The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-05-17
Army Correspondence.
In CAMP, FoUR MILES FROM CoRISTH, !
Nav eth 1860 [

AMY OOAA SoPOAoS0CSs
IuCAMp, FoUR MILES FROM CoRIxTH,
May 5th, 1862.
Mr.. EDrroR: Thinking you might like
. short item from the Ottawa Light Artil-
lery, will give you few scenes which
we have passed through in the last three
or four weeks.
We left Birds Point about two months
ago, and after travelling through about
fifty miles Of cypress swamp, finally arrived
in the rear of New Madrid, but the rebels
had evacuated the day before and gone
to Island TO-
After lying at New Madrid two or three
we were attached to Genercl Paines divi-
sion of General Pope's army, and ordered
on board the transports to cross the river
and attack the rebels in the rear, or cut
off his retreat if he attempted to run
Our battery was the first to cross the riy-
er. As soon a. We landed news was re-
ceived that the rebels had left No 10, and
were making for Tiptonville We started
at once on double quick to cut them of,
arriving there just At dark, and encamped
within eight hundred yards of the enemy's
batteries. During the nexttwo day. some
four Thousand rebels surrendered them
selves a. prisoners. The Ottawa Artillery
was the only battery there at the time of
the surrender.
It was great fun for the boys hunting
rebels in the swamps. They found them
in hollow logs, old stumps up IN the trees
in corn cribs, and every place where'they
could hide themselves As the boys would
say, those were mighty fine times to hunt
sesesh, they could bag so many before
breakfast
From Tiptonville we were sent back to
Madrid to be paid off, but from some
cause the paymaster did not get round to
our company IN time, and we started down
the river without it. 1t was now hurah
for Memphis. Our beat, in company with
q fleet Of about forty others, had pro-
coded about one hundred miles down the
river, when we came within sight Of the
rebel gunboats, and we drew up along
the shore, and our gunboats put ahead
after them, and drove them down the
river, when we again started on our way.
The next day we arrived Oceola, Us miles
from New Madrid, and about four miles
above Fort Pillow.
The gnnboats and mortars opened fire
at once on the Fort, which was returned
with interest
After laying here two days, to our sur
prise we were ordered up the river again,
to report at Pittsburgh Landngi without
delay.
After being on board the transports
twelve days, we arrived at Hamburg four
miles above Pittsburg Landing. From
there We Immediately strrted on the road
to Corinth. We have been about two weeks
on the road now, and have had pretty
rough times, as it has rainsl almost con-
stantly.
/ Day before yesterday we had our first
! fight. We were ordered out with our bat
terry and one days ratious at thirty min
! ntes notice. We were on hand in time
and we started out on the road to Fal
mouth. We had proceeded about three
miles when the sharp shooters, who were
| in advance, opened the ball by driving in
the cncmys pickets. Our advance pick ct
took several prisoners. from whom VI
learned that the enemy had battery 0
six guns planted on the hill about mile
ashead, supported by four thousand five
hundred infantry. Our battery was ordered
to the front. on a run. On arriving on the
hill we found the rebels had posted them
selves in thick woods about mile away
Gen. Paine then ordered the battery L
take up position in field to the right
about three hundred yards from the woods
As soon as we moved up, the enemy opened
fire upon Us, and the balls whistied al
around U.S. We soon got into position anC
opened FIRE in return, and drove then
back with loss in killed and wounded
We then limbered up and got nearer, and
opened GU log house filled with rebel.
who were doing our men some injury
from behind cotton bales, but we made
the cotton fly and the rebels with it. We
again limbered up and put into the wood:
after them, and drove them on a run fol
| their entertainments at Corinth. We lost
one horse killed. and one wounded, but
none Of our men were hurt
The only troops engaged was Capt John
Morrill's company Of sharp shooters, from
Ottawa, and Capt. Paine's company, from
La Sale county, so that La Sale county
has the honor of the whole affair. After
the battle was over Gen. Paine came uI
to Capt. Houghtaling and took his hand
| and told him that he was never better
pleased in his life, he was proud of this
battery and he could hug every man in il
During the whole action not man finched
although the enomy's shot and she'll fell
! all around Us.
Yours, LIEUT.. NJ. II. p.
| HEAD Quarters SD III. Vol.
May LIST 1852
| ES;~nJ Oemon.-Our regiment an vester