The fact that our colonel was then on detached service led me to believe that the Thirteenth Maine was destined to remain on duty in New Orleans for an indefinite period. Lieutenant-Colonel Buck (late captain in our regiment), who had been assigned to the Twentieth Regiment Corps d'afrique, then stationed at Fort Macomb, had, a month or two before, without my knowledge, appointed me captain in his regiment. Having served so long in the Thirteenth Maine, I had become so strongly attached to it that it seemed almost like disloyalty to withdraw from it. But I thought I saw a prospect of getting into more active service; therefore, with some misgiving, I finally accepted the commission and joined my company at Fort Macomb. The post commander (Buck) and all the officers of the four companies stationed here were promoted out of the Thirteenth Maine Regiment. Although we regarded ourselves as ‘would-be fighters,’ we yet constituted a happy family.
The Twentieth Regiment Corps d'afrique—so re-named by General Banks—was organized by General Butler from the First and Second Regiments, Louisiana Native Guards, which left the rebel service and disbanded when the Union troops first occupied the city. This regiment was composed of free colored men, men of much intelligence, good soldiers, and keen on the scent after smugglers. Furthermore, the regiment contained many good mechanics. Courts-martial were unknown in my company. During more than two years service, I had occasion to discipline but one man—this for lying. While I was proud of my command, it was a grievous disappointment to be assigned to garrison duty, of which I had had more than enough. Patrolling the lakes and bayous, day and night, in an open boat, was not ideal yachting. And when I learned that the Thirteenth Maine was booked for the Red River campaign, I concluded that the government didn't need my services, anyway,—surely not at the
