YESTERDAY the
expedition for the "wiping out" of the Yankee Gun-Boat Indianola
started, and I had the good fortune to ship as carpenter for the voyage. After
many delays and false starts, we got under way and came up the river to the
little town of Waterloo, where we tied up for the purpose of cooking and taking
on more cotton; but as soon as the boat touched shore, the men started, at a
double-quick, in search of a certain vile compound called Louisiana rum, and by
night nearly every man and most of the officers were too drunk to stand on
their pegs. About 11 o'clock the command "to arms" was given, as a
boat was seen coming down on us. Then, ensued a scene which, for the honor of
some of our officers, had better not be described; but, fortunately for us, it
proved to be one of our own boats. I think that the effect of this lesson will
be good, and may prove fortunate in the end.
I remained in the
cabin and saw the "wounded" brought in. Our loss was one Irishman
stabbed in three places, one (ditto) head broken in, and several with bruises.
If the enemy had been aboard the Frolic, they could have taken us with ease. In
the future, our officers will be in better condition, and, if they can keep the
men under proper discipline, they will make a good fight when the hour of
action arrives. The command is made up of one hundred men from Miles' Louisiana
Legion, fifty from the Fourth Louisiana, fifty from the Fifty-fifth Tennessee,
and Captain Bowen's Louisiana Artillery.
I have been kept too
busy to-day to notice the officers in detail, but I am satisfied they are a
merry set of fellows, and will fight well. The worst to fear is that they will
not enforce a strict discipline. Colonel Brend has pleased every one, so far,
by his quiet, pleasant manners and his agreeable firmness in commanding.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 65
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