Capt. Isaac Winslow Case

Wednesday.  Spent the day as a member of a Military Commission appointed by  Genl. Emory, consisting of Col. Jerrard, self & Capt. Long, of the 52nd Mass.  Maj. Lieber of Gen’l. Emory’s Staff, Judge Advocate.  Engaged all day, trying the case of a creole named Theodate Melancon, who is charged with leading a gang of armed negroes in plundering & outrage on the citizens of St. Martinsville.  Examined a large number of witnesses who all testified that the prisoner was with the gang, which was commanded by a negro named Pierre—that they were all apparently in liquor, & that on being fired upon by the people in the village of St. Martinsville when their leader & another negro was killed, the rest took to flight.  The prisoner was not seen when the gang was fired on, & was arrested on the prairie a mile east of the Bayou while apparently trying to escape.  He was alone, the negroes having fled in other directions.  The witnesses were nearly all French & their testimony had to be interpreted to the Court.  The case was not closed today and from all the testimony thus far, it seems probably that the accused, as he claims to have been, was compelled by the negroes to join them.   Tomorrow is the day of “muster for payment,” but the Col. has decided to omit it.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Tuesday.  Spent day quietly, without any special duties to perform.  Weather warm & pleasant.  Wrote letter to Edwin Quinby, & Mrs. York of Stetson in regard to the sickness & death of her son Walter.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection

Friday.  Being a little unwell with diarrhea, have done nothing but rest in camp.  Nothing new or interesting going on today, except the sending off the remainder of the rebel prisoners.  There is still a larger number of their wounded left in hospital here, tho’ I have not seen them.  The Col., St. J. & some others arrived from Brashear City this P.M.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection

Wednesday.  Started on the march up the bayou about 7 o’clock towards New Iberia, towards which the enemy are retreating.  About 60 prisoners marched with us under guard of a Co. of the 26th Me.  We marched till between 11 & 12, when we halted at Harding’s planta[t]i[o]n,  the junction of the road with the straight road from Franklin.  Here our Reg. rec’d orders to return to Franklin to do provost guard duty, while the rest of the Brigade pushed on in pursuit of the retreating rebels.  We halted an hour for dinner, then marched back by the shorter route, & reached Franklin about 3 p.M.  Pitched our tents on the sidewalk, in front of a fine house standing back from the street.  Cooked our supper & [two illeg. words].  Just after dark the 3 Cos. That were left at Brashear city marched up the street in command of the Major.  They came be steamer to the place when Weitzel began the fight on Sunday, about 12 miles below here, & marched from there this afternoon.  They left Brashear Tuesday afternoon.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection

Saturday.  Had Co. inspections at 7 o’clock.  A. W. Lovejoy, who arrived yesterday morning from  B. Rouge, was taken back in an ambulance, with several other men, to the hospital at Bayou Boeuf.  Took his gun & equipments with him.  Shores is to stay here in convalescent camp—he took Lovejoy’s half of a shelter tent.  Wyman is determined to go with the Co., tho’ he is not very strong.  Troops are going across the river all the time, & we are waiting orders to “fall in” for the same purpose.  Just before noon the Col. sent our last payrolls to be signed by the men.  He all of our Co. sign who are with us, & returned the rolls to the Col.
At 2 o’clock fell into line in marching order, and soon after marched down near the boat landing, stacked arms, & here I now write (3 ½ o’clock).  The Reg. are lying & sitting on their knapsacks, while others are embarking & we don’t know as we shall be called for till night.  About sunset made fires & got supper, then pitched tents & turned in.  At 10 o’clock were roused from sleep & ordered to embark.  Seven companies from the right (the other three Cos. In Laurel Hill) went on board the gunboat where we found only room to sit down on our packs.  I got a leaning place & slept quite comfortably till morning.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Monday.

Sent off the tents & baggage to the steamer “Empire Parish” late in the afternoon, & pitched shelter tents to spend the night in.  the weather today has been cool, & this evening there is a very cold wind from the north.  Stowed ourselves in the little tents & passed a tolerable night, tho’ some of the men suffered with the cold.  The Chaplain returned yesterday from B[aton] Rouge & informed me of the death of Corp. Titcomb.  He died at the Measles Hosp. & the Chaplain attended his funeral.  Lt.  Richards took charge of his effects & will send them to Titcomb’s uncle in Bangor.  Wrote a letter to T. H. Wiggin of Levant, informing him of T’s death, & giving him some account of his sickness.  I also wrote to Mrs. Gerald in regard to the sickness & death of her husband.
Finished my letter to Father, & sent it off.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]