123                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

three days' rations in our haversacks. All were conjecturing as to our destination, some saying we were going up the river and others down.

           But it soon became known which route we were to take. As is usual, it commenced to rain before we got on the boats, making it very unpleasant as well as disagreeable for us, for the hurricane deck is always the most desirable place on the boat in good weather. The Seventy-Eighth (of course) was the last regiment on board; seven companies going on the Gladiator, with the Brigade headquarters, while the other three, with the artillery, went on the Iatan, the Twentieth and Sixty-Eighth on the Louisiana, and the Thirtieth Illinois on the Fanny Ogden.

           Darkness was upon us before we got started, and most of us were wrapped in nature's sleep, not knowing which way we were going until a little after daylight, when it was found we were making a landing at Eagle Bend, twenty miles above Vicksburg, on the Mississippi side. It was soon ascertained that the object of our mission was to reinforce General Sherman, who had started from that point a few days before to make his way across to the Yazoo river to operate in the rear of Vicksburg. Should he need reinforcements we were to be there in readiness for him.

           We remained on the boats until the morning of the 25th, when we went into camp about a mile back of the river, sending the sick and everything pertaining to our camp equipage back to our old camp, taking nothing with us but our knapsacks, dog-tents, camp kettles, and a few mess pans. The roads were utterly impassable for teams, not even a horse being able to get along, and consequently the artillery was sent back also. Should we be needed it was said we would have hard times getting along, and it was best not to take anything but what would be really necessary.

           No troops were at this point except a few "pioneers," who were building up the road. A stream of water came in here from the river, forming a bayou, upon which were steam tugs plying to and fro, assisting General Sherman in his undertaking. We expected to remain there two or three days, and commenced building houses out of a sort of willow; but orders came that night for us to return to our Division again. The Thirtieth Illinois started back about midnight, there being no transportation for the other regiments at that time, we having to wait until the boats could come down after us.

           Before leaving we heard that Sherman's forces were coming back again, being unable to accomplish their purpose. It was reported that the rebels were felling timber into the bayou faster than he could take it out; and while doing so he took five hundred prisoners, coming upon them unawares, capturing arms and equipments. Whether these reports are true, I am unable to say.

           The next morning everything was packed up early, expecting to get orders to go at any time, but we had to remain until 3 o'clock before our boats arrived, when we skedaddled to the river and were off in a little while, the Seventy-Eighth being aboard the Fanny Ogden, and the Twentieth and Sixty-Eighth on the Gladiator, getting back to our old camp on "Vista Plantation," near Perry's Landing, and about five miles above Lake Providence, about dark.

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