and marched to Castle Garden; from
there proceeded by steamboat to Staten Island, and went into Camp at
New Dorp. Next day pitched our tents and had things very comfortable.

Colonel Nelson having been elected to Congress from his District,
Lieutenant Colonel E.L. Molineux was appointed Colonel, and took
command of the Regiment, which he virtually had from the first.

November 24th the Regiment broke Camp and was placed on board U.S.
steam transport Northern Light, pier No. 3, North River, and remained
at the wharf until December 2d, when we hauled into the stream. Early
on the morning of the 4th weighed anchor, and the 159th Regiment put
to sea. On the 13th we reached Ship Island, in the Gulf of Mexico,
having enjoyed a tolerable good passage for the season of the year,
being more fortunate than other ships of the expedition, some of them
having suffered considerable from rough weather off Cape Hatteras.

December 14th reached New Orleans, and anchored in the stream over
night.--The following day pursued our course up the river to Baton
Rouge, and arrived there on the 17th. The enemy, learning of our
approach in force, concluded to evacuate, while our monitors gave them
a parting salute, and the same day the Stars and Stripes were hoisted
to the breeze from the Capitol, amid the shouts and cheers of the
gratified soldiers.

Now the work began of making thorough soldiers of men, the greater
portion of whom never used fire arms before, at least not in the
manner required by the service. Squad, Company, Battalion, and Brigade
drill, with any quantity of discipline considered essential to fit
men for the campaigning and hardships visible in the distance, were
gone through with.

Perhaps few in the volunteer service, none of whom could boast of very
much practical experience, were better adapted than Colonel Molineux
for this severe task; very quick, energetic, ambitious to do his own
duty and to keep every man in his command busy, was the true secret of
his success as a disciplinarian.

For nearly three months the men were kept steadily under instruction,
and became quite proficient in the use of the musket, and all the
essential discipline to make an effective army.

On the 13th of March, 1863, broke camp, and the army moved up to the
rear of Port Hudson. Colonel Molineux having command of a provisional
Brigade with Nims' Massachusetts Battery, went up the Clinton Road,
while the main army proceeded down the Port