Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 17, 1864

That General Smith was a joker was conceded by everybody, our friends, the enemy, as well as the union army. When we were in Alexandria I was on guard at the pontoon bridge. An Irishman, stood at the end of the bridge, smoking a clay pipe. Smith returning from a scouting expedition at the head of his forces, rode up to the Irishman coolly took the pipe out of his mouth and put it in his own, and rode on smoking contentedly as though nothing had happened. The Irishman laughed heartily, well pleased with the joke. Many stories were reported of his pleasantries with the enemy while covering our retreat from Alexandria. At one time coming down the plank road he left a baggage wagon on the road and placed a company in ambush within easy range. The rebel hangers on in the rear spied it and made for it on the gallop with a yell. At the proper time the ambush rose up and many saddles were emptied and riderless horses were seen cantering through the woods. The force was nearly all killed or taken prisoners. At two times cannon were left with similar results. Marched into Simsport about noon. The day was hot and the roads were dusty so that our clothes were saturated with mud as well as sweat. It was my practice, during the whole time I was in the army to bathe whenever an opportunity presented itself, and so here was a good one The water in the rivers and ponds we had been passing were generally almost milk warm and I thought this would be, so without further ado I plunged in. “O my! Holy Moses, how cold it was!” I could hardly swim to shore. But I did, and got out too but I did not go in any more that day. The reason of the water being so cold was on account of the rise in the Mississippi river at this time of the year, called the June rise. It is caused by the melting snows in the Rocky mountains, at the head waters of the Missouri and in the Northern part of Minnesota, where the Mississippi rises, and it is a little strange, that water is nearly as cold when it reaches the Gulf of Mexico as it is when it leaves the snows of the Rocky mountains. When this mighty river is high it backs up the Red river and discharges its surplus waters through the Atchaffalaya Bayou into the Gulf of Mexico, so that bayou is really one of the mouths of the Mississippi. It was my turn to go on picket guard that night, so we crossed the bayou on a steamer and went up that stream about a mile and posted the pickets in the woods across the bottom where we fought mosquitoes all night. It was a question which was the worse, the mosquitoes or the rebels. I was not feeling very well from the effects of my bath, so after the guard was posted I hunted the dryest place I could find and laid down, but the conditions were not very favorable for a good night's rest. It did not however last forever.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 117-9

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 16, 1864

In motion a little after sun rise. The enemy had fallen back during the night but after advancing two miles over fences and through fields the advance cavalry came upon them in full force with about twenty pieces of artillery and seven thousand mounted infantry. They were in front of a little town called Mansura and just before you leave the prairie and enter an almost impenetrable Cypress swamp which stretches between it and bayou DeGlaze, and is passed by means of a plank road. Taylor had placed his forces across the entrance to this plank road and disputed its passage. As soon as our infantry were in supporting distance, the cavalry began to press their lines when they opened all their batteries at once. This of course discovered their position and several batteries of the nineteenth corps soon came into position and the ball was open. Four lines of battle were in rear of us, all in supporting distance, composed of the First and Third divisions of the nineteenth corps and the thirteenth. On the right General Smith came up with the sixteenth army corps formed in line continuous with ours; making them two miles long. The bellowing of cannon screaming and hissing of shot and shell, the bursting of bombs and the prancing horses of the wheeling squadrons created a scene of excitement I never before witnessed and never expect to witness again. Solid shot and shell literally rained all around us for about three hours. The country being level, afforded a clear view as far as the eye could reach until obscured by smoke. The scene was grand. Many of the enemy's shells did not burst at all and many burst in the air. Many amusing incidents happened, one of which I will relate. A shell struck the ground a few feet in front of our line and ricochetted (bounded)over our heads and struck the ground again directly under a surgeon's horse, standing there, with his rider and bounded again. The doctor leaned over one side to see what kind of a hole it made in the ground, started his horse along a step or two and sat in the saddle as though nothing had happened. Sometimes the shells would strike the ground and roll end over end a long distance. It looked as though one might put out his foot and stop them. I did not try the experiment. So long as they did not disturb me, I thought I might as well let them alone. At this stage of the battle General Grover, on a large heavy bay horse galloped out between the lines five or six hundred yards, turned in a circle, rode back to the twenty-sixth New York battery. He spoke to the commander, and they limbered up and actually flew to the front about six hundred yards and in less time than it takes to write this, unlimbered and commenced one of the most rapid fires I ever heard from a battery of four guns. I could see the shells burst directly in their faces. The enemy did not stand that long and retreated in a complete rout. I learned, however, afterwards that A. J. Smith with a heavy force was creeping round on their right flank so we cannot give the twenty-sixth New York Battery all the credit for that victory. In regard to the losses I never learned. They must have been considerable on the enemy's side, but on ours I am sure they were not heavy. It was an artillery duel and the rebels proved to be such poor marksmen that not many casualties happened to us. When our friends, the rebels took such precipitate leave of us, we found ourselves in quiet possession of the plank road through the woods, of which we made good use, as soon as we could get into files of fours and marched to within eight miles of Simsport where we went into camp for the night, quite satisfied with our day's work.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 113-7

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: Sunday, May 15, 1864

On the march at 7 a. m. Left the river and passed through a forest five miles coming out on a plain or open prairie near Fort DeRussey. We found the rebels in force with several pieces of artillery. A large part of the army wheeled in position four lines deep. It was a beautiful sight all in open view. The rebels fired a few shells and retreated. Quamtrell's [sic] guerrillas on the opposite side of the river had a good time all day firing into our transports. A little beyond the town of Marksville the advance came up again with the enemy at about sundown. Our brigade was ordered to the front at double quick. We arrived within supporting distance of the cavalry and night coming on the firing ceased. We were soon supported by two or three other lines in our rear when we laid down on the prairie and slept on our arms all night.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 113

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 12, 1864

In camp all day.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 112

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 13, 1864

Whole army marched down the river and encamped in an open field on its banks, First Louisiana on picket.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 112

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 14, 1864

Heavy skirmishing most all day. Expected a big battle. Did not materialize. Gunboats all over the falls and came down with the transports. Enemy fired on them from the opposite side of the river. Gunboats shelled the woods. Halted ten miles above Fort De Russey where the rebels had destroyed one gunboat and two transports coming up the river. One of them was the John Warren. The mail was all torn up and scattered over the ground. Many rifle pits were dug in the levee.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 112

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 10, 1864

All Quiet.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 111

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 11, 1864

Nineteenth army corps moved eight miles down the river and then marched back four miles and encamped.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 112

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 9, 1864

Dam broke away and two ironclads run through. Two gunboats reported destroyed near Fort De Russey.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 111

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Saturday, February 18, 1865

Had a good run during the night A. M. Passed Natchez but did not get to see any of the city except “Natchez under the hill.” boat stopping but a few minutes. At 11.30 at the mouth of Red River where are stationed 8 gunboats & Monitors to guard the river, here had a sight of the formidable Rebel Ram Tenesee. She is a formidable looking vessel, at 1.45. landed at Murgauge. Saw Warren Alney, & took on board 1 battalion of 2 N Y. Cav. Place defended by 7 negro Regts & battery. Rebs close. Start down at 6.30

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 6 & 7, 1864

Comparative quiet.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 110

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 5, 1864

Heavy cannonading all night down the river. Ohio Belle reported captured and destroyed, with all lost, killed and taken prisoners. A raid on the lumber cutters for the dam, twenty killed and wounded. Considerable fighting all round the lines. Our position quite safe being in rear of a deep ravine with heavy timber felled all along our front.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 110

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 3, 1864

On guard at pontoon bridge. An old lady and gentleman came up with a pass signed by Colonel Molineaux I examined it and passed it back to her. At the same time General Banks came up and said, “Lieutenant why are you passing so many people across here, they are letting the enemy know all we are doing and giving us a great deal of trouble.” I saluted him and said, “General, my instructions were to pass everybody with passes signed by yourself and Colonel Molineaux,” at the same time handing him the pass. “Well,” he said, “I will tell Col. Molineaux not to pass so many people across this bridge.” At that the old lady pointed to a nice looking young man standing: there dressed in a new United States uniform and said. “This is our son, he has just enlisted in the Union army and we are all on our way to New Orleans and want to cross the river to take a steamboat. We are afraid they will persecute us when you are gone, if we stay here.” “O! Ah, yes, I see” he said, “that is all right,” and passed on. It was not for me to reply, poor man, he had enough to make him petulant. I was at a loss to know, however, what I had to do with Colonel Molineaux's business. Worked on dam all night.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 109-10

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: May 2, 1864

Crossed the river on a pontoon bridge. Dam above progressing finely. Commissaries would not issue rations to parties unless they were accompanied with a commissioned officer and while the dam was building we took turns in drawing rations and that was about all the duties we had to do except to go on guard once a week; the cavalry scouts doing all the fighting. I called it a pretty soft snap. Bailey would have nobody but Michiganders on the dam.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 108-9

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 30, 1864

First Louisiana moved a short distance to the left, on higher ground opposite the falls, into some negroe's cabins. Meanwhile Porter came down the river with fifty gunboats, transports and other craft. One large transport the Eastport had run onto the logs and had to be blown up, but after hard fighting all the way he arrived with his fleet to the falls to find the water so low they were impassable. What was to be done? Banks' plan was to gather all the cotton and load it on transports, blow up the gunboats and retreat. This Porter would not do. Meanwhile the latter had sent a dispatch to Washington stating the condition of affairs and General Canby was sent out to relieve Banks with orders to stay with the army in Alexandria until the gunboats were relieved.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 107

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 28, 1864

Heavy skirmishing all day with cavalry, artillery and infantry. Afternoon preparations for a general engagement. Squadrons wheeling into line, and maneuvering at the front. At night the torch was again at work and soon the heavens were aglow with burning buildings. Firing ceased. Next day all was quiet. The enemy had felt our position, did not like it and withdrew. The notorious Quantrel, the bushwhacker was on the opposite side of the river so the Second brigade was ordered to cross and take positions to protect that part of the town. We encamped near a house in rear of Pineville. It was empty, and the soldiers re girded it as lawful plunder, and raided it, as was their custom. It seemed to be an unwritten law that, if the family fled, it was evidence of guilt, and the property was theirs; but if they remained the property was respected and a guard was placed over it to protect it. In the case in question the house was occupied by a lady who had gone to a neighbor's for a short time, but on returning and seeing what had been done she wept bitterly, and complained that she had been treated unfairly, and well she might, for it turned out that her husband was a union man, and had been hiding in the woods for several months to keep from being drafted into the rebel army, and she had been feeding him. It is needless to say she got her things back, and officers and soldiers chipped in and gave her a barrel of flour, and stocked her house well with provisions. And I might as well say that this was not an isolated case for we found many men, and women too, throughout the South faithful to their country and flag: ready to sacrifice property, and life too, if need be to protect them from that wicked rebellion. We raised a company of mounted Mexicans, and put many recruits in the union armies.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 105-7

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 27, 1864

Light skirmishing at the front.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 26, 1864

Smith's corps coming in all day. Rebels did not trouble him much, after the thrashing he gave them at Caney river.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 25, 1864

On the march again about noon: marched about twenty miles and arrived in Alexandria, about nine p. m. and camped on our old camping ground, in the rear of the town.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: April 24, 1864

At three o'clock in the morning heavy cannonading across the river in our rear. General J. M. Smith was covering our retreat, with ten thousand men of the sixteenth army corps, furnished by General Sherman, to assist in this campaign. The firing ceased at about eight a. m., the rebels attacking him, being defeated with heavy loss. By ten a.m. the army with all the train was across the river, except Smith's corps: and we were on the march again towards Alexandria: Our road for the next fifteen miles lay through the piney woods, but it was accomplished without molestation, and by nine p. m. we emerged into the opening on Red river. Four miles further on, along the Rapides Bayou, we halted for the night. Thousands of negroes followed us from Caney river bringing all their belongings with them: some with beds in bundles on their heads, and some with frying pans and kettles and every conceivable thing you could mention. These poor creatures were of every shade of color from ebony black to pure Caucasian white. Many of the soldiers formed an acquaintance with some one of these swarthy damsels and they marched along side by side in apparent entertaining conversation, thus beguiling the tedium of the march. On emerging from the piney woods, a wonderful sight burst upon us. It seems the cavalry and mounted infantry, in the advance, had not spared the torch, and the country for miles around was a light blaze, with camp fires and burning plantations, I don't think there was a building standing on the line of our march four or five miles wide that was not burned even with the ground.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 103-4