Letter from Willie to Family, June 4, 1863#

Brashear City, June 4th [1863]

Dear Father, Mother, Brothers.

I have just received three letters from you and very glad to hear that you are all well and that Durlyn is promoted. We are both well. In fact, we have not lost a man since we have been out – that is our Company. Co. A has lost seven or eight men. But now to business. Our Regiment has been in action and we have done something for our country. It was like this. Our Regiment was ordered to Brashear City to hold the place while Banks crossed over to Port Hudson. We advanced across the Bay (Berwicks) about four miles, then reversed four or five days, but had to cross over again. Nothing happened for a day or two, but then the Rebs advanced opposite us about 10 o’clock, the Negroes running for dear life. Well, they advanced and fired at the Hospital. Our picket commenced to fire at them. Then a battery of artillery got to work on them, the shells making things lively. The Provost Guard, of which James is a member, advanced across the bay, the Rebs giving them a volley as they landed. They were soon in line of battle and advanced up the road, the Rebels retreating. Up the road, the 23rd Connecticut then crossed and both advancing up the road held the arsenal in which were 40 thousand rounds. They held the place all day and came across at night. While this was going on, eight picked men were sent to ascertain whether the Rebels were coming up the Bayou Boeuf. I was one of the eight. We were mounted on splendid horses and went near the Grand Lake. Everything was quiet, so we returned. We rode about 30 miles. When we got back the battery commenced to throw shells across the Rebels laughing at us. Every time we would fire, we would holler, “How do you like that?” They would say, “You can’t make it too warm for us!” There were two guns of the 21st Indiana battery, one 12-pound howitzer, and the 6-gun battery at work. We did not hear any more of the Rebs that night. The next morning our Regiment prepared to drive them out. We got on the boat and sailed across. There were about 50 mounted as cavalry. We landed the mounted advance up the road and deployed through the woods, the Rebs retreating

before us. We advanced about two miles and went in a sugar house. We stayed there all day. The mounted men returned, reporting the country clear. We fell back to the boat, landing at night. We had hardly turned in when we were turned out as the picket was driven in. We barricaded the road with wagons and formed behind them. The pickets kept firing two or three hours but the Rebs would not advance any further. I wish they had for we were in a strong position. We stayed there all night. I got so played out that I came across about 3 o’clock in the morning. The Rebs came across the next morning but we were there long enough to prove that the Regiment has pluck. Our company was especially complemented. There was a large party scouting over there today. George Fanjoy has gone up the Bayou Lash on a steamboat to see if they can hear anything from the Rebs. It made quite a stir but it was only a cavalry raid. The scouting party has just returned with a lot of chickens, ducks, and sugar. I got a double barrel gun, but it was not a very good one so I left it. George got a Secesh hat. All the troops about here have gone to Port Hudson. Every exertion is being made to capture it this week. Port Hudson and Vicksburg will fall about the same time. We had orders to go there but they were countermanded. We have taken five prisoners. I have seen a good many Wmsburghers this week. William Broadhurst has been sick but is getting better and two members of the 47th Regt. I saw Mary Canard’s brother about three weeks ago; he is well. I wish they had some of them Copperheads out here who are crying for a dishonorable peace. We will soon have a peace that will be an honor to the nation, but I must stop now as it is past Taps. This will go on in the morning.

I remain your affectionate son,

Willie