Hfe LIBRARY OF jMORYUNiVERsrry ^MluJ i lMM^^ KEITH M. READ CONFEDERATE COLLECTION = inn iiiiiniinnTra ki l llllllllllll ftMiMi1 (i Mfi1 i 1i1f i ^ il inii 1 fili1 fii n f i 1i ni fili hfi [ i ii1il(1 i'rfrfrff .- : - ° ~-_ ." B P>j;i — - CI . i RECORD OF THE 114W KEGIMENT, X Y S. V WHERE IT WENT, WHAT IT SAW, AND WHAT IT DID. " They invited me; Still question'd me the story of my life, From year to year j the battles, sieges, fortunes, " * That I have passed. * 1 did consent." Othello. BY Dr. HAEEIS H. BEECHEE, LATE ASSISTANT-SURGEON. NORWICH, N T.: PUBLISHED BY J. F. HUBBARD, Jb. 1866 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, By Hakbis H. Beecheb, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of New York. , TO THK MEMORY OP OUR LAMENTED COLONEL, m\$M gj. #witft, THE PATRIOT .-oLIpIK::. THE TKl'K MAN, THE DENIAL i < A'PANTON, TI[E liKNUCiirs friend; AMI •>;-' A L L I' R V A L L E X C MRADES WHO HKKO[('.\LI,Y -Al'Ri KK'KI I TKKI1C LIVES IN DEFENSE OF THEIR rol NTRY's KI,.V1>, THIS VOLUME W AKI'KCTIOXA'L'P.LV 1.NSCR1BKJI. PREFACE. To perpetuate the services of the gallant men serving in the late war of the Rebellion, in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment Xew York State Volunteers, and to bring to view some phases of army life not hitherto considered, this volume is offered to the public. In presenting it, the author, while he feels conscious of having used every exertion in his power to make the work accurate and interesting, does not claim exemption from those imperfections which are necessarily ever attendant upon works of this kind. When it is considered that this book will come before many who upon some portions of the record herein contained have better means of infor- mation than the writer himself, it is not strange that a degree of embarrassment should be experienced. And then, the same events, it must be recollected, witnessed by many persons, are remembered differently, and leave unlike impressions on the mind. Tn addition to extensive journals and memoranda kept by the author throughout his service, he has been kindly furnished with the journals and memoranda of others, which in the main have been cor- roborative of each other, or at least have enabled him to arrive at inure correct results. Large portions of the manuscript have likewise been submitted to those most capable of judging of its correctness, iliat.no errors might creep into the work which it were possible by aiiv means to avoid. U PKEPACE. In the preparation of the Register, which appears in the form of an Appendix, and which will be found to be a valuable part of the Record, especial pains have been taken to secure its fidelity. Yet, to assert that there are no errors of omission or commission, of name or data, when we remember the imperfections of all things human. would be an unwarrantable assumptiou. To enumerate the names of all who have given us verbal and written statements and interesting incidents tending to enhance the value and truthfulness of our labors, would be impossible. We are, however, none the less thankful for their many favors and expressions of encouragement. To Lieutenant Robert N. Eddy, a gentleman of the strictest integ- rity, and of conceded ability, we are especially indebted for the val- uable aid he has rendered us in the preparation of this work. We tender our grateful acknowledgements to the editors and pub- lishers of Newspapers throughout the District, for their notices of <mr efforts, and also to those who have kindly given us free access to their files. When the reminiscences of the war through which we have passed shall become as old as the legends of the Revolution, then it is that the labors. of the true historian will be read and appreciated ; and the children's children of those who have been participants in the scenes of this wonderful drama will rise up and call him blessed. With these remarks, trusting that the perusal of this volume will be as pleasant and profitable as has been the writing, the author sub- mits the result of his labors to his friends and a generous public. Norwich, X. Y., Jan., 18ti6. — CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1. Introductory Remarks Page 11. CHAPTER II. The President's Call—The 114th raised in the 23d Senatorial District—The Organ- ization of a Company, and of a Regiment—Meeting of the Citizen's Commit- tee—Appointment of General Bruce—He Declines—Colonel Smith Appointed —He Accepts—Complimentary Notices of Colonel Smith— Appointment of other Officers—Rendezvous Established at Norwich—Recruiting 15 CHAPTER IIP Raising of the Different Companies—Co. A from Oxford—A Reception, anci Speech by Colonel Smith—Co. B from Norwich—The First Man who Enlisted Co. D from Eaton and Lebanon—Flag Presentation—Co. E from Greene- Presentation of "Soldier's Kits"—Co. 1" from Sherburne and New Berlin Captain Colwell and Lieutenant Foote Unite their Labors—Co. G from Hamil- ton and Brookueld—Speech in Leonardsville by the Hon. W. H. Brand—Co. H from Five Counties and Fifteen Townships— Co. I from Otselic— Silver Dol- lars from Mr. Parce— Co. K from Cazenovia—Parting Scene? 2:5 CHAPTER TV <!amp Doty—Accomodations for the Soldiers—Bill of Fare—The Original Roster —Presents to Companies B and C— Bounty Paid—Allotment Commissioners- Attending Divine Service—Muster-in—Furlough—Costly Presents to Colonel Smith and Per Lee—Presentation Speech—Reply of Colonel Smith—Farewell Address by the Rev Mr. Searls 4'J CHAPTER V Final Leave-taking—A Ride on the Canal—Arrival at Oxford and Greene—A Great Reception in Binghamton—On the Railroad—<'hange Cars at Elmira—Scenes by the Wayside—At Baltimore—A March through the City— A Night's Rest in 'he Ruins of a Depot 51 — IV -ONTK.NTS. CHAPTER VI. Another March through the City—Camp Belger—Description of the Camp—Get- ting Settled—The New Gune—Daily Camp Duties—A Detail at West Ware House Hospital—Another Detail at the Medical Purveyors—Co. I at Camden Street Hospital—Co. Pat Stewart's Mansion Hospital—Co. Eat Camden Station—Co. H at Upper Marlborough—Oo. K at McKim's Mansion Hospital—Grand Rounds —The Regiment Brigaded—Orders to be Ready for Distant Service 01 (J H A P T E R V I I. Breakiing Camp—Marching to the Docks—Embarking on the Atlantic, the Araiio and the Thames—Amusing Scenes—Stuck on a Sand Bar—Under Headway A Sail down the Chesapeake—Fortress Monroe—Historic Scenery— Drilling on the Beach—Newport News—Living i'i Log Barracks—Visit to Norfolk—The Village of Hampton—An Ancient Church—Unhealthy Regiment 74 (HI APT Ell 'VI IT. Banks' Expedition Sails to Sea— Nautical Sights—A Heavy Sea—The Engine of the Thames Breaks Down—Signal of Distress—The Storm Increases—The Srianon Comes to the Rescue—Unavailing Efforts to get Communication be- tween the Vessels—Dangerous Experiment—Imminent Danger—All is Safe A Hawser is Secured—The Gale Becomes more Furious—A Terrible Night of Fear and Anxiety—Morning Breaks—The Storm Continues—The Hawser Parts —Another Perilous Moment—The Gale Abates—" Land Ho !" —Port Royal Har- bor—The Thames Condemned S4 C II A P T E K IX. Going Ashore—The Village of Hilton Head —Transferred to the Barque Volti<mir —Out of Sight of Laud —The Bahama Banks and the Island of Cuba—A Sorry Christmas Day on the Water—Ship Island—Under Way Again—A Burial at Sea —South-West Pass —Up the Mississippi—Tropical Scenery—New Orleans— Dis- embarking at Carrollton—Tents Pitched at Camp Mansfield 03 II A P T K P X. The Voyages of the Atlantic and the Arago—They Safely Kode the Gale— A Thrill- ing Spectacle—Living in the Sand on Ship Island—A Dull Life in Quarantine- Interesting Episode—The Old Battle Ground—" Colored" Account of the Cap- ture of New Orleans—Doing Duty on the Mississippi River 101 C II A P T E U X I. The Village of Carrollton—The Creole Inhabitants—Breaking up Camp Mansfield —Queer Vessel—Arrival at Algiers—The Opelousas Railroad—Ride on the Cars —Co. F at Jefferson—Co. K at St. Charles—Co. E at Bontte— Co. H at Bayou des Allemands—Co. I at Raceland— Co. C iittu Fourche—Co. D at Terrebonne Co. G at Tigerville—Co. B at, Bayou Boeuf—Co. A at Bayou Ramos— Pleas- ant Reminiscences—Insight of Southern Life—Organization of the 19fh Corps —The Reserve Brigade—Regiment Ee-imited at Brashear City In,; ——A ( INTENTS. V CHAPTER XII. The Two " Cities" on Berwick's Bay—Topography and Hydrography of Louisiana —Bayoux and Swamps—Accident to Co. B—Death of Lieutenant Gilbert—An- noyances of the Climate —Particulars of Life in Camp Reno—Spicy Correspon dence between Colonel Smith and Rebel Citizens—General Weitzel Drills the Regiment—Nightly Alarms 11! a CHAPTER XIII. t'A Big Skedaddle"—Retreat to Bayou Boeaf—Graphic Description of the Mud — Visit of General Banks—Droves of Contrabands—Accumulation of an Immense Army—"April Pool"—March to Brashear City—Preparations for a Campaign Crossing Berwick's Bay—Signal Flags—The First Bivouac—Geography of the Country, and the Plan of the Campaign 12$ C HAPTER XI V The Opening of the Teche Campaign—Grover's Division Sails—March Along th e- Atchafalaya—Few Rebels in Sight—Bivouac at Pattersonville—Some Offensive- Rations of Meat—The March Resumed—Fatiguing Labors in the Cane Fields- Sudden Attack—The Battle of Bisland—Terrific Firing— Quiet Night—An En- tire Day of Fighting—The Rebels have Fled—The Men Triumphantly Enter the- Works— List of Casualties—Complimentary Note 1 3T HAPTER XV The Fertility of the Country—The Propensities of the Soldiers—Ludicrous Sights —The Demonstrations of the Slaves— •' Rally on the Preserves " —A Skirmish Franklin Occupied—The Gunboat Diana Blown Dp—Great Strategy by General' Grover—The Army Riding— Laughable Scenes—New Iberia—The Attakapas- Region—Marching on the Prairie—Violent Thunder Storm—The 114th Ordered to Return—Glowing Order from General Banks 14* (J HA 1'T K it X VI.