DIARY OF H.D. PEARCE, 1863-1864 - Coke & Runnels Co, TX

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Submitted by David Gates - GATES9000@aol.com - 17 Apr 2000

Nov. 12th:
    In the evening we got to Shreveport on the Atchafalaya Bayou and crossed 
over and joined Fitzhugh’s Regiment, 16th Texas Cavalry Dismounted, Scurrys 
brigade, Walker’s Division, and I went to Company D. Capt. J.H. Talbert 
commanding Company, and I went into mess composed as follows: John A. Baley, 
R.D. Baley, J.W. Hancock, Hamilton Douglass and L.C. Bush, who was my second 
cousin and who was my bed fellow throughout the balance of war. The command 
had just crossed over the bayou.

Nov. 13th:
    Moved ten miles out in direction of the Mississippi River and camped 
along Bayou Letworth and within four miles of the Mississippi River, where we 
remained until Nov. 20th. The camp was known as Hog Skin Camp on account of 
the fact of Gen. Scurry having two soldiers march up and back the full length 
of the brigade dressed in hog skins, they having been caught skinning hogs. 
While here details from the brigade did picket duty along the river, where 
they had some engagements with the Yankee boats and did some damage. They 
themselves being behind the levees and comparatively in little danger. While 
here I recollect a conversation of a planter that lived on Letsworth. He said 
that the average life of a man in that country was about 6 years--that is, 
men that came from other countries to live there but women stood it better 
and some women had been married to five or six different husbands and at 
least one third were then widows, and wealthy. He accounted for it in the 
fact that the men wore out more in the night air looking after the negros, 
while the women stayed in the house not coming out until the sun was well up 
in the day.

Nov. 20th:
    Broke up camp and marched down the river in the direction of Morganzia 
Landing fifteen miles and camped where we remained 10 days.

Nov. 30th:
    Went back to Letsworth camp 15 miles and remained overnight.

    Dec. 1st:
    Moved down Bayou Letsworth 20 miles in direction of Plaquemine on 
Mississippi River.

    Dec. 2nd:
    Marched 10 miles principally through cane-brakes.

    Dec. 3rd:
    Marched 18 miles and by old battle field of Bayou Lordache and camped on 
Bayou Grass Tete, and remained there until Dec. 8th.

    Between Nov. 20th and 30th:
    During this time I was detailed to go with the forage train to collect 
corn from off the plantations for the use of the army, which I thoroughly 
enjoyed traveling through the country which had been one of the richest 
countries in the world, a veritable paradise of wealth, but was then deserted 
by a great many of the planters, leaving a great many fine houses and the 
finest lawns, yards, shrubbery, and libraries, containing some of the oldest 
and most valuable books, only in care of some times of a few old negros and 
in many instances the desire of leaving had overcome them, and they had 
left-and the premises were entirely deserted, while in some localities 
planters’ overseers and negros seemed to most all still to be there. The 
planters were French, Spanish, Creoles or mix-blooded, and Americans--in 
fact, it was an old settled portion of Louisiana and all kinds of people 
lived there but to some extent in separate settlements or clusters.

Dec. 9th:
    The brigade marched 21 miles in direction of Morgan’s Ferry.

Dec. 10th:
    Command resumed march and went 10 miles to Morgan’s Ferry arriving during 
a heavy rain.

Dec. 11th:
    The division crossed the Bayou at Morgan’s Ferry and camped about two 
miles from the ferry. The rain pouring down in torrents.
    
Dec. 12th:
    Command marched 10 miles and camped above on the Bayou bank (Atchafalaya).

Dec. 13th:
    The command marched 17 miles passing through Shreveport and my regiment 
camped just above along bayou DeGlaize, here at this camp. I got back with 
the regiment after having been away about 3 weeks with the wagon train. After 
remaining at this camp probably a week or 10 days our regiment was moved to a 
sugar mill belonging to Calligan about 1 mile from and above where the Yellow 
Bayou Breast Works were afterwards built. While here we had plenty honey from 
trees in Cypress swamps. 

About Dec. 20th:
    Here in the sugar house our regiment had fine winter quarters, but during 
Christmas holiday nothing of a celebration was had. Some of the boys 
succeeded in getting a supply of LA Rum to celebrate. Also there was a man 
preached a series of sermons lasting about a week, calling himself an 
atheist. I think some similar doctrine to Millennium Dawn. He got one convert 
to his faith. 

Dec. 26th:
    The soldiers received four months pay. I did not get any, as I had joined 
recently and the time did not cover mine. 

Dec. 27th:
    Last night  heavy thunderstorm and bitter northern for this country. 
False alarm.

Dec. 28th:
    Cold weather and snow.

Dec. 29th:
    Weather clearing.


1864

Jan.
    After the holidays were over our brigade, Scurry’s being camped about 
Yellow Bayou, was put to work building breast works on north side of bayou 
with Angles and Company, each regiment working day about taking dinner with 
us when at work. The work being about 2 1/2 miles from Shreveport and about 1 
mile from our camp at sugar mill. While here we were on the advance line a 
kind of an outpost and had an occasional alarm and some trouble about spies 
and smugglers.

March 6th:
    The sick were started to Shreveport.

March 7th:
    Rumors and alarms of the advance of the Federals.

March 11th:
    Baggage all packed up ready to be sent off.

March 12th:
    The gong roll sounded and all fell into line and marched down to the 
fortifications, with two days cooked rations in our knapsacks and carrying 
blankets, fully equipped for battle or marching. Remained n breast works 
until 10:00 p.m. without seeing the enemy, then commenced retreating slowly 
in direction of Mareauville, 12 miles and camped a few hours.

March 13th:
    Marched 5 miles and got with the balance of the division at long bridge, 
near Mareauville and remained here all the balance of the day and night.

March 14th:
    Morning we moved about 2 miles out on the prairie and within about one 
half mile of the village of Mansura; here we were formed in line of battle 
fully expecting to be attacked by the Federals, however they did not appear 
and after waiting some time we continued our retreat to Bayou De Lac Mording 
28 miles with continual rumor of attacks on our rear guard. We crossed over 
the bridge across the bayou, burned the bridge and camped feeling 
comparatively safe from pursuit, we only having one division Walkers of about 
6 or 7 thousand men after the loss of detail at Fort DeRusey and the sick 
sent off.

March 16th:
    Here we rested until the evening of 16th and took up line of march and 
marched the night of the 16th 20 miles to Bayou Boerb about 25 miles from 
Alexandria. We had only two small companies of cavalry known as the 
Buttermilk Cavalry by the soldiers of the division, and commanded by Captain 
Faulkner. Here we learned that the Federals had taken possession of 
Alexandria. 

March 17th:
    After resting during the day at 5:00 p.m. we took up the march and fell 
back about 6 miles into the pine woods and camped. 

March 18th:
    We were joined by Manton’s division, two small brigades, Polignac’s and 
Grey’s, and in the evening by the 2nd LA Cav. commanded by Col. Vincent, 
joined the army. In the evening we resumed the march and by the wee hours 
after midnight had marched 31 miles, and camped in the pine woods near 
Houston en route towards old Fort Jessup during the night. We had a false 
alarm of Yankys charging on us as they were known to be following.

March 19th:
    March resumed and we went 20 miles and camped near Carroll Jones’, a 
wealthy free negro who lived in the pine woods back of Alexandria about 35 
miles and owned slaves. Here we considered that we were out of danger and so 
as not to be impeded, we sent our baggage on to Shreveport only keeping a 
blanket apiece, and such other things as we were willing to encumber 
ourselves in carrying.

March 20th:
    Our wagons started for Shreveport with all extra baggage and we 
consolidated our messes two going together and only one keeping a small set 
of cooking utensils for two messes. Our mess consolidation with Joab and Jim 
Alexander’s mess. 

March 21st:
    About 12 men ordered to get up and cook a days rations and march at 
daylight. However we did not march but remained in camps, and could hear 
heavy cannonading in the direction of the enemy. Bad weather, cold rain and 
sleet, making it very disagreeable with only our light marching outfit. We 
lay here expecting to make a stand and fight the Federals some 48 thousand 
strong when the armies of Banks’ and Smith had consolidated at Alexandria; 
however, they crowded us so close capturing quite a number of our men and one 
battery captain Edgars belonging to our division that we could not wait for 
our help to concentrate.

March 23rd:
    The Federals so persistent that we formed a line of battle near Carroll 
Jones’, expecting an engagement after waiting a while and no enemy appearing 
we retreated 12 miles towards Pleasant Hill.

March 24th:
    Marched 30 miles and camped and remained here several days practicing 
skirmish drill and preparing for the coming expected engagement, and we were 
all the time receiving reinforcements from Texas. Mostly cavalry. 

March 29th:
    Marched 17 miles in direction of old Fort Jessup along a poor gravel 
ridge. A cloudy, pleasant day.

March 30th:
    Marched 13 miles and caught up with wagon train.

March 31st:
    Marched 20 miles and passed old Fort Jessup located in the pine woods. 
Most of the houses built of logs hewed, a beautiful home-like place. I got 
out of ranks to explore the place  saw a great many of the old documents of 
the fort scattered about, having been done recently I suppose by Confederate 
soldiers. Quite a number of the old buildings would yet be a protection from 
rain and storms while others only the walls were standing. The Yankees 
cavalry were reported close and we hurried on.

April 1st:
    Marched 10 miles and camped near Pleasant Hill.

April 2nd:
    Marched 5 miles (did not go through Pleasant Hill) in direction of Bayou 
Pierre. Could hear cannonading in direction of Watchitaches, and rested. At 
about 6 p.m. we were informed that we were about to be cut off and were 
doubled quickly to Pleasant Hill 5 miles and lay in line of battle all night 
but no enemy appeared.

April 3rd:
    Marched 10 miles in direction of Mansfield and camped.

April 4th:
    Marched 8 miles to Mansfield and turned off north about 2 miles and 
camped on a ridge, where we remained until the morning of the 8th-three full 
days and four nights. While here the army received a considerable 
reinforcement and General Dick Taylor called in council all the Generals and 
leaders and they decided to make a stand and fight the Yanks, thought they 
had orders from Kirby Smith to fall back to Shreveport (this was the 
understanding among the soldiers at the time).

April 7th:
    Had orders to cook a days rations and be ready to march early next 
morning. 

April 8th:
    Marched out from camp in fore noon down to Mansfield 2 miles and then 
turned back in direction to meet the enemy. It seemed that the whole 
population of Mansfield had turned out to see us pass through. Men, women, 
and children; many biding us God speed and exhorting us to be sure and whip 
the Yankees, which we felt like we could do and desired a chance. I think 
Fitzhugh’s Regiment and the army as a whole wanted to make the fight. We 
marched down the road towards Pleasant Hill about 2 1/2 miles, then turned to 
the right (where the road comes to a lane with a farm on each side of road) 
along a fence our regiment going probably one mile anyway our regiment was on 
the right of our brigade and seemed that the right went as far as the farm. 
We were until probably 3 o’clock getting into line and had to wait some time 
before the battle commenced, probably 4 p.m. We had trodden the fence down so 
that we could charge through it. 

When the battle commenced the heaviest part was to our left about the road 
and to the left of the road. The Federals formed across the field in our 
front in the edge of the timber just outside of the fence. Their line did not 
seem to extend as far on their left and right as our line. When they were 
seen in our front we were commanded to advance in line of battle and we 
advanced across the field when about half-way across the field a volley was 
fired at us from an oblique direction to our left which I think did but 
little execution in our regiment if any. A few shots were fired back from our 
line but our men could not see anything to shoot at, and but few shots were 
fired. We continued on through the field, the men seeming inclined to oblique 
to the left where the fire had come from the Yanks, our officers keeping the 
men in line and as straight forward as possible. When we got through the 
field to the fence, the left of our regiment only struck the fence, there 
seemed to be an ell of the farm a new clearing to run farther on with 
underbrush only cleared out-our regiment mainly struck and just as we got 
into that part a battery turned loose on us from our left from up somewhere 
towards the road but they overshot us mostly cutting off the branches of the 
trees they falling among us. However several cannon balls went close to the 
ground but in our front. It was very brushy to our left and I never saw the 
battery that was firing at us. We could hear the heavy volleys to our left 
and the Confederate yells and soon the battery was silenced and taken as I 
learned afterwards. About this time squad after squad of Yankees were 
captured running or trying to run out of the battle in the woods to their 
left and our right. We not having any resistance were keeping in advance of 
the fighting along the road, where we could hear the fight, every time a body 
of Yanks made a stand and tried to check the advance. We kept right on in 
line of battle this way double-quicking most of the time until we came to the 
branch that ran down by the peach orchard some 5 or 6 miles from where we 
first formed line of battle, all the time drawing in on our left towards the 
main road and through the timber all the way. When we got to this pine woods 
creek, we had considerable trouble to cross the banks being steep and almost 
too wide to jump. We crossed on logs and soon came to a new clearing part of 
which had been cultivated and old trees yet standing and the left end had not 
been cultivated nor fenced on which probably half the trees had fallen (they 
having been deadened) and cross piled on each other. Here we saw the Yankees 
forming on the upper side just across this narrow clearing. We formed on the 
lower side towards the creek and commenced firing at them with our Endfield 
rifles, and while we remained here I fired about 8 rounds at them taking the 
best aim possible each time. They firing at us however their balls went over 
our heads as they shot too high and I do not know of a man hit in our 
regiment. 

We were then ordered to fall back and the firing ceased. We marched to the 
rear and recrossed the branch as before very deliberately and quickly in line 
and then right faced and marched down the creek to the road which was but a 
short distance, turned to the right across the creek at the road crossing 
right at the corner of the field in which the peach orchard was. 
When just across the creek, we (the head of the regiment) turned up the creek 
at the right of the road until the last foot of regiment rested just across 
the road with the head or right up probably near the end of deadening where 
we had been fighting the New York levies. Just before we were ordered to lay 
in arm for the night doing advance picket duty, it being dusk when we crossed 
creek at road and good dark by the time we were fully placed. We could hear 
the Federals at the top of the hill about the house also groans of the 
wounded between the lines, one man in particular between the lines near the 
right of regiment in the woods (it was timber and brush to the right of the 
road) was calling and pleading for water. Some of our boys took some canteens 
and started to take him some water but when they got near where they supposed 
the wounded man was, they were met by the keen crack of a rifle, but 
fortunately were not hit. Instantly the whole regiment were on their feet and 
wanted to charge in the dark through the brush and timber and it was all the 
officers could do to keep them from charging. They were mad. In the evening 
when we were crossing the creek or branch above it was reported that one of 
our men in our regiment killed himself accidentally. He was the only man 
killed out of the regiment during the day. Without further incident we lay in 
line of battle until daylight.

April 9th:
    At day light some of us began to prowl about some--the Federals having 
left during the night--I went forward towards the peach orchard on a little 
knoll on side of hill at edge of the orchard. I found quite a number of dead 
Yankees; one that had had his brains shot out facing the Confederates. He had 
a bright new outfit--Endfield rifle and aquarterments and I proceeded to take 
his and throw mine down. He had only used a few cartridges out of his box and 
I also took his knapsack it being a good one. His pockets had been turned 
wrong side out before I found him. Passing on farther and to the right I 
found in a fence corner next to the road a young man who seemed to be dressed 
in better material than most private soldiers. He was wounded through the 
hips and someone had stretched a blanket over him to keep off the sun which 
was by this time up. 

When I went up to him he commenced to beg me not to kill him which vexed me 
to think that he had such a foolish idea about Texans; and replied, “You 
fool! What would I want to kill you for? Don’t you know any better than 
that?” About this time I heard the order to fall in and hastened to the 
company and was just in time to take my place in ranks to start on the march 
to Pleasant Hill to catch the Yankees.