known to obstruct the channel. The General therefore went on in the boat, and we disembarked
over the rotten and broken old wharf at Codfish landing. A delay of an hour or two ensued, and
then we fell in with the column, and marched on toward the city, over the "shell road" of which
we had heard so much, and of which too much could not be said in praise. Hard as a rock and
smooth as a floor, it wound for five miles along the edge of the bay, shaded by beautiful trees and
adorned by the neat though humble residences of the Creole population. It was such a delightful
change from the rough places where we had usually been, that it must ever hold a place among
our bright memories of pleasant scenes.

...we went into camp that night, on a nice, green field, near a part of the main defenses of
Mobile, designated as battery K. Among all the extensive earth-works with which we were now
environed, this was the most elaborate and completely finished we had ever seen; and citizens near
there said it was the pride of the rebel engineers. Artillery abounded along all the works; and had
the Johnnies made a stand they could have given us serious trouble....°”*

Next morning [April 13] there were strict orders to the effect that no man or officer
should leave camp to go to town. The orders were much more strict than was the obedience to
them.... That night there were many men for extra duty, brought to it by unauthorized absence
from camp when the roll was called in the morning. A little before noon we were called into line;
and our division marched on through the city with colors flying, drum-corps doing their noisy
best, and as much display as the ragged and dirty condition of the uniforms would allow. Every
body, except the white folks, turned out to see us. Little delay was allowed. The rebels had
retreated up the Mobile and Ohio railroad; and forthwith up the railroad we started after them.
At the little town called Whistler, some five miles out from Mobile, were located the
manufacturing and engine-shops of the road; and word had been received that the rear-guard
of the rebels had just been committing depredations there.

Marching on a railroad 1s no pleasant way of traveling. It does very well for a while; but
one soon gets tired of straddling from tie to tie, especially if he wears a knapsack. Reaching
Whistler at last, we piled all our baggage, except fighting-gear, on the ground, and prepared for
a skirmish. Our regiment went forward some distance on the double-quick, but could not come
in soon enough. Other regiments, reaching town in advance of us, had done the business. The
enemy was only a squad of some two hundred rebel cavalry, as we afterward learned, who had
remained behind the main body of the army for the sake of plunder. Had their number been
known at the time, there would have seemed some thing ridiculous in rushing to attack them with
a whole division of infantry; but they made quite a resistance, as it was, and in the skirmish three
of our force and sixteen rebels were killed.

This was the last preparation for battle that we ever saw; and our part of it ended in
standing near the railroad for a few hours, and then, toward dark, going into camp, in the wood,
in a nice place near town.*”

 

“8 A. F. Sperry, History of the 33rd Iowa, p. 154.

” A. F. Sperry, History of the 33rd Iowa, p. 155.
156