The story of the Thirty Eighth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers

by George Whitefield Powers

On the morning of the 10th of February, the knapsacks were again packed preparatory to a move; but the tents were left standing, and the camp put in charge of the light-duty men, of which there were then a large number.

When the regiment first arrived at Carrollton, the general health was unusually good; but the change in the water, the dampness of the low land, and the frequent guard-duty had made their mark, and thinned the ranks.

It was nearly dark before the regiment embarked on the first of the numerous river-boats with which they afterward became so familiar. A thick fog came up during the night; and, in the morning, the boat was found to be snugly moored to the river-bank, near a large plantation, the mansion-house being then occupied as a signal-station; but the fog cleared up during the forenoon, and the boat proceeded on her voyage. The sail was a pleasant one, and was greatly enjoyed; and, as the river had risen since the arrival of the regiment at New Orleans, it presented a nobler appearance than at that time. Plantation after plantation stretched along the banks, on both sides of the river; but few of them showed any signs of activity. The residences of many of the planters indicated taste and refinement; and, in some instances, the negro cabins had a very attractive and picturesque appearance. These plantations may have belonged to men of the St. Clare school; but no Evas were seen sporting among the roses, or Uncle Toms “keeping an eye on things.” During the afternoon, Jefferson College was passed, and, still later, a large convent, prettily situated near the river, with grounds tastefully laid out. About midnight, the boat arrived at Plaquemine, an old-fashioned, dilapidated looking town, but which is said to have been a thriving place before the rebellion, when the Mississippi was covered with steamers, and the products of the cotton and cane-fields were filling the coffers of the plantation princes. The few citizens who remained had evidently not lost their hope of the ultimate success of the South; for Confederate paper was worth half as much as greenbacks.

Sunday afternoon, Feb. 15, the Louisiana Belle arrived at Plaquemine, having on board Gen. Emory and staff; and she was soon followed by another boat, with the One Hundred and Fifty Sixth New York, and Col. Ingraham and staff. A gun-boat started with them, but broke down on the way, and put back for repairs. A portion of the Thirty Eighth being on the upper deck of the transport, and exposed to the weather, quarters were procured for Cos. C and F in unoccupied houses on shore. It was after dark when they landed, and raining hard. The mud was knee-deep in the streets, and the night pitchy dark. After floundering along for half an hour or more, it turned out that the guide had lost his way, and the two companies had to countermarch, and retrace their steps part of the way. In after times, many a laugh was had over the misfortunes of that night; but, at the time, Mr. Webster and Mr. Worcester would have been astonished at the capabilities of the English language in furnishing expletives. Finally, the house that had been selected for quarters was found; and all except the unlucky guards were soon oblivious of the mishaps of military life. Afterward, several of the remaining companies were transferred to quarters in the town.

The regiment drilled, as usual, at Plaquemine; and the men often wondered when that lazy soldier-life they had heard so much about was going to begin; for, hitherto, with drill, guard-duty, fatigue, and rifle-cleaning, they barely had time to answer their letters from home.

In the meantime, the gun-boat had arrived; and a number of men acquainted with boat-service had been detailed from the regiment, and sent up the Bayou Plaquemine in launches, on a reconnoitring expedition. While awaiting the return of the boats, the sugar-houses in the vicinity were visited, and candy-making became the order of the evenings. In the succeeding months, the molasses-candy expedition was often recalled, and its incidents talked of over the camp and picket fires.

The reconnoitring party returned with the information that the bayou was completely obstructed by piles and immense drifts of logs, and that it would be impossible to force a passage through. In consequence of this report, the troops again embarked, and the transport headed down the river, reaching the landing at Carrollton at six o’clock on the evening of the 19th. In the morning, the march was taken up for Camp Kearney, where everything was found in order, although the camp bore evidence of having been pretty well flooded by the rains of the previous week. A mail had arrived during the absence of the regiment, and it had been sent up the river, to the disappointment of every one. Numerous absurd rumors concerning disaster to the regiment had been brought down the river, and one had found its way into the New Orleans papers, to the effect that nine companies of the Thirty Eighth had been captured. Acting upon this information, the sutler had packed up his wares, and gone to another regiment, concluding that his chances of money-making in the Thirty Eighth were at an end.

Immediately upon arriving in camp again, the tents were struck, and the floors taken up, that the sun might dry up the dampness. On Sunday, Feb. 22, divine service was performed in the camp by Col. Ingraham, the band, and a select choir from the ranks, assisting; and the day was further honored by the firing of a national salute from Camp Parapet.

On the 26th, by the advice of the surgeon, the regiment were to have “a rest, not more than three hundred men having come out the day before for battalion drill;” but in the afternoon, however, an order came from brigade head-quarters for the regiment to have skirmish drill. Capt. Rundlet, being in command at the time, deployed the left wing as skirmishers, drilling them especially in the movement of “lying down;” the right wing, in the meantime, remaining in reserve. This order did not increase the popularity of the brigade commander. On the last day of the month, the regiment was again mustered for pay. On that day, also, a number of boxes reached camp, which had been sent to the regiment when at Fortress Monroe. They had been intended for Thanksgiving, but did not reach their destination until the fleet had sailed; and three months’ confinement had reduced the turkeys and chickens to skeletons, and the puddings and pies had not increased in flavor.

During the month, the regiment lost several valuable members from disease. On the 3d, Orderly Sergt. Samuel J. Gore, of Co. E, died of typhoid fever, and was buried under arms; and on the 4th, Sergt. Charles A. Howard, of Co. A, died of the same disease. Sergt. Howard received a commission as lieutenant in another regiment a day or two before he died. On the 3d of March, the Sergeant-major, Walter W. Nourse, added another to the list from this fatal disease. Sergt. Nourse came out as 1st Sergt. of Co. F, and was the pet of that company, as well as a favorite with the whole regiment. Resolutions expressive of their sympathy were forwarded by Co. F to his bereaved friends; and they also testified their respect for their comrade, by having his body embalmed, and sent home, where imposing funeral obsequies took place upon its arrival, and touching tributes to his memory were published in the newspapers.