Generals Butler and Dudley reviewed the brigade. After the
review General Butler had the First Louisiana drawn up in close column by
divisions. After complimenting them for their soldierly appearance he gave them
a lecture on military discipline, closing his remarks with this sentence, “The
lightnings of heaven do not fall more swiftly than will justice overtake the
evil doer.” We found Camp Williams not the healthiest place in the world. Lake
Ponchartrain opening out to sea, was of course affected by the tides. When the
tides were in the marshes would be full of water, but when they were out the
contrary would be the result, and the portions exposed covered with ooze and
silt would fester and ferment in the burning sun: while on the other side was
the swamp, furnishing prolific breeding grounds for the festive mosquito: It is
not strange that the result should prove to be what it was. In less than a week
fully one half the regiment was at the surgeons tent on sick call in the
morning; there were from two to four funerals in a day. Most all the time
officers were sick so that the non commissioner officers were in command of
companies. The writer of this was put in command of Company A. When it left the
recruiting camp, a little over four weeks before it numbered 112 enlisted men.
One night, a few days before we left, but four men turned out for dress parade
and other companies were in a similar condition. The First Louisiana 12th and
13th C. V., the 75 N. Y., a company of Louisiana cavalry and two batteries were
brigaded, General Weitzel commanding.
SOURCE: George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's
Diary, p. 27-9
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