May 31, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 31-Saturday

     A very hot day and any quantity of business on hand.

     I am about used up already am worked way down thinner than for years before.

     Arrested Murray at 4 O.C. PM put him in Custom house and was on my way back to report when I thought I would stop and eat dinner went in, and found orders to move right away up the river somewhere, we expected into a fight.

     Got away from the City at 11 ½ O Clock PM steamed up the river and in good sprits but myself in poor health 7 ½ O Clock PM. we came to Anchor opposite Baton Rouge Col Dudley went ashore for orders and finds we are to land here, with both Regiments, Indiana 21st & our own.

     Our Band has enlivened our voyage, very much indeed and is quite an addition to our Regiment they are all Germans and enlisted in New Orleans 12 pieces and fine musicians to.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Saturday, May 31, 1862.
     Fine again sailing along finely
     There is some very handsome places
     Along the sides of the river.
     We don't know just where we
     Are agoing.  at 5[6?] Oclock. we
     Dropt anchor opposite the city
     Of Baton Rouge the Capitol of
     Louisiana a very pleasant and
     Healthy looking place.  there is
     2 Gun boats here.

May 6, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     May 6-Tuesday

     Time 11 A.M orders to provide one day rations and go up Opelousas R.R. under command of Lt. Kinsman of Gen Butlers staff, For an expedition. went over to Algiers and took cars. one Section of Battery consisting of two Steel Rifled Guns and one Corp 21st Indiana Reg’t and got under weigh found our Engineer from the Indiana and go on our way at 3 ½ O Clock.

     Found that a detachment of Indiana under their Col had been up an expedition and saw 2 French guns they have captured.

     Met the Col of 21st up some miles farther without either wood or water and after helping them out of their trouble proceeded on our way. Alligators plenty and palm leaf in any quantity all along out route which is through a very large swamp.

     We go some 70 miles up the road and took possession of the Rail R. Station for our Quarters through the night. posted gaurd and I lay down in a freight car & slept until morning. Everything quiet and right.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Tuesday 6
     Had a shower this morn but
     Have had a fine day nothing
     Stirring.  Beginning[?] a little
     ????? Every thing quiet.
     Corp Perkins taken to the Gen
     Hospital.  Luke Maegher taken
     To[?] the Regt Hospital W ???ber
     ???? taken to the Regt Hosp
     Nothing stirring.

April 13, 1862

Qr. Master Sergt. Howe:
From a Letter:
     April 13, 1862. A regiment has gone on to Biloxi to clean out a Mississippi regiment for this reason: we sent over a flag of truce yesterday and it was fired on when it was returning. General Williams' Brigade has been ordered to be ready to start at a minute's notice. I am O. K., but you may expect to hear from me as on the move before long.

BROTHER WARREN.

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:

     April 13-Sunday

     Once more under marching orders it is supposed for New Orleans as our fleet has all gone up there some days since.

     Drill in afternoon through the wet sand and a pretty wet drill it is. our Regiment has got worked up to a very nice thing. we can drill as well as most any of them who are much older than we are and it is rather remarkable. for we have had to work against everything but have usage. that we have had plenty of.

Corpl. B. B. Smith:

Diary:

     Thursday 13
     Got paid off last night i had
     55.45[?] cts. due me.  we had this
     Fornoon to write our friends
     I wrote a letter to send home
     By the fulton which sails
     This noon with the mail the
     Good Steam Ship Constitution
     Arrived yesterday with 3 regts
     On board from NewPort News
[Mem]
     They are landing to day they are
     A hearty looking set of men they
     Are the 4th Wis. 6th Mich. & 21st
     Indiana Regts. they were fired
     Into by the rebels from Sewalls Pt
     But not hit.  the men are all
     Busy writing home and sending
     Thier money.  a large steamer come
     In to day the harbor is full
     Of Vessels of all kinds a storm brewing

March 13, 1862

2d Lieut. Elliot:
Diary:
     March 13-Thursday
     Morning very warm and Salty the most uncomfortable feeling day we have had thus far.
     8 A.M. took our Company up to Major Watson for payment 27 of our men recieved no pay on account of an error of the Mustering Officer Capt Lemes not giving us the proper certificate to show they have been duly mustered into service.
     Today we have had our usual amount of drills our Brigade was increased one Regiment. by the addition of the Maine 14th they now much better than the 12th Me although a much younger Regiment.
     The Colorado attempted to come in to day but met with the usual luck and run aground. the same as [---] everything has that is connected with this division
     The Mississippi has not shown herself as yet.
     Ocean Pearl is discharging her cargo of horses today.
     Gen Thompson was in our Quarters tonight it seems he come out on the Black Prince when she lost so many horses. started with 153 and saved only 5. he is going to work for Reeves the [---] of Me 12th.


Corpl. B. B. Smith:
Diary:
     Thursday 13
     Got paid off last night i had
     55.45[?] cts. due me.  we had this
     Fornoon to write our friends
     I wrote a letter to send home
     By the fulton which sails
     This noon with the mail the
     Good Steam Ship Constitution
     Arrived yesterday with 3 regts
     On board from NewPort News
[Mem]
     They are landing to day they are
     A hearty looking set of men they
     Are the 4th Wis. 6th Mich. & 21st
     Indiana Regts. they were fired
     Into by the rebels from Sewalls Pt
     But not hit.  the men are all
     Busy writing home and sending
     Thier money.  a large steamer come
     In to day the harbor is full
     Of Vessels of all kinds a storm brewing