Into The Piney Woods AAR

[NewHopeChurch]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt

Translate the French to English. It's worth it.

[IowaYank]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

We crept forward again, tree to tree, to find a scene of chaos. The rebs had been beaten back. There were a few of them down in the mud and a good dozen prisoners. How we turned that attack I don’t think I will ever understand. I don’t think they even scooped any of us.

Horace, the rebs were beaten back by a counter attack by "The Grenadiers" (Co. B, 1st Platoon.) :) Proud to have been a corporal in that platoon!!!!

[BrettKIllinois]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Horace, the rebs were beaten back by a counter attack by "The Grenadiers" (Co. B, 1st Platoon.) :) Proud to have been a corporal in that platoon!!!!

Indeed :D Even when not assigned to the tip of the spear, we were the vanguard.

[fatocat]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Todd,
Thank you for the excellent journal of IPW.
See you at Oakley.

[Kiev Thomason]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Todd,

This is one of the best diary accounts of a modern event I've read. The sketches are great. Thanks!

I agree ! Todd that was almost like being there all over again. Bully for you ...great work!

[Mgreer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I read axel's acounts they are definatly worth traslating Scottie gave a link above to have it traslated

[AndrewGrim]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

This is as written in the field, and what would have been read if I was caught and searched.

Inside cover
Capt. Andrew Hyde
14th Louisiana Infantry, Quartermaster
Followed by cut out pages.

Day 2 Lunch
Had ruff time leaving home yesterday stayed near small Bayou for the night. Traveling with sister Bertie and her Daughter Shawnra. Headed for Millum, Texas. My skills that got me through Calif and Back home have come in handy. Has some tough challenges today so far even a blocked trail. No problem with Tuberculoses yet
Afternoon
Got stuck in mud and rock. Shawnra abo lost a shoe. I tore up my nee pretty bad went down some step rocks. Lounged around in underthings with sister. Had nice beans + bacon and onion. I miss The days at the Beuivor Gentalmans club.
Wed. Day 3
Ruff night for Shawnra coyotes got close. Traveled a long way had some tough obsticles to cross, some logs, ponds. Tomorow looks worse sink holes block. Had Bad rain, Shawnra may have broken hand. Soaked to the bone, and covered in mud. Got into camp and began to dry some. Look forward to dinner and sleep. Hurt my back crossing logs today. I can’t wait for this war to be over and I can go back to New Orleans and Charlotte DuBois. I would also like some fresh Beef or something

[Auld Pelty]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Day 2----two companies of yankees tried to storm a hill and take out our stick breastworks. We slaughtered a good many and shot the wounded because they had burned out so many of our families. While a few yank officers searched them for cartridges under a truce, our Cajuns cursed them a great deal in their native language.
That evening, some of our officers tried to return the favor and lead a company of us into a flanking manuever straight at the Federal camp. Lost some good men and many others taken prisoner.
I think my wounds may do me in yet.......

Pvt. Fergus

Rebel Private, so kiss my rear

[Mgreer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Axel’s ITPW Accounts translated
Forest of Louisiana, Monday March 9 Something prepares, one says in the camp that the Yankee arrive. With share of many troop movements, the day is however not different from the preceding ones. Most of our regiment (28th Louisiana) got under way yesterday already. Three companies remained with the bivouac with the lieutenant-colonel. My company (company D) account a good score of men whose more share are immigrants of Europe. There is of English, Scot, Irish and French. With the latter I spend most clearly my time. The others call us French Mess. There is the Corporal the Feather, William, Rougeau, Régis and myself. Put aside the seed-planting drill, the day will have been marked by the meeting of a slave in escape caught and put at the service of the lieutenant-colonel. It names Edouard. It was to be slave of good family because it is cultivated and can act. When it is not put at work, it likes to remain near our company. I suppose that it must feel reassured near immigrants whose slavery does not exist any more in their country of origin. Obviously no movement is planned for this evening. However, we have order to be close leaving at once that one will start to us. The end of the column of the carriages of the brigade stops in the vicinity and we perceive two days of rations: A large section of salted pig, a rice handle and one of coffee, five hartack, a small piece of cheese (which luxury!) and a few piece of dried apples. In spite of the rumours of battle, the evening occurs under a clear sky and hot temperatures. French Mess cooks and sings close to fire. Governed sings us airs of his Brittany and Edouard, the slave, joined us and pushes in his turn the ditty. I make in the same way when I manage to take again the refrain and I accompany the air by tambourinements of piece of wood. However, we must sleep early, because we will have can be to start to us before the rising of the sun. Of under my cover I intend the carriages to recover on the way and from the riders to arrive before sinking in the sleep. [S]

Forest of Louisiana, Tuesday March 10 [/s] Towards five hour, the sergeants awake us. It is quickly necessary to fold up our bags and to drink a coffee cup. The battalion will get under way. During the lunch, I notice that ten riders made their appearance beside our camp The colonel orders to form the battalion. He announces to us that our army is folded up and that we form the back keeps. He also announces that the 2nd Louisiana cavalery was attacked and that ten riders present close to us are the only cavalry that it remains us in the vicinity… After some operations, we get under way by a small dirt track. The company D forms the back keeps back keeps. To be done, the 2nd platoon remains to 200 remote meter of the battalion. Accesses as a rifleman before the colonel of give in column because the battalion must progress quickly. Heat is oppressive and of the soldiers shows signs of tiredness. The winter was hard and certain do not go back from there. However we progress resolutely and no contact with the enemy is to be announced. We frequently draw from the abundant brooks in this area. About the middle of the day, the battalion receive the order to be formed on line with the edge of wood vis-a-vis a clearing. The noise course that the back guard must slow down the advance of the federal army. The entirety of the battalion is formed on the left way vis-a-vis the clearing except for my group which is deployed on line on the right. One orders to us not to force on the shelters and not to obstruct the passage of the horses on the way. If the yankee' S arrive, we will discharge only one stolen to them before fleeing. The company D will have to allow the two other companies to leave in good order. However, time passes and no movement vis-a-vis us. A company is charged to fold up and fill the gourds while waiting for us. We have hope not to be so close to the enemy. After one hour, I think, of the silhouettes cause the agitation in the rows. However, it is only about the company of cavalry. Unfortunately carrying a bad news. The federal ones will be there from here fifteen minutes. Each one in its turn believes to see them arriving before I see them my own eyes. A column descends the heights to penetrate in the clearing. The colonel says to us to put our sight on 200 yards. What a idea! I do not aim, I shooting me. A few moments do without before I see the first riflemen in the clearing, followed soon an impressive line whose center carries the regimental colors. Quickly the other company carries out a fire of company before leaving quickly by the road. The 2nd group shooting in its turn before only leaving us. We draw and reload while running back with the enemy. The yankee' S are right behind us and it will be hard to outdistance them…

[Mcouioui]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Merci Marvin ;)

[Wagoneer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Wagon Master for ITPW AAR

We were contracted by a local scout named Mr. Baker to support Major Smith of the Federal army to have the wagons located in the Piney Woods howling wilderness near Kisatchie Bayou. We were to transport Ammo, food rations, and the officer’s mess for a forced March. We supplied 2 freight wagons pulled by mules. We accepted the contract but our hearts we not with the North. We felt that if we did not hire out to the Federals they would just take our wagons and team, and harm our family and farms.

Monday, The day before the march Mr. Hibbs and I scouted several miles of the area on foot, looking for a way to get the wagons through behind the army. We concluded it more prudent to take a better wagon trail than the trail the troops would be taking. It would leave the wagons more vulnerable if we were to encounter trouble but it still looked to be the prudent option. As our hearts were not on the Federal side we hoped that the wagons would be captured by the Local Confederate troops. Late Monday evening after sundown, Mr. Wilson and I drove the wagons into the Federal camp to load the freight on the wagons. We were not able to finalize the load and tie down the loads as the QM was not yet able to finalize issuing rations to his men. Our Orders were to pull out by 0700 Tuesday. Thus pressing us hard to get reloaded and secure the loads by 0700. We agreed to be back to that spot by about 0600 the following morning, so we might be able to meet our 0700 departure.

Tuesday Morning, The Federals did not have any pickets out to guard their camps, so the wagons just passed right into the camp to the QM camp to load out. We were reloaded and secured by about 0645. We doodled just a bit and departed at our ordered time of 0700.

The hills were at times harsh on the mules as they were likely hauling more than twice their combined weight. Going down the hills was a bit easier because I would put the right side wheels into the softer shoulder of the trails, thus adding drag. I rarely had to hit the brakes, and the mules did not have to use up their precious much needed energy to hold the wagon back.

We stopped for our nooning on a hill with a flowing creek below, located by out scout Mr. Raines. We unhitched the teams and walked them about 200 yards down the hill to water. After they all had a chance to drink and graze a bit we walked the 700 yards back up the hill toward the road and set the team to graze. About then another wagon pulled in behind to join us for our nooning. The other wagon was drawn by 4 Oxen, with Gery Barker driving. We then cooked us up some potatoes and deer sausage. Mr. Barker and his bunch provided and cooked up some Hoe cakes. We feasted well and moved on.

As we approached camp we gathered forage for the teams and secured it as best we could. Mr. Wilson was in lead when we go to the last long, steep, downhill grade. He made his swamper jump off his wagon for safety. Then he proceeded down the grade. When he was clear it was my turn. The weight of the wagon was too much for the team and breaks to hold us back, so we hit the bottom too fast. I realized my seat was too far forward and I could not brace myself well for the bottom. As the front wheels hit the creek I was thrown from the wagon. The bank on the side was too steep for me to roll out. I saw the wagon wheels quickly heading for me, and began scratching my way away from the deadly wheels. I did narrowly dodge the wheels but the protruding wheel hub kissed me on the face and tailbone. Then I heard the run-away slave and other teamsters hollering to catch the run-away wagon. I ran to the lines and stopped the team just before they hit a tree. I looked up and saw my swamper was also off the wagon. He told us that he saw me jump off so he figured he too should bailout. Thus leaving only the slave boy and the dog in the runaway wagon.

We secured the team to a tree and started scouting for a place to camp, with a way to get the wagons out in the morning. We quickly realized we would have to go back out the way we came in as the creek walls were too steep or the bottom near an old forde was too soft. We made camp and shortly after the Troops came into camp looking a bit worn out. Quickly they emptied out the wagons and set up their camp. When Mr. Heath the QM arrived he was in a less than jovial mood seeing the wagon contents were pillaged already.

After a bit in camp a young man came into our camp and informed me that before the war broke out, he worked for a livery stable as a groomsman. He asked if I would consider a trade for a Rooster. He offered to groom and water the team for a Rooster. I agreed, I showed him how to un-harness, then we watered the team. Then he did a very fine job of grooming the team. I am sure the mules were very grateful for his dedicated efforts. He was given his choice of birds. We suggested to him to take a thin bladed knife, and drive the knife quickly into the mouth aiming the point toward the back of the crown on the birds head to help release the feathers, then he was off.

We had a good meal of wild hog and danged hot peppers cooked up with some potatoes, we then settled down for a mostly restful night. We were awakened during the night with John the lead mule offering some harsh correction to Sassy for making him work too hard during the day. John is generally a kind but unfriendly old mule that is all business. So the fussing was out of character for him.

Wednesday Morning About 0430 the roosters woke us and so Mr. Wilson got the coffee on. I was having a hard time locating my clean socks and kept hearing thunder and feeling the earth moving. That might not be totally accurate as the problem was my gut. I don’t think my gut was happy to have had that fireball supper dumped in it. I finally concluded I did not need clean socks on and ran to a burned out stump out a ways from camp. After filling that void from by bowels I crawled back to the wagons in great distress. I found something in my haversack for just an occasion like that. After about 30 minutes I felt better but was not willing to put anything else in my gut.

We got the teams harnessed. I asked the QM to have a detail to take part of the wagon contents to the top of the hill where we were to exit at first light, to lighten to load for the mules. At first light we moved the wagons to the base of the hill and disconnected the teams from the wagons. We eased the wagons to the bottom of the hill in the creek, tied a rope to the tip of the tongue to stear the wagon and another to the double tree about 5 foot beyond the tip of the tongue. When all was secure we encouraged the team to pull hard to get the wagon up the hill. The first team took a couple tries to get to the top. Then we did the same with my wagon. As I started the mules pulling I heard yelling to stop. It turns out that Mr. Wilson stumbled and got his foot through the wagon wheel and was hung up. When we were able to recover again the mules pulled hard and brought the wagon right out of the hellish hole. When we got to the top we rested the teams while we reloaded the freight and secured it.

By the time we hit the trail headed for our next stop we were soaked with sweat. A few minutes down the trail the wind kicked up and temperature fell quickly. The trees and shy off to our left looked as though it was going to rain hard and soon. Within minutes I was shivering. I had my swamper locate and hand me my oil cloth poncho. It did help knock some of the wind off. The rain was just off and on a bit, nothing too bad.

When we reached a good place for our nooning, we were all cold and wet. We built a fire in quick time and got the coffee on. After eating a nice meal we rested a bit.

On a side note here; The common practice for wagoneers was to skip breakfast each morning. Then for the nooning stop for several hours for a large noon meal, to rest the team and, grease the wheels.

When we got to the next camp the Army was already setting up breastworks. I had to leave the team and locate my frock coat, a new halter for the scout’s horse, and some chains. When I got back to camp the boys had established a camp and had a meal getting prepared. A young fella came over and asked to barter for a rooster for his boys. He offered to groom and water the team for the bird. I agreed and he set in. Before he got any work done a battle broke out up the hill. He said he would have to leave, but promised to be back. I finished un-harnessing the team and watered them. A bit later we saw several Grey coats on the US camp just across the little creek. It turned out to be about a dozen CS captives. Just before sundown the young man showed back up to apologize for not finishing his agreement. I told him it was not too late to just quickly brush the mules and get that bird to his men before it got any later, as the sun was about set. I went about some other tasks, when I came back he was still grooming. I told him to get out of here. It was getting late and it would take some time to get that bird into a pot to eat.

After the wagoneers and QM had a nice meal, a young man was brought to our camp a bit ill. He had not eaten in a few days and drank very little. We hustled him up some peanuts and some grain rich foods, then some special drink blend to get life back into his weakened body. After a bit he was feeling better, so he and his partner headed back to their camp and other messmates.

We had the 2 flys off the wagons tied together and between 2 trees for shelter for the 5 of us wagoneers. Then the QM guys and Mr. Baker added some buttoned flys to the end of our shelter for them to have shelter. We had a nice visit around the camp fire, and then bedded down for the night.

Thursday Morning, At about 0430 the next morning the few lucky remaining Roosters began to sound off. When Mr. Wilson got up to start the fire back up for coffee he found is was going strong. It turned out that Will from the QM folks was very cold and laying by the fire and feeding it to get warmed up. We were harnessed up in short order. Looking at the long hill up covered by deep sand to get out of that camp, I asked concluded to ask the troops for help. We had a company or two come over to assist. I addressed the men to caution them of how dangerous the wagon wheels are and ask that no one get near the wheels. I then asked the fella in charge of the detail to post 2men on one side, then 1 on the other staggered and alternating along the side up the hill. That way when someone was exhausted, they could stage in and out without everyone leaving at one time. We were very grateful to the boys for all the help. We got on the trail toward our next camp. Along the way we did see both armies off to our left at times, but were not harassed by any. Down the road we located an abandoned but functional outhouse and paused for a bit for a refreshing break.

While there we unloaded some of the empty crates to another wagon headed back to the supply storehouse. That lightened up the load a bit.

With the cold we lit out for the next camp to meet up with the troops. We got there early as the trails to the camp were void of the exhausting hills we had been seeing. About the time we got to the planned stop the cold rain started dropping in on us. We hurried and secured the teams and started on a fire. We had figured if the rains did not ease up it was going to offer a challenge to the troops to get fires started. We planned to have a nice bed of coals for the boys when they came in. We got lots of coffee started so the boys could get a warm sip when they came in. The hickory dead falls were very abundant in that area as a storm in the past had dropped them. While tending the fire we saw the boys in grey go by us. They must have had something else on their minds as they paid no mind to us. A bit later we were sitting under our wagon fly’s out of the rain, when the troops in Blue showed up. An officer came by and strongly pressed us to come out of the shelter and stand with the horse and mules, I countered that they would be fine, but that did not change his mind. About then the Federals opened up and began firing on the CS breast works. We heard several caps only, and the Feds pulled back, and started working on setting up camp. At times the rains were hard and the temperature seemed to drop more. We directed some of the cold boys in blue to where we located the hickory logs for quality fire wood. I was talking to some of the boys and saw nearby some fellows gathering wet pine straw to get a fire going. I called him over and introduced him to some fat pine. I grabbed my ax from the wagon nearby and began chopping out fat pine chunks for the boys. One guy even gave me a hugs and told me thanks.

One of the infantry boys was cold, tired, worn out and generally not in good spirits. It looked as though he was about to go AWOL. I talked to him a bit and offered him a rooster for him and his messmates. After a bit he thought better of it and took the bird to his mates to fix up.
The night was danged cold and wet, I heard several of the boys in bad need of medical help from hypothermia. We kept the fire going and tried to rest through it.

Friday Morning we all lit out for warmer and dryer ground.

Their very well may be error and certainly omissions herein.

[Horace]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Thanks all for the kind words. I missed Company B checking the rebel attack that day as I was otherwise occupied running away like a little girl. We got T boned.
Andy-as luck would have it, right at the end of the event I could look across through my ranks and see my Ca. 1st Texas pards right across from me. I had seen you all before things started when we were all standing around gassing, and hadn't seen you again until then. I could see the last 3+ days in your faces. You were blackened, haggard and resolute. It was that added, earned layer of authenticity. It was powerful.

[Mcouioui]

Axel's Part 2 ;)

"Nous quittons en désordre l’orée de la forêt en dévalant un chemin sinueux menant à un ruisseau où nous rejoignons le reste du bataillon. Les bleus étaient encore à bonne distance quand nous avons quitté notre position et ils doivent se montrer prudent maintenant. Mais ne tardons pas… Les dernières gourdes sont remplies sous le pont et le bataillon se met en marche sur le flanc de la colline, pour finalement se positionner à 200 mètres du pont, où il semble être décider de mener un nouveau combat d’arrière garde. Nous sommes positionné au centre près des couleurs. Les fédéraux ne tardent pas et bon nombre de tirailleurs pointent le bout de leur nez et plusieurs compagnies manoeuvrent sous leur couvert. Nous leur envoyons quelques volées avant que les compagnies sur notre flanc abandonnent en bon ordre leur position pour couvrir notre retraite par la route. C’est chose faite. Notre bataillon repart en colonne sur la route alors que mon peloton essuie encore quelques tirs sporadiques pendant quelques minutes. Les mouvements bien coordonnées ont permis de limiter nos pertes à quelques hommes, si pas aucun.

Si la tactique est bonne, elle va cependant faire défaut lorsque nous nous arrêterons pour manger le manger. Notre 2e peloton couvre en tirailleur le reste de la troupe… à seulement 10 mètres de distance…. La cavalerie est démontée et mange également. Il ne semble pas y avoir d’éclaireur sur nos arrières. Si les bleus arrivent les pertes risque d’être sévères. Heureusement ça ne se produit pas et bientôt nous reprenons la route.

L’après midi se passe sans nouveaux accrochage. Nous croisons la queue de la colonne de chariots à l’arrêt et le lieutenant-colonel décide de s’arrêter là. Après avoir à nouveau rempli nos gourdes sous le pont, nous apprenons que nous passerons la nuit ici. A peine cette annonce faite, les yankees viennent troubler la bonne nouvelle. Tant bien que mal tout le bataillon se rééquipe pour faire face. Mais les bleus ne montrent pas d’agressivité et semblent s’installer pour la nuit non loin de nous. Peut-être ne sont ils pas de force à nous bousculer. Des piquets de sentinelles sont disposés dans chaque camp. Ce n’est pas pour notre compagnie cette nuit.

Ce moment pacifique et la chaleur donne l’envie au french mess d’aller plonger les pieds dans l’eau. Très vite se bienfait est suivis par d’autres. Pour le french mess, les pies mouillé donne rapidement l’envie d’y plonger tout entier. Tout en gardant notre pudeur, nous passons quand même à une toilette assez complète. Quel bonheur ! Un peu insouciant avec les fédéraux à proximité, mais l’occasion est trop bonne.

Après se rafraîchissement nous passons à table près de nos paillasses établies à la belle étoile. Edouard nous rejoint et nous passons la soirée à discuter. Pendant la soirée, une femme hausse la voie à proximité de l’état-major. Elle crie être outré et qu’elle est aussi Louisianaise que le colonel. Peu après, nous voyons des civils passer sous garde armée. Edouard nous raconte qu’il les a dénoncé d’avoir essayé de l’aider à s’échapper. Ce qui nous entraîne à discuter de sa condition d’esclave. La journée harassante nous pousse bien vite sous notre couverture.

Peu, de temps après, je pense, je suis réveillé par des cris d’alarme et un coup de feu. J’apprends de William, que c’est Edouard qui a pris la fuite. Ce n’a me surprend pas plus que ça qu’un homme tel que lui échappe à sa condition. Et je me rendors assez vite.

Forest de Louisiane, Mercredi 11 mars

Silencieusement nos sous-officiers nous réveillent. Il fait encore noir. Le colonel a décidé de reprendre la route sous couvert de l’obscurité. Rapidement le café est bu et le sac à dos rempli. Alors qu’ils étaient à quelques mètres de moi, je n’ai même pas remarqué le départ d’une des deux autres compagnies. Nous reprenons à notre tour la route, nous prenons pour la journée la tête de l’arrière garde.

Pour une raison qui m’échappe, nous ne parcourons que quelques centaines de mètres avant de nous arrêter. Dans un premier temps nous devons rester équipé et ne pas faire de feu. Mais bientôt l’interdit est levé. Pour ma part, je me contente de me vautrer sur le bas côté, tout mon équipement sur moi. Personne n’ose plus retirer son sac. Il représente un agréable oreiller et très vite, je succombe, comme d’autres au sommeil. Le soleil commence à se lever et les hommes aussi. Nous observons un gibier passer dans la forest. Enfin nous nous remettons en route. Après 1 miles environs nous abandonnons les blessés de la veille à un chariot.

La route n’est pas interrompue par des combats. Peut être avons-nous réussi à distancer à nouveau les fédéraux. Nous croisons que quelques réfugiés sur notre route. Rien pour perturber notre marche si ce n’est l’apparition de quelques pluies. Dont l’une suffisante pour que nous sortions nos gum blankets pendant une pause.

Le rythme de la marche est continu. Dans l’après midi la colonne s’arrête. Le major appelle des volontaires pour aider notre sergent-major qui a fait une chute. J’en suis. Je suspecte une fracture, mais je ne suis pas médecin. Nous immobilisons la cheville avant de la faire quitter la colonne. Voilà l’effet d’attrition des longues marches et des victimes peu évoquées dans les rapports.

Nous, nous remettons en route jusqu’à croiser notre compagnie de cavalerie entrain de bloquer la route et de construire des barricades de bois. Bien vite l’ordre est de nous arrêter et de faire de même. Les soldats ne rechignent pas et bientôt, sous les ordres des officiers, une imposante protection est érigée sur des petites hauteurs. Ce déploiement n’annonce rien de bon pour la suite."

[Mgreer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Traslated the above:

We leave in disorder orée of the forest by descending a driving sinuous way with a brook where we join the remainder of the battalion. The blue ones were still at good distance when we left our position and they must be careful now. But let us not delay… The last gourds are filled under the bridge and the battalion is started on the hillside, for finally positioning with 200 meters of the bridge, where it seems to be to decide to carry out a new combat of back keeps. We are positioned in the center close to the colors. The federal ones do not delay and good number of riflemen point the end of their nose and several companies operate under their cover. We send some flights to them before the companies on our side give up in good order their position to cover our retirement by the road. It is made thing. Our battalion sets out again in column on the road whereas my group essuie still some sporadic shootings during a few minutes. The movements coordinated well made it possible to limit our losses to some men, if not none. If the tactics are good, it however will be lacking when we stop to eat to eat it. Our 2nd group covers as a rifleman the remainder of the troop… only 10 away meters…. The cavalry is also dismounted and eats. There does not seem to be of scout on our backs. If the blue ones arrive the losses is likely to be severe. Fortunately that does not occur and soon we take again the road. After midday happens without new fixing. We cross the tail of the column of carriages to the stop and the lieutenant-colonel decides to stop there. After having again filled our gourds under the bridge, we learn that we will spend the night here. Hardly this made advertisement, the Yankees come to disturb the good news. After a fashion all the battalion is re-equipped to face. But the blue ones do not show aggressiveness and seem to settle for the night not far from us. Perhaps are not they not force to hustle us. Stakes of sentinels are laid out in each camp It is not for our company this night. This peaceful moment and heat gives the desire to the french mess for going to plunge the feet in water. Very quickly benefit was followed by others. For the french mess, the magpies wet quickly gives the desire for plunging there entire. While keeping our decency, we pass nevertheless to a rather complete toilet. What a happiness! A little carefree with the federal ones in the vicinity, but the occasion is too good. After cooling we do to table close to our clowns established to open air. Edouard joined us and we pass the evening to be discussed. During the evening, a woman raises the way near the staff. She shouts outraged being and which she is as Louisianaise as the colonel. A little later we see civilians passing under armed guard. Edouard tells us that he denounced them to have tried to help it to escape. What involves us to discuss his condition of slave. The harassing day well quickly pushes us under our cover. Little, of time afterwards, I think, I am awaked by cries of alarm and a shot. I learn from William, that it is Edouard who escaped. It does not have does not surprise me more than that a man such as him escapes his condition. And I rendors rather quickly. Forest of Louisiana, Wednesday March 11 Silently our warrant officers awake us. The weather is still black. The colonel decided to take again the road under cover of the darkness. Quickly the coffee is drunk and the rucksack filled. Whereas they were with a few meters of me, I did not even notice the departure of one of the two other companies. We take again in our turn the road, we take for the day the head of the back keeps. For a reason which escapes to me, we traverse only a few hundred meters before stopping us. Initially we must remain equipped and not make fire. But soon the interdict is raised. For my part, I am satisfied with me vautrer on the low side, all my equipment on me. Nobody dares any more to withdraw his bag. It represents a pleasant pillow and very quickly, I succumb, like others with the sleep. The sun starts to rise and the men too. We observe a game pass in the forest. Finally we recover on the way. After 1 miles surroundings we give up the casualties of the day before to a carriage. The road is not stopped by engagements. Can be we succeeded in outdistancing the federal ones again. We cross that some refugees on our road. Nothing to disturb our walk if it is not the appearance of some rains. Of which one sufficient so that we leave our gum blankets during a pause. The rate/rhythm of walk is continuous. In after midday the column stops. The major calls volunteers to help our quartermaster-sergeant who made a fall. I am. I suspect a fracture, but I am not doctor. We immobilize ankle before making it leave the column. Here is the effect of attrition of long walks and the victims little evoked in the reports/ratios. We, we give on the way until crossing our company of cavalry spirit to block the road and to build wood barricades. Well quickly the order is to stop us and make in the same way. The soldiers do not balk and soon, under the orders of the officers, an imposing protection is set up on small heights. This deployment does not announce anything good for the suite."

[fatocat]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I was looking for you Todd but I never did catch sight of you. It seemed like there were a lot of Federals. "Earned layer of authenticity". I like that and thanks.