Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-12-17
aO,h Illinois Regiment.
Letter from Captain r Q. HadeGrant.
Camp LYON, Birds Point, Mo-, Dec. 4.

Camp Lyon, Birds Point, Mo-, Dec. 4.
FRIENDS ZARLEY:-
have been thinking about writing to
you some time in relation to matters here
and particularly to inform the public that
there was such regiment in existence as
the Goth Illinois Volunteers. IL l have
been asked once, have been asked
twenty times by visitors, "Why don't we
hear OF the Goth IN the newspapers, as well
Us other regiments ?" And have wonder
ed myself that after as much hard work
msrching, grubbing and clearing camp
grounds, making entertainments, scouting
the country over after the enemy and fight
ing him at FFedericktown against fearful
odds, the only notice Of any account we
have received, excepting in the "SIGNAL,"
was the official reports If the Cficers Of the
expedition.
1t would be well to give brief history
OF what wo have been doing :-Whtn we
arrived at Camp Pope, we're set to work
clearing of our camp ground. The stumps
were thick as three in bed and two in tho
middle. You could have walked upon them
without wettirg your feet. When we bad
the ground fairly grubbed, we were order
ed South. We came TO Cape Girardeau
and found it an exposed point, very im-
rCrtsnt 10 a strategic point Of view. For
SIX weeks our regiment held the place
without artillery or entrenchmenus, while
Gen. Watkins was in camp within thirty
five mules Of us, ard the country OveTrun
with the enemy. The village itself was
strongly Secesh, and cur camp was full Of
spies daily. Scouting PARTIES ell the
country in almost every direction from orr
camp, and we were thus enabled TO afford
succor to a large extent Of country.
In these excursions into the enemy 3
country, in many Of hich your cGrrespon.
dent participated, deeds Of daring and
rrowess were performed which though not
finding their way to the public, are still
characteristic OF cur brave boys, and will
long be remembered by those " 10 witness
ed and were benefited by them. On one
occasion, severteen Cfour men were sent 70
capture an inhuman animal IN the shane of
3 man " no had turned his mother and Sis.
ter out Of doors, fer entertaining Union
sentiments. We went the whnle dis,npce
thirty miles. into strong Secesh ncighbor
hood, captured the gent and sta ted to re-
Unmarried at jackson ten miles from
camp. found the place full of men who bad
met To drill, as n Secesh company had been
formed there. Although four or five to ore
they "skedaddled," as the boys saw, when
our boys approached. and left the BOYS IA
pursue their way They were pursued by
thirty Of JEFF. Fhompsou's cavalry VII,
were not mrre than thirty minutes lehiud
them, tut were u. overtaken.
The long roll sounded one night aGte,
we were all in bed, and we were silently
drawn up in l;ne Oar officers led us to tho
summit Of the hill, and ordered us 10 stack
arms. The shovels and picks were ther
put into ourbnnds In the morning, lnl M
embankment several feet high eneircIeC
the brow Of the hill, crmmandinc the town
We fortified that place, rendering it aImost
imprcguable. We have since assisted II
terrifying this point. and now construct;n,
winter quarters 1t would be our good
luck 80 be ordered away about the time
they were constructed. II thoy will send
us South, we will be content
At the battle Of Fredricktown our men
were in the thickcst Of the fight CrLn,l
Marsh. as COL and collected as an old vet
cram, smoked his cigar while TIE fob,
lasted-gave his orders as though ii vas
only II dress parade. Lieut. Col Ervi;
sustained the reT utatlon he had gained n,
q brave aud prudent ficer. While the
frey Major Goodwin led his men to battle
Us though he was engaged in fox chase
And yet not word has ever been said
about us-rnly that we were in the tiyht
Although not in the fight myself being
confined to my room by sickness, an anx
iuus that our friends stall know T. at We
have at least done something to earn our
nancy.
We are now waiting patiently for orders
to move South. A few days will deter
mire what we are to do.
The Presidents message was received
here this morning aud is pretty freely dis
cussed. 1t is generally satisfactory.
Our bows arc glad to hear from home.
and the Signal Is hailed with good pleas>
ure. will write you again after we have
occupied Columbus. We have list but or 2
man in Company +. since Ne left camp
1 have sent those home who were sick, and
hope to see them return all right when
their furloughs expire.
Yours truly.
L, q UILDEBRA