Archives for May 2013

Monday.  No orders to move have yet come, & we are still encamped where we stopped Saturday night.  No salt meat of any kind has been issued to the men for several days & but short rations of fresh, but the boys have.  Made up the deficiency in the last by “detailing” swine in the neighborhood of the city.  Spent most of the day in reading.  In afternoon had a Reg. inspection of arms & ammunition, & a dress parade at 5 ½ o’clock.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Saturday.  Turned out & got breakfast before daylight, but did not start till after sunrise.  I staid behind nearly two hours making a descriptive list of Edwin Young, & writing a letter to secure lodgings & board for him at Brashear City, where he is going.  He has never entirely recovered from the sickness he had at Baton Rouge, & now has a chronic diarrhea that is reducing his strength.  He might get a discharge if the Medical Director were here, or even our own Surgeons, I think, but nothing can be done as things are.  After getting through with Edwin I mounted one of the Chaplain’s horses & rode on in company with him after the Reg. but did not come up with it till we got to Washington—five miles from Opelousas.  Here the Reg. turned into the woods but the side of the road & stacked arms.  We hear today that Commodore Porter is at Alexandria with a portion of his fleet, & that we hold the place.  We are to stop here till the arrival of a large provision train from Barre’s landing on the Atchafalaya 12 miles from here.  We are to go to guard the train to Alexandria, about 90 miles from Opelousas.  Just before dark we marched through the streets to a fine smooth field in the suburbs & encamped for the night.  The officers lodged in a fine house that had been deserted by its late rebel occupant, (Dr. Prescott) & where we found beds & mattresses to lie upon.  A well of excellent water was found in the yard & fence rails afforded fuel.  Much of the splendid furniture of the house still remained, defaced though, by rude hands.  A large lot of valuable books lay scattered about the house, exposed to mutilation & plunder.  Had a good night’s sleep & did not turn out till after sunrise.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Thursday.  Got into line about 6 ½ o’clock passed through Vermillionville (about 24 miles from New Iberia) & to a beautiful grove on the plantation of M. Mouton, father of Gen. Mouton of the rebel army.  Lt. J. & I took dinner in the mansion with Col. J. & his staff, Col. of the 114^th, & some other officers—each contributing something for the table—the dishes being found in the house.  The men were allowed to help themselves to sugar, ad libitum, & did help themselves to geese, chickens &c. about as they listed.  Started again at 1 ½ p.m. & marched some seven or eight miles & camped.  Plenty of fresh beef was soon brought in by the hundreds, & frying pans were in great demand, & in constant use till late in the evening.  Lt. J. & self slept on the ground—most of the men pitching their tents.  Many of the men are pretty footsore but I have stood the march well.  The weather has been cool & comfortable.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Wednesday.  Reveille beat at 3 o’clock this morning.  Turned out & had a warm breakfast of baked beans from the Co.  Commenced the march just before sunrise.  The road for the first two miles was very dusty, but after that we marched across the prairie, & there being a cool north wind blowing we got along very comfortably.  The 114^th N.Y. marched ahead of us, & we halted about 10 o’clock in a fine grove of China trees 10 miles from New Iberia.  Made coffee & ate our dinners & then many of us lay down in the shade & took a nap.  Started about 2 p.m. & marched across the prairie about seven miles further.  Stacked arms before sunset & permission being given to draw fresh meat, the boys soon brought in fresh port, & young pigs enough for all.  Corp. Herrick went out with Houston & got a fine veal calf, but as we had made a supper on fresh port, kept the veal for breakfast.  Lt. J. & Myself camped down in our blankets without any tent & slept well in spite of the fleas that tried their best to keep us awake.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Sunday.  Attended Sabbath School at the Methodist church at 9 o’clock.  Only about 20 scholars present.  The teachers all ladies, & no man present but the Superintendant & the preacher.  Just before the close the roll of the School was called, 10 classes & about 50 Scholars’ names on the roll I should judge.  At 10 ½ [a.m.] attended meeting in the same house.  Preaching by the Methodist minister from Rev. 21: 3d & 4^th, subject “Heaven.”  The sermon was written & was a very good one.  The Singing was Congregational—hymns—“There is a land of pure delight”, “Jerusalem my glorious home”–& to conclude “Lord dismiss us with they blessing.”  In the Sabbath School as well as the meeting, the Congregation knelt during prayer—think everyone in the School, Scholars & teachers knelt.  Notice was given that there will be preaching every Sabbath—next Sabbath by the Chaplain.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]