New Orleans, Sept. 6, 1863.
My last was dated from Natchez, advising you of my intent to
come here. Yours of 21st was received at this point day before yesterday. Our trip
down the river was safe and pleasant, and we were fortunate in not being fired
upon by the guerillas. The steamboat Julia, which preceded us, was fired
upon and three men wounded. Our reception in New Orleans was very brilliant — serenades,
calls, a magnificent evening reception or levee by General Banks, and yesterday
a grand review. The parade grounds are some eight miles from the city. We rode
out on horseback, and I am sorry to say our festivities were or are interrupted
by a rather serious accident. The two generals and their staff made a large
cavalcade. General Grant was riding a fine but unbroken horse and on our return
the animal shied upon a carriage and fell; he was in advance and at rapid
speed; the officer following was out of place, and rode over him and the
trampling of the horse bruised him severely. We took him in a state of
insensibility into a roadside inn before which the accident occurred, and where
he now lies in the room in which I write. His thigh is badly injured and he
cannot move his leg, but he is better this morning and I think can be moved in
a day or two; with the residue of his staff, I remain to take care of him.
The weather here has been sultry until to-day; a fine breeze
is stirring and I think we shall soon have rain. It was intensely hot during
the review, which was tedious, there being some fifteen thousand troops to be
reviewed at once. My clothes were dripping wet with perspiration, as if I had
been in a rainstorm, — but then I had motion, gladsome motion, and “motion to
an endless end is needful for man's heart.”
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 334-5
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