[79]
believe they would be to any but Texans,) and we feared nothing in the rear, except from down the railroad in case Bayou Boeuf should be taken by force in possession of Terre Bonne.
As it was, with our men scattered through half-a-dozen camps, the greater part sick, and without organization or officers, I don't know that we could have done much better than we did, though if we had had a little more time we could have destroyed the stores.
But although our regiment was not disgraced, it was a sad sight to see the Stars and Stripes trailing in the dust, and our regimental colors carried off in triumph, and many of our men vowed they would have another crack at the rascals, and avenge the insult before going home.
The privates and non-commissioned officers were paroled, while the commissioned were taken off to a Dixian prison, probably in Houston, Texas.
Getting tired of doing nothing at the “prisoners' camp,” I volunteered with three or four others to help nurse our sick and wounded at the hospital, as nurses were much needed.
I expected only to stay till the paroled men were sent across our lines, but when they left, the Doctor pressed me so hard to remain, that I decided I ought to do so, only hesitating at the thought that you would be anxious at not hearing from me.
Having expected to go till the last moment, I had not even time to send a line by a friend, and don't know when you will get this.
The Colonel had deputed me to bear the intelligence of the capture of the post to General Emory, and to give the General such information as I could about the numbers and designs of the enemy.
He had also requested me to write an account of the affair to Mr. B-for publication.
These two commissions I regretted much not to be able to fulfil; but as almost all our nurses seized the opportunity to go, I didn't like to desert our wounded, and with two others, decided to stay.
Our doctors have worked like Trojans the whole time.
The balls whistled through the house during the engagement, as our red hospital flag was mistaken for an ordnance flag, and two sick men and one negro woman were killed, but the two doctors went on amputating and cutting out balls with perfect sang froid during the whole storm; and their work was capitally done, and all our wounded are now in a fair way for recovery.
The Surgeon of the Fourth Massachusetts ran away early in the action, and the confederate doctors are a lazy, and, I believe, an ignorant set, so that all the work is thrown upon the hands of our men.
Nursing is quite new work for me, and I can't say I like the occupation, but I am getting used to it, and it is better than doing nothing in a parole camp.
Bayou Boeuf, surrounded on all sides, fell without a struggle, which added Colonel Duganne, two Lieutenants, and company I, to the number of prisoners.
I had almost forgotten the Quartermaster, who was also taken there.
The men at Lafourche succeeded in repulsing the rebels three times, with considerable loss, but the fourth attack being made with a larger force, the place was taken and the One Hundred and Seventy-Sixth regiment wiped out of existence.
Although it has not achieved the triumphs that fond friends hoped for it, it has not fallen ingloriously, but remained at its post to the last, and was lost not through the fault of its men or officers, but owing to the mistaken generalship which left it a prey to a much superior force.
We know not as yet what friends or comrades we have lost at the battle of Lafourche, but according to all accounts the carnage was great.
The enemy was again repulsed at Raceland, but after repeated efforts, succeeded in storming the place.
From thence they made an attack yesterterday on Donaldsonville, where they were defeated.
I understand they intend to make a dash at New-Orleans, and they are confident that Banks will be compelled to raise the siege of Port Hudson in order to save the capital of his department.
Of further movements you will be better informed than I, as I can hear but little here, and that through rebel sources.
I must not forget to tell you that Mrs.----has been unremitting in her attentions to our sick and wounded, and comes almost every day with Miss----to the hospital, with sheets, drawers, shirts, socks, etc., which are much needed.
She is certainly a most kind-hearted woman.
I lost almost all my personal baggage, but she has given me a mattress, mosquito-bar, pillows, socks, etc., so that I can get along pretty well.
Her husband is home, and has beer placed in charge of the road, so she is happy, but she has seen enough of fighting.
Several bullets passed through her house, and two or three men were killed in the garden.
I was under severe fire two or three times, but escaped unhurt, and am in a fair state of health.
Brashear City, La., July 7, 1863.
dear mother: I managed to send off a long letter to M — about a week ago, relating the sad capture of this place, and the complete disorganization of our regiment, in consequence of the loss of its officers and the cutting up and capture of our men. I also stated that I had remained behind to help care for our wounded, instead of proceeding with the rest of our paroled men to our own lines.
I have now been two weeks here in the hospital, and matters have changed but little.
The gunboats have not yet arrived to recapture the place, nor has the flag of truce boat come to bear us all to New-Orleans.
We can hear but little of what is occurring between us and the city, but there are indistinct murmurs to the effect that the rebel advance has received a severe check at Donaldsonville, about fifty miles from New-Or 