The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-05-29
From the Fret wisconsin cavalry.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST WIS. CAVALRY
BLooMFIELD, SToDDARD Co., Missouri, :
1SEl
Dcnr TeLeprnnh


May 18TH 1862. } |
Dear Telegraph
Since wrote you last the exigences of this part
of the State have called regiment hither. This
village is so miles southwest of Cape Girardeau
and once was an interesting place but the rebel
lion has laid heavy hand upon its beauty and
prosperity and at present sadder picture of des-
olaton cannot be seen anywhere year ago the
population of the town was over 1000, now it is
less than 100 There were then, six eight stores
we'll stocked and patronized, to-day there Is not
one. You can not procure in all this country a
pound of coffee, tea or sugar, q bunch of matches
or an article of those things which in every civil
lied country are regarded as necessary TO life
This cursed attempt of South to break up the I'm
ion has run this people fully century behind the
age There is no Post Office, no newspaper. no
court of Justice, no public conveyance, no books,
no light, no knowledge, no happiness All the I'm
ion men have been driven out or killed. serenity
men have been murdered by the rebel hordes who
have infes ted this region, in this county alone in
the last year. for the crime of loving the Union and
the flag of their fathers. Close by where we are
encamped are four graves, by the roadside; three
of these graves contain the bodies of Union men
same tree, The fourth is open grave, the man
for whom it was dug having made his escape just
as the rope was being adjusted about his neck
You ofthe north can form no idea OF the ignorance
and cruelty of the great of the people in this
region first embruted by slavery and then by re-
bellion. ..r. . . ~
This county, since the outbreak of the war, has
been favorite theatre of action for the notorious
jeff Thompson, Colonel Phelan, Captains LETTERS,
Miller and the pirate Bowles. They have made
their abode in Observation-Disclosures and swamps,
and have passed their time in stealing horses re-
cruitng for the suthern army, plundering generally
and prosecuting loyal citizens. Our business here
has been to break up those maraudng bands and
to bring peace and security to unoffendng men
Let me assure you that we have been busily en-
gagged and very successful in our enterprise. We
have hunted them through the densest woods and
! the deepest swamps in the South, have scattered
| and broken up two or three of the bands already
so that the members thereof are coming into towr
daily and surrendering Themselves and offering tC
take the oath of allegiance The jail is crowded
with prisoners, among wnom is the famous Col
Phelan who was captured after sharp pursuit
through the woods, last week, by detachment OF
| Capt Conattys company. The Col. find to be
q man of intelligence he is very polite. but you
would be impressed with certain air of astuteness
too sharp for q thoroughbred gentleman. He ac
knowedges that there is now no hope of the South
succeeding the capture of New Orleans he thinks,
practically terminated the war. He confesses him
self very well satisfied with his present position,
and is complimentary enough, II not sincere enough
to say that be prefers Federal prison to leading
rebel troop through the forests of Stoddare Co.
A detachment of the regiment last week pushed
down toward the Arkansas line in pursuit Of JEFF
fer's and Millers companies, just as our men were
crossing the river the rebels, who had been lying
in ambush and of whose precise position we had
no intimaton poured out Il volley upon the ad-
vance of our column. A sharp conflict occurred
for some thirty minutes when the villains broke
and fed into the woods. They lost thirteen killed
and as many wounded. Our loss, though not so
numerous. we feel to be severe. Lieut. Phillips of
Company A, was killed; Lieut.. Merrill of Co. d,
was seriously, if not fatally wounded, having re-
ceived no less than FIVE balls in various parts of
his body One man of Co D. was killed, and five
out of other companies slightly wounded.
We all feel deep sorrow at the loss of Lieutenant
Phillips. He was brave, generous and noble. He
was too good to fall by the hands of so ignobe an
enemy, though not too good for the sacred cause
for which ne cheerfully gave his life. Let us drop
a tear to his memory and register his name with
that of Lyon Ellsworth and the countless other
martyrs and heroes of this terrible war. Wehang
over Lieut. Merrill with much soictude and hope
he may be spared, for better or Drawer man is
not in the regiment.
week ago, the Colonel had the Union flag rails,
ed over the Court House in this town. 1t was a
most impressive sight, and many an eye was wet
with tears of joy and gratitude to see once more
honored with sovereign sway in place where it
had lately been desecrated and trailed under par
barian feet 1t was doubly dear to many of us
then, for it was the regimental flag made by the
ladies of Kenosha, and it not only brought to our
minds our country, but our homes and loved ones.
Ladies of Kenosha, had you witnessed that sight
you would say that, even for such end, your fin
gers had not toiled in vain.
Our life in camp assure you is not passed on
'howery beds of ease" great portion of the time
is passed in the saddle, scouting and feraging.-
Our food is composed of GodgerS-" mighty
small dodgers too at that-and fat bacon. These
are the staple articles of consumption in this coun-
try. Sometimes we get enough in two days to
make one satisfactory meal, sometimes, most fire.
quently we don't. After hard days riding thro'
dust and heat we sleep soundly upon the earth,
our heads pillowed upon our saddles, the tender
stars dropping gentle influences upon us from
above and bringing teus endearing dreams ofhome.
Occasionally thunder shower pouring down up
on our undefended if not noffensive heads, wakes
up the war.worn soldier to a ofthe stern re-
allties of his position: but everything, heat hun
ger exposure fatigue, danger and even death are
borne cheerfuliy and joyfully for the sake ofwhat
we are fighting for, and for the memory of what
the soldiers have left behind them, free homes, free
institutions, free press, pulpit and schools, the
blessings ofpeace, knowledge, prosperity and NOR
ally. To make these the common property of the
people of this benghted region, and the sure in
hcritance of their posterity, count all manner of
suffering welcome to the soldiers of the First Wis
Cavalry.
write in great haste and under camp difficult
ties innumerable t. J. c.
From Neutrality-suspicious. DOOIittie.