Disbanding the GSth Regiment. 117 



a gunboat plving on the James river, the same as the * Fanny 

 Lehr/ 



We were glad to be afloat again, and steamed rather fast up 

 the river, where we overtook the ' Robert Lehr,' a ship belong- 

 ing to the company, heavily loaded with all kinds of provisions. 

 When we were just alongside of her she ran on the sunken 

 wreck of a ship. It was a tremendous shock. She trembled 

 like a person in great fear, and went down as if she had been 

 lead. It was a pity to see all the boxes with fine wines and 

 baskets of champagne tumble into the water, and sink after a 

 few moments. The crocodiles must have had a nice time that 

 day, for there was wine enough on board to make them all 

 drunk. We succeeded in saving not only the captain and crew, 

 but also a box of fine claret and a basket of champagne. As 

 the captain of the wrecked ship had no objection, we had cer- 

 tainly none, to make acquaintance with the contents of box 

 and basket. 



These accidents happening to the ' Fanny ' and the ' Robert 

 Lehr ' were entirely owing to their captains neglecting to take 

 pilots from Savannah, who were acquainted with every old 

 snag and other unsafe places in that treacherous river. 



We arrived in Augusta on the 25th, in the afternoon, and 

 heard from General Steedman that the order to disband the 

 68th Regiment had arrived from the War Department already 

 two days ago. The regiment had suffered much by sickness, 

 especially at Fort Pulaski, and was therefore sent home before 

 the end of its time. 



Salm had to go to Wainsbury, where the luggage of the 

 regiment was still being kept, and I remained meanwhile with 

 Mrs. General Steedman and my sister. My husband returned 

 soon, and on the 29th November we embarked on board the 

 steamer ' Gibbons ' for Savannah. She was a most uncomfor- 

 table old tub, and it was well we went down the river and not 

 up. 



When we arrived on the 20th in Savannah we found there 

 many officers of tlie 68th Regiment, all very much excited, and 

 glad to return home. 



Salm was inclined to go with the 68th Regiment to New 

 York, where it was to be disbanded, but as nothing but unplea- 

 sant things awaited him there, I persuaded him to accompany 

 me to Baltimore and Vv^ashington. The regiment left there- 



