The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-11-02
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
From she 1ss Indiana Cavalry.
D. r.. " d 40 aoat

literally read to pieces. For the frst time,
almost since arriving at the Knob, (hsving
a little leisure time), find myself scribbling
a few items for the Journal, thinking per-
hapa they would prove interesting to your
readers, many of whom are my personal
friends. And In the FIRST place, let me say,
that If the boys complained of slowness and
inactivity while In camp at st. Louis and
Evansville, they have been put through at
speed which leaves no room for complaint
since their arrival here, and it affords me
much pleasure 10 say that their efforts have
so far been attended with complete success.
The country for some fifty or sixty miles
around has been completely secured; every
nook and corner penetrated; many prison.
ers arrested, and the secesh kept in perfect
terror of the id Hoosier Cavalry, as
they call them.
At the battle of Fredrickstown, the pluck
and courage of the boys was fully tested.
Something has been said of the gallant
charge they made on that occasion, bat that
was not near so trying to the nerves and
feelings, as to be drawn up for an hours
time in line of battle, in open field, just in
front of the enemy's batteries, with cannon
ball and canister whistling around and
above them. But not man ainched, though
some begged to be led to the charge imme-
diately. 1t was while drawn up in line of
battle here, that Major Gavitt came gallop-
ing up, (he had about half an hour previous
started for Indiana on business, not dream
ing of battle being so close at haud.) He
rode straight up to orr Junior Major, with
whom he had had some difficulty, and who
was Just in front of the forces. Extending
his hand, he said, "Major, we have had
some difficulty and i'll feeling between US;
we are on the battle field now, and cannot
afford to bs enemies, let US drop the matter
forever They then shook hands, and
commenced preparations for the BATTLE
Gavitt, with his eyes flashing FIRE, and form
erect, Immediately proposed to the Colonel
to charge across the fields and up the bill
and take the enemy's cannon. But he was
overruled and perhaps it was well he was,
tor while we could no doubt have taken
them, the loss of life would have been Sc
we're. But soon the order came to charge
down the lace. Fleeing himself with Capt.
Highman, at the head of the column, We
went at dasbing rate, into the very midst
Of them, driving them from their position,
bat at the 6rst fire the gallant Major, the
Captain, and two privates fell dead; some If
teen or twenty were wounded, most of them
slightly-a few mortally. After we had
driven them from their position, we halted
for short time to allow the infantry to
catch up, when the pursuit was continued
some six or eight miles further, where We
were met bYa flag of truce carried by Doctor
Mcdowell, the rebel surgeon, who came back
"a attend the wounded rebels.
From this point we ali returned to town.
Going back, q party of Us rode over the
battle ground. On the left, where the 18th
Illinois met Col. Lowe, the loss Of the rebcIs
had been most severe, lying scattered all
over the held, In every position, some with
CHASTITY wounds, some apparently sleeping a
quiet sleep, and others not yet dead groan-
ing and writing in intense agony. II was
scene not soon to be forgotten. Most of
them young, between sixteen and twenty
Eve, they perhaps had little idea of the real
nature of the contest in which they were
engaged. Col. Lowe was found dead on
the field where so many of his men fell. Our
forces buried some three hundred, and as
they were scattered along the road and hills
for 6ve miles, it Is probable that well nigh
unto another hundred were not found. It
would be useless to make distinctions
among officers and men, where all acted
their part so well, but l will be doing the
others no injustice, by mentioning Lieut..
Forth, of Posey county, as among the Draw
est of the brave. Appointed as aid to Col.
Carlin for the occasion, his tall form could
be distinguished riding through the thickest
of the iron hail, as he delivered his orders
with all the ease and GOODNESS of the oldest
veteran, and, by the by, hear 1t whispered
through camp that he will be the next
Major. So mote it be.
After the fall of Gavitt, Junior Major
Wood took the command at the head of the
column, and by his GOODNESS and bravery,
won the admiration of the whole command.
Col. Baker was also on hand, directing and
leading off the movements of the regiment.
We have Eve regiments of infantry here
now, q battery of seven pieces of flying ar.
tillery, and the Ist Indiana Cavalry and two |
companies Of Missouri Cavalry. With such
force we will not be liable tc remain idle !
long. Indeed We have orders now to get |
all our horses shod tomorrow, and be ready |
for anything. We have no overcoats yet, !
and these cold, frosty nights are anything /
but agreeable. Indeed the boys have suf- /
fered considerably on their night marches, /
for the want of them All the other Tegi- t
ments here but ours, are provided with |
them. Where the fault is. | cannot say I
am satisfied if our Colonel could have got |
them, he would have done so long ere this. /
The 9th Wisconsin regiment hers is fine 4
body of men; most OF them being lumber
men, are used to exposure and camping out. I
They are in their element they have with \
them the guardian angel of Liberty--a noble
Eagle-which seems fully conscious of its
importance. They have staff, on top of
which is the American shield, over which
again is placed the scroll and arrows. On
the arrows his majesty takes his seat and
with wings outstretched, seems to guard
over the destinies of the regiment. he got
away from them in st. Louis and after
soaring around for an hour or two, came
down and took his old perch on the stand
ard; he i, emphatically an American Eagle.
But my letter is getting too long.
Alden, Spencer CoUNTY.