Camp at Morganzia, La.
On picket with the western men--Smallpox appears--A pay-day
misunderstanding--Building Fort Morgan--Fourth of July
dinner--General Order 88--The army moving away.
_May 22, 1864._
_Sunday._ The sun was shining bright, and the flies were crawling over
my bloody face, and hands when I awoke. Tony had got in and had found
some hard-tack and a piece of beef for my breakfast. The skeletons of
the cattle were picked clean. The field looked like a battleground. Men
were stretched on the ground everywhere and in every position, and
others were picking their way about among them. But unlike a
battlefield, the dead began to rise up and move about. At 8 o'clock the
order "Fall in" came and soon after we started again. I had to walk on
my heel, for something was grinding the ends of my toes off. No
attention was paid to the order of our going; it was simply a question
of going at all. We only went about a mile, when we stopped in a grove
of big trees between the road and the river, and preparations for
camping were soon under way. Captain Laird appeared and took charge of
his company. He said he had lost us while fighting fire in Alexandria. I
joined the multitude in the river. The dirt our clothes and our bodies
had picked up on the way was astonishing. Enough of it to make a garden
was soon floating down the river. My feet were in terrible shape, one
much worse than the other. The blisters had broken and bled and the dirt
had formed a scab, which had acted like a grater on the raw flesh
underneath.
A good swim in the river and a good beating of our clothes, together
with a good dinner after it, made the world seem different to all of us.
The hard tramp was over and we cared little what came next. The 90th
had had the hardest time of all. We had to hustle from the rear to the
front with the pontoons, marching mile after mile and hour after hour,
while others were sleeping soundly by the way. Upon comparing notes I
had the satisfaction of knowing I was the only white man in the regiment
that had walked the entire distance. Every other one confessed to having
ridden some part of the way. From the time we formed in line at Yellow
Bayou until we stopped at Morgan's Bend was forty-one hours of hard
marching, on scant rations and with less than an hour's sleep all put
together. I had heard and read of forced marching, and now that I had
taken part in one, I was ready to believe anything that was ever said or
written on the subject. Major Palon's prophecy that I would find plenty
of filling for my diary had certainly come true. I have only skimmed
over the account, but will never forget the rest. It would fill a book
if written out, and then only give a faint idea of the reality. The
sufferings of the horses and mules made me sick at heart. Men, when they
could go no farther, said so and gave up trying, but the poor beasts'
sufferings went right on until neither whip nor spur could get another
move out of them.
_May 23, 1864._
_Monday._ The army of stragglers kept coming in. They were gathered in a
bunch and then sorted out and sent to their respective commands. Our
tents arrived and were put up, and we began to live like folks again.
Smallpox had by this time begun to develop, and a tent was put up
outside the camp and such as showed the symptoms sent to it. We have all
been exposed and may all have it, but a trifle like that does not worry
us after what we have lived through. Some of the men have had the
disease and they are to be used in nursing the others.
A nice little shower came up toward night which washed the dust from the
leaves and grass, leaving everything about us beautiful. The smallpox is
the only enemy in sight now, and that we can neither shoot nor run away
from. The best thing about it is that one stands just as good a chance
as another, and no better.
_May 24, 1864._
_Tuesday._ Thomas Dorsey, one of the brightest of my company, is dead.
Before I knew what ailed him, I had done all I could to make him
comfortable, even to giving him my blanket to keep him off the ground.
His death scared the others so they could not be got near his tent. As I
had been exposed as much as it was possible to be, I rolled him up in
his blanket and dragged him into a hole that had been dug outside the
tent and covered him up.
_May 25, 1864._
_Wednesday._ All hands have been vaccinated. All stood in line and as
fast as the job was done the line moved up until all had had a dose.
This is the fourth or fifth time I have been vaccinated in the army, and
so far nothing has come of it. In the afternoon I borrowed the
adjutant's horse and went with Sol and Gorton for a ride. They both have
the shakes yet. Stragglers kept coming in, among them being Sergeant
Nace, who has not yet found his regiment. When he found we had smallpox
he cut short his visit. He is a dead beat, I thought so before and am
sure of it now. I hope his regiment will find him, if he don't find it.
The picket lines are well out, and videttes are still farther out. This
gives us a large territory to feel at home in. The enemy is said to be
hovering around on the outside, but give us no trouble. Maybe they, too,
are tired and are taking a rest.
_May 26, 1864._
_Thursday._ Nothing happened to-day worth telling of. I am detailed for
picket duty to-morrow.
_May 27, 1864._
_Friday._ With a horse to ride and a company of men from a western
regiment, I went out about one and a half miles to relieve a part of the
picket line. Quite an army goes out every day, for the line about our
present stopping-place is many miles in length. I had about half a mile,
almost all the way through bushes and wet ground. An empty house near
one end of the line was my headquarters, and from there I hobbled over
the line every two hours, the line being too rough to ride. I was not
called out once, everything being quiet along my line, and I heard no
calls from those on either side of me. The officer of the day came round
as often as he could ride the line, and at midnight the grand rounds
came.
Sol and Gorton came out and brought me a supper and visited me until I
had to go over the line. Orders were very strict at night to halt
everything. An Irishman on one of the posts asked me if he should halt a
pig if he came along, and I repeated the order to "halt everything." At
midnight, when I went over the line with the grand rounds, there was
fresh pork frying at that post, and as the orders were strictly against
foraging I said to the man, "You paid for the pig, didn't you?" "Yes,
sor," said he; "it's only the loikes of them Indiana fellers that'll
steal." That almost made me yell, for the grand officer was colonel of
an Indiana regiment that were noted foragers. He grinned at the joke on
him, and with that one adventure we reached the end of the line, where I
turned him over to the next and came back. I got a generous slice of the
stolen pig for my breakfast.
_May 28, 1864._
_Saturday._ The night wore away and at 9 A. M. the new guard came. After
my line was relieved I marched them back to guard headquarters to
discharge them. A new order, that no loaded guns be allowed in camp, had
come out, and I took them to the river bank to fire off the guns. I
noticed that the gun next to me did not go off and told the man of it.
He tried it again and still it didn't go. I then pricked some powder in
the tube and snapped it, and as it didn't go off I tried the ramrod to
see if it was loaded. The gun was nearly half full of something, and
upon taking it to the armorer, who took out the breach, found the first
charge had the bullet end down. The man could not account for it, but
probably in the excitement of the Yellow Bayou fight he had got rattled
and kept loading every time he snapped the gun. It is said such things
do happen in volley firing, but I never before saw anything of the kind.
I was glad enough the first charge was wrong end up. There were six
charges in the gun and something must have happened if the first charge
had exploded.
I then returned to our camp and slept till night.
_May 29, 1864._
_Sunday._ This was to be our pay day, and little else was thought of or
talked about all the morning. A number of us were in Colonel Parker's
tent when the adjutant congratulated me on getting full pay, with no
reduction for the time I was absent without leave; that the rolls had
been passed upon at headquarters and no reduction made. Colonel Parker
said it could not be. The record had never been cleared, and if the
paymaster was informed of the fact I wouldn't get any pay at all. After
some talk, in which some took one view and some another, the matter was
dropped and I thought no more about it until told by the paymaster, when
I stepped up for my $415, that I could get no pay until an investigation
was had and the rolls cleared. I was mad clear through, and I was
terribly disappointed, too. I first found out that the colonel had done
it and then went and gave him a piece of my mind. He laughed the matter
off, but he was just as mad as I. I forgot about his being my superior,
and I wonder he didn't put me under arrest. I certainly gave him plenty
of excuse for doing it. I had no right to talk as I did, but I had
plenty of reason, and I have not yet got to the point where I am sorry
for doing it. I reminded him that although I was absent from my regiment
for a few days without leave, I was on duty in another, and earning my
pay, while he and the rest of them were loafing in camp at Lakeport. I
can't imagine why Colonel Parker has so suddenly turned against me. So
far as I know he has no reason for it, and if he knows of one, he is not
man enough to tell. So I must live on borrowed money for another two
months, and affairs at home must get along the best way they can. Maybe
it all comes from his hobby, "The good of the service," which he so
often quotes.
_May 30, 1864._
_Monday._ I made an application for an investigation of my reasons for
being absent without leave, and Colonel Parker endorsed and sent it to
headquarters. The matter has blown over for the present. From all I can
hear, the colonel is ashamed of the shabby trick he played me. If
Colonel Bostwick had been here instead of at headquarters, I don't
believe the thing would have been thought of. Colonel Parker is like
some others I have seen. A little authority makes a fool of him.
A fort is being built just above here and our men are to work on it. We
have a new doctor. Dr. Henry, Dr. Warren having been detached. He is
doing all he can to stop the spread of smallpox, and as no new cases
have developed in several days now we think the worst may be over.
_May 31, 1864._
_Tuesday._ Was in camp all day writing.
_June 1, 1864._
_Wednesday._ Moved camp up the river to where the fort is being
built,--that is, all the well ones. Hallisy, our new sutler, came to-day
with a full stock of goods. He belonged to the 6th Michigan; was
wounded at Port Hudson. Shot through the arm and the wound would not
heal and he was discharged. Not wishing to go home, his comrades chipped
in for a box of cigars, which he peddled out among the soldiers and was
able to buy more and continue peddling. He was soon able to make trips
to the city for anything needed by his comrades, and in a short time was
doing quite a business. He is honest and trustworthy in every way, and
when he asked to be appointed sutler for the 90th he had all the
recommendations the officers could give. He is a money-maker and will
get rich if the war lasts long enough, yet he is so fair and square in
all his dealings that no one ought to begrudge him the money he makes.
He brought our mail and in the bundle were seven letters for me, and
none of them had any bad news in them.
_June 2, 1864._
_Thursday._ Was on detail at the fort. Officers of the engineer corps
have the work in charge. They have stakes stuck everywhere with marks on
them that they may understand, but surely none of us can. A plan on
paper shows it to be in the form of a star, with a wide and deep ditch
running round it. The dirt from this ditch is being carefully piled up
inside in a bank just like the ditch, so that every foot the ditch goes
down, the bank rises another foot. There is no lack of men or teams. A
detail is made every day of as many men as can work to advantage. On my
section a curious snake or animal was dug out. He came out from a hole
that was cut across as the ditch went down. It looked most like an eel
at first, but a closer examination showed four short legs, not over an
inch long, and armed with toes for digging. The men called it a Congo
snake and seemed to have a superstitious dread of it, for they left the
ditch as soon as it appeared and would not go back until I had killed it
and thrown it out of their sight. A shower broke off the work in the
afternoon and flooded the diggings.
_June 3, 1864._
_Friday._ Was notified that a commission had been appointed to
investigate the stopping of my pay and would meet at brigade
headquarters as soon as practicable. Then we will know. If Colonel
Parker is right I shall apologize for the free speech I gave him. I
wonder if he will do as much if I win out.
_June 5, 1864._
_Sunday._ Captain Laird, who has not been mustered yet, went to Port
Hudson to see about it, to-day. I put in the day visiting and being
visited. While in Sol's tent, and as we lay talking to each other, we
heard a commotion in Colonel Parker's tent, which was close by. Just
then a big black snake slid in under the tent, and stopped when right
between us. His head was well up and he just slid over the ground like a
sleigh crook. Sol's sword was within my reach and I crippled him before
he got any further. Where on earth he could have come from and not be
seen till he entered the colonel's tent is a mystery, for the ground is
as bare as a board all through the camp, and men are all the time moving
about on it. We think he must have crawled under somebody's bunk in the
night, and not liking the quarters had started for the country again.
_June 6, 1864._
_Monday._ Captain Laird came back, saying he was unable to get mustered,
and says he shall throw up the job and go home. Major Palon, who has
been to New Orleans, came on the same boat.
_June 7, 1864._
_Tuesday._ Was called before the commission to show cause why I should
not be punished for being absent without leave. Colonel Fuller of the
73d, Captain Morton, acting assistant adjutant general of the Engineer
Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Parker of the 90th comprised the board.
I was not put under oath, but just told my story and was acquitted. The
findings of the court, however, will have to go to Washington for
approval. Colonel P. was the only one of the 90th who did not
congratulate me. He appears more cranky than ever.
_June 8, 1864._
_Wednesday._ Borrowed $200 and sent home to pay on the place. Went down
to visit the 128th and came near a sunstroke on the way. The weather is
something awful in the middle of the day. I was completely used up when
I got home.
_June 9, 1864._
_Thursday._ I kept very quiet to-day for the heat is harder and harder
for me to bear. Colonel Bostwick, Captain Hoyt, the quartermaster, Moody
and Reynolds all came up from the city, where they have been for a
visit. Orders were received for us to turn over the best drilled of our
men to Major Paine.
_June 10, 1864._
_Friday._ Captain Laird went home to-day, and Company D is mine to look
after again. I have just been able to keep about to-day.
_June 11, 1864._
_Saturday._ On duty as officer of the guard to-day. The duty is nothing,
but the wearing of uniform, with a sword, belt and sash, for twenty-four
hours came near using me up. I thought I would have to beg off, but I
lived through it. There were plenty ready to take my place but were not
allowed to.
_June 12, 1864._
_Sunday._ A friend in the 128th got in trouble and was brought up to see
me. I helped him all I could, but I can't say I pitied him.
_June 13, 1864._
_Monday._ Major Paine came and took 110 of our men. He took all of
Company D, and I am out of a job unless Colonel Parker finds something
for me to do, which I have no doubt he will. Company D made the best
showing in the manual of arms and in marching. Captain Laird has either
taken away or destroyed the company papers, and it took me all day to
get the transfers made out.
_June 14, 1864._
_Tuesday._ On detail at the fort. General Sickles reviewed the troops in
this department to-day, from which we judge another move will soon be
made. General Sickles lost a leg at Gettysburg but he rides just as well
as if he had both. An orderly carried his crutches for him, and a pocket
built on the saddle, in which to rest the stump, answered the purpose of
a stirrup.
_June 15, 1864._
_Wednesday._ Was busy settling up Captain Laird's company affairs, which
is made much harder on account of the original papers being missing.
* * * * *
After the 15th of June the diary is missing. Whether it has been lost,
or whether I no longer kept it going, I cannot now tell. From papers in
my possession, and from quite a vivid recollection of the events that
made up those last days of my army life, I am able to give a pretty good
account of it up to my home-coming.
We remained at Morganzia until about the middle of July, attending to
the routine duties of camp life, and helping at the fort that was
building as we were called upon.
On the fourth of July we had an old-fashioned celebration: one that
doubtless is recalled with pleasure by every survivor of the event. We
borrowed planks from the fort and built a long and wide table with seats
along the sides. Having plenty of both workmen and materials, we spared
no pains to make it a very substantial affair. The regimental colors
were placed in the middle of the table, flanked on either side with
stacks of muskets, each of which had a flag flying from its top.
Everything good to eat, drink or look upon that we could buy, beg or
borrow, was piled upon it. Sutler Hallisy made a special trip to New
Orleans for such things as we could not otherwise get. The planning for
it and the carrying out of the plans took all our spare time for weeks
before. Officers from headquarters and from many of the regiments near
us were invited, and few, if any, failed to accept the invitation. After
the dinner, all that could, made speeches, and many of them were worth
going a long way to hear. Lieutenant Bell distinguished himself, making
what I thought was the best and most appropriate speech of all. All
joined in singing patriotic songs, and many a good story was told. From
start to finish the affair passed off without a hitch. Not a thing
happened to mar the enjoyment of any one present. When it was over, the
men took possession and finished up the eatables, after which they, too,
had speeches and singing and wound up with a dance on the table. Their
part was fully as entertaining as ours had been, and taken altogether,
the day was one to live long in the memory of those present.
Soon after the review of the troops by General Sickles, the great army
that covered the ground for miles about us began to melt away, some
going up the river and some down to other fields of activity. The Red
River campaign was over and nothing left to show for it but the great
waste of men and money it had cost.
The 128th left Morganzia a few days before the fourth of July, thus
missing our great dinner, at which there were mutual regrets. They went
into camp at Algiers for a time and then came North and served out their
time under Sheridan and Grant. The men in our camp that had not already
been transferred were taken to fill up other regiments, and the officers
ordered to New Orleans for muster-out. (See General Order No. 88,
Department of the Gulf, dated July 11, 1864.)
The trouble with Colonel Parker kept sticking up its head and was the
cause of my only unpleasant recollections of those days. I still
suffered from the heat, and it seemed as if I was detailed for guard or
fatigue duty on the hottest days that came. On the 28th of June the sun
came up blazing hot, bidding fair to beat any record it had yet made. I
felt the heat more than common that morning, having been on duty at the
fort the day before, and was congratulating myself on having nothing to
do but keep as cool as possible, when an order came for me to take
Company B out for a two-hours' drill.
This was such a direct slap in the face that I made up my mind it was
time for the worm to turn. As politely as I knew how, I refused to obey
the order, and was at once ordered in arrest and sent to my tent. It was
the first time I had ever known of an officer being detailed for extra
duty two days in succession. I believed I was right and was willing to
await the outcome. In a little while the order for arrest came to me in
writing. I have it yet and it reads:
Special order No. 27. MORGANZIA, LA., June 28, 1864.
2d Lieut. Lawrence VanAlstyne, 90th U. S. C. Infantry is hereby
ordered in arrest for disobedience of orders.
By command of Lt. Col. GEORGE PARKER,
JOHN MATHERS, JR.,
1st Lt. & Adjutant.
The next was a copy of the charges and specifications, which soon after
came and which reads:
HEADQUARTERS 90TH U. S. C. I.
MORGANZIA, LA., June 28, 1864.
Charges and specifications preferred by Lieut. Col. George Parker,
against 2d Lieut. Lawrence VanAlstyne, 90th U. S. C. I.
Charge first.
Disobedience of orders.
Specification. In this that he, the said Lieut. Lawrence VanAlstyne
did when ordered by his commanding officer to drill Co. B, 90th U.
S. C. I., refuse, saying "I refuse to do it," or words to that
effect. This at Morganzia, on or about the 28th day of June 1864.
Charge 2nd.
Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.
Specification. In this that he the said 2nd Lieut. Lawrence
VanAlstyne did when ordered by his commanding officer to drill Co.
B, 90th U. S. C. I., refuse, saying "I refuse to do it" or words to
that effect. This in the hearing and presence of enlisted men. This
at Morganzia, La. on or about the 28th day of June 1864.
Witnesses. George Parker, Dr. Henry, Steward Drury,
Sam Lewis, Corp. Co. B
Henry Jones, Serg't Co. B
The next was a note from the colonel, saying:
Lieut. VanAlstyne's attention is respectfully called to Par. 223,
revised army regulations. Indulgences will be granted upon written
application, but it can hardly be expected that a sick officer will
ask for very large limits.
Respectfully,
GEORGE PARKER,
Lt. Col. Comm'ng.
To none of these did I make reply. In the course of an hour I received
an empty envelope on which was written:
Lieut. L. VanAlstyne has the limits of the camp.
GEORGE PARKER,
Lt. Col. Commanding.
Nothing more happened until the 30th, when the following was received:
HEADQUARTERS 90TH U. S. COLORED INFANTRY,
MORGANZIA, LA., June 30th, 1864.
Special order
No....
2nd Lieut. Lawrence VanAlstyne, 90th United States Colored Infantry
is hereby released from arrest.
By order of
GEORGE PARKER,
Lt. Col. Com'dg
90th U. S. Col'd Inf'y.
JOHN MATHERS, JR.,
1st Lt. and Adj't.
Thus the matter of arrest ended. The charges had been duly forwarded to
headquarters in the field and had been sent back with the single word
"Disapproved" written across the back. I never found out who explained
the matter at the headquarters office, but some one must have done it,
for the charge was a serious one and could hardly have been overlooked
without an investigation.
From that on I suffered such petty persecutions as could be lawfully put
upon me, but otherwise had little more to do with Colonel Parker.