January, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
January |
On the 1st of January, 1864, the regiment was in barracks at Augusta, Me., its organisation nearly complete, and a large proportion of its men and officers being experienced soldiers. On the 9th, the tenth company was mustered into service. |
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Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 4 |
Stephen & I left home for Augusta night found us in Portland to George Burks. Bought me one hood 1,25c feeling very sad |
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 5 |
Arose very early. Bought me a dress paid 6 dollars started at noon for Augusta reached there at nine in the evening |
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Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 6 |
left Stephen to Augusta & went to Parris to day sad & gloomy is the thought can I ever endure it Stayed with Washington Richards tonight |
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Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 7 |
came to Bethel to day Stayed to Br. Lovejoys tavern over night found Joseph there O how lonely I am feeling cannot sleep |
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Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 8 |
came from Bethel today on the stage Stayed to Charles Abbotts all night |
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Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 9 |
Stephen was mustered in to the united states Service today came home to day with George Newton found the Children all well sold the beaf cow to Mr. Grover for (40,00) killed Chickens |
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Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 20 |
Stephen left home to day |
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Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 23 |
took up Rhoda note 50,00 for taxes 12,3 Mr. twitchel bought at Andover 16,51
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Stephen's Letters
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Jan 28 1864 |
Augusta Thursday evening
Absent affectionate and never forgoten Wife and Children though my bodily presents is far from you my mind and affectins is continued with you and while I write the tear of love and reflec-tion will flow my bodily health is good but my mind at times is weighed down with these Reflections that I have delt rashely with dear and loving ones at home that through the love of money which is the root of all eavle I have ?misted? on duty left my dearest earthly trea- sures in a desolate friendless dreary place and joined this all most reckless rable of unprin- cipled men but we have in our company a good many good christians owr chaplain has not ben in camp to my knowlige but this is rather on the dark side when I carst my cares upon Jesus who careth for me I can look though all these triall and afflictions to the very moment when I shall return to injoy my dear family left bhind in a ?fermer soneon? then ever before S N Richard |
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Stephen's Letters |
Jan 30th 1864 |
Augusta Saturday
Dear and affectionate Wife I hope I shall not weary you with my letters this is the third since I returned and have not received a word from you but hope I shall before this reaches you xxxxx excuse me for writing so often for my mind is continualy with you and I cannot employ my liesure momnets in no other way then in communing with you through the medium of pen and paper which is the only source for the present granted to us we are well understand me when I say we I do not mean this Regiment nor this company but my self Henry and Joseph for there is two cases of the same disease in this company which I cannot have my charity for but to pity them but I may be mistaken in my apprehensions but to see men appearently just as well as my self when I cam here now mooving round on one foot suported by a cane scarcely able to git out of the barracks and groing worse every day causes me to have thoughts and feelings that they have disobeyed the laws of God and man and are sufering the peniality ther of God grant that I may not rongfully accuse or judge any man but render to every one their just dues and respect but I cannot feloship conduct which is not respectable my daily prayer is that God will give me grace and strength to continue in the paths of virtue and be blessed with the same abhorance of eavle vice and wickedness that I now have this camp has visitors of all dissc ription from the child to the man and from the high and respectful lady to the low and degraded carrstor Henry and I went down to Town this afternoon visited the jail and saw James McKinney in jail await ing his trial for dersition the 29th Regiment leaves here to morrow morning for the south Henry and Joseph have received today two hundred and eighty five dollars town bounty each I do not know to what town they are assigned I want you to wrigt me how you get along all about the business and if you want me to autherrize any one to assist you in settling with Winslow sell the hay sell or let the farm and moove out of that place where the children can go to school and you can enjoy ?privegles? which that lonsom place dos not affor our camptain told me this affter noon that they wer fixing an allotment role that soldiers can sign and their wage be paid to their family in stid of to them the idea did not strike me very favourable and I thought I would mention it to you write what you think about it as soon as you receive this letter keep you money and tern the hay and stuff to pay the small debts and when the farm is sold pay Mr. Strickerlain the boys in this regiment are very anxious to leave here and go south they do not seam to rearlize what they are in or whear they are a going but give themselves up to reckless ness profanity and vice this will not be pleasing though it may be interresting to you to know some things of the wickedness with which I am daily surrounded but I can truly thank God and take courage for the more of it I see the more decided and fixed is my mind and feelings against it Stephen N Richards |
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Stephen's Letters |
Sunday Jan 31st |
Children be kind to one another and love your mother God bless you Dear affectionate Wife I thought as my letter was not sealed I would write a few thoughts and endever to give you an idea of a Sabath her in this camp though I know that I shall fail to impress upon your mind a comparison of the true reality at about seven the drum beats the revilee the officer commands every man in line for role call then all hands wash then fall in line and march to the cook house for breakfast next comes the order prepair every man for inspection then passes half an hour scouring their guns others puting on equipments some ?sewfling? some singing songs others swearing real confusion till the order comes fall in company for inspection which takes till eleven o'clock then they are alowed the pleasure of the camp the remainder of the day we that wish it are granteda pass at two o'clock to the city to church there was only ten of the company of one hundred men that would go to meting with us to day I must leave it to you to immging my thoughts and feeling in steping from this confused barracks into a church could only compair it to changing earth for heaven every thing still beautiful and in order the singing church organ Bible and preaching all seamed to charm with the delights of heaven we are prepairing to go to prayer meeting this eavning if we are granted a pass from the officers if not we shall have to stay here my trust is in God and in yours and my own faith and prayers and I want that faith that lays hold upon the promises of God and brings a ?perant? salvation near there shall no evel befall the I want to, so enjoy xxx my dear savour that I can allawys feel that he is presant with me to sheald and protect me in the saved hour and in the hour of danger O that I could see you my dear companion in life and them dear Children but God has other wise determined and I am trying to be reconsiled to his holy will and to pray always and in everything give thanks knowing that this is the perfect will of God the 29th has gorn to day and it is rumerd that we shall go next Sunday I hope we shall not go to texas it will be so difficult to git letters home write as soon as you git this I am very anxious to heer from you it seames a long time since I saw or heard from you and I hardly know how to contain my feeling I ask your prayers that God will give me strenght and help me that I may endure all trials and danger resisting every apearence of eavle fearing nothing but to offend my Heavenly Father and that I may be continualy filled with that perfect love to God which casteth out fear and that I may have on the whole armor of God and through his kind Providence may be able to resist every adversary for if God be for us who can be against us I can endure all things through Christ which strengeth me I trust in him that the time will soon come when he will restore me to those I love dearest on earth that we may enjoy a more sacred union then ever befor God is just and merciful and it is through his mercy that I am here I neglected my first and most sacred duty to my family and my God and he would ben just in taking me from them and from the earth but he has only parted us for a short time blesed be his holy name now and forever more Stephen N Richards
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February, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
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On the 7th of February, the regiment being fully armed and equipped, broke camp at Augusta and proceeded to Portland to embark on board the transport Merrimac for New Orleans, reaching there on the 15th. On the following day, crossed the Mississippi and quartered in Algiers. On the 18th, moved by railroad to Brashear City, and thence by steamer up Bayou Teche to Franklin, where the regiment was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 19th army corps. |
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 9 |
paid Mr. Ilsley 3,05 Butter 1,00 Sheeting 40 4,00 two gallons Molasses 1,34 one fine Comb 15 1 half lb tea 50 8 lb butter 1,80
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 23 |
Settled with Mr. Winslow 16,00 one ton of hay 8 one dust pan 25 one tea pot 20 one Bason 45 one cow Bell 50 one Choppe knife 25 1 spider 50 1 cross bar 58 1 stove back 92 1 shovel and tongues 58 10 yds of trint 25 2,50 2 pictures 95 one headdress 1,12 passage to Bethel 75 for coming on the stage 1,50 halling things up 2,00 for one meal 25 paid Mr. Scribner 5,00 for spice 14 one paper needles 6 1 dozen of Buttons 6 1 slate 10 hooks and eyes 6 postage stamps 1,00 paid Henry Douglas 2,00 paid Mr. Bragg cuting wood 4,00 paid Mr. Grover 3,00 paid Mr. Rich 2,58 paid for indian wheat 68 |
March, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
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From Feb. 19th to March 14th, inclusive, the regiment was encamped at Franklin. On the 15th of March, the 1st division, 19th corps, moved from Franklin to enter upon the Red River campaign. On the 25th, Alexandria, La., was reached, the route being over the rich flats of Lower Louisiana, and the distance marched 160 miles. On the 27th, the march was continued to Natchitoches, where the army encamped on the 31st. |
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Stephen's Letters |
Mar 5 1864 |
Frankerlain Louisana Dear wife and Children I take the opertunity this eavning to pen a few lines to you my health is good Henry and Joseph are well but there is a good many sick in this regiment I have writen once to you since we arived here and have nothing of importance to write only it is reported that we are to moove in a day or two and know not where we shall make the next stand we are required to drill three times a day and the other camp duties keep us busy the whole time this is a fine country here they are now planting corn and shogar cane ?and? many kinds of trees are in bloom and look beautifull naturaly very fertile but in general now neglected diserted and desolate if it should after the war is over be settled by free men and worked by free labour it will be a very rich and fertile country but it would not suit me I have not heard from you only once sence I left home and it seams as though I could not wait from day to day write every week and direct to New Orleans La Co G 30th Me Regt it seams decided that we are to leave and ar orderd to pack our things tomorrow mornning I must close for they will not allow any lights after nine do write ?so? I may get a letter from you soon if we do leave here it seames that I cannot hear from you trust in God and he will preserve us fro your ever faithfull Hus Stephen N Richards
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Stephen's Letters |
March 13th 1864 |
Send me some stamps we cant get any Frankerlain Louisana
Dear Son I have writen six letters to your Mother since I left home and received one and I thought while she was answering them I would send one to you and sis and my little pinty I am well and hearty and pray daily that God will grant you all these great blessings of health and strength sufficient to all your toils and labors a contented and resigned mind and grace to overcome every temptation sorrow and trial I am now twenty six hundred miles from you but my mind is continualy with you and often reminds me of what Father Newel so wisely said that the mind would as readily meet our friends in the moast distant parts of the world as if they wer presant with us I have writen every weak sence we arrived here in a letter 3 weeks ago today I said something of our voig out should you not git that letter I will write about it again we are now under marching orders and have ben for about ten days but our lieutenant said today that we should start Tuesday it is reported that we are to go to Elexandrey in texas but we here know but little about when they will send us and it matters but little to me if they will only send us towards home Henry is well and sits by the side of me writing a letter home Joseph is in the hospital they caried him of Wensday and I have not seen him sence Henry went and saw him yesterday and said he was quite smart he had the measels coming on and larst Monday moring he and Henry went out on picket gard and come in Tuesday about noon and he took a bad cold and has ben pretty sick but is gitting better now there has ben a good deal of sickness in the Regiment since we arived here of measels momps and diseas and one or two deaths it would amuse you to see the little negres here and see them carry a load on the top of their head you must be a good little man and help your Mother all you can until I come home which I will be soon O how I wish I could be with you tonight I must say a few words to sis I want you to write me another letter learn to write as fast as you can and write me a good long letter I had a good time the other night reading over that one that I received from you and Mother at augusta and quite a baby cry and in my sleep before morning had a very plesant time with you at home pinty be a good boy and not forget Father and they will let father come home soon to stay with you and now a word to Mother I have not heard from you but once since I left home and every night brings a new dissapointment for daily I expect a letter we had a Brigade inspection today and could not go to meeting I wish you could seen to it it would ben as much war as ever you would wished to see there was a train of artilerry think a mile long you may think strange that I do not write on or about our chaplain I have waited hoping that I could write in that way that would be interesting and pleasing to you and me but I must wait longer I want to know if you git my letter and if you got that one hundred and ten dollars that I sent you God bless you Stephen N. Richards
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CWSAC Reference #: LA017
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March 14, 1864 |
Fort DeRussy Other Names: None Location: Avoyelles Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. A.J. Smith and Brig. Gen. Joseph Mower [US]; Lt. Col. William Byrd [CS] Forces Engaged: 3rd Division, XVI Army Corps [US]; Fort DeRussy Garrison (approx. 350 men) [CS] Estimated Casualties: 317 total (US 48; CS 269) Description: The Union launched a multi-purpose expedition into Rebel Gen. E. Kirby Smith’s Trans-Mississippi Department, headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana, in early 1864. Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks and Rear Adm. David D. Porter jointly commanded the combined force. Porter’s fleet and Brig. Gen. A.J. Smith's XVI and XVII Army Corps detachments of the Army of the Tennessee set out on March 12, 1864, up the Red River, the most direct route to Shreveport. Banks with the XIII and XIX Army Corps advanced by way of Berwick Bay and Bayou Teche. After removing various obstructions that the Rebels had placed in the river, the major impediment to the Union expedition was the formidable Fort DeRussy, an earthen fortification with a partly iron-plated battery designed to resist the fire of Union ironclads that might come up river. Union Brig. Gen. A.J. Smith’s command had embarked on transports at Vicksburg and then disembarked at Simsport, on the 12th, about thirty miles from Fort DeRussy. Smith sent out some troops on the morning of the 13th to determine if any enemy was in their path. This force dispersed and chased an enemy brigade, after which, Smith set his men in motion up the Fort DeRussy road. They did not proceed far before night. Early the next morning, the 14th, they continued the march, discovering that a Confederate division threatened their advance. Always mindful of this threat, Smith had to place part of his command in a position to intercept these Rebel forces if they attacked. Upon arriving at the fort, the enemy garrison of 350 men opened fire. Smith decided to use Mower’s division, XVI Army Corps, to take the fort and set about positioning it for the attack. Around 6:30 pm, Smith ordered a charge on the fort and about twenty minutes later, Mower’s men scaled the parapet, causing the enemy to surrender. Fort DeRussy, which some had said was impregnable, had fallen and the Red River to Alexandria was open. Result(s): Union victory
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Stephen's Letters |
March 27, 1864 |
La Alexandery I seat my self this morning to write the seventh letter to you sence receiving one from you or hearing a word from you there was a good many in our company that received letters from home on ariving here and I was much dispointed that I was not among them we left Frankerlain on Tuesday the 15th and arived here Friday larst marching one hundred and ninety miles in ten days we did not march on the sabath they let us rest and wash which was very much enjoyed the Rebs left just before our forces entered the place there was no fighting here but our advance took about three hundred priso- ners without losing or hurting a man on our side we are only resting here and expect to march in a day or two for a place called Shrevesport where the Rebels are consentrating and fortifying they say it is one hundred and fifty miles by land and three hundred by water up the red river we have a larg force here on their way up the river two Corps left here yesterday Charles Newhall made us a call yesterday he is in the second Mass Battery he said they had orders to march this morning at five ther is ten or fifteen gunboats going up the river and a larg artilary force it is thought that the Rebs will run before they will fight Joseph is not with us he was sent back to New Orleans sick and we have not heard from him since we left Frankerlain my health is good and I stood the march ?thru? far better then I expected Henry is well and has not received alletter from home yet but is very anxious to hear from the folks I hope and trust that this letter will reach you injoying health and trusting in God it is only by puting my trust in him that I am sustained from day to day do wright I want to know how you git along and if you git my letters and all about everything write if you received that hundred and ten dollars that I sent you by Father Brooks from Augusta Frank Rand stoped at New Orleans and small is behind as water in the hospital and the chaplain I have not seen nor heard from since we started on the march I hope he is a good man but I have seen many that I think would suit me better Wallace you must not be discouraged nor work to hard but be a good little man and Father will come home and help you as soon as they will let him Sis do not forgit Father and lern to write me a letter as soon as possable my little curly head must be a good little man and grow as fast as he can so as to help Father when he comes home I must close by wishing you health and prosperity Remember me in you prayers and you shall be rememberd in myne Direct your letter to New Orleans Lousiania Co G 30th Regt Maine Vol Yours Stephen N Richards
lizzie E. Richards and Wallace Richards and david Richards father to good to go into the army (Written in a different hand, apparently after the original. MR)
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April, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
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The march was resumed on the 6th of April, and towards evening of the 8th, this regiment with its brigade first went into action at Sabine Cross Roads, where the advance of the army had engaged the enemy, and where the entire force, excepting the 1st division, had already been disastrously repulsed. In this action, which reflected so much credit upon the division that for the day was the salvation of the army, the 30th regiment took an honorable part. In its first battle, it formed under fire and largely contributed toward defeating an attempt of a confident enemy to turn the left wing of the division. At midnight of the 8th, the regiment with its division retreated to Pleasant Hill. Late in the afternoon of the 9th, the enemy made a determined attack upon the army. The 30th was then on the extreme front and left of the U.S. forces. It held its ground against very great odds until after the retreat of all the other regiments of its brigade, when it was ordered back, and being re-formed, assisted the reserve forces of the 16th and 17th corps and repulsed the enemy, driving him two miles from the field. At midnight, the army retreated towards Grand Encore, and arrived at that place on the 11th. At Grand Encore, this regiment performed much severe labor as an advanced picket for the army and in constructing earthworks and abatis for the defence of the position. On the 21st, of April, the retreat of the army was resumed, which, on the morning of the 23d, was effectually stopped by a force of the enemy so posted as to hold with infantry and artillery the only practicable crossing of Cane River. To the 3d brigade was assigned the duty of fording the river above the crossing and dislodging the enemy, in which the 30th Me. bore the most conspicuous part. The largest regiment of its brigade, and from its position, exposed to the most sever force, it assaulted and drove from a natural fortress, which by many would have been considered impregnable, five regiments of the enemy's force. This was done by a brigade of four small regiments, of which only one other that the 30th did, or from the nature of the ground could, successfully engage the enemy. The success was due almost entirely to the conduct of the 30th Me. Vols. On the 24th of April, the march was continued, and on the 25th, the army camped at Alexandria |
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Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 1 |
Bought one yoke of oxen for one hundred and sixty seven dollars and a half |
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Stephen's Letters |
April 4th 1864
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Near Natchitoches Dear Wife and Children with the greatest satisfaction I received a mail from you this after noon the first word that I have heard directly from you since leaving Augusta the 7th of Feb the first that came was a dead then came a letter mailed Mar the 12th then came one the 16th then ther came in a package of papers containing a beutiful little Book for which I cannot express my feeling of gratitude and thanksgiving first to God and then to you all I am highly pleased to hear that you was well and prospering and trusting in him who is able to protect us in all Circumstances what ever that trust in God is all that sustaines me here and he is able and will take care of you and me and bring me safely home to injoy the society of those I hold dearest on earth we are on a long and tedious march up the read River have marched two hundred and fifty miles and they say it one hundred from here to where we expect to make a stand at Shrevesport I wrote in my first letter from Frankerlain the perticulars about our voig I did not learn by your letter whether you had received that letter the report that the Merrimac was lost probily arose from this fact She struck a reaf on the coast of Florida and remained farst from thre to four hours and about dark they sent up sky rockets as signals of distress and cast her coal over board and succeeded in giting her off and sailed directly out to sea and as to small pox there has ben to my knolige none in the Regiment we are in camp in a piece of pine woods expecting marching orders at eleven and I doant know when or where we shall have the privilige of another chance to send letters but we shall inprove every chance there is no authority by which I can sign that dead legaly here I think now that you had better hold on to the farm this spring keep your cows and sheep and hens geese and pigs and carry on your garden and I hope that I shall be at home to cut the hay but if not you can let it out and git enough to keep your stock O that I could be with you this spring but God has other wise determined and I will through his grace be reconsiled to his holy will O how it strengthens my faith trust and confidence in in him to know that I have a faithfull and dear companion at home that daily interceeds at the throne of grace in my bhalf try my dear Wife and Children whilst I am absent to be contented reconsiled and happy and God will bless you and me and this seperation he will cause to work for our good O how it rejoiced my heart to receive a letter from my dear Children I cannot answer it now but will improve the first opertunity I have sent one to Wallace which I surpose you have not received Look unto Jesus my dear little ones and put your trust in him and he will bless you and save you in the hour of trial and temptation and to you my dear companion never distrust you r companion and friend who will through the help of God ever proove true as long as life shall last the mail is about to start God bless you pray for me and I will for you S N Richards write often if the letters do not come directly we git them my health is good you shall hear from me as often as possible |
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 5 |
Sold 22 hndred of hay at nine dollars flax seed 1,00 one half ton hay 3,50 one ton of hay to Mr Ballard at eight dollars |
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CWSAC Reference #: LA018 |
April 8, 1864 |
Mansfield Other Names: Sabine Cross-Roads, Pleasant Grove Location: DeSoto Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks [US]; Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor [CS] Forces Engaged: Banks’s Red River Expeditionary Force [US]; District of West Louisiana (two divisions) [CS] Estimated Casualties: 4,400 total (US 2,900; CS 1,500) Description: By this time, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Bank’s Red River Expedition had advanced about 150 miles up Red River. Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, without any instructions from his commander, Gen. E. Kirby Smith, decided that it was time to try and stem this Union drive. He established a defensive position just below Mansfield, near Sabine Cross-Roads, an important communications center. On April 8, Banks’s men approached, driving Confederate cavalry before them. For the rest of the morning, the Federals probed the Rebel lines. In late afternoon, Taylor, though outnumbered, decided to attack. His men made a determined assault on both flanks, rolling up one and then another of Banks’s divisions. Finally, about three miles from the original contact, a third Union division met Taylor’s attack at 6:00 pm and halted it after more than an hour's fighting. That night, Taylor unsuccessfully attempted to turn Banks’s right flank. Banks withdrew but met Taylor again on the 9th at Pleasant Hill. Mansfield was the decisive battle of the Red River Campaign, influencing Banks to retreat back toward Alexandria. Result(s): Confederate victory
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CWSAC Reference #: LA019 |
April 9, 1864 |
Pleasant Hill Other Names: None Location: DeSoto Parish and Sabine Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks [US]; Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor [CS] Forces Engaged: Red River Expeditionary Force (Banks’s Department of the Gulf) [US]; District of West Louisiana [CS] Estimated Casualties: 3,100 total (US 1,100; CS 2,000) Description: By April 1864, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks’s Red River Expedition had advanced about 150 miles up Red River. Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor, commander of the Confederate forces in the area, decided, without any instructions from his commander Gen. E. Kirby Smith, that it was time to try and stem this Union drive. Taylor gained a victory at Mansfield on April 8. Banks withdrew from that battlefield to Pleasant Hill, but he knew that fighting would resume the next day. Early on the 9th, Taylor’s reinforced forces marched toward Pleasant Hill in the hopes of finishing the destruction of the Union force. Although outnumbered, Taylor felt that the Union army would be timid after Mansfield and that an audacious, well-coordinated attack would be successful. The Confederates closed up, rested for a few hours, and then attacked at 5:00 pm. Taylor planned to send a force to assail the Union front while he rolled up the left flank and moved his cavalry around the right flank to cut the escape route. The attack on the Union left flank, under the command of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Churchill, succeeded in sending those enemy troops fleeing for safety. Churchill ordered his men ahead, intending to attack the Union center from the rear. Union troops, however, discerned the danger and hit Churchill’s right flank, forcing a retreat. Pleasant Hill was the last major battle, in terms of numbers of men involved, of the Louisiana phase of the Red River Campaign. Although Banks won this battle, he retreated, wishing to get his army out of west Louisiana before any greater calamity occurred. The battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill jointly (although the former was much more decisive) influenced Banks to forget his objective of capturing Shreveport. Result(s): Union victory
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CWSAC Reference #: LA020
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April 12-13, 1864 |
Blair’s Landing Other Names: Pleasant Hill Landing Location: Red River Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Thomas Kilby Smith and Rear Adm. David D. Porter [US]; Brig. Gen. Tom Green [CS] Forces Engaged: Provisional division, XVII Army Corps, Army transports, and U.S. Navy Mississippi Squadron [US]; Green’s Cavalry Division [CS] Estimated Casualties: 207 total (US 7; CS 200) Description: After the battle of Pleasant Hill on April 9, Brig. Gen. Tom Green led his men to Pleasant Hill Landing on the Red River, where, about 4:00 pm on April 12, they discovered grounded and damaged Union transports and gunboats, the XVI and XVII army corps river transportation, and U.S. Navy gunboats, with supplies and armament aboard. Union Brig. Gen. Thomas Kilby Smith’s Provisional Division, XVII Corps, troops, and the Navy gunboats furnished protection for the army transports. Green and his men charged the boats. When Green attacked, Smith’s men used great ingenuity in defending the boats and dispersing the enemy. Hiding behind bales of cotton, sacks of oats, and other ersatz obstructions, the men on the vessels, along with the Navy gunboats, repelled the attack, killed Green, and savaged the Confederate ranks. The Confederates withdrew and most of the Union transports continued downriver. On the 13th, at Campti, other boats ran aground and came under enemy fire from Brig. Gen. St. John R. Liddell’s Sub-District of North Louisiana troops, which harassed the convoy throughout the 12th and 13th. The convoy rendezvoused with Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks’s army at Grand Ecore, providing the army with badly needed supplies. Result(s): Union victory
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Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 15 |
Bought 50 lbs of nails for 8 cts a lb (4 dollars) one axx one dollar and 25 cts five gallons of molassas at 90 cts a gallon (3,50) one ?yuire? of paper 20 cts peper 10 cts one ball of waking 15 cts buttons 6 cts one spool of thread 11 cts one package of envolop 2 cts garden seed 20 cts sold four dozen of eggs ,67 bought 12 Sheets of paper 10 cts |
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CWSAC Reference #: LA021
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April 23, 1864 |
Monett’s Ferry Other Names: Cane River Crossing Location: Natchitoches Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks [US]; Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee [CS] Forces Engaged: Red River Expeditionary Force (Banks’s Department of the Gulf) [US]; Bee’s Cavalry Division [CS] Estimated Casualties: 600 total (US 200; CS 400) Description: Near the end of the Red River Expedition, Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks’s army evacuated Grand Ecore and retreated to Alexandria, pursued by Confederate forces. Banks’s advance party, commanded by Brig. Gen. William H. Emory, encountered Brig. Gen. Hamilton P. Bee’s cavalry division near Monett’s Ferry (Cane River Crossing) on the morning of April 23. Bee had been ordered to dispute Emory’s crossing, and he placed his men so that natural features covered both his flanks. Reluctant to assault the Rebels in their strong position, Emory demonstrated in front of the Confederate lines, while two brigades went in search of another crossing. One brigade found a ford, crossed, and attacked the Rebels in their flank. Bee had to retreat. Banks’s men laid pontoon bridges and, by the next day, had all crossed the river. The Confederates at Monett’s Ferry missed an opportunity to destroy or capture Banks’s army. Result(s): Union victory
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Stephen's Letters |
April 27th 1864 |
Camp near Alexandria La Dear Wife and children it is with the greatest pleasure and gratitude to God my Heavenly Father that I enjoy this privlige of again writing to you we left Grandecord (where I last wrote to you) last Thursday at 4 o'clock in the afternoon and continued our retreat back down the Read River with but very little rest untill Saturday morning when the head of our column reached Cane river where we had to cross on a pontoon brige it was the report all the way that the Rebs was in our front determined to cut of our march and another large force in our rear calcu- lating to bag the whole of our army her the truth of the whole matter was suddenly revealed by the opening of a Rebel Battery directly in our front on the oppersit side of the river on a high hill in the woods the officers soon asertained that we was blow the main Reb forces on the other side of the river and that they could cross and easily surround us we wer ordered to about face and marched back about a mile and forded the river and formed in line of battle and went forward through the woods in persute of the enemy the skirmishers in advance soon commenced firing and falling back till we cam to a small clear field in the woods we came up on the north side of the field to a high rail fence and laid down on the south side directly in front of us there was a very steap side hill in the edge of the woods on the opersite side of the field here the Rebs had three lines of battle formed one at the foot of the hill one about half way up the other on the top of the hill the prisoners said they thought we could never cross the field and felt sure they could hold the place against our hole army but we wer ordered to down fence and forward and forward they went to the the foot of the hill and there we found a rick of bogs brush and mud and water in many places knee deap but it was crosed and the the Rebs routed and we gained the top of the hill charged bayonets and drove them entrely from the place Colonel Fesenden was wounded through the leg lieut- Richardson our first was wounded through one leg and one arm one of our sargents was wounded bad and two others hit Joshua Smith of Newry was shot through the head and killed dead on the field he was one of our best and bravest boys was one of the foremost in charging across the field and fell in supporting the glorious old Flag of his Country I know not how to express my feeling apon the Battle field to see my Friends and comrads falling some dead some mortaly wounded others slight ly wounded and O the sufering pain and agony which these brave men endure God grant in his tender mercy that I may never again witice such a seen after the Battle we marched about two miles and camped in the woods on the river bank the next morning Sunday the 24th we was routed about daylight and made some coffee and got all ready to march when the oald canon began again to roar bhind us the order was given to rest we all expected another fight but we soon learned that Gen. Smith was suffing for them in the rear and we marched joyfully on our way or in other words we could rejoice that the prospects was good that we should not have to fight that day we got into this camp Monday about four o'clock in the afternoon copleatly jaged out there was only twelve of us in our company that came in with the Regiment ant that was better than many other companys many did not git in till the next day Our Regt was ove one thousand men when we left main and now it musters about four hundred men they all say there never has ben a Regt in the field that has don so much marching and fighting in so short a time as the 30th Maine the New Yorkers say it had orto be relieved from duty and sent home to recruit we found a large mail here for us when we reach here and I was greatly pleased and gratified to receive two letters and a package of papers and the likeness of each of my dear babes at home O how rejoiced I was to hear that you was well and prospering I think you have made a wise decision in concluding to stay on the farm and don the best thing that you could do in buying a good pair of oxen you can hire some in plowing and hallin manure and Wallace is such a man he can harrow and rais considable and hope I shall be home by haying time it is thought that we shall be paid the first of May they have ben paying other Regts in our Brigade and it will come our tern soon I think I allotted ten dollars per month to you and if I git my bounty I shall forward it to you and I think you had better pay what you can towards the farm and keep your oxen and other stock till I come home I think you have ben very wise and prudent in buying the oxen and deciding to say on the place willing as you allways are to sacrifise your own personal enjoyment for the good of the family I have writen to the saxon fo the methodist chirch at Augusta about that box and think he will hunt it up if he can I hope you will find them Picturs they cost six dollars my health is good and hope and trust that God will continue to bless us till we meet again and forever I must tell you a little about our tents and tent crew a single tent accomodates three and a double tent six when we went up on this march we choos six as our tent crew consisting of Sargent Widler Corprel Parker of Newry Corprel Grove of Bethel Joshua F Smith Henry and myself we had the most peasiabl and best crew in the whole Regt no one that used tobaco made a habit of swearing or quarling but each one attended to his own busness some gave us the name of the happy Family but at the battle of Plesant Hill we lost Sargent Widler and have not heard from him since he was a first rate man in the camp at the fight at cane Rive we lost Joshua killed and Corprel Grove wounded and now we have a single tent and for a crew Corprel Parker Henry and Joseph and myself Henry Joseph and I joined with a man and and took the Portland Transcript at one dollar per year 25 cts each and our tent crew joined together and sent for the Boston Journal I want you to write me if you have got a settlement with Grover and about the thirty acres of land and all the news you can it was quite a sight to see the contribands that followed our army when we came down from Grandecore of all ages from the oald and decriped to the infant child some had oxen others Meuls and oald worn out horses of which ther is an abundance here but the greater part with a large sack placed directly on the top of their head they are all hired out they say by our government on the deserted plantations time and place demand that I should close this letter by wishing you the Blessing of God and asking an intrest in your prayers Stephen N Richards |
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Stephen's Letters |
Undated ca. April 1864 |
Lizzia write again Henry and Joseph was surprised to see that you could writ so well Be a good girl my Child Camp at Grandychore La Dear Wife and childrren, O how I discribe my feelings and situation to you here this Beautiful sabath day but alas I will not attempt it will be only to fail I am blessed with all the blessings that a kind and mercifull Heavenly Father can bestow upon my here my health is good my courage is good my determinations are good and I will with the help of God press forward till I join hand in hand with thos dear ones at home and may it be his holy will that nothing by death shall ever again part us only now parted in body the same in mind and heart with the greatest satisfaction I received a letter from home to day and was greatly pleased to hear that you was enjoying health and prosperity and the presence of a Risen and ever living savour we have fell back fifty mile from where the first battle was fought and camped in the woods and have built Breastworks from one point on the Red river to another away below the fortifications are six miles in length across the point the Rebols are much stronger here than was expected whether we shall advance or fortify and remain here or fall back down the river I can not tell it is talked in the camp and it matters but little to me I feel the sam dependence on an over ruling and devine power in one place that I do in an other one desire above all and that is that God will continue to be with me and enable me to be true and faithfull to him to my Country and to you and return me to my family purer in heart then when I left unspoted by the sins vices and wickedness that daily surround me a roving mind satisfyed and contented and that I may enjoy your sweat and consolating society till death alone shall part us I think if you and the Children feel contented on the farm you can do better to keep it and keep your stock and sheap and hens but I want you to do that which think is best for you and the children keep them with you instruct them in the ways of truth and Righteouness and God will bless us and we shall yet rejoice together I can not write much about our chaplain he has I believe joined the Reg’t. by the way of the river but keeps very close neither preaches or prays or visits the men I think he is a good man but I wish we had a more humble devoted labouring Christian Methodist minister this man labours in the Reg’t is of no account we have the best of company officers and the Colonel is a noble man he is loved and esteamed by every man in the Reg’t I think he is one of the finest men that lives a perfect temperance man he says he dos not drink licuer and says [I was pleased to receive a letter from my babes be of good courage I shall be home soon this war will soon end ] he will not furnish it for eny of his men I have written to a Mr. Beal in Augusta to go to the express office and see if he can find that box he is a good Methodist Brother I got some acquainted with him in the Pryer meatings at Augusta and I thought I would write to him all about it and git him to go to the office and see if it could be found be of good courage dont let cares and anxiety weare upon your mind it is our heavenly father that has chastized us for our own good and I am determined that with his blessings it shall work to gether for our good I must close by asking Gods blessings upon you O could I be with you S.N.R but I am willing to wait his own apointed time
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May, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
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"On the 13th of May, the retreat was continued towards the Mississippi. On the 16th, the army was confronted by a large force of the enemy at Marksville and Mansurd. A cautious advance in line of battle was ordered, but although the armies were face to face for upwards of six hours engaged in rapid artillery fire, almost without pause, the enemy withdrew before any serious engagement was had between the infantry forces. For the greater part of the day, the regiment was in the front line and under fire of the enemy's artillery. The march was continued, and the Atchafalaya River and Semmesport reached on the 17th, where the regiment did good service in helping to bridge the river for the army train. From Semmesport, the army marched to Morganzia, on the Mississippi, where it arrived May 22d. |
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Stephen's Letters |
May 1, 1864? |
this is a token of the Battel field pined very closely to the inside of a Rebs nap sack I send it to Sis keep it till I come My Dearest earthly treasures it is through the divine Blessing of a Merciful god that I enjoy this privilge of writing to you O how I could look up and bless his holy name and take courage and go forward trusting in him at all times rearlizing that his holy hand has perserved and protected me in those scenes of suffering and death to which many fell victims I in ancier to your prayers and my own have escaped unharmed let us trust in God atall times and he will protect us and bring me safely home to enjoy the society of those dear ones he has given me for my comfort and happyness there is neither comfort nor enjoyment here but only to percivier on trusting in the grace of God which he through obediance to his holy commands and faith in his holy son Jesus our saviour he is pleased to bestow upon me I am very sorry about that box from Augusta and fear that it is lost through the carlesness of the man that drove the the express team I delivered it to the express man the night before we started he had a full load and left it in the Barracks with a larger box belonging to Reuben D. Small promising to be sure and take them in the morning Small paid the express bill on his and oferd to but he said he had rather it would be paid when the box was deliverd it may be delayed on acount of the mark it he took a lead pencil and poot SN Richards Upton ME on the box very dimly I asked him if that was sufficent and he said it would be propertly directed at the office he was a young chap and I think the box was left by him at the barracks or overlooked in the office he came on the ground after we had formed in line to march away Small spoke to him and told him to be sure and take them boxes at Co G Barracks I hope your will find the Pictures they were very nice and cost six dollars I shall write to the express office to Augusta to go the first mail the box was from 20 to 29 inches long from 10 to 12 wide and about inches deap as near as I can give the dimensions now I alloted to you ten dollars of my monthly pay before leaving Augusta when we shall be paid off I cannot tell Joseph is hear with us now his health is good he came up the river from New Orleans and joined the Regt here sence the fight Henry is well he was with the wagon train and did no go into the Battle do not my dearest on earth let cares and anxiety weare apon your mind I see it in the expression of your likeness which you sent me I thank you kindly pens sell here for 1,00 apiece eggs for 10 cents a piece for that picture the lass got broke coming but not to damage it much it just fits in my wallet and lies near my heart be chearfull content and hapy trusting in God he has placed me here he is with me here and he will carry me safely through and bring me safely home to unite with my dear family around the family alter and prepair for that heavenly meeting where parting will never be known I shall while I stay here strive with my whole heart to live a Religious and devoted life to God if there is eny place in this world that a man neads religion more that another it is in this army never distrust me my dear companion and I will never betray your trust Sell the farm if you wanto and and send the dead to me and I will sign it the first chance yo write often S N Richards |
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Stephen's Letters |
May 10, 1864 |
In virtuous path I'm bound to go That god may to me favour show And bring me home from this ville war is my daily constant prayer
We have ben paid up to the first of May except thirty dollars alloted to you I allotted ten dollars per month which will be sent to the states treasury at Augusta and he will notify the Town Treasury that the money is there for you and he can send and git it and pay the same to you I got forty dollars bounty which I shall send to your as soon as I can safe I think when you git the money if you do not nead it you had better pay it to Lee Strickerlain on them notes I hope you have succeeded in gitting that box from Augusta I wrote to Mr. Beal a very fine apearing man and saxon of the Methodist Church in Augusta discribed the box and what was in it and requested him if he could find such a box and the mark of which was a pencil mark was disfaced or or not plain to open it an if it contained one wolen blanket one pair of pants one hat and two pictures to have it properly mailed and send it to you I sent fifty cents in the letter and wrote that he should be well paid for all his trouble the the box was left in the care of the man that drove the express team I think you have made a very wise decision in staying on the farm this summer and don well in in buying your oxen doant try to do to much work on the farm do what you can git don in season and let the rest go I hope if Mr. Winslow explodes he will not blow the hill entirely down but will blow entirely down off of the hill I must close it is eleven and we are not alowed lights after nine God bless and protect you / Stephen |
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 10
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10 dozen of eggs )1,67( 8 dozen of eggs )1,23(
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Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 11 |
for Showing my oxen 1,00 dollar cutting wood four days 4,00
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Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 13
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bought on hoe 70 cts one hat 33 7 ½ lbs of fish at 6 ½ cts a lb, 45cts 12 Sheets of paper )10 cts( postage stamps 50 cts )
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CWSAC Reference #: LA022
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May 16, 1864 |
Mansura Other Names: Smith’s Place, Marksville Location: Avoyelles Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks [US]; Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor [CS] Forces Engaged: Banks’s Red River Expeditionary Force [US]; District of West Louisiana [CS] Estimated Casualties: Unknown Description: As Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks’s Red River Expeditionary Force retreated down Red River, Confederate forces under Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor attempted to slow the Union troops’ movements and, if possible, deplete their numbers or, better yet, destroy them. The Union forces passed Fort DeRussy, reached Marksville, and then continued east. At Mansura, Taylor massed his forces in an open prairie that controlled access to the three roads traversing the area, where he hoped his artillery could cause many casualties. Early on the morning of May 16, the Union forces approached, and skirmishing quickly ensued. After a four-hour fight (principally an artillery duel), a large Union force massed for a flank attack, inducing the Rebels to fall back. The Union troops marched to Simmsport. Taylor’s force could harass the enemy's retrograde but was unable to halt it. Result(s): Union victory
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CWSAC Reference #: LA023 |
May 18, 1864 |
Yellow Bayou Other Names: Norwood’s Plantation Location: Avoyelles Parish Campaign: Red River Campaign (1864) Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower [US]; Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor [CS] Forces Engaged: 1st and 3rd Divisions, XVI Army Corps [US]; District of Western Louisiana [CS] Estimated Casualties: 860 total (US 360; CS 500) Description: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks during his retreat in the Red River Campaign, following the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, reached the Atchafalaya River on May 17. Once on the other side of the river he would be shielded from the continuous Confederate harassment. But, he had to wait to cross the river until the army engineers constructed a bridge. On the 18th, Banks learned that Maj. Gen. Richard Taylor’s force was near Yellow Bayou so he ordered Brig. Gen. A.J. Smith to stop them. Since Smith could not comply himself, he ordered Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Mower to meet Taylor. The Yankees attacked and drove the Rebels to their main line. The Confederates counterattacked, forcing the Federals to give ground. The Union force finally repulsed the Confederates. This see-saw action continued for several hours until the ground cover caught fire forcing both sides to retire. Yellow Bayou was the last battle of Banks’s ill-fated Red River Expedition, and it insured that the Federals would escape as an army to fight again. Result(s): Union strategic victory |
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 24 |
express bill )80( cts for halling things from bethel one dollar + ten cts |
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Stephen's Letters |
May 25th 1864
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Mr. Stephen N Richards Dear Wife and Children after being for four weaks entirely cut of from all communication and news of any kind we have fought our way through to the Missipi river to a place called Maganza? bend here we received a larg mail from home which had ben held back after the Rebs stoped our Boats from going up and down the read River I received four letters from you and a packeg of papers O how thankfull I was and how my heart could prais God when found that he had again brougt me through when I could again hear from you and enjoy this privlige of pening a few thoughts his wonderfull mercy and goodness to his people that trust in him we have had a long and tedious campaign endured much hardship privatation and suffering which pen and ink can neve discribe but may God in his tender mercy grant that I may face to face give you a full and perfect disscription [ ] of my entire campaign in the [ ] war I hope it will be short for [it] has ben fierce and heard thus [far] this campaign is considerd at [an] end and we are halted here [a] waiting orders where we shall go no one knows but it is rumered that we shall go to som fort on the River to rest and recruit which we very much nead they took our knapsacks and blankets and all extra bagage on board the boat when we started from Alexndra which greatly relieved [us] on our march down but whether we shall ever see them again or not I can not tell but we expect when we are stationed at some port they will be brought to us we have ben paid of up to the first of April I received forty dollars bounty and three dollars on a month pay and there is thirty dollars due you on the allotment Role which I want you to git and I shall send [ ] forty to you as soon as I git [ ] I can express it or send it saf[ ] think if you do not nead th[ ] money you had better p[ ] you can to Mr. Strickerlain[ ] farm be sure and look out for [your] states aid and have all that you want to make you comfortable content and happy I am pleased that you have bought a pair of oxen and intend to keep the family and stock together do what you can on the farm and let us trust in God believing that he will soon end this our seperation and unite us again in all the comforts home peace and tranquility one in heart we had a short but very plesant call from Howard Nuter the other day he is well and looks ruged and hearty he is in the 42nd Ohio they and another Regt wer sent up about 90 miles to meet us and help us through on to the River I must tell you about going [ ]blackberrying while we wer [ ]wating to git our wagons across [ ]larg river on a brige made of [ ]steam boats by runing them close together and crossing on the bow [ ]ck Henry and I and Eben Barker got leaf of the Captain to go out and pick some black ber- we wer gon out 4 ½ hours picked all we wanted to eat and I sold three dollars and seventy cents and gave the Captain one dollars worth I could make any amount of money if I was here free from the army but if I was free from the army I should not be here write God bless you S N Richards |
June, 1864 |
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Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 1 |
Sold four dozen of eggs )67( |
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Stephen's Letters |
June 4, 1864? |
on the morning of the 22ed we struck tents and marched 3 miles to the camp where we now are nothing of importance has occured except the busy bustle and confusion of camp life which is very disagreable to me June 1st Mr. John Lucus died of the diarhea and was buried in the afternoon without either sermon or prayer ??? service at all our chaplain is not here I have not seen him sence we have ben in camp here where he is I cannot tell probally to New Orleans or where he can take comfort June 4th yesterday and to day it is very showery here with heavy thunder and lightning we are now at what is called Morganzia bend in the Miss River on the Western side three miles up river or north the river makes a curve to the east and disapears between three and four miles below or south of our camp it also turnes to the east at what is caled Morganzia Landing thus giving us a plain view of the magnificent river for btween 6 and 7 miles it is one of the most grand and sublime seenes that I ever saw especialy in the morning when the sun rises from the eastern horizon clothed in a deep crimson red the old Miss pertakes of the same shining splendor and beauty and rushes forward at the rate of six miles an hour and the fleat of transports and gunboats constantly passing up and down or anchored upon her mighty waters all seem to be in the highest element of splendour and beauty and combined together to teach the candid thinking mind deep and solemn lesons of the power and infinite wisdom of the Great Creator of all many and in structive have be thes lesons to my own mind Behold the infinite wisdom power and goodness and the perfect works of nature and natures God on the one hand and sin wickedness and Rebellion and the awfull consequences therof on the other I can truly say I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the den of wickedness the river at this place if full banks would be three quarters of a mile wide and the banks at the river is higher then the serface of the land back from the river to prevent the country from bing overflowed ther is a levee built on both sides of the River at about ten rods from the river on an everige this is a bank or rig artificialy built about 20 feet thick at the botom twelve feet high and jest wide enough on the top for two persons to walk side by side we are camped inside btween this levee and the river and have steps the same as chamter stairs on each side to pass up and down over the levee Joseph is on picket to day and I have ben out to cary him his dinner he is ruged and hearty and fat as a pig and seems to enjoy himslef first ratee he is heavier the Henry or I Henry is on camp gard today his health and spirits is good our turns come on gard once a week troops are accu mulating here and we have ben building shades and bowers and rasing our tents from the ground as if we we to remain here all simmer I hope we shall not go eny firther south and never try the Red River expedition again we had in or company when we left maine 97 men that carried guns and now we have for duty 26 with two that came in to day it is hot here in the sun but cool chilly nights and and cool in the shade in a clear hot day the sand is so hot that you cannot stand in it with bear feet you wished to know about taking the prisoners Corporil Barker and I follow the retreating Rebs 2 miles through the woods and hit a path that led into a small field we went up to the fence and a rebel soldier rose up and waved his hat and surrendered he was trying to take care of a friend that had ben shot through the thigh we gave well man up to a corprel and another sold and took the wounded man out to the road where the ambulance could take them I must close this is not a lot detail or corect account of our adventures but a few imper sketches from a very poor memory My Son put your trust in God and he will bless you and make you wise and good. |
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Stephen's Letters |
Sunday June 5th 1864 |
Be a good little Christian girl and God will bless you I receved those curls Morganzia Bend La
My Dear Child after writing a long and tedious letter to your Mother and finishing xxxx one to Wallace larst night what shall I find to write in answer to you which have given me so much pleasure I have received you letter of the 12 and 13 May was truly rejoyced to hear from you that you was enjoying good heath and prosperity I would much rather be with you enjoying your sweat and lovely society and engaged in the ?sivel? and quiet persuits of life then to be seperated from dear loved ones in this distant desolate land amid the dangers privatations wickedness and confusion of war but God is just and we will put our trust in him he will never leave nor forsake us unless we depart from him but will in his own good pleasure when he hath suficiently chastised us for our sins and for our own good bring us again together united in body and presance as we ?shurialy? are in heart and mind Bless his holy name my health is good and Joseph and Henry is well and rugged but there is a great many sick in this co. and in the whole regiment sick it requires the greatest energy skill and industry for us to preserve health here in this country cleaness and execise is indispenciable many ly apon the ground exposed to the heat of the sun by day and the dampness and chill of night and bfore they are aware of it they find thimslves in a slugish drowsy careless thoughtless and all most senceless condition which is is very dangerous and hard to be recoverd from then there is what they call the prickley heat caused by lying on the hot sand in the sun it resembles what we call cerfet it becomes very bad and burns with such intence heat in the blood that it is with difficulty that it can be born all this is prevented by cleanness and exercises and a strict adhearance to temperance in all things both eating and drinking and habits of all discriptions it is not good to over exert and it will not do to loung about in the dirt it is a shure cause for dioreah to eat to excess and drinking liquor should be abandoned intirely smoking is a filthy dirty habit with meny others which are practised and are direct causes of desease and suffering in the army in our tent we have our bunks to sleep on about two feet from the ground others are imitating our example we practice washing all over everyday in the oald Missippi wash our own cloths or pay 10, cents a piece for washing I have don my own washing we git our water from the river which is much better then we we have had but would be very poor compared with ours at home the 19th Regt is here Charles Bean has ben up to see us twice and Joseph and Henry are gorn down to see him to day I received a packag of papers and a beautifull little book for which I feel very thankfull and hope to be able to read it before marching again we have the Boston Journal right from the office we git it in about 12 days after it is printed I wuld like to have you send me the Herald and Star once in a while send me a small pocket Bible if you can git a good one I have only a testament which I got of a fellow that had two after I lost mine at plesant hill this is not a land of Bibles here neither does it seem like the Sabath day we had an inspection this morning as ?usual? the guns was so dirty and rusty that the Captain orderd them cleaned and an other inspection at 5 this afternoon and while I am writing they are scouring guns and brases all around me I try to be reconcild to my lot and pray dayly and trust in my Heavenly Father that he will shortly bring me home to live with you which is the great desire of my heart I would recomend to you my dear child the Lords prayer and the sincere desiers of your inocent heart and affections ?annest? there to remember that when you pray for yourself and me at home and I pray for myself and you in a distant land God hears and sees us both at the same time and will ancer acording to our faith but I must close this letter for inspection and dress perade and we have just received orders to prepair one day rations and prpar to march tomorrow morning at 6 oclock SN Richards |
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Stephen's Letters |
June 6th 1864 |
Morganzia Bend La My Dear little David I write a few words to you about our adventure today it is cool and Showery with thu nder here this morning at about 6 we formed in line and marched down river two miles came to a halt and waited untill they formed a train of wagons of about twenty and then marched 2 miles west directly back from the river to a large plantation passed the buildings and formed a line across the field then came wxxxx the train maned with negroes and went to the buildings and loded with boards from the inside of the houseses and then returned to the river where they are building a larg fort the boards are to be used in the fort we returned and got into camp about 3 oclock in the afternoon had a plesant visit from Howard Newton he apears to be a fine steady fellow in good health and spirits and says he is coming home in September his Regt is in camp half a mile above ours or up river I am going up to see him I shall send some money in a letter as soon as I receve an answer from you if my letters go directly threw to you |
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Stephen's Letters |
Tuesday June 7th 1864 |
I have ben on fatigue duty to day firing up the back grounds and cutting a passway thr ough the levee for teames to pass through there is some nice fedes of corn here where the army has not parsed it stands now higher then a mans head and cotten looks pretty the plant looks allmost exactly like our indian wheat when it is growing rank on rich ground the cotten is planted in roes about 4 feet apart snakes are very plenty the black is found they say from 4 to 10 feet long I have not seen a live one but I have seen several dead one some 5 or 6 feet long they are savage loo king fellow the mogason snake is very larg and poison and lives in and around low watery places and hundreds of smaller knds and species which I will tell you about when I come home lice fleas and wood ticks are the most numerous combatents with which we have to contend ?with? but a dayly campaign resulting in complete victory on our side keeps them con??? May the grace of God be with you and guide you in all thing |
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Stephen's Letters |
Wednesday June 8 |
We are all under preperation this morning for a division inspection to day we are busily emplyed the whole time and have ben ever sence we came into this camp there is no town nor villige here but a few old deserted huts and one or two familyes of whites it is I think a much better and helthier place for us here then at New Orleans or Baton Rough butter is, 65 cents chees, 60 cent milk, 50 cents a quart and very scarce at that but it makes but little differance to me for I will not spend my money for stuf at such prices and the suttlers all the way I can git along with them is to let them entirely alone I can live very well on our rations when in camp and git full rations the suttlers have sold tea since we have ben her for four dollars per pound and others thing acordingly but the colonel has regolated his prices and he sells cheeper now but if every one was of my mind they would not be so may suttlers neither would they get rich very fast I had rather send my money ?home? a man by the name of Jacob Brown died to day about noon there was 15 on the sick list from our Co. this morning a man by the name of Write died in Co H on Monday the 6th our Chaplain is absent I have not seen him sence we have ben here I wish we had a good smart Chaplain whose heart and intrest would be in the work and who would be willing to spend his time and labour for the good of this Regt my health is good Joseph and Henry is well and harty Joseph weighs 140 if he keep going he will soon weigh 200 I must close this by wishing you all peace and prosperity and a sacred trust and faith in our blessed Lord and Saviour he sustaines me from day to day it gives me faith and confidence in God my heavinly Father and reconciles me to my lot when I rearlize that I have a dear and faith full Companion and true and inocent hearted ?famly? in Christ at home that daily intereact at the throne of grace in my behalf write me all the news you can and be good and faith ful children till Father comes home your in love |
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Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 10 |
bought four Skeins of Coten yarn fiffty five cts linen thread )5 cts( |
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Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 11 |
Sold four dozen of eggs )80( 5 ½ dozen )1,10( bought 32 bushels of grain at 60 cts a bushel 19,20 for drawing wood 3 days )3,00( for Shoeing oxen 75 on lb of tea )1,30( |
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Stephen's Letters |
Fryday June 17th 1864 |
Morganza Bend La Dear Wife and Children through the tender mercy of kind and Benelovent god I have the privlige of writing to you in answer to yours of the 28 of May which is jest received this morning I was greatly re joiced to hear from you that you was blessed with health prosperity and faith and trust in him who is able to protect and save us amid all the dangers and perrels trials temptations and afflictions of this presant eavl sinfull and wicked world never was the true principles of true Chrischanity so firmly established in my mind and heart as at the presant time I was aware that you would rearlize some three or four weaks that you would not receive no letters from me we were cut off from all communication at Alexandria and it was about a week after leaving there before I could write I have writen three to write sis since ariving here closing the larst on the 8th to Lizzie in answer to hers dont forget will give us a happy meeting in his own aponted time since that time we have ben very busy fixing our tents building company streets and bowers and shades it is very hot here with showers and heavy thunder and very sharp lightning Henry and Joseph are on picket gard to day they went on at 10 oclock to day and will be relieved at the same time to morrow they are well and ruged our Co have to furnish five men a day for gard and we have about twenty four for duty so our tern comes one in 7 or 5 days I have writen to you about that box in two letters some time ago but it seems that you have not received them so I will answer your request x in this one the box contained one blanket one pair pants the hat that I wore from home and one large and very nice shell cased picture Henry and Joseph setting in two chairs side by side and I stand between and a little behind them as if convercing to gether it cost four dollars and be faithfull and good and learn of him my picture sitting with a book in my hand in the same kind of case only smaller the same as Henrys that he sent from I have writen to a Mr Beal saxton of the Methodist Church in Augusta disscribing the box and what was in it and requested him to open it if the name was worn off and if he could find one containing such articles to send it by express to you I sent him a half dollar and wrote him to send a bill of his cost and trouble and he should be paid it is probable mine has ben shifted for the one you have received I should hold on to the one you have untill yours come I have allso writen to you twice about my pay and bounty we wer paid at Alexandria up to the first of May I received on in stallment of United States Bounty forty dollars and three dollars on a month pay ten dollars per month being alloted to you which is dieu you at Augusta the forty I shall send you by mail I think it is as safe so as eny way we have no drect connection here with the express line but should have to send by some individual to New Orleans or Baton Rogue I shall enclose twenty dollars in this letter and twenty in the next I wish you to pay what you can on the farm to Strickerlain Henry and I talk of sending a box athings home as soon as we git our knapsacks which we put on board of a transport at Alexandria it is said they are at N Orleans and will be sent to the Regt but temporary things are uncertain in war Gods desires and perposes are sure and steadfast and no earthly power can flustrate his holy plans and divine will but suffering wo and disstraction temporal and eternal are in consequence of sin and wickedness and resistance to his holy will and commands we will trust in him and learn of that meak and holy Jesus Stephen my dear children be good and trust in God and he will give us a happy meeting in his own aponted time to Lizzie in answer to hers dont forget to write sis write often and all the news |
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Stephen's Letters |
Saturday June 18th, 64
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We talk of sending home a box of things soon Henry and I and Joseph to gather some blankets and things that is no use here It is hot here to day send me some stamps I got mine wet and spoilt them they pay 5 cts apeace for stamps here Morganza Dear Wife through the permission of an overruling and kind Providence I again enjoy the privlige this morning of writing you a few thought I received a letter from you yesterday dated May 22 & 27 there is nothing that gives me so much pleasure contentment and satisfaction as to hear from you that you are well contented and prospering I think you are doing a nice business in farming it was the best thing you coul do to stay on the farm and but the oxen and rais what you can convienantly I wrote you a short letter yes terday inclosed twenty dollars and have twenty more to send but I should like to know if that goes safe first it seemes now that we are prepairing to stay here all summer but we cannot tell we may leave any day for some other place all are very anxious for the success of Grant in Virginia we are only alowed single tents and two in a tent now it is so hot so we have divided our tent and crew and Corporel Barker and I tent together and Henry and Joseph in the next tent to ours we have our tent fixed up the bst of any one in the company and determined to do all in our power to preserve cleenness and health and temperance in all things I have jest ben to the suttler and paid sixty cents for a pound of butter you would think strange if you wer selling butter to take a ladle and dip it into a dish to weigh it but that is the way we git it here I bought a little cod fish about two pounds for ,25c flour when we can git it at all we git 8 lbs for a dollar ther are men in this company and I surpose all through the Regt that were paid about four weaks ago from fifty to one hundred dollars who are now call ing on the captain for order to git stuff of the suttlers it is an easy thing to spend ten dollars a day here for stuff which only injurs and causes sickness among the men that is my mind I wish there was not a suttler on the ground I send you twenty dollars in this letter |
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Stephen's Letters |
Sunday June 19th |
am this morning blessed with health faith trust and a firm reliance apon God my Heavenly Father he alone sustaines me in this distant land far away from all I hold dear on earth but how great is the consolation that our hearts are united in Christ he sees us all at the same time he knows every desire prayer and intention of our hearts all our thoughts words and actions are open and plain before him and when we come to him in full subjection to his holy will and in compliance with his divine purity and justice and infinite holyness he hears our prayers grants our dsers and causes all our trials afflictions temptations toils dangers and perils to work together for our temporal and spiritual good he can never be over come by his adversaries and all the powers of sin and wickedness combined can only cause the true spiritual light to shine bright and brighter in the true Christian heart where Christ the hope of eternal Glory is established in the soul this I learn my dear companion by daily experiance whilest I write I have my dear family (only in likeness) aranged in order at my right hand God grant that it may soon be a reality that we may write to read sing pray and converse together but we will trust in him and in his own good pleasure he will answer our prayers and cause us to reap in joy what we now sow in tears our chaplain has not ben here since we have ben in camp I hear nothing of him and I do not know where he is we have no religious services at all except our individual and privet devotions I trust there are many here that draw nerishment from Christ the living vine and find sustaining grace at the never faling fountain above I must close by wishing you the best of Heavens Blessing and Asking God to grant that I may shortly be with you Stephen I have a Rebel blanket which I took from the battle field at plesant Hill I entend to send you soon be of good couragewrite often when you receive that money and I send send me some stamps soone more Miss River Morganzia Bend La My Dear Son I take the pleasure this eavning of pening a few thoughts to you and shall let my pen run about as the thoughts pass through my mind thinking they may interest and amuse you I feel highly pleased and gratifyed that I have such a man at home to manage business carry on the farm and write me such good letters set your mind my dear child upon the principles of trouth righteousness and the holy comands of God that as you grow in statue you may grow in true greatness all the great men of all ages that have bcome truly great have ben activated by these true principles of Chrischanity if you would be wise you must seak it at the never failing fountain of infinite wisdom power and goodness thes are the atributes of God by which he created the heavens and the earth and all things that were created and pronounced them good thus we see to be under his protection direction and instruction we are in connection with the great and good and infinite creating power who can and will sustain all that he has made and is able and equaly powerfull in all things to renew and recreate the whole holyness righteousness and trouth and the infinite wisdom justice and goodness are the attributes of God by which he gave life to the world. thus we see that the elements of Thursday, 30 God are life light and a constant creating power. there is neither darkness nor death in them a life in the soul that can never die but lives in connection with the great fountain head of eternal life which gave life and existance to all things. a light which shines forth in the heart to enlighten our path and instruct our minds through time and shines brighter brighter through an eternal day a power which overcomes this eavle world when new toils and labours trials and temptations afflictions dangers and perrils daily arise this power is in the soul to create new strength wisdom knowlidge faith trust and perciverance to enable us to resist and overcome the whole to bear the easy yoke of Christ and learn of him is the first and greatest duty of man. life is from the beginning death came by sin in concequence of or as a penialty for sin death passed upon all men sin degrades degenerates and kills all the power [???] faculties of the boddy and soul my dear [??????] shun the pathes and way of the wicked if sinners intice the go not with them leave the profane swearing to him self if you cannot have good society be alone read good books and have your minds on those thing which are elevating life giving and good and God will bless you and make you wise and happy in this world and in the word to come eternal life. S. N. Richards. |
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Stephen's Letters |
Monday June 20th |
I have ben on detail to day at onfis??? the hospital it has ben a very hot day 21 going on picket today the line is about one half mile from the camp I wish you could have one view of our camp moovements and impliments here it would satisfy you of war.
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Stephen's Letters |
Wednesday 22nd |
I have got in off of picket and will try and finish my letter to you my dear children my health is good for this place and Joseph is rugged Henry is not so well today as usual but we think nothing serious is the matter with him I have sent you five letters from this place this is the sixth tow of the [????]tained twenty dollars each th[????]rst I received from you was dated 22 May on month today send the date of the larst received I sent sis a little token taken from plesant hill battle field has she got it I send Wallace a ring the large one the other is for Mother kep them till I come the three cent piece I picked up on the march and send it to little David I shall find something more for him soon |
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Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 27 |
bought on paper of pins 8 cts postage 6 ctgs one lb of Coten yarn )1,10( 10 lbs of cod fish at nine cts a lb )90( 10 lbs of fish )75( 1 ½ of Cloth 90 cts one yd of drilling )58 cts( 6 skeins of thread 6 one yd of ?Salosu? 30 cts |
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Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 30 |
sold nine bunches of Shingles at five dollars + sixty to cts 17 lbs of nails at 8 cts a lb )1,35 |
Let our prayers assend unitedly to God for protection yours in heart ever the same God help you and me