The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-07
From Birds Point.
j. G. STARKwEATHER,
H. A. FRANKLIN,
Adjutant
CAMP TAYLOR, BIRDS POINT,
Mo-, Nov. LIST, 1861.
DEAR PARENTS 4:

CAMP TAYLOR, BIRDS POINT,
Mo-, Nov. LIST, 1861.
DEAR PARENTS
I'm SO glad to tlipk that we are alive and well
and once more permitted to write to the dear
ones at home especially after having been in
actual Serv,ce, that scarcely know how or what
to write Of course you have heard of the Bat
tie of Fredericktown, and the engagement of
our battery but still are left somewhat in the
dark in regard to the particulars of the battle
and our movements. Just two weeks ago, last
evening, we left for Cape Girardeau, on the
steamer Louisiana, accompanied by the goth
Regiment H. Vols.We landed in front of Head
quarters at the Cape the next morning. L have
kept daily journal since We left, which will
serve as a reference in writing description of
the march. Thursday at three o'clock,we NOV
ed out of town and camped for the night; we
strike tents and pack baggage for march; at
5 O'Clock we start, with the Goth III. in front
and 10th III, and the 18th Mo- in our rear; also
train of forty wagons, as the expedition takes
rations for Is days; at noon we pass through
jackson, an almost deserted town, twelve miles
out ; passing Two miles on, we camp for the
night, planting our guns on the top OF high
hill in compand of the road towards Dallas by
five o'clock the next morning we are again in
line and move forward, reaching Dallas at 3
o'clock, eighteen miles from Jackson the roads
are very good, though over a succession ofhigh
hills, which brings US some hundred feet higher
than at morning the town is the poorest speci-
men Of place that ever saw; the people seem
to have lost all idea of neatness, and comfort,
though its sad appearance might have been nc-
casioned by its desertion.
Sunday, Oct. 20th.-We leave Dallas for
Fredericktown, and when but mile out,we pass
the place of one ofJeff. Thompson's night stop
pings, also taking prisoner who acknow-
lodged having been in the fight at Charleston
OH the other side. Through Sunday we make
a march of twenty miles, and at night hear va
rious reports in regard TO jeff Thompson's po-
sition. We retire with clothing, arms and I'M
plements on, ready for alarm. should an attack
be made. Being on duty from IL to 2 o'clock,
can appreciate large camp fire, both for its
society as we'll as comfort.
Monday, 2lSt.-On the march at daylight
moving very slow, but sure sending skirmish-
ers out most of time At oil O'clock we are in
sight Of the beautiful high hills beyond F., and
in half an hour more see the Court House.
1t is surrounded by company of cavalry at
ached TO the expedition from Ironton, which
reached the place at 9 this morning The reb-
ell force left in great haste the day before for
Greenville, forty miles South, having heard of
our intentions, also securing our messenger to
the Ironton expedition, supposing that by do
ing so, they had stopped that force from advanc-
ing until they they SHOULD hear from us ; but by
marching all night, they had arrived some five
hours before u.s. Resting an hour, we marched
into the city, taking the head of the column for
Greenville, the leading band playing Get out
of the wilderness" and the Ironton forces fol-
lowing.