War of The Rebellion: 1863 - 18659198 Reads  

VOLUNTEERED 2ND NEW YORK CAVALRY -- September 5th, 1863, mustered into the United States Service September 9th, 1863 at Saratoga, New York -- left Saratoga by train for Washington, where we trained until the first of February, 1864.

We then embarked on the steamship Clark for New Orleans, Louisiana, going down the Potomac River into the Chesipeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, up the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Orchards upon orchards of oranges were seen. We stayed in New Orleans a few weeks, then started on the Red River Campaign, crossing the Mississippi to Algeers; from there to Franklain; from there to New Hiberon, thence to Little Washington, Alexandria; thence to Grandecore. Here we had some skirmishing. The ballroom was clear for a ball; going through Pleasant Hill to Sabine Crossroads or Mansfield. At here the rebel Dick Taylor engaged us. There was none but our 13th Army Corps engaged. We fought about three hours hard. Six pieces of our artillary played on the enemy with murderous effect. Our infantry got well cut up, running out of ammunition, and was forced to retreat to Pleasant Hill; here the 19th Army Corps awaited us in line of battle. The Battle of Mansfield. The first days fight occurred April 8th, 1864. April 9th the battle commenced again. We fought four or five hours and drove the enemy from the field, recapturing the artillary we lost the day before. We lost six or seven thousand men, killed or wounded. We then went to Scarganegan, Louisiana. We had to charge in front of the infantry at Cane River; on the way back they sent us a good many tea kettles. Stayed in Hargany, La. all summer; chased guerrillas through the woods. We went on the Mississippi campaign December 1st, 1864, was gone a month. Had all the sweet potatoes and honey we wanted to eat, but no bread. 250 of our brigade charged a brigade of the enemy and drove them seven miles with sabres. February 19th, 1865, we picked up and embarked for New Orleans. We anchored the night of the 20th and 21st in Speton. March 1st, left New Orleans for Lake Ponchatrain, stayed in a big white house until the sixth, we then embarked for Pennsacola, Alabama. On the 7th, past Fort Poisel, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay. We run into Navy Cove, Mobile Point. Stayed until the 11th. We then embarked on the steam boat Alabama. Disembarked at night at 6 o'clock. There we found three forts: Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancant, Fort Morea. March 9th, 1865, left Warrentown for Pennsacola, the distance of eight miles. March 20th started on the march; on the 21st, pulled wagons out of mud. The 22nd, ditto; on the 23rd, took advance, come to a creek about night and camped for the night. On 24th, started about 4 o'clock. Friday, March 24th. Skirmish the 25th. Skirmish took a Brigadier General and 150 prisoners and a flag. The general was shoot and soon died. 26th - tore up railroad track. A battery was opened on us, but we soon silenced that. 27th - took up the line of march 28th - Dandy - nothing to eat. Eat corn - get fat 29th - Ditto 30th - Ditto 31st - Skirmish took 150 prisoners. Lay in line of battle all night. Saturday, April 1st, advanced within 300 rods of the enemy works. 3rd - went into camp at Blakey 3rd on guard, 5th on picket. 8th - Heavy fireing in direction of Spanish Fort. April 9th, 1865, started on a Scout, camped at night at Stockton. 10th - started at day light. At night on Picket. 11th - charged and took 100 prisoners from Clayburn. 12th - Monroeville, charged into the place with sabres. 13th - Back to Clayburn. Kept the hosses saddled up all day. Reported 9000 Confederate troops at Greenville. 14th - built breast works 15th - Lef Clayburn for camp at night 16th - Past Mt. Pleasant. At noon, arrived at Montgomery Hill. Camped for the night. 17th - started 6 o'clock past several Union houses. At night camped at Stockton. Tue - 18th April, news of surrender of General Lee with 62,000 men. Noon, start back in direction of Clayburn. Camped for the night at Montgomery Hill, on Picket. 19th - started at 8 o'clock, at night -- camped at Darney. 20th - saddled up the hosses - then unsaddled them in about 15 minutes -- saddle up again (Bugler got his calls mixed up) Guarded baggage train at night on picket at Clayburn -- rain. 21st - rain hard; left Clayburn for Monroeville. Camped at night on site of century old Church. 22nd - had the advance. Hosses had sore backs. Went afoot in the afternoon. Sunday, April 23rd, 1865 - guarded baggage train. Got a mule to ride. Past Pineville - marched till 1 o'clock at night. 24th - started 6 o'clock, past Pine Apple at noon. At 4 o'clock past Mt. Moriah. Camped at night at Montry. 25th, marched 25 miles past Rocky Mountain. 29th, past Pine Apple level. 30th, past Onion Spays, went into camp. May 1st, 1865, started on the march. Sick, cold and chills at night. 2nd Brigade split up, went on different roads. Slept in barn, past the town of Midway at night. Camped in the woods at night Boots and Saddles blowed by mistake. Saddle up, then unsaddle again. 3rd 7 o'clock - Boots and Saddles blowed. We started, after marching a mile on a back road -- got orders to go to Montgomery. Marched 10 miles; went into camp. 4th - marched 24 miles at night. Company on safe guard. 5th, on the road for Montgomery. Marched 10 miles -- went into camp. 6th, started for Montgomery. Went 5 miles. Halted to look out for a place to camp. Then we marched through the city. Government buildings were burnt by the enemy. The town was fortified with two forts. The Capital, an old white washed building, stands on the hill above the village. We went into camp on the banks of the Alabama River. Here we found large springs of cold water. 9th, drew five days rations, orders to be ready to march the next morning. 10th - started at day light. Crossed several streams. Came to plantations. Got two days rations of corn for the hosses. Went 7 miles further, and went into camp 12 miles from Montgomery. Crossed Buthers Ferry on Wellypoosa River. 11th - past Weetymphee, crossed Causia River. Past the state prison. Released nearly all of the prisoners. Marched to Rockford, 24 miles. 12th - past a long town; marched 22 miles. 13th - Came through Waterford; marched to Talladhea. Went into camp in a shady door yard; at night on picket. June 1st, 1865, go on Scout for government property in the mountains; gone four days.