October, 1863

October 1
It ceased Raining this morning & about noon the wind began blowing so tonight the mud is Drying up very finely.

October 2
Our Cavalry met the Rebs this morning a few miles from Franklin & had a brisk skirmish. Captured one piece off artillery & a Number [of] prisoners.

October 3
We left Bisland at day Break this morning  & marched through Franklin about noon. The distance is about 8 miles.

October 4
Our whole column moved forward from Franklin to within 12 miles of N. Iberia [New Iberia, on the banks of the Bayou Teche] where our cavalry had a skirmish with the Rebs. Took 20 prisoners, lost 1 lieut. [lieutenant].

October 5
We moved forward to within two miles of New Iberia & camped on the field where the cavalry had their Battle yesterday with the Rebs.

October 6
161st went on picket this morning. At night we moved forward through [New] Iberia & guarded a Rail Road.

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October 7
We [?]  on again this morning until 10 o'clock when we met a [?] of Rebel cavalry at camp Pratt [a former Confederate military camp located next to Spanish Lake near Franklin, LA]. But we soon put them to flight & captured 7 of them.  At 8 pm we advanced 3 miles.

October 8
This is a very cool morning we are camped on a large plain.  We pulled up & went forward again at ten o'clock & marched Near Vermilion Bridge [this crosses the Vermillon Bayou] & formed a Hollow square [a combat formation an infantry unit forms in close order, usually when threatened with cavalry attack; also known as an infantry square].

October 9
We move to within half mile of the Bridge then the 161st & 126 Regts. [were] sent ahead as skirmish & crossed the Bridge at 5 o'clock

October 10
161st Regt has been on picket all night. At 7 o'clock this morning we had a skirmish with the Rebels.
Drove them & took possession of Vermilion Village. Gen Banks came to visit [?].

October 11
We moved forward today from Vermilion to Carrion Crow Bayou (Carrion Crow is the Cajun French word for buzzard] where the cavalry had another skirmish with the Rebs. The Distance is 14 miles.

October 12
Today we are Resting in camp waiting orders to move. Mailed letter to wife.

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October 13
Last night we had a severe shower which completely flooded our camp.

October 14
The Rebs Drove our pickets in at 3 o'clock. A Brisk Skirmish took place & lasted until Dark, But not much Serious Damage was Done.

October 15
The enimy made an attack on our front at Day Break. Our whole force was drawn into line & engaged them. At noon we Drove them & advanced.

October 16
We [were] Relieved last night by the 13th Army Corps & Returned to our camp. This morning our whole force was called out at 4 o'clock and Remained in line until Sun Rise.

October 17
Up at 4 o'clock again & formed a line of Battle. At [?] o'clock 161st Regt went out on picket. There has been one of our picket posts gobbled by the Rebs last night.

October 18
We [were] Relieved this morning by the 28 Mass Regiment & returned to camp.

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October 19
Today we had general inspection. Inspected by Capt Cushing [?]. There [are] No Rebs to be seen Near our lines.

October 20
Newell & me Dissolved partnership today. Night mailed letter to wife. Received orders to march in the morning.

October 21
We broke Camp at Carrion Crow at Day light this morn & marched 6 miles north of Opelousas which is 18 miles from C. Crow.

October 22
Near Barre’s Landing. The 13th army Corps has taken the front & we are camped at the Rear of that.

October 23
This is a very Rainy day. Our Cavalry has fetched in about 50 Rebel prisoners. At 4pm the 161st Regt went on picket Duty.

October 24
[Charles W.] Hurd & me went out about two miles & got our Haversacks full off Sugar & a nice pig.

[Charles W. Hurd enlisted in August 1862 in Reading, Schuyler County, NY as a private with Company B, 161st regiment. He mustered out with the regiment at Fort Jefferson, FL in September, 1865.]

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October 25
We are in camp yet between Opelousas & Barre’s Landing.  We Don’t know how long we will stay here But Expect to move soon. Received letter from wife & father.

October 26
Mailed letter to wife & father. Nothing New in camp today.

October 27
161st Regt went on picket again. Relieved the 30th Mass Regt. One year ago today 161st Regt was mustered in United States service.

October 28
Went after more sugar. 174th NY Relieved us at 4 o'clock.

October 29
The Weather is quite cold for this season of the year.  We have quite some rain & the Roads are very muddy.

October 30
There is Nothing off any account going on in camp today.

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October 31
About Noon. While we was mustering for pay there was an alarm made in our Camp by the 13th Army Corps. Discharging their guns & Not Notifying our Commander of it which Caused much excitement.

Remarks
During the last two months our Regt has Been in one severe engagement with the enemy at Sabine Pass & have been in Different Skirmishes on this march. But we have foraged so as to live first Rate & have endured some hard marching. But yet we have Employed ourselves better than some time when in camp at B.R. [Baton Rouge].