December 3rd 1862
Camp Stevens near Thibodouxville [La.]
Bill,
I received your letter last Wednesday and Ellas about a week before yours. Also one from [cousin] George Bradley. I was glad to hear from you once more. I shall have to tell you about our exploits. [We] left the Custom House the last day of September and encamped at Carrollton. We left Camp Kearney the 24th October. Our whole brigade under Gen. Weitzel consisting [of] the 8th New Hampshire, 75th New York, 12th & 13th Conn and the 1st Louisiana, First [Maine], and Mass battery and two companies of cavalry. We went up the river as far as [Donaldsonville] 75 miles from New Orleans. We landed and stopped over with the good people of said place. I [stayed] in the theatre. We lived high you can bet — pigs, geese, hens, and honey! The next morning we commenced our labors. The first day we march[ed] 15 miles, hearing of the rebels every [mile] or two. We followed them until the next day. They made a stand at or near Labadieville. We found them on the opposite side of the bayou from what we supposed them to be. As soon as we discovered our mistake, the 1st Maine Battery commenced shelling the woods. The devils lay under the levee and our shells going a [mile] past them.
By the way, the 8th New Hampshire cross[ed] the bayou about an hour before. The first place we formed lines of battle — 13th Connecticut & 75th New York — and marched through the brush and a large cane field, the 12th Connecticut left [back] for reserve. Next we had orders (the 13th) to retreat back about ½ mile to cross the bayou. Just as soon as we started, the fun commenced. The first thing I saw, a cannon ball come within six feet of my head. They kept firing shot and shell at us until sometime after we formed line of battle on the other side. The 12th [Connecticut] crossed before us. The 8th New Hampshire made the attack, the 12th on our left some 60 rods ahead of us. The rebels kept firing on us, bound to keep us back if possible, but we pressed on a quick step. Laying down twice saved us a good many men.
The Rebels was in a ditch by the side of a crossroad. When we got within about 50 rods of them, they commenced firing on us with muskets. The balls come thick and fast but they fired either over or under. We reserved our fire until they became frighten[ed] and rose up out [of] the ditch to [skedaddle]. Then we give them a [volley], some of them in such a hurry that they forgot to take [their] muskets. Col. [Henry W.] Birge ordered us to charge. The boys started at double quick with a yell that startled them. We halted and fired. Such [skedaddling] you never saw. We whipped them but lost to them in killed and wounded. The action lasted about one hour or a little more. I have said that I wanted to be in an fight but the Lord knows that I don’t wish to be in another one. We killed one of [their] Colonels [Col. J. P. McPheeters of the 26th Louisiana] and captured one howitzer — a fine gun. We followed them up the rest of the day and the next day but it was [impossible] to over take them.
We heard that they was going to make a stand at Thibodouxville [where] we are at the present time. We was [disappointed] again. The place surrendered without [firing] a gun. We marched into the town, our band playing Dixie and Yankee [Doodle]. The town was pretty much deserted. There was some women and negroes left.
I have been detailed for one of the color guard. One of our color guard was wounded, and one ball through the [National] colors. It seems almost a miracle that half of our regiment was not killed. The 8th New Hampshire lost between 30 & 40 killed and wounded. You ought to of been here. You could of seen the 12th Connecticut. They marched up in line as straight as a candle, halting and firing, then march[ed] on until loaded, then halt and fire. It is very musical, but no boys play.
Well, Bill, I am in hopes that I will live to come home and see you. Then I can tell you something about soldiering. I haven’t seen much yet but there is a pretty good [chance] for me to serve two years more. I can’t see as the war is any nearer to a close than it was when I enlisted, I spoke about getting my discharge. That is out of the question. Last summer I might of got it very easy. My feet have got pretty near well. I have not had my shoe on my right foot in [three] days.
We have got a very nice place to drill on a plantation that is confiscated. The best part of it is we have slept on the ground over one month and part of the time without tents. I have twice in the morning had my blanket covered with frost (on the under side). I had no idea that the weather was as cold here in the Sunny South (Lowlands of L.A.). The cavalry boys bring in [guerrillas] almost every day. The other day they brought in about 40 of them — one of them a woman dressed in men’s clothes. She was [paroled] promising not to [take up] arms against the United States.
I commenced to write yesterday but I have so much talking to do it is impossible for me [to] write a letter in one day. It commenced to rain yesterday and I expect it will rain every day for the next three weeks to come. The mud will be a foot deep and we will be covered from tip to toe. Taking it all together, it is a very fine country. We can buy pumpkin pies for 50 cents each, butter 75 cts per lbs, cheese, soda crackers 40 cts per lbs and two small fried cakes for 5 cts.
We have plenty of fresh beef and sweet potatoes and hard bread with worms in large enough to [?].
Dec 12th
Bill, I have been most two weeks writing this letter. Today I am going to finish. It rains again today, the same as [usual]. Night before last, we was alarmed by the pickets firing about 12 o’clock. Such a [hustling] for our equipment in the dark, all excitement, to see which could get out of the tents first. I can’t tell you but a little about it but if you should be so [unlucky] as to get into the army, you will find out more than I can tell you. I be detailed to the color guard. There is ten corporals and two sergeants. I rushed out and started for the colors. We very soon had orders to bring them out. We started at the double quick expecting every minute to hear a shell burst over our heads. We found our regiment in line of battle laying down, the other regiments close by, artillery and all. I thought we was attacked [sure]. The battery boys fired a few rounds that made the woods ring. The people of Thibodouxville were so alarmed that they rolled out of bed and went into the streets of the village — especially the women — some of them with [their] clothes under [their] arms. I don’t blame them for being frightened. It proved to be a [false] alarm.
I am so nervous that I can’t write so that I can read it myself. If you can, you will do well. You must write as soon as you receive this and let me know how the sleighing is and how the drafting goes. I hope they skip you. Have you heard anything about [our older brother] Sherman?
You recall Stiles Twitchell? He has enlisted in the 15th Connecticut, I believe, and Uncle George Hoadley’s oldest son.
I must close as I have no more time today. I haven’t more news to write. You must send me papers when there is any news of importance. Write soon. Give my respects to Mrs. Wixes folks.
From [your] brother — F.S.T
P. S. I must tell you about our sham dress parade
Thanksgiving night you ought to of seen us. We were dressed in all sorts of ways. When an order was given, we would execute it the reverse in the place of our band. We had the most [comical] set you ever saw. Captain [Apollos] Comstock acting drum major with a [pole and bladder] tied on the end of it [hit] them over the head with it when they didn’t obey orders.
Franklin S. Twitchell 