A short march was made the next day, the army going into camp at nine o’clock, near Simmsport, on the Atchafalaya River. There, to the great joy of every one, a large mail, both of letters and papers, was received; and the regiment once more learned how the world outside was moving. Tuesday morning, May 19, the troops were ferried across the Atchafalaya, and encamped on the other side, with the expectation of remaining several days; but Thursday morning saw the inevitable “orderly” ride into camp, and the column was again in motion.
For the past month, the weather had been rapidly growing warmer, the roads more dusty, and the swamp and bayou water on the line of march more unpalatable; and the regiment parted with regret from the clear Atchafalaya, with its green, shady banks, and its beautiful scenery.
A portion of the country in this vicinity having been flooded by breaks in the levee, the progress was slow; the artillery and wagons being obliged to go on top of the embankment raised to keep back the waters of the Old River,—a former bed of the Mississippi. The regiment went into camp about dark, in a woods, beyond a small town, and starting again at daylight, during the forenoon reached the Mississippi, at Morganza Bend. De Soto and his Spaniards greeted the mighty river with no more enthusiasm on its discovery than did the dusty and thirsty Army of the Gulf when it once more came in view. Its muddy waters were eagerly sipped, and the canteens filled for future use.
CHAPTER VII.
Cross the Mississippi—Bayou Sara—Storm—St. Francisville—Approach Port Hudson—Skirmish on the 25th of May—Negro Soldiers—Battle of May 27—Death of Lieut.-Col. Rodman—The Ravines.
AT Morganza, the army found transports awaiting to take it across the river. A sail of fourteen miles brought the steamers to Bayou Sara, where the troops were disembarked, and rations issued. This village had seen fit to harbor the guerillas, who, from their ambush, had fired alike on vessels of war and peaceful river-boats; and it bore the marks of the prompt punishment inflicted by the gun-boats. Solitary chimneys arose from heaps of rubbish which marked the spots where once houses and places of business had rested secure under the old flag; and a general air of lifelessness and decay pervaded the place.
The regiment had scarcely begun the ascent of the steep bluff overlooking the village, when one of the sudden storms peculiar to the Valley of the Mississippi, broke over them; and in a few minutes they were not only wet through, but the deep red soil was so saturated, that marching became almost impossible. Passing through the village of St. Francisville, the brigade encamped at night near a cotton-press, and built huge fires, around which the men grouped till partially dry; the picket detail, however, going to their posts wet and supperless, but without complaint.