Civil War Blog

Bowdoin Class of 1848

March 25, 1863

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Wednesday.

Took my place on the Court Martial, Col. Bissell, 25th Conn. Reg. President.  Tried several cases, & adjourned till tomorrow at 9 o’clock.  The Reg. moved to a firm spot on the other side of the road, but a short distance from the mud hole that we have lived in for the last three days.  When I got back to camp everyone looked cheerful, & certainly the grounds we occupied were the pleasantest we have had since we came to this place.  The grass was fresh & green, & there were several fine shade trees that contributed much to the beauty of the spot.  On our way to camp this afternoon I went to the Measles Hospital & saw the men of our Co. who are there, Lovejoy, Shores & Sawyer appeared to be doing well, but Farmer looked poorly, & thought he was losing strength.  Titcomb had got pretty well over the Measles but had an attack of Erysipelas in his face & head, & I fear he will not recover.  I talked with the Assist. Surgeon in charge, & asked him to try to get them removed to the Genl. Hospital.  He said he would try to have it done.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 24, 1863

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Tuesday.

Spent part of the day in town, waiting to take my place on the Court Martial, but as a case was going on that was commenced yesterday, was not needed today.  Lt. J. went to his late boarding house in town, being unable to stay in camp with safety.  He has a sudden attack of rheumatism which will probably confine him within doors for some time.  The Col. is strongly threatened with measles, so we shall be in a bad condition to march, if ordered away soon.  Neither of the Lieuts. will be able to go at present, but as I feel so much better today, I will not complain.  A mail came today, but there was no letter for me.  May last letter from Pamelia was mailed March 2d. up to which time all had been blessed with health & prosperity.  May I be grateful to our father in heaves for all his mercies.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 19, 1863

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Thursday.

The men awoke pretty well rested, but many of them rather foot-sore.  Spent the day quietly in camp, getting rested.  This march was altogether the hardest we have ever had, & was no doubt designed partly as a “toughener” for others that are to follow.  A long train of empty wagons followed us up yesterday, & turned off toward the river a little to the rear of the spot where we formed in line & brought out 100 bales of cotton which they carried to Baton  Rouge on acct. of Government.  It would probably have seen been burned by guerillas had it not been secured as it was.  Some think that the sole object of our move was to secure this cotton, & perhaps it “paid” aside from the discipline the men received.  A company made up by details from all the companies of our Reg. & commanded by Capt. Wood, was sent this afternoon to Baton Rouge to bring up all the men of the Brigade that were left behind either sick in tents or hospitals that may now be able to march, & all stragglers that are there.

Sergt. Chapman & two men went from our Co.  The man have got pretty well rested today, & by another day will be all ready for another March if wanted.  Through the goodness of God my health & strength have been continued to me, and I have borne the fatigue of our marches as well as the strongest man of my company.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscript Collections]

March 16, 1863

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Monday.

Soon after breakfast our Reg. moved back a few rods into the woods to dryer ground, where we pitched our shelter tents, & [illeg. word] out our clothes to dry, & had a general cleaning up, & an inspection of arms & ammunition.  At 3 P.M. packed up & marched about ¾ mile to a field not far from the river, where our Brigade pitched their tents & spent the night.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection]

March 12, 1863

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Thursday.

This has been an idle week, thus far.  The first of the week we were ordered to pack up all extra clothing, keeping in the knapsacks only great coats, blankets & one pair stockings.  We boxed up the rest of the men’s clothing & stored it, with the officers’ baggage at the Brigade Commissary’s.  Drew shelter tents, one for every two men, one piece to be carried in each knapsack.  We have been waiting orders to march, probably toward Port Hudson.  The hospitals have been cleared to a considerable extent, by sending a large number of the patients to New Orleans.  Day before yesterday (March 10th) Lt. R. started for N.O. with the following men of the Co. who were thought by our surgeons fit candidates for the change: O. Booker, Alb. Brown, S. S. Buzzell, Ellis, Ham, F. Holbrook, C. H. Huston, C. E. & D. Skillin, Badger, Baker & Turner.  Turner met with an accident by the careless handling of a pistol.  It went off & the ball passed through his leg below the knee.  He will not probably be confined very long.   Besides these, Varney, G. F. Davis, & J. M. Wing were sent to N.O. from the Gen. Hospital, making fifteen from Co. H that have gone there, besides Lt.  R.  A few will have to be left in camp when the troops march—probably fifty or more from the Reg. who are too weak to carry the load required but am not quite sick enough to go to the hospital.  The Adjutant is to be left in care of the camp during our absence.  We are ordered (& have been for two days past) to keep two days rations cooked, & in the haversacks.  Have been writing a letter to Pamelia informing her that we are under “marching order,” & shall keep it open till we are ordered to fall in.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 6, 1863

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Friday.  Rainy all day.  Now drill after the Sergeants’ drill in morning.  Finished & mailed a letter to Pamelia in forenoon.  In afternoon a mail arrived, but most of the letters were old ones, some written in January.  I rec’d none.  It is said there is another mail in N.O. that will be up in a day or two.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]