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EARLY DAYS OF PITTSBURG, TEXAS 1859-1874
Life of John C. Porter and Sketch of His Experiences in the Civil War
John C. Porter 1874
18 Tex Inf-Olchitree
…On July 21st, we were called into line and marched to the Nebraska, a boat which lay at the wharf awaiting us. We thought we would be much crowded on only one boat, as there were a thousand of us, but found plenty of room.
Capt. Stevens and twenty of us were captured, and he and nineteen of us went aboard the Nebraska that afternoon, the other, John Freeman, having remained from choice.
We left the Crescent City about two hours by the sun on that day, ran to the mouth of Red River by 3:00 o'clock next day, when, our flag of truce appeared, most of the men, in fact all, except the sick, went on hurricane deck, and raised a shout of joy. We landed half a mile below the mouth of Red River, and the work of exchange began. I thought the time long, but steady work will accomplish a great deal. About dark they called my name, and immediately called J. L. Patterson, and we walked off together. I felt strange to have no guard around me.
We went up to the mouth of Red River, where we overtook the ones who had preceded us. Here we spread down our blankets and spent the night -- no one can imagine how free we felt. At 7:00 or 8:00 next morning we went aboard our boats. I do not now remember the name of either. We arrived at Alexandria, La., the afternoon of the second day. We spent July 24th in camp, in the suburb of the town. On the forenoon of the 25th, our officers obtained furloughs for the entire squad. Capt. Stevens informed us that a boat would leave at 2:00 o'clock from above the Falls, for Shreveport -- five of the men were so eager to get home, that they went immediately, not thinking to get any rations for the trip. The remaining fourteen of us, however, were more thoughtful of our stomachs, and each drew his three days rations, then proceeded to the landing, a half mile above the town; arrived in plenty of time.
Overhauled the five, above named, who had gained nothing in their rush, and worse, had nothing to eat on the trip. We soon launched for Shreveport, on the Indiana, No. 2, a small steam wheel, which could be steered no more than a log. On the way, it had to be pushed off from bank, like a common ferry boat. It being such a frail craft, they did not run, except in daytime. One night, while tied up, and all had gone to bed, and most all asleep, a man supposed to be walking in his sleep, fell overboard. Some men were sent in yawls, to try to rescue him, but all in vain. He soon ceased to holler, and those in search returned. We were a mixed multitude, and no one seemed to know who he was. Some mother wept for a son, or sister for a brother, or perhaps, a wife for a husband, who never knew his fate. We arrived at Shreveport in afternoon of July 29th, after a wearisome trip of four and a half days. Most of the time, on short rations, caused by a division with the five men, who hurried off without anything to eat on their journey. We were forced to take roasting ears and watermelons, along the river bank, of a night and when the boat would stop for wood; but think that none was taken unnecessarily.
When we arrived in Shreveport, a comrade and I got a small loaf of bread, and set out for Greenwood, a distance of sixteen miles -- intending to walk there that night, but after traveling until 10:00 o'clock, completely exhausting ourselves, J. C. Clinton and I asked permission to sleep on the veranda of a house, which was granted. We then asked how far back to Shreveport, and learned that we had traveled but nine miles, only a little over half our trip accomplished, and we were so weak from starvation and confinement, that we almost despaired of reaching our destination in time for the train, but we arose early and resumed our journey. On the way, we bought and ate some watermelons. All arrived in plenty of time and got aboard. ..