The story of the Thirty Eighth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers

by George Whitefield Powers

During the first week in March, a regimental well was dug; and marching orders were at once expected, for, hitherto, these events had followed each other in close order; and the rule was not now to be broken. On the 4th, the cooks had orders to cook rations. The next day, drill was dispensed with, and orders were issued to pack knapsacks, and be ready to move at a moment’s notice. Somewhat experienced in marching orders, the men made themselves quite easy over it, not expecting to get away for several days. Consequently, they were taken completely by surprise to hear the “assembly” just after dark, followed immediately by the “orderly’s call” and the “officers’ call;” and there was quite a hubbub in the camp. At first, there was supposed to be trouble in New Orleans; and the men were elated at the prospect of having something to do. That morning, one company had brought out but twenty-eight men for drill,—thirty-five reporting sick, and a number being detailed,—but, in a few minutes after the assembly was heard, sixty men were in line, equipped for active service; and the same spirit was shown in all the other companies. It was soon learned that the duty to be performed was near home, and was not relished so well. There had been some trouble in the One Hundred and Seventy Fifth New York; the men refusing to go on the campaign until they were paid, they not having received any money since their enlistment. Their camp was surrounded by the other regiments of the brigade with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets; but, after a short address from the brigade commander, the men of the One Hundred and Seventy Fifth returned to duty, and the Thirty Eighth and the other regiments were released from their unpleasant task.

The next morning opened with a drizzling rain. At noon, orders were given to strike the tents on one side of the company streets, and put the knapsacks in those of the other side; and this was barely done, when the rain began to pour in torrents, and continued to do so for the remainder of the day. Three days’ rations were put in the haversacks, and all the regimental baggage packed. The One Hundred and Seventy Fifth had started in the morning; and the Fifty Third broke camp in the midst of the rain, and marched to the levee; but the Thirty Eighth lingered until evening, when orders came to strike all the remaining tents, and take the baggage to the cars, which passed near the camp. The mud grew deeper and deeper, as the men wallowed through it; and, as the night was very dark, it was a difficult task to keep in the track. A large detail had been sent to store the baggage on board of the transports, and there were so many on the sick-list that it took the remainder nearly all night to load the cars. The few hours before morning were spent around the camp-fires; and, at sunrise, the regiment marched to the levee, stacked arms on the sidewalk opposite, and proceeded to put the remainder of the baggage, quartermaster’s stores, &c., on board of the St. Mary’s. It was a very carnival of mud; and soon every one was coated with it. About noon, the regiment embarked; and tired, sleepy, muddy, and packed like sardines, the men coiled themselves up in all shapes, and slept soundly in the hot sun. The boat arrived at Baton Rouge the next morning, and found the river full of gun-boats, mortar-boats, and transports; and signs that the campaign was about to open were everywhere apparent. Landing on the levee, the Thirty Eighth marched through the streets of the old capital of Louisiana to the Theatre Building, where they were quartered. Although the climate and the unwholesome water had begun to do its work, the regiment was still comparatively strong, some companies taking near seventy men into the field; and the long rows of stacked muskets on the floor of the Theatre had a martial look, and spoke of work in the future.

CHAPTER IV.

Baton Rouge—Review by General Banks—March on Port Hudson—Passage of the Batteries by Hartford and Albatross—Burning of the Mississippi—Return to Baton Rouge—Wood-chopping—Embark for Algiers—Easter Incident—Take Cars for Brashear—Berwick City.

BATON ROUGE was alive with troops, belonging to every branch of the service. Staff-officers and orderlies were galloping through the town; quartermasters and commissaries were full of business; and flags were waving continually from the signal-towers. A few citizens were to be seen in the streets, grim and sullen; but they were almost lost amid the blue-coats. The Thirty Eighth had orders to pack their dress-coats, and all other articles except blankets, overcoats, and a change of clothing. Old soldiers may smile at this idea of “light-marching order;” but the men had not yet learned how little baggage was necessary for comfort and health.

Wednesday, March 11, the iron-clad Essex, so famous in the annals of Mississippi warfare, arrived at Baton Rouge, and was inspected with much interest by the troops. This boat was the wonder and delight of the contraband population; and amusing stories were told of the effect produced upon both black and white Southerners, when she first made her appearance before the city. Another examination was made in the division now, and the sick men, and those unable to endure the fatigue of field service, were sent to the hospital, and the command stripped to its marching and fighting material.

Shelter-tents were issued on the 11th; and during the first march, everybody carried tent-pins, with which to pitch them; and this in a densely wooded country. The Thirty Eighth were proficient in the manual of arms, and could go through battalion movements creditably; but they were not yet soldiers. On the 12th, the division was reviewed by Gens. Banks and Emory, accompanied by a large and brilliant staff, Admiral Farragut being present, and the centre of attraction. Although the knapsacks had been reduced somewhat, the addition of the shelter-tents, and twenty extra rounds of cartridges, made the load fall heavy enough to be on the back from eight in the morning till one in the afternoon, when the review closed. The force on the field consisted of thirteen regiments of infantry, three batteries, and several companies of cavalry; and the review took place on the old battle-field of Baton Rouge, near the spot where Gen. Williams was killed, the marks of the bullets then fired being still visible on the trees and fence-posts.

While at Baton Rouge, an order was issued by Gen. Banks, very complimentary to the Thirty Eighth. After a severe rebuke of the manner in which the officers of certain regiments had performed their duties, as shown by the reports of the Inspector-General, the order went on to say: “The Commanding General cannot forbear pointing to the marked contrast indicated in the same reports concerning the condition of the Thirty Eighth Massachusetts and the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Volunteers, enlisted at about the same time; but carried, by the zeal and laudable ambition of their officers, beyond the reach of this pernicious influence.”