And by the following Tabular Statement it will be seen that more men were discharged for disability in 1863 than in 1862. Nearly every one of these discharges, however, was occasioned by sickness incurred in 1862 before we went to Florida, and hence should properly be included in our losses of that year. It will also be seen that in companies C and D there were fewer deaths than in the other companies. None of the men of C (except I think the color guard) and but a portion (a little over one-half) of D 8 TABULAR STATEMENTS-COMMENTS. 121 company took part in the expedition to Vicksburg, which probably accounts for this fact. DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. Commissioned Officers, . Non 66 Company A, 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 TOTAL. We were able also to get much more wholesome food than any with which we had been supplied since leaving Vermont. Fish and game were abundant, and the beef, which was brought to us on steamers direct from the North, was of a superior quality. We were also able to get fruits and vegetables to a greater or less extent in their season. At the time we reached Pensacola, Gen. Dow was in a great ferment over an anticipated attack from the enemy, and as soon as we were fairly disembarked our men were set to work constructing a stockade, skirted by a sort of chevaux de frieze, in front of our quarters and also in completing other unique barricades and defences devised by this doughty commander against a possible "surprise." A most comical affair in the shape of a redoubt was built out of wood and sand near the cemetery. None of us were ever able to discover the importance of fortifying this point, as the entire country in its immediate front was commanded by our own artillery and the guns of the fleet. But it was not for us to "Reason why "T'was ours but to do and die." and so the lamented Capt. Croft, I believe it was, received instructions to destroy the headstones and monuments in this ancient" Burial Acre," and to demolish the fences surrounding it lest the enemy should be protected, or our fire obstructed thereby. So unnecessary an act of vandalism excited great ridicule and disgust, and the order for its execution was never fully carried out. On the 29th of December the regiment with other troops took part in an armed reconnoisance to Oakfield, a small settlement about five miles outside our lines, under the personal command of Gen. Dow. The enemy not being found there, and no furniture having been discovered, the "object of the expedition" was declared to have been "accomplished" and we returned to our quarters without important incidents. CHAPTER VI. DEATH OF LIEUT. FRENCH-SCOUTING AND ALARMS-SKIRMISH AT OAKFIELD-SANTA ROSA ISLAND-FORT PICK ENS EVACUATION OF PENSACOLA-BARRANCAS CAMP ROBERTS-PICKET DUTY-CAPTURE OF PRISONERS AT PENSACOLA BY CAPT. YOUNG FEVER-REFUGEES AND DESERT ERS-ARRIVAL OF GEN. ASBOTH. 1863. Early in January Lieut. Henry H. French, of Company H, succumbed to an attack of fever, brought on by exposure and toil on the Vicksburg campaign, and on the 20th died. He scarcely was twenty-one years of age, but was ambitious and anxious to succeed in the profession which he had adopted, and apparently had a bright and useful career before him. 124 ALARMS-SKIRMISH AT OAKFIELD. About this time Major Porter was detailed on Staff duty in New Orleans, and as assistant Provost Marshal received much credit for his efficiency and ability. During the months of January and the early part of February frequent scouting parties were sent out in the direction. of Oakfield to keep track of the enemy's movements, and every night or two the "long roll" was sounded, and we were routed out to take position behind the stockade. On several occasions, during the day, we had sham fights, taking up different positions along the line of defences, so as to accustom the men to their duties in case of an attack. It was evident that Gen. Dow meant to be vigilant a most essential quality in a soldier. But the frequency with which we were unnecessarily turned out at night, by false alarms, led us to think that such persistent and oft-repeated efforts to make the men prompt and watchful would have just the opposite effect. Fortunately, however, for our peace of mind at night, Gen. Dow, about the 23d of January, was ordered to New Orleans. Before leaving us he reviewed the entire command, and bade us an affectionate farewell, with the injunction: "Never allow yourselves to be surprised an admonition it would have been well for him had he heeded on the occasion of his capture. On the 17th of February Companies B and G, under Capt. Dutton, with some other troops, started on a scout. Just before reaching Oakfield they were attacked by a body of rebel cavalry, and quite a brisk skirmish ensued, which lasted some little time, but finally degenerated into a running fight, until Oakfield was reached, when the enemy precipitately retired. Probably |