April 1st. This morning at five o’clock, William Jones, seaman, who was wounded during the action at Grand Gulf last night, departed this life. At six A. M. weighed and started on down the river; at eleven-fifteen A. M. passed Natchez; at two-thirty P. M. came in sight of Ellis’s Cliffs, beat to general quarters; it was expected we would meet with some opposition, but nothing of a hostile nature occurred; at five P. M. came in sight of Port Adams, beat to quarters as usual, but met with no opposition; both of the above places are most excellent situations for batteries; at six-thirty P. M. arrived at the mouth of Red River; here we brought our fleet to anchor for the night. It will be remembered that our fleet at present consists of three vessels, namely: the Hartford, gunboat Albatross, and ram Switzerland: whereas at one time we could muster about thirty-seven or eight, including the mortar vessels. The contrast is quite impressive to those who are personally interested in the welfare of things on the Mississippi.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Camp White, April 1, 1863.
Dearest: — We are again in communication with America after being cut off about four or five days by General Jenkins. He attacked two posts garrisoned by [the] Thirteenth Virginia — and one had Lieutenant Hicks, the color sergeant and six men of Twenty-third. In both cases General Jenkins was badly worsted losing seventy men killed or captured, while we lost only four killed and five wounded. A sorry raid so far.
Judge Matthews, I see, is to be superior court judge. I suppose his health is the cause. He had a difficulty before he left the Twenty-third which at times unfitted him for service in the field.
Awful weather for tent life the last week — snow, rain, and wind “all to once.” I am really glad you left when you did. A few weeks hence if Jenkins lets us alone we shall be in condition to enjoy your presence.
Love to the dear boys. Webb will, I am sure, study hard when he hears how much I want him to be a scholar. Birch and the others are right of course.
The Prince’s [Prince of Wales] wedding you read, I know. No happier than ours!
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Camp White, April 1, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — We have had most disagreeable weather for a week. Part of the time we were cut off from outside world by General Jenkins’ raid below. He has thus far made nothing. He has attacked two of the posts garrisoned by men under my command and been whipped both times with a loss to him of seventy killed and prisoners. Our loss is six. We could take the whole party with cavalry enough. As it is, he will get off.
All fools’ day is a bright cold windy day. We are in tents rather too early for comfort or health. We are glad to see warm weather coming.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
April 1st.—Had fine sport to-day, gigging fish. Whole farms are submerged around Warrenton, three to four feet deep; before they were flooded, they had grown up very thickly in weeds, which now reached above the water. We made two rafts, fastened our bayonets to the large end of long canes. Pushing the rafts through the weeds, when a fish moved it would shake the weeds, and then was our chance to gig him. Our squad got two very fine ones, when the river and wind rose so high we had to quit.
April 1.—William York died yesterday; he was from Williamson County, Tennessee.
A few days ago we had a man die, by the name of George Speaker; he was one of John Morgan’s squadron. He died from a wound received at Shelbyville, in this state. His captain (Goldston) was with him, and had him buried with full honors.
1st. After breakfast and morning work, issued rations. Then cleaned up nicely. Practiced my horse some at jumping. Is learning nicely. Read some in Gail Hamilton and “Les Miserables.” In the evening attended class at Co. H and wrote to Fred Allen.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
April 1, 1863.—We all went on an excursion on the Nevada, up to the rolling mills, a beautiful spot. We got some interesting specimens of slag. Colonel Lowe accompanied us. We had a very pleasant trip.
On the Yazoo, Wednesday, April 1. Made good headway today with but little stoppage. 12 M. landed to take on those left behind and some forage left by the fleet, which had left about two hours before. Buried the corpse and started on. Passed some beautiful plantations with plenty of hogs and cattle, which naturally made our mouths water. Passed the “Pike” at sundown, in a sinking condition. Foraging parties brought in fresh meat in plenty. After tying up, cannonading heard at night. Had a slight attack of ague.
Wednesday, 1st—It continues warm and pleasant. All is quiet. I went up town to the division quartermaster to buy provisions for the officers, the captain giving me the money with the order to purchase ten days’ provisions. When I returned the captain noticed among the items of the bill “20 lbs. codfish,” and exclaimed, “Why, Alexander, what in thunder are you going to do with salty codfish? You have enough to do the whole company, and there are but three of us!”1
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1 There was some suspicion that the codfish deal was some April Fool business, but I declare that it was all done in dead earnest. But I began to figure that it was a pretty large ration of codfish for ten days and the matter having been noised about, I was not very careful to lock the codfish in the mess chest. The boys soon found out where they could find codfish after night, and at the end of a week it had all disappeared. I was thankful.—A. G. D.
Wednesday; 1st day of April—Yanks brought up three or four thousand to E. and shelled our Boys for some time.
