Section Xv. -- From The Teche Country To Texas

Dunng the latter part of the year 1863, a great many colored troops were enlisted. At this period the enrollment and organizaron of these were spocially activo in the Department of the Gulf. The colored soldiers were invariably put under white offlcers. The latter came mostly from the ranks of regiments that had seen active service. But to secure a commission in this service, some considerable kuowledge of military tactics was required, and the aspirant had to pass a pretty rigid examina tion before a board of experts. The fever for shoulder-straps became quite prevalent, and many au ambitious young man who saw no opening for promotion in his owu regiment, began to brush up his tacties and toen went before the examiners and later secured a commission in the "Corps d'Afrique." White at New Orleans quite a number, left.the writer's regiment in this svay, and later at New Iberia in October and November, others went in the same manner. Thus a number of the best men were lost to the regiment. Towards the end of October quite an excitement was created by a rumor that the post of New Iberia would be attacked. The Confederates weri kuown to be in forca at Vermillion Bayou, some eighteen or twenty miles west, and detachments of cavalry were constantly watching their movements. New Iberia being so near the enemy was in danger, and to strengthen it as much as possible an extended line of rifle pits was made. The citizeus of New Iberia wero made to work on them. Our cavalry surrounded and captured a small body of the enemy's cavalry. The Confederates were brought in one morning, and many of those composing the force at New Iberia went out to the road as they passed. The prisoners were disarmad and put npon their horses, but the reins of each one of the latter were held by a XJnioa cavalryman Woll armed and inounted, who rode at the side of the prisoner. One of the captured cavalrymen, as soon as he carne in sight, noticing the throng of blue coats that had come out to the road, began yelling at the top of his voice: "Here's yourd - d rebels I Here's yourd- d rebels 1 "Never was there a squad of men gotten together, Union or Confedérate, but had itsloud-mouthed member, some "smart Alick" whose tongue at all times seemed loose and who never lacked for word nor occasion to speak. There were but few sick in the hospital, but "sick-call" was, of course, held daity. About nine each morning two inusiclans with drum and flfe came to the surgeon's tent and played a peculiar strain that all soon came to recognize as "sick-call." Immediately upon hearing this tho indtaposed from each company care to the snp. geon's tent where they ere examined. prescribed forand extmsed from duty, if, in the judgement of the surgeon, their ailments n:eritedit. In the army men, varied greatly regarding their infirmities. Some were always complaining, always on the sick-list, and yet upon examination but little in the way oí ailment could be found. Others were non committal and went on duty as long as they were able to stand on their feet and stayed away from the hospital and care of the surgeon as long as possible. ' (To he Omtinued.)