New Orleans , Aug. 26th, 1862. Dear Sir : The troops at Baton Rouge have evacuated the place, without destroying it, and are now joined...

In active service during the Siege of Port Hudson FIELD AND STAFF Colonel — Richard E. Holcomb of Connecticut. Killed in action Jun...

Discharged on account of expiration of term of service. Got discharge papers made out, and regiment disbanded on the 17th. Got my pay on th...

Left New Orleans on board the steamer “Missouri,” for New England, via St. Louis, Chicago and the Great Lakes. SOURCE: Abstracted fr...

Ordered to New Orleans on board the “Silver Moon.” Arrived next day. SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith,  Leaves from a Soldier...

Detailed to take command of a force to guard the telegraph station across the river, opposite the fort. Relieved by a company of U. S. regu...

This day closes up a very eventful year in our history. Many graves had been made. Disease and the fortunes of war had done their work, and...

Arrived at Port Hudson. Went ashore; but the place did not look much as it did during the siege — the works were narrowed up. I recognized ...

Left at 10. SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith,  Leaves from a Soldier's Diary , p. 142

Arrived at Vicksburg, where we were transferred to the “Illinois.” SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith,  Leaves from a Soldier&#...

Ordered, with the 161st New York, to Memphis, on steamer “Baltic.” Accident to the rudder. Taken in tow by the “John Groesbeck.” Arrived at...

On picket guard. Relieved at noon. SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith,  Leaves from a Soldier's Diary , p. 138-9

Col. Fisk seized the freight house at the depot. It was about 200 feet long and was stowed just as full of hard bread as it could be packed...

We were ordered to Columbus, Ky., where we landed at dark It was rainy and cold, and the men slept in an old cotton shed. SOURCE: Ab...

Finished my quarters — they were very good ones too. It was boarded up about four feet and the tent put over the top, and the soldiers buil...

Moved up on higher ground, by the fort. SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith,  Leaves from a Soldier's Diary , p. 136-7

Quite cool today. Lost all my blankets and overcoat yesterday. Passed Island No. 10, and arrived at Columbus, Ky., at 11 p.m. At Cairo chan...

Passed Helena, Ark., and reached Memphis at 8 p. m. Staid all night on board the steamboat. Next day we went ashore and camped two miles in...

It being Sunday, we had a sermon by the chaplain of the 161st New York. Passed Napoleon, Ark., and ran past the “shute,” landing at White r...

Arrived at Vicksburg. We all went ashore to give the bands a chance to clean the boat. Myself and several others visited the town. Tried to...