind. Saturday, 17th, was pleasant, and the first calm day we had.
Sunday, the 18th, was clear and cold. The 19th inst. we encountered a
storm off Cape Hatteras, which lasted until the 21st. At 12 o'clock the
wind changed and drove us ahead with great rapidity, and on the 22d,
at 9 A.M., to the joy of all on board, we arrived in New York Harbor.
We remained on board the Champion until 2 P.M. and then marched off
the transport and paraded through the principal streets of the city
and were received with gratitude amid great cheers from the citizens.
The boys of the 29th were feeling somewhat indignant in reference to
the treatment they received from their State, it not giving them their
rights. But we forgot it for the time, from the manner in which the
citizens of New York received us.
As we paraded down Broadway, opposite the St. Nicholas hotel, the City
Council run out the national and state colors, borne by a colored
man. When the boys looked up and saw the colors, they gave three
tremendous cheers. We went down Broadway to the Park and quartered in
the barracks, where we were decently accommodated with refreshments and
hospitality.
We remained in New York until the 23d; and at 7 A.M. we marched to
the steamboat landing where the steamer Granite State was waiting to
take us up the East River, to Hartford, a distance of one hundred
and fifty miles. The Granite State struck on a bar and was unable to
arrive at Hartford until the morning of the 24th inst. The villages
were illuminated on our way. On the morning of the 25th we arrived at
Hartford, and a great reception was made for us. We paraded through the
principal streets and encamped on an open lot in the south part of the
city, until the morning of the 26th inst., at 8 o'clock, when we were
ordered to "fall in," and were paid off in part. Afterwards the men
broke ranks and returned in their homes.